CHAPTER 55 She Was a Good Horse … Probably

CHAPTER 55

She Was a Good Horse … Probably

Rufus

As promised, Donna had had her fair share of enchanted carrots and prized oats, and the mare was in fine form when we packed to head out. Bronwynn loaded her things into the wagon while I administered pets and scratched behind the horse’s ears.

She was a good horse … probably.

“Gerda let me know last night that we’re on our own today,” Bronwynn said, jumping up to her seat. “No portal shortcuts.”

I gave Donna one last pat before walking over to join the bard. “Is she out walking to a new bridge, then?”

“No, much worse.” Bronwynn smiled. “She’s registering all of her new bridges with Henrietta and King Keith. We’ll still see her at the western bridge though; it’s on this side of the Hollow and shouldn’t take us long to reach.”

“And how was last night?” I asked as I settled in. Personally, my evening had gone about as well as it could have. And His Viciousness, my king, hadn’t been as vicious as he could have been. The teasing aside, I thought I’d handled my own quite well.

And Keith’s glare from across the breakfast table that morning had left a smile on my face.

“Lovely. Henrietta is living her happily ever after, and Gerda is an enigma. She can’t be much older than I am, but every time I talk to her, I feel like I’m getting advice from an older sister. A green one. Luckily, she only had to pop out a few times to troll a bridge.” Bronwynn chuckled. “We ate strawberry-glazed cheesecake and stayed up way too late.”

I hadn’t noticed the slight darkness under her eyes until I looked for it. “If we make good timing, maybe we can stop for a nap this afternoon? ”

“A man after my own heart!” The half giantess beamed, then coughed. “I mean, that sounds wonderful. And the weather is perfect for it.”

The sun had risen only an hour prior, but the day was warm and there wasn’t much wind.

“Off we go!” Bronwynn flicked the reins as gently as she could, pretending to lead. Donna rolled her eyes but started walking.

I noted that Bronwynn was wearing her red bag. “Did you ever find out what happened to your money?”

“The duke added the difference in my payment. Or actually, I think Jack added it. Plus a tip.” She grinned and patted her bag. “Honestly, the money did its job. People get so focused on the bag and ignore the plain black ring that has my important luggage. That’s also why I have a red pack with some spare old clothes in the wagon.”

“Smart.” I caught myself staring at the bard.

Her red-touched hair was alight in the morning sun, and her smile was infectious. The usual twinkle of mischief danced in her eyes, and I tried not to drown in their dark depths. She was so beautiful, and I felt myself relax even before we pulled out of the Black Fortress. We cleared the drawbridge and traveled west at the crossroads. It took a bit to clear out my notifications, but it wasn’t as much of a hassle as it normally felt. As promised, we reached Gerda’s bridge almost an hour later.

“Which Pine has the Longest Needle?”

The troll stood on her bridge, hands on her hips, and a half smile on her face. She was wearing a light summer dress with a vest and apron covered in unicorns.

“Oh! Oh! I know!” Bronwynn lifted a hand and waved. She turned to me and asked, “Or would you like a go at it first?”

“Uh …” I froze, but drew a deep breath and nodded. I repeated the riddle in my mind a few times and clasped my hands, leaning my elbows on my knees as I contemplated pine trees. “A hilder pine? In Drendil? They grow pretty tall.”

Brownie reached over to pat my shoulder in commiseration even as Gerda shook her head and stated, “Incorrect!”

“The answer?” I asked my travel companion, knowing she knew.

“A spearpoint porcupine!”

“Correct. You may pass.” The bridge troll moved to the side to let us roll on by. “I’m getting a summons from another bridge, gotta go!” Then the troll disappeared.

We continued down the road for another hour or so, when suddenly, Donna chuffed at us, and Bronwynn nodded. “How far out?”

The mare snorted and shook her head, speeding up a bit. We came upon the exit to the Hollow, the elven city, and passed it by without incident .

“What did she say?”

“There’s a herd of unicorns to the north of us making a ruckus. They might cross our path in the next hour, or not. She’s just wanting me to know because we’ll have to book it if we see them.”

“Why?”

Donna chuffed again, her sarcasm almost palpable.

“She turned down Goldenhoof’s son, and he’s not taking no for an answer,” Bronwynn explained. “The colt insists she should give him a chance, and she’s put her hoof down—no more unicorns. I miss getting to pet them, though, so I’m hoping the rule doesn’t last much longer … Maybe Brightstar will find someone else?”

The mare whinnied, and Bronwynn quickly reassured her horse. “Of course I’ll respect your boundaries. We’ll make a run for it at the first hint of hoofprints.”

I looked out onto the thinning tree line, a stunning meadow of wildflowers and green clover peeking through the fir trees. It was too early for an afternoon nap, unfortunately, but I could keep my eyes open.

For a nice, sunny field or a unicorn.