I need more exercise.

“What are you talking about?” Rudiger said.

Gabriella turned her head to look at him. “I take it that was for your horse, not me?”

Rudiger grinned. “Yeah, sorry.”

You’re not sorry. You love it when they get confused by our conversations.

“That’s nonsense.”

You’ve gotten better at silent communication with me, so the only reason to speak aloud is so other people know we’re talking.

Rudiger rolled his eyes, but didn’t reply.

“You’re a weird man to be around, Rudiger,” Gabby said.

“You get used to it eventually, your Highness,” Hang said. He was part of their honour guard, riding to the other side of Gabby.

They were riding across the open snow-covered field north of the Palace compound. Although they were no longer on Palace grounds, they were still technically on Royal land. These were the Royal Hunting Grounds, although they weren’t here to hunt today, just have a leisurely ride.

Anyway, Rudiger said, what’s this about exercise? I thought the grooms exercised you every day. Unless you’re complaining about your healing time again. You had to stay still during that time.

I’m talking about now, Borisin replied. They let me out of my stall and just walk me around a bit. That’s not exercise.

Rudiger groaned. No, I suppose not.

You hardly ever come out to see me.

I come out as often as I can. It’s just lately, I’ve…

Borisin snorted. You’ve been busy, I know. I’m going to lose my musculature.

Rudiger sighed. “You’re right, of course. Sorry. I’ll make a better effort.”

“Apology accepted,” Gabby said. “Though I don’t know what for. I wish I could hear inside your head, Rudiger. Either you’re hearing a talking horse, or imagining you are. Either way, it sounds like a fascinating place.” She laughed.

Ha, that’s not the word I’d use, Borisin said. Cluttered mess more like.

Rudiger leaned a little in Gabby’s direction. “He says he agrees with you. My mind is a truly fascinating place.”

Hey! Don’t go misquoting me!

Gabby snickered. “Does he now? How convenient for you that he can’t tell me himself.”

“Oh, he can. He just chooses not to.”

Gabby laughed. “Why am I not surprised?”

Pastrin looked back. He and Ned were riding a short distance ahead. “Something funny, sis?”

“No, I’m just laughing for no reason.” She laughed some more, and rode forward to join them.

Serves you right for misquoting me, Borisin said.

“Sorry buddy, don’t follow you.”

She left you behind. The truth will always get you farther with flirting.

Rudiger laughed. “I wasn’t…” He paused and switched to silent communication. I wasn’t flirting. I don’t need to flirt. I’ve got Zandrue.

Like that’s gonna stop you.

She’s not my type! Besides, she’s not even into men!

You’ll flirt with anyone.

Rudiger groaned. Whatever. Look, I’m sorry about not visiting you enough, okay? It’s hard with all this mingling I’m supposed to do, but I promise I’ll push for them to do more things like this and less playing billiards. I’m crap at that game anyway.

Borisin took a moment before replying. Fine, but I’m holding you to that promise. Not getting off the hook.

Deal, Rudiger said.

This ride had actually been Gabriella’s idea. She had expressed a desire for something other than billiards for a change. She wasn’t into hunting like Malef and Pastrin, but she said she did like riding through the Hunting Grounds and seeing the places where they hunted. Rudiger had been glad for the change of pace. Especially with Malef not there most of the time now, the games were even more unbalanced in Gabby’s favour.

They were approaching the edge of the field now, riding up a small hill to the edge of the woods. The woods were thick according to Pastrin and Ned. Probably not the most ideal place for a horse as big as Borisin.

I’ll be fine.

“I have no doubt, buddy,” Rudiger said. “You should probably just prepare yourself for a few nicks and scrapes.”

Like I said, I’ll be fine.

Hang rode up towards him. “I will never get used to you and that horse, Rudiger. Even weeks on the road with you, and I never got used to him.” As he got right up to him, he lowered his voice. “Any word from Quilla?”

Rudiger shook his head. “Didn’t really expect there would be. It’s only been a couple days. Don’t even know how she’ll manage to get any word back.”

“I hope she’s okay. If they find out she’s…” Hang breathed heavily and shook his head.

“Riders coming!”

The cry came from the member of the honour guard at the rear. Both Rudiger and Hang stopped and looked back. There were three riders coming towards them from the Palace. They were waving a pair of flags. Rudiger had no idea what the heraldic symbols on them were, so looked to Hang.

Hang was already turning to face forward. He called, “Prince Malef and Lady Plavin!”

Pastrin, Gabby, Ned, and the third honour guard came to a stop. They all waited for Malef, Lady Plavin, and their honour guard to reach them.

“I thought you were too busy,” Gabby called out to Malef as they rode up.

Malef laughed. “When we learned you were going riding instead of just playing billiards, we decided to change our schedule. Lidda’s been dying to go riding since she arrived. She’s quite the accomplished rider, you know?”

“Really?” Gabby said. “You should have said something, your Ladyship. I would’ve been happy to ride with you.”

Lidda Plavin rode up beside Malef. “That’s quite all right, your Highness. There really hasn’t been time anyway. Malef’s been keeping me busy, haven’t you, dear?”

Gabby grinned. “I bet he has.”

Pastrin and Ned laughed—no, giggled was a more accurate description.

Lidda Plavin blushed slightly and lowered her head. “Yes, well, what happens between a lady and her paramour stays between that lady and her paramour, don’t you think?”

Gabby raised an eyebrow. “As you wish, your Ladyship.”

Malef turned his horse and rode over beside Rudiger. “Get a load of Rudiger’s horse, Lidda.” He held out his hand towards Borisin.

Let him, Rudiger said.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

Borisin gave a very exaggerated mental sigh.

Malef ran his hand through Borisin’s mane. “Magnificent, isn’t he?”

Lidda rode up beside Malef, and rolled her eyes. “He’s certainly big enough. It’s almost obscene. The kind of horse only a man would ever find magnificent. No offence, dear.”

I don’t think she knows what obscene means. Can I bite her?

No!

“I can’t imagine he has much grace at all to him. Not like Zoë here.” She patted the slender palomino she was riding. The mare was not even half Borisin’s size.

I’ll show her grace.

Lady Plavin frowned. “I’ve never been very fond of roan, either. I’ve always found it...I don’t know...common. It lacks that aristocratic feel. And so many scars.”

Those are beauty marks, lady.

“He’s been in battle, dear,” Malef said.

She grimaced. “Like I said, a man’s horse. Very unsuitable for a ride through thick woods.” She turned her horse around and rode ahead towards Gabriella and the others.

Malef grimaced at Rudiger. “Sorry, Rudiger. Didn’t know she’d respond quite that way. But well...women, right?” He grinned and laughed.

Rudiger forced a laugh in return.

I bet I could spook that skinny thing she’s riding and get her to throw her.

I think her words were meant to insult me, buddy, not you, Rudiger said.

Think I care? She insulted me. Those are fighting words.

Rudiger groaned. We really can’t start any fights here.

You always say that.

That’s because it’s pretty much always true.

“Have you heard?” Pastrin said. “Rudiger can talk to his horse.”

Lidda Plavin scoffed. “Oh, can he now?”

“To be fair,” Ned said, “anyone can talk to their horse. I talk to mine all the time.”

“Yes, but the difference is, Rudiger’s horse talks back,” Pastrin said. “Least, so he claims.”

“And you believe him?” Lady Plavin said.

Pastrin shrugged. “He hasn’t given me any reason not to.”

“And you’re sure he’s at all sane?”

How about I knock her from her horse and trample her? We can say it was an accident.

Just pay her no mind, Rudiger said.

Borisin snorted.

They rode into the forest, most of the others staying ahead of Rudiger. They laughed a lot, mostly at Rudiger’s expense. Lidda Plavin led them on. Every time Borisin snapped a few branches trying to get through the tight foliage, or got scraped, she had a quick comment for them all to laugh at. So much for whatever friendship he thought he’d been forming with them. Except Gabby. She didn’t laugh along with the rest.

“She got it out for you or something?” Hang asked at one point.

Rudiger sighed. “Unfortunately, yes.”

“What did you ever do to her?”

Rudiger shrugged. “Not really sure. I think she wants my sword.”

Hang laughed. “That monstrosity? I thought she didn’t like big things.”

Rudiger grinned. “Who knows what goes on in her head?”

They reached Gabriella, who had stopped to allow them to catch up. “Gods, I can’t stand that woman. I’ve never liked her. Don’t let her get to you, Rudiger.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not.”

“Forgive me, your Highness,” Hang said, “but didn’t you offer to go riding with her? Seems an odd offer for someone you don’t like.”

Gabby nodded. “Yes, but that’s politics for you. Notice I offered after the fact.” She chuckled. “I would never have offered at the time.”

I think I might actually like this one, Borisin said. You have my permission to flirt with her.

Rudiger groaned.

“That’s not the response I expected,” Gabby said. “I figured you disliked her as much as I do.”

“No, that was...that was for Borisin. He...uh...he thinks I’ve been flirting with you.”

“Haven’t you?” She held a straight face for a moment, then broke broke into a grin and laughed. “If you could only see your face, Rudiger.”

“He says he likes you, by the way. Borisin, that is.”

“Oh, Borisin likes me, does he?” She laughed some more.

Hang laughed with her.

Rudiger just shook his head.

Gabby winked at him. “Don’t worry, Rudiger, I’m just teasing.”

He nodded. “I know, I know.”

As they rode deeper into the woods along game trails, the conversation gradually changed to things other than making fun of Rudiger, such as the events in Arnor City two days ago. Princess Annai had been thoroughly chastised by her mother for putting both herself and Thilin in danger. No one here was particularly sympathetic towards Annai, though they were towards Thilin. At least no one had been injured—especially Zandrue.

At one point, Rudiger found himself riding beside Lidda Plavin. Her head barely reached the height of his waist.

“So where’s that sword of yours, Rudiger?”

He didn’t look at her. “Not here.”

She chuckled. “I can see that. Somewhere safe, I take it?”

“Always.”

“I wouldn’t mind getting a look at it at some point. Could that be arranged?”

Rudiger shrugged. “I’m not sure, your Ladyship. Didn’t you say you have a busy schedule? My schedule’s busy too. Might be difficult to arrange a time, but maybe we can come up with something.”

“Yes, perhaps we could. Or course, since it’s not on your person, wherever it is, are you really sure it’s safe?”

“What do you mean?”

“Mean? I’m just asking a simple question. Presumably, it’s in Felitïa’s apartments, where you and that Volg have somehow finagled your way into.”

He looked down at her. “You…you…”

“Know about Zandrue?” She snickered. “Of course I do. Though you probably don’t want her new best friend, Princess Annai, to find out.”

“What are you getting at?”

“I wouldn’t worry,” she said. “As long as she doesn’t get in the way, she’s safe.”

Rudiger’s heart sank. He wished he had Slay here right now, though perhaps it was best he didn’t. He might cut her down with it. “In the way?”

“I did ask if you were sure the sword is safe.” She looked up at him, a smirk on her face. “Of course, you’re probably much too late now.”

“Shit.”

Borisin was already turning around. One kick right now and she’s toast.

No, we’ll get her another time, buddy.

“Everything all right, Rudiger?” Malef called.

“Yeah fine,” Rudiger called back. “I just...just remembered I promised to help Zandrue with something. I’m going to have to cut this short. So sorry.”

“That’s a shame,” Malef said, “but totally understandable. You don’t want to anger your woman.” He laughed.

Rudiger forced a laugh. “It’s been fun. I’ll see you all soon.”

“You okay finding your way out of here?” Malef asked.

“Yeah, Borisin knows the way.”

Gabby rode up beside him. “I’ll help.”

“That’s okay,” Rudiger said. “I’ll be fine.”

“No, no, I insist.”

“All right, thank you.” There wasn’t time to argue. “Let’s go, buddy.” With as much haste as you dare.

Borisin took off back through the woods. Unfortunately, he couldn’t manage much haste here. There was just too much underbrush.

Gabriella came up beside them. “All right, what’s up?”

“Like I said—”

“Don’t give me that bullshit. Something Lidda said spooked you to the core. I couldn’t hear, but I saw. Now tell me what the hell is going on.”

“It’s a long story,” Rudiger said.

“It’s a long trip back to the Palace. We’ve got time.”

I say we tell her, Borisin said. They won’t let me inside the Palace, so you might need her help.

“All right,” Rudiger said. “It’s about my sword.”

“That giant monstrosity of yours?”

He nodded. “Yeah, that one. I think Lidda Plavin’s sent someone to steal it.”