Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [87]
He returned to the parade ground, both he and the mare perfectly groomed. He stood for inspection, waiting for orders, trying not to smile. Would this be a practice run or did they have an actual task for him? His head lifted when he saw the Stable Master himself arrive and hand Willem a satchel.
A proper errand then, Gracie!
‘Are you well enough, Xane, to deliver a message?’
‘Of course, sir. I am, sir.’ He felt a tingling up his spine as Willem handed him the satchel.
‘Put that in your saddlebag and show it to no one but the High Priestess of Temple Corsanon. You must deliver it to her directly. Is that clear?’
‘Perfectly. Yes, sir.’ He took the message, recognising the seal. It came from the citadel and bore the stamp of the High Regent. He tucked it into a saddlebag and mounted up.
‘Take the north road, and let her run. Just make sure she comes back in good condition. Gauge her pulse after the first climb and water her at the temple. I’ll be checking her myself when you return,’ the Stable Master said.
‘And I’ll be timing you,’ Willem added.
‘It sounds like a test, sir.’
‘It is.’
Xane held back the smile that threatened to burst. This was one test he knew he would pass.
‘Give her a turn around the track, at the hand gallop, and then on your way,’ Willem said, waving him towards the starting line of the large oval parade ground.
Xane jogged her to the mark and checked his girth before mounting. He waited for the signal, keeping his hands soft on the reins, the mare as poised and alert as he. When the Stable Master’s hand dropped he let her fly, but not a dead run. She wasn’t warmed up enough for that and he knew they were watching for his judgement, not the horse’s speed. They already knew her capabilities; it was his that were under assessment. He kept her in a collected canter until the second turn, taking the corners smoothly and allowing her the slightest increase of speed down the last straight. When they came to the north gate, he slowed her down, approaching the five-foot fence at a collected canter. Grace cleared the barrier gate with ample room to spare. She landed lightly on the far side and they were off.
Perfect, Gracie! Thank you. He knew his exit had been well received by the cheers from the other grooms. We’re already getting high marks and that was the trickiest part of the journey! He could see it all going well. He would deliver the message before the noon meal and be back on the parade ground by afternoon tea. Just like that. He clicked his tongue, easing the mare down to a brisk trot and headed up the hill to Temple Corsanon.
They trotted over the last wooden bridge, Xane guiding the mare down the winding road to the valley. The temple gates were not far off. The mare was in excellent form this morning, a joy to ride. The sun was shining and he hummed as they covered the ground, the horse’s iron-shod hooves clicking out a cadent beat. When the temple was in full sight, he eased the mare to a halt, dismounting by the side of the road. He ran up his stirrups and loosened the girth a notch, leading her the rest of the way to the temple grounds. He planned to bring her back on time and in perfect condition, the note delivered, job done. He would pass this test and move on to the next stage of his apprenticeship. He felt it in his bones.
He walked down the middle of the road until the sound of wagon wheels brought his head up. He moved the mare to the grass, making room for the