The Spell of Rosette - Kim Falconer [37]
‘Whoa.’ He pulled his mount to a halt.
The horse didn’t seem at all troubled to find a temple cat and a cloaked woman in the middle of the road. He fluttered his nostrils in their direction and then looked quietly into the distance, seeming pleased at the chance to rest. It surprised Rosette. Usually Drayco created quite a stir among equines, at least at first.
‘Finally, some people,’ the young man said. ‘You’re the first I’ve seen all morning.’
Rosette looked up into his bright blue eyes, about to speak.
‘I’m Clay Cassarillo, from the Southern Cusca Plains.’ He made a bowing gesture from atop the horse, pulling off his cap to release a shock of curly red hair.
‘I’m Rosette de Santo,’ she said with a quick dip of her head. ‘This is Drayco, from the Dumarkian Woods.’
‘Wow, two dark beauties from the lands of Dumarka. This is my lucky day,’ he exclaimed as he dropped the reins, kicked free of the stirrups, and jumped to the ground, a large leather bag and bedroll dangling precariously as he landed.
The horse sighed and cocked a hind leg.
‘That’s some cat!’ Clay’s expression became even livelier. ‘Is he your…your…’
‘Familiar?’
‘Is he?’
‘Yes,’ Rosette said. ‘My companion.’
Clay leaned his back against the horse, not taking his eyes off Drayco. ‘I’ve heard of Dumarkian temple cats. I never thought I’d see one this close up. He’s huge.’
‘Drayco is large even for his kind.’
‘Can I pat him?’ he asked, reaching out his hand.
‘I wouldn’t,’ Rosette said, stepping between them.
He can touch me if he wants to lose some fingers. I wouldn’t mind a crunchy snack. The gopher’s gone…
It didn’t sound like he was kidding.
‘Definitely leave him, Clay. He’s not a tabby-cat.’
He clasped his hands behind his back. ‘How did you meet him?’
‘It’s a long story,’ she answered, gazing out across the valley.
Clay brushed horsehair from his pants and followed her line of sight. ‘Demons, it’s beautiful here.’
‘Do you travel much?’ she asked.
‘This is the furthest I’ve ever been, but I plan on doing a lot more.’ He pushed a lock of hair from his face. ‘I’m a bard.’
‘A journeyman bard? Really?’
‘Not quite. I’m an apprentice. I won’t make journeyman for another year, though I plan on covering a lot of territory when I do. I’m headed for Treeon Temple to continue my studies. Gotta be there by noon.’
‘That’s where we’re going.’ Rosette smiled at him, watching his eyes light up.
‘Witch?’
‘You might say.’
‘Apprentice too?’
‘Initiate. I’m to apprentice at Treeon.’
‘Well, Rosette de Santo, you’re never going to make it there on time. It’s too far to walk.’
‘I realise this.’ She took her long cloak off and draped it over her pack; her dark green dress swept around her ankles as she leaned over. It covered her curves like soft skin on ripe fruit; it was something Clay noted, judging by his open-mouthed stare.
‘Want a lift?’ he asked, taking a breath and tearing his gaze from her body to look her in the eye.
‘That’d be wonderful, thank you.’
‘There’s one condition.’ He winked at her as he spoke.
‘Condition?’
‘You have to agree,’ he said in a rush.
‘What?’ Her forehead creased. Here we go. Boys and their one-track minds.
‘Tell me how you got your familiar and I’ll get you to Treeon on time.’
Rosette laughed. ‘That’s it?’
‘Yep.’
‘You’re on.’
Classic, Maudi. You ride all cushy on that fur-topped mountain, no doubt with the lad’s erection pressed against your backside, and I follow along like a dog.
First up, Dray, I’ll ride behind. No pressing of anything anywhere. And second, my black lovely beast, you couldn’t follow like a dog if you tried.
Drayco sat for a moment and licked his paw. You’re correct on that.
She smiled and half closed her eyes. Bending down to kiss the top of his head, she felt his silent purr.
‘I don’t know what just happened,’ Clay said, staring at the two, ‘but I’m guessing we have the temple cat’s approval to move on.’
‘We do.’ She looked up at the horse and wrinkled her nose. ‘How tall is he?’
‘Dozer’s every inch of 21.1 hands.’ Clay reached up to the horse