Arrows of Time - Kim Falconer [7]
‘It’s been protected,’ Kreshkali said.
They followed Scylla, jogging down the lane that led to the inner gates. They were wide open and welcoming.
‘Clearly a spell,’ An’ Lawrence agreed as he dismounted, leading his horse towards the manor entrance.
‘I’d like to know what it is,’ Kreshkali murmured. She felt the air with her fingertips.
‘Can you work it out?’
‘Maybe.’
They stopped at the hitching posts, the horses plunging their muzzles into the water, sipping at a frantic rate. An’ Lawrence lifted their heads after every few swallows to slow them down. ‘We’ve got to watch they don’t get colic in that pasture,’ he said, pointing towards the fields. ‘I’ve never seen clover so green.’
Kreshkali helped unsaddle the horses and rub them down, checking their hooves for stones. ‘That paddock looks like the best bet.’ She indicated a small corral, knee-deep in pale green rye grass with a few tassels of oats.
‘That will keep their minds off the Lupins, at least,’ she said, leading the horses towards the enclosure and releasing them. The animals didn’t take more than one step forward before setting into the grass. She had to give them a shove, slapping their rumps, in order to close the gates behind them.
‘But will it keep the Lupins’ mind off our horses?’
‘I don’t think they’re here for food, Rowan.’
‘I hope you’re right.’
Kali turned towards the manor house. ‘Shall we investigate?’
‘We’d better bring provisions.’ He looked the place up and down. ‘It could take hours to explore. There’s room for a whole village here.’
‘It’s perfect.’ She smiled, grabbing two green packets from the saddlebags. ‘Just what I’ve been hoping for.’
‘Tell me you’ve something other than those vile nutries?’ he said, wrinkling his nose.
‘You’re as fussy as Rosette.’ She laughed. ‘This is all we have left, unless you would care to hunt.’
As if in answer, a not-too-distant howl sounded on the wind.
‘I think I’ll explore the manor first,’ he said.
The massive doors were locked, but she coaxed them as she had the main gate, with a bit of charm and love. The handle seemed to awaken with her touch. ‘Thank you, darlings,’ she said, pushing the door open.
The outer door frames had faded to grey, bleached and weathered by the passing centuries, but once over the threshold the rich tones and hues jumped out to meet them. The walls were white marble veined with lapis, a sky blue shot with gold. The archway and door were made of dark polished teak, and the brass latches shone with a golden glow. Finely woven rugs covered the Spanish tiles, a layer of dust muting the colours beneath. She crossed the entranceway, leaving boot prints in the fine film. An’ Lawrence and Scylla followed more slowly—Scylla sniffing her way in.
‘We need to find the library,’ Kreshkali said, gazing at the ceiling. ‘It’s probably upstairs.’
‘Where do you think the kitchen is?’ An’ Lawrence asked as he examined the pictures lining the hall.
Kreshkali joined him. They were engaging images that drew the eye towards the centre of each lively scene—picnics in lush woodlands, a pool full of waterlilies and nymphs. And there was one of charging warhorses, their riders carrying off two voluptuous nude women, much to their apparent delight.
‘You’re that hungry?’ she asked, pulling her eyes away from the paintings.
‘Starving.’
She tossed him a nutri and he caught it without looking. ‘Eat up.’
Scylla sniffed the nutri and sneezed.
‘I might explore in this direction,’ he said, waving towards the other side of the hall. ‘There has to be something better here than this green glue.’
‘I imagine there’s a sizable pantry, Rowan, but I doubt it will still be stocked, at least not with anything edible.’
‘I’m not so sure. There’s a palpable spell on the whole estate—the trees, water sources, ground untouched by quakes. How else could it have survived? I’m guessing everything has been preserved—books, equipment, medicaments, weapons and food.’
‘Perhaps,’ Kreshkali said. She’d spotted a letter on a table near the stairwell. She picked up the