13. Chapter Thirteen
Chapter thirteen
Sleep largely evaded me, the importance of today's mission weighing heavily on my mind all night.
I'm ready to get to the stables and see Willa and Felix, to reassure myself this isn't all a dream.
They might be begging for a dose of pain relief this morning, no doubt having celebrated well into the night.
I hung around long enough to satisfy my parents then ducked out, impatient to finish packing my warmest clothes and enjoy one last night in my own bed. Who knows where we'll be sleeping tonight? I wait for the thought to scare me, but all I feel is excitement.
Before pulling the closures on my bag tight, I make sure the prism sphere from the Sage and Bri's transcribed note are safely tucked inside.
I stash the bottle of scented oil she made me in the side pocket at the last minute, knowing it's a ridiculous thing to take when we need to travel light. I allow myself the tiny comfort anyway.
Then, I grab my thickest wool cloak and head down to the stables by the light of the almost-full moons, careful not to slip on the icy patches while I mentally rehearse what I'm going to say to Benz.
Earlier in the week, he agreed Felix and I could take two horses, but he's expecting us to be gone for a maximum of a month.
There's a big chance he'll say no to taking them for longer, or at least want to know why and where we're going.
And if I tell him, he might see it as his duty to report us.
If he does, I'll be well and truly fucked before I've set so much as a foot outside the city.
I can't think about that, can't give myself two seconds to consider the consequences of getting caught, or I'll lose my nerve.
Nerves that already hang on by a thread.
Am I really going to do this? Can I do this?
Even with telling Benz, it's still theft, taking the kingdom's resources for months without permission.
It's not too late to just go with the twenties as planned.
And yet, no part of me is considering it. This feels like something I have to do.
There's already a small fire crackling in the hearth when I step inside Benz's workroom.
I'm not surprised to find him already awake.
With his energy levels, you'd never guess the man is ancient.
He definitely makes the most of his Endurance magic, spending hours taking care of the Amplifiers while also overseeing the regular work and journey horses and leading the fitness programs that make up a big part of basic training.
Looking up from where he's polishing a glossy black saddle, he says. "Morning. Coffee's fresh. I'll have a sugar in mine." He nods toward the pot and two mugs.
Handing him one, I use the other to warm my chilled hands while I work up the nerve to interrupt the silence. "I need to ask you a favor. A big one."
"And what might that be?" he asks, continuing to work as if he's barely curious.
"The journey horses. We might need to take them for…longer than a few weeks, and I can't really tell you why." I cringe, hearing the vague words out loud. "I don't want you to get in trouble, and if you don't know, then you can't say anything when someone asks."
Without a word, he stands and walks into his office, coming back with an assortment of bags and a shiny pair of knee-high black riding boots he sets down next to my feet.
"These were Kyra's," he says coarsely, clearing his throat. "Try them. I think you two were probably about the same size." He raises a bushy grey eyebrow before I can ask if he has any response to my question.
I take the boots over to a spiky bale of hay and sit to try them on.
"They're beautiful. I just don't think they'll fit over my calves–" I start, reaching for one so I can prove my point.
The freshly polished leather is buttery soft and supple but feels sturdy and protective too.
Pulling my already damp shoes off, I slip one of the boots on and pull it up, fastening it with ease before doing the same with the other one.
Benz gives me a smug, I-told-you-so grin. "Look at that, perfect fit. And it's a good thing, too, those shoes would drive you crazy, catching on your stirrups."
"Are you sure you want me to have these?"
"She won't be using them. It's time someone else did.
" His eyes mist, and I lay a comforting hand on his shoulder.
The look on his face tells me he doesn't want to talk about the granddaughter he lost years ago, so I give him a minute, wandering over to the saddle he'd been polishing, perched on top of a wooden beam.
I run my fingers over the smooth, curved surface of the seat and admire the intricately stitched designs along the edges.
"That, I had made for her birthday. Never got to give it to her before she was taken from us.
It'll be a little stiff at first but should relax and soften with use and a few drops of oil daily.
Take it outside and get your friend tacked up.
It'll be getting light soon, and there's a few things you two need to finish.
I'll grab a bridle for the other one and meet you out there.
" He waves toward the door to the paddocks.
I grab the saddle and its deep purple blanket and head back out into the moonlight.
Standing by the gate, patiently waiting alongside a tall bay gelding and looking at me expectantly, is Aven.
"Told you I'd be seeing you again soon." His deep voice permeating my mind does nothing to ease my shock.
I haven't had nearly enough sleep or caffeine to understand. "What's going on? What are you doing here?" I ask, balancing the weight of the saddle on one hip as I muddle through my confusion.
"Ballroom dancing," comes the reply, and I roll my eyes at his snark. "You tell me. I'm going with you. Hopefully not to the Grotto, right?" he adds when I don't reply.
"Ah, I don't think so. I came to borrow journey horses, not commit treason."
He shakes his head. "Didn't the old man tell you?
They're all out already, or have been allocated to the twenties you're supposedly travelling with, except for Grange over there.
Now, are you going to put that on or just stand there staring until they leave without us, and we lose what I'm assuming is our cover story? "
Shit. I thought there'd still be a few horses available, even with more than usual in use, going to the Grotto. "Hang on. Isn't Grange Princess Olvia's horse?"
"Yes, and?"
"When did we decide to maximize the trouble we're already in? I can't steal her horse. She'll go straight to her father, and he'll send the guards before we get anywhere."
"She never rides him. He's bored, and I had a feeling we might be covering great distances.
When you asked about a horse for your friend earlier in the week, I suggested Grange.
A journey horse will take twice as long, and from what little you said, that's a delay we can't afford.
Now, are you going to tell me where we're going or not? "
"When did I even say I'm not going to the Grotto?" I ask, still adamant I'm not stealing a royal horse, let alone a damn Amplifier. Aven only looks at me as if he's supremely bored with this conversation.
"Ok, fine, you're right. We're not going through that portal. That doesn't mean I can take you. We could be gone for months."
I swallow the panic rising in my throat at those words. "Felix will have to stay behind, or double with Willa if there isn't another horse available. I don't love the idea of taking Grange, but I don't see what other choice I have."
He huffs. "I'm starting to feel a little insulted."
"Don't be ridiculous. It would be an honor to ride you, a dream come true. But I can't. You know we have to survive the Trials before we earn a chance at attuning. And, as you well know, I did not."
He snorts derisively, and I reach up to scratch the star on his forehead. Grateful for the support of the fence when his next words tilt the ground beneath my feet.
"Yet another silly mortal rule. Just because we choose to go along with that so we get access to our gifts doesn't mean we lose our free will.
I have no interest in being an asset, a commodity to be given as a reward to some Wielder deemed worthy by the supposedly powerful men of your kingdom.
I decided a long time ago I will never belong to anyone, but I choose to belong with you.
I already initiated the connection at the pool the other day.
It's up to you if you want to accept it or not. "
Chills skitter from the top of my head to the tips of my toes and back up again. No. Fucking. Way. I must be dreaming. Although I don't even think my imagination could come up with something this wild. It can't be real. And yet, it somehow feels so right, I don't even question it.
"Do you accept, Alyxia? If we're planning to leave alongside the children gathering outside the stables, we need to hurry."
"Are you sure you want to do this? Be stuck with me for life?
" I have no idea what the consequences will be for attuning with an Amplifier without permission. Nothing good, I’m sure.
I don't think anyone has ever done it before.
I need to go after Bri, though, and this is by far the best way to do that.
"Do you think I made this decision on a whim? I'm sure. But I can head back to the paddock if you're not who I thought you were. Decide now. Do you accept?"
"Yes. Yes, of course, I accept," I confirm quickly, as if there's any other possible answer.
"Good. Then let's complete the connection so we can get out of here."
"What do I have to do? I don't know anything about how the attuning works. Those details are usually only taught to the ones who are going to be riders." That's when it hits me. Holy shit. I'm about to have an Amplifier horse of my own.
"Like I said, the connection has been open for days. Accepting it is simple. I'll tell you what to do."