It was their thirteenth day of riding since leaving Cyril and Enari was bored to death with the grasslands. They’d crossed from the dim, humid jungle of Zyr into the arid and open plains of Tesriel early three or four mornings past and she already hated the seemingly endless expanse of green and gold. It had been fascinating at first, and their party made much better time, but now…
Small brown birds twittered and flitted overhead, diving into the meadow to disappear for a time before leaping back into the cloudless sky. Enari assumed they must have mates or nests full of hungry young hidden in the tall grass.
She sighed as she scanned the open land for what felt like the thousandth time that morning. Even the birds here were drab and colorless and she had seen no other animals to speak of, even if vague rustlings and bending grass hinted there must be something out here besides birds.
She missed the brightly varied life of Zyr with a desperation that gnawed at her. The Temple had felt confining at times and she’d spent hours staring out at the horizon, longing to travel beyond it. But now she wanted nothing so much as to return home, to the serene kvinnas and the safety of her high redoubts. This place was too open; she felt naked and vulnerable beneath the vast heavens.
Hours before noon, it was already blisteringly hot and the air was dry as old bones. Enari used her sleeve to wipe the sweat from her forehead and licked her parched lips, wishing, not for the first time, that the brown tunic was at least sleeveless. She’d found several light tunics without sleeves when she dug through her pack that first night, but hadn’t thought she’d need them. Zyr was humid and warm, but it was shady under the trees and she had always been quite comfortable in the long, bell sleeved cotton garments worn by the novices. They were also well suited to keeping the bugs at bay.
Thus the clothing that would be more appropriate for late summer in Tesriel were buried in the bottom of her pack and the pack was strapped behind her on the pony.
Approaching hoof beats broke her gloomy train of thought and she lifted a hand to shade her eyes, impatiently pushing back hair the inconstant breeze kept blowing across her face. A horseman was riding towards them from the northwest at a quick canter, the tall grass swishing around the knees of his long-legged mount.
Having caught sight of their party, he raised a hand to hail them. Vasi reined in her horse, and the small procession straggled to a halt. The guard captain and his men warily checked the draw of their swords and balance of their pikes, watching the approaching stranger with dark, suspicious eyes.
To her annoyance, Enari’s fat little white pony immediately dropped her head to crop at the roadside verge. When she tugged the reins, the beast merely flicked its ears and rolled an eye back to glance at her in disinterest. Enari kicked her lightly in a fit of pique, but was ignored completely. She felt her patience unravel another notch. Goddess, were all horses so stubborn or was it simply this one in particular?
Within moments, the rider had reached them, and he made straight for Vasi and Enari.
He was quite handsome, Enari thought, studying him as he neared, although, she had to admit that she really had very few men with whom to compare him. Other than the occasional trader, men were not allowed on the Temple grounds and the nearest Zyrite village was miles away. This one appeared to be several years older than she and of average height, though his legs were long and he had a rangy build. His black hair was pulled into a tail and several strands framed his face, ruffled by the wind. He was also well armed, with a sword on his hip and a black, curiously carved staff slung diagonally across his back.
He must be a mage.
The prospect of meeting a real mage made her nervous. The older novices had told both terrible and beautiful stories of the sorcerers who dwelt in the fortress of stone in the far lonely north.
When he drew near enough for her to clearly see his face, the first thing she noticed were his eyes. They were the most vibrant emerald she’d ever seen and fringed in thick lashes that many a woman would envy. He had a slightly angular nose, and full lips that seemed ever on the verge of a smile. His skin was lightly tanned, but that could have been from the dust of riding. His clothes, while fine, were certainly covered in it.
Pulling his mount to a halt, the young man bowed from the waist, which looked a little uncomfortable astride a horse. When he spoke, it was in a smooth baritone that made Enari shiver for reasons she didn’t quite understand.
“Jex Xander, at your service, my ladies. Well, Jex to my friends and Battlemage Xander to everyone else, if they know what’s good for them at least. Might either of you gorgeous visions be Vasi de’Curande?”
His eyes met Enari’s and a little frisson of energy passed between them. They each sucked in a startled breath and their mounts shifted nervously.
“Well, well, Nani. What have we here?” he asked in surprise.
Enari stiffened slightly at the bold informality. From the little Ibirani she had picked up, ‘Nani’ meant ‘my little butterfly’. She narrowed her eyes at him. Little she may be, but certainly no butterfly, and most definitely not his in any fashion.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Vasi press her lips together in a thin line of irritation. She pulled herself up straight and pinned him with a glower to which he seemed entirely oblivious. Enari recognized the pose and winced. It was the same one her Sura assumed while lecturing wayward novices…generally ones about to be sentenced to a month of something unpleasant.
Like scullery duty. Or weeding the Apothecarium garden. The newcomer had no idea of the tongue lashing he was bringing down on himself.
“Battlemage Xander, I am Vasi de’Curande. I know you do things differently at Turris Arcana, but it would behoove you to address my apprentice with a little more respect—”
Jex blinked. “Apprentice?” He gave Enari another long, appraising look. “I wasn’t informed you’d be bringing an apprentice. Isn’t she too old? I’d have guessed her to be sixteen at the least, and I thought vows were taken before then.”
Vasi said nothing, merely continued to stare him down until he blushed and broke eye contact.
“My apologies, Novice. I meant no disrespect.” Despite his humbled words, he winked at her again and she had to fight to hold back a smile this time.
She thought she might like this Jex Xander. He would at least be better company than the pony, if nothing else.
Vasi huffed out a sigh. “State your business, Battlemage. It’s hot and I have no wish to tarry here without need. You might not be aware, but there are bandits and rebels rumored to inhabit this area.”
Jex straightened and cleared his throat. When he spoke again, it was in the tone of a consummate professional; cool and respectful. He turned fully to Vasi and addressed her in a polite manner.
“Which is the reason for my presence. I have been sent by High Mage Alycon to escort you to Rowan. He is concerned with your safe passage since, as you say, bandits and rebels are reported to inhabit this area.”
Vasi blinked in surprise. “Eryk sent you?”
“Yes, Kvinna. I am recently graduated from apprenticeship and went with him to Rowan to attend the Imperial family. When the High Mage learned that Torina Anya had summoned you, he ordered I see you safely to the capitol.”
“How am I to know the truth of your statement?”
Smiling faintly, Jex withdrew a sealed parchment from within his tunic and passed it over. Vasi studied the wax seal closely before breaking it and unfolding the single sheet. She scanned its contents, then returned it to him.
“Your…escort, and the High Mage’s thoughtfulness are much appreciated, Battlemage Xander. We would be so pleased to have you join our party.” Vasi sounded anything but pleased, though the young man before her seemed oblivious to the frost in her tone. Saluting smartly, he nudged his horse and rode ahead.
“Mouthy little popinjay,” Vasi muttered, watching Jex ride forward to join the captain of their small guard.
* * *
Enari sat cross-legged on the ground near the campfire. She ached in every joint and muscle of her body from the days of riding and a hard tumble or two. She’d taken only rudimentary riding lessons at the Temple; there had been no need and she’d had little interest for more, and thus she was not accustomed to the activity. The pony she’d been assigned seemed to enjoy making the ride more uncomfortable than necessary which didn’t help, a sour part of her grumbled.
The fire’s heat against her face was a pleasant contrast to the cool night air around her. A bowl of stew sat forgotten in her lap, a hunk of bread left untasted on one knee as she brooded. She rubbed her neck and winced; she wasn’t used to all this sleeping on the ground, either, though she would never hint to Vasi that she was uncomfortable.
“May I join you?”
Without waiting for a response, Jex Xander settled gracefully to the ground beside her. He offered her a tin cup and she took it, warily examining the contents.
“You have the look of someone who could use that.” He jerked his chin at the cup before turning his attention to his own bowl of stew and chunk of bread.
Chamomile and meadowsweet wafted up on the steam and she inhaled appreciatively, but didn’t drink.
“Oh, I almost forgot!” Fishing a flask out of his pocket, the mage unstoppered it and leaned over her, pouring a small amount of something brownish into the tea. “Not the best quality, I’m afraid, and I know it smells vile, but it’ll take the edge off your sore muscles, I promise.” He grinned at her startled expression before settling more comfortably and beginning to eat heartily.
Enari took a tentative sip and tried not to gag. It was horrid, but the warmth that spread in her belly was soothing, so she continued to drink. They sat in silence for several moments as stars twinkled to life overhead. A few even shot brightly across the sky and Enari watched them, still awed at the sheer immensity of the view above her. At the Temple, parts of the night sky had always been obscured by foliage, even when viewed from the high branches of the trees she climbed.
“Mmm, Plamen works his forge tonight,” Jex observed around a mouthful of bread, “Wonder what he’s making?”
Enari didn’t answer and after a moment, he tried again.
“Did the kvinna speak truth? Are you really still a novice?” He used the remaining crust to mop out his bowl before licking his fingers and wiping them in the grass beside him.
She nodded, still not looking at him.
“May I ask how old you are?”
It was a rude question to ask a woman, he knew, but he’d been watching her all afternoon and hadn’t been able to guess her age. ‘Young’ was all he’d determined for certain. Probably too young.
Using a stick, she drew a number in the dirt and his conscience eased. Eighteen. Not too young, then, or at least not so much that he felt guilty for looking. And he definitely had been looking. Couldn’t blame a man, really.
Well, the kvinna probably would. She seemed the excessively protective sort.
“I have a sister about your age, back in Rowan. Not as quiet as you, though,” he mused, hoping to at least get a smile out of the girl. She was exotically appealing and he could only imagine how much more radiant she would be if she smiled.
Enari stood quickly. She didn’t know how to fend off interested men and retreating to bed seemed like the easiest way out of this awkward situation.
“Novice!” one of the guardsmen called out. To Jex, he sounded more than a little drunk. “If you be done with that pretty boy, come and spend time with a real man. The night promises to be chill, but I’ll warm you well if he won’t!”
Jex rose to his feet upon seeing her uncertainty and embarrassment.
“You!” he called back, “Didn’t your mother teach you how to address a lady?”
“Mind your own business, mage,” the man retorted. He got up unsteadily and swaggered towards Enari. She hurriedly backed away, eyes darting left and right as she sought an avenue of escape.
Before the man could reach her, Jex stepped up and put his palm in the center of the other’s chest. He gave him a stiff shove, eyes dark with menace.
“Don’t be a fool. I wasn’t sent to protect these women from their own escorts but I will. I suggest you find your bedroll, friend,” he said dangerously, “Sleep it off, or you’ll be no good to anyone on the morrow.”
Enari stared at the pair with round eyes. The mage didn’t even know her, yet here he was, protecting her honor like she was some grand lady.
After a moment of glaring at each other, the guardsmen broke eye contact first. Muttering sullenly under his breath, he retreated and Jex released a sigh. He really hadn’t wanted to fight the drunken lout, even though he was confident he’d have won.
“Silent little thing, aren’t you?” Returning his attention to Enari, he reached out and touched her cheek gently.
Weariness in blurry waves of gray, spikes of hard red adrenaline and anger, fading sparks of vibrant blue lust... Goddess, she’d be so pretty if she smiled. Too pretty to stay much longer in a group of men with no one but her Sura to look after her. Stupid, stupid to send such a small party across so much open land.
Quiet thunder of a rapidly pounding heart, the sharp tang of fear-sweat, nervous little brown mouse… That man almost…he could have…and the mage. I don’t even know him, he doesn’t know me, but he stopped the other one. His hand is on my skin and…
Starting in alarm, Enari recoiled and the string of awareness that was and wasn’t hers snapped like gossamer thread. She took a quick step back and the sudden movement unbalanced her. Her sore leg muscles were unable to compensate and with a surprised gasp, she fell onto her bottom in the dirt. Jex looked down at her, clearly as startled as she.
A heavy hand grabbed the back of his tunic and the grizzled old guard captain shook him roughly. His voice was deep and his accent was rough. “She dun’a like to be touched, mageling. Keep your mitts to yourself!”
“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t know, I,” Jex stuttered and cleared his throat. “Sorry,” he finished lamely, looking back and forth between Enari and the captain, as if unsure who he was actually apologizing to. He offered her a hand up, took a look at the captain’s face, and put both of them in his pockets.
“You alright, little mistress?” the captain asked Enari.
She nodded and climbed stiffly to her feet, brushing dirt from her trousers.
“I’m sorry for startling you, Nani,” Jex apologized again. Enari smiled and waved it away. He frowned at the captain and opened his mouth.
As if guessing the younger man’s thoughts, the captain shook his head. “She dun’a speak, either.” He narrowed his eyes threateningly at Jex, thick brows beetling down even further. “But dun’a you be going and thinking she be stupid for it, mage. She ain’t.”
Jex held up his hands in placation and took a step away. “I would never!”
“See that you dun’a.” With that, the captain strode away into the darkness. Jex made a face and gestured rudely at his retreating back. Enari covered a smile.
Turning back to her, he raised a speculative eyebrow and put his hands on his hips. “He wasn’t having me on, was he?”
Enari’s expression turned distant.
“Alright, alright. Keep your secrets.” His eyes darted to the bowl of stew she’d somehow managed not to drop or spill all over herself. “Are you going to eat that?”
* * *
The beast absolutely would not mind.
Enari prodded the pony impatiently with her heels in an attempt to urge it out of its rambling gait and into something that resembled speed. She shifted awkwardly and had the sense of losing her balance. Dropping the reins, she grabbed the pommel to steady herself and waited for the brief sense of vertigo to fade.
“If you sit up straight and relax, you’ll be more comfortable,” a voice announced from her left. Enari glanced up and scowled at the battlemage. He swayed easily in his saddle, reins dangling loosely from one hand as he watched her. She wanted to slap the smug look right off his face.
“You don’t ride much at the Temple, I presume.” He popped a fresh blackberry into his mouth. She’d seen him leaning over and plucking them from bushes alongside the road all morning and envied his confidence in both his mount and his own horsemanship.
She shook her head and nearly went over the saddle horn as the devil-pony ambled to the side of the road and ducked its head to pick at the grass. She yanked on the reins and the pony crow hopped sideways, eyes rolling.
“Stop that!” Jex reprimanded sharply, “You’re hurting her!”
Swinging a leg over the bay’s back, he slid to the ground and stepped to the pony’s head. He caught the bridle and gently pulled with one hand, tugging the reins loose from Enari’s clutching fingers with the other. Petting the pony’s nose and cooing softly under his breath, he led them forward. His own horse followed obediently.
“The reins will give your mount a clue as to which direction you want her to go, but you guide her with your legs,” Jex instructed, continuing to walk at her side and still holding the pony’s bridle. He reached to put a hand on Enari’s knee, but remembering the odd encounter and the captain’s warning of the night before, stopped short of touching and looked up, raising a dark eyebrows in question.
He was waiting for her permission to touch her and Enari felt an odd lightness in the pit of her stomach. No one, not even Vasi, had ever actually asked before and she was a little taken aback. The pony carried her forward several steps before she slowly nodded her consent. She took a breath and held it, fighting the urge to close her eyes as his hand settled lightly.
His touch, even through her trousers, was warm and not at all uncomfortable and she released her pent-up breath on a quiet sigh of relief. Jex’s lips twitched in the barest hint of a smile, but he otherwise pretended he hadn’t noticed her reaction or the lingering tension in her posture. He squeezed ever-so-slightly and she trembled beneath his palm.
“To turn left, pull back with a gentle pressure on the rein in your left hand. Squeeze back, don’t tug, and continue contact on the right rein to control the amount of bend she’ll take as she turns.” He stopped walking and pressed on the outside of her left thigh as she pulled gently on the rein in her left hand. “You want her to turn around your leg. Like this.”
To her delight, the pony turned smoothly left, making a full circle around the motionless man.
“Very good. Now turn her to the right,” Jex directed, clearly relishing the role of teacher. He released the bridle and moved out of the way. Enari pulled with her right rein and pressed her right leg into the pony’s side, but too hard. This turn was less smooth and Enari felt herself sway.
“You’re too tense, but I don’t know that I can help you with that while I’m down here and you’re up there, Nani.”
There was that name again. Enari knew she should probably be offended, but the more he called her that, the more she though she liked how it sounded.
“Enjoying yourselves, youngins?”
They glanced up to find the grinning captain beside them. Enari hadn’t even heard his big roan approach, and that bothered her a little. She was usually acutely aware of her surroundings and the people in them.
“The kvinna asked I check on you, little mistress, as you seemed to be falling behind a wee bit. And you, mage. Are you behaving?” he regarded Enari. “He ain't bothering you, is he?”
Enari shook her head emphatically and smiled shyly.
The captain nodded. “Good. Catch up to the rest, now. Both of you.” Clucking to his horse he trotted ahead to rejoin the rest of the party, casting watchful glances back at them as he went.
“Old grump,” Jex muttered. Enari nudged his shoulder with her knee in rebuke. Captain Bohlale may have been gruff, but he was a kind man and he meant well.
Still grumbling, Jex swung back into his own saddle and watching her out of the corner of his eye, he tried not to smirk.
“You sit too stiffly. It makes her nervous and just as uncomfortable as you are. That’s why she’s so disobedient and keeps trying to throw you off. I’d throw you, too, were I her.”
In response to the unasked for criticism, Enari used the gesture she’d seen him give the captain’s back the night before. Later, she would blame the heat for her rudeness.
Instead of taking offense, Jex threw back his head and laughed, the sound startling a covey of little brown pheasants into panicked flight. Before she could blink, he drew alongside the pony, reached over, and scooped her out of her own saddle. He deposited her in front of him, shifting his position slightly to make room for her. Her body went completely rigid in shock at so much contact with another person.
“We’d never catch up at the pace you’re riding.” he informed her, “not without you falling off and breaking your neck, anyway. I’m sure someone would find a way to blame me for that.”
The explanation barely registered as she fought to control her panic. It was too much, he was too close, and she couldn’t breathe.
“Relax,” he said after a moment, using the same gentling tone on her as he’d used on the pony. “I’m not going to hurt you, I swear. Sit up straight, but don’t stiffen your spine. That’s why you hurt at night.” He rubbed his thumbs in little circles down her back, kneading the stiff muscles before moving both hands to her hips and trying to coax them to sway with the motion of the horse.
She tried to do as he bid her, but it was impossible with him pressed against the length of her back and his hands on her. Never in her life had she been touched so intimately and part of her mind screamed at her to scramble down and run.
But another, a new part, urged her to stay where she was. He was…very male, and very different. The butterflies started up in her belly in earnest now.
“The Horsemaster at the Tower is a Hendai tribesman and there are no riders to equal them in all the three kingdoms. Have you ever met one?”
Enari shook her head, mind filling with images of the barbarian half-horse-half-men that had been described by older novices. She shivered a little.
“That’s a pity. They’re magnificent people. Anyway, he told me once that riding a horse well was like making love. Your movements should be fluid, natural, and in tune with your mount.” He chuckled at the look on her face as she gazed over her shoulder at him. “A vulgar metaphor, to be sure, but not wrong. Although you’re too young for it, I suppose.” He seemed to search for another description, came up empty, and shrugged. They rode on in silence.
* * *
Vasi had been keeping an eye on her apprentice and Battlemage Xander all morning. She had been willing to grant the mage a small measure of respect when she saw him dismount to help Enari, and had been shocked beyond words when the young woman allowed him to touch her without a violent recoil.
But grudging respect swiftly changed to outrage when he reached over, plucked her apprentice from her pony, and settled her in front of him in his own saddle. Panic crossed Enari’s face and her whole body went rigid.
Kneeing her gelding a bit roughly in her haste, she began to turn and head back, intending to put the man in his place at last. How dare he lay hands on her apprentice in such a way?
“Peace, Kvinna. I dun’a think he means her harm,” Captain Bohlale spoke from her side, reaching out to lay a hand on hers. “The little mistress does need the help. She truly is the most unnatural rider I ever did see in all my years.”
“But—”
“Arrogant little dandy, I know. He grates on the nerves sure, but you must admit the lad certainly can ride. I’ll whip him for you later, if it soothes your feathers some.”
“No,” Vasi grated, “Battlemage Xander may no longer be the High Mage’s apprentice, but he is still subject to his authority. I’ll speak to Eryk about this when we get to Rowan and let him do it.”
The captain’s grin widened. He’d just bet she would…or do it herself more likely if the boy continued to tempt his fortune. He eyed her in appreciation. She was a fine woman, was Kvinna Vasi, and no mistake.
After several moments of silence, he spoke again, “Vasi, I think it be good for the little mistress to get used to being touched by others. You’re taking her to Rowan, and there be many there who will bump and jostle, mostly without meaning to. She needs to get used to it at some point, and better now than in a crowd.”
Or in front of the court jackals.
Vasi looked on the man with a newfound admiration. Simple Zyrite tribesman he might be, but Captain Bohlale was wiser than she’d given him credit for, and he was correct, of course. Rowan was vast and the Imperial palace was a crowded place. Many of its occupants would not be as understanding of Enari’s sensitivities as the kvinnas were. Better to get her ready now, though it pained her to think of the discomfort she knew her apprentice would experience. And Enari did seem to tolerate the mage’s touch…perhaps a little too well.
She would watch them closely, and make sure to put an immediate stop to things if he became too impertinent. Though she would hold her tongue for now, she still planned to have a private discussion with Eryk when they reached the Imperial city.