Wine of the Gods 08: Dark Lady Read Online Free PDF Page A

was smooth, his gallop smoother, and a flat out run didn't seem to touch the ground. He jumped everything she asked, fences wood or stone, the creek. She jumped him over a cow just because it was there.
    The l ady just laughed, watching on a relaxed Moxie. "Think you can manage courier's duties on him?"
    " Oh my word. He's even better to ride than to look at. Oh my word."
    They wandered back when they got hungry, and Liz sponged the horses down even though even Phantom had barely sweated. They cleaned up and had a late lunch, then strolled out to buy some wine.
    "You never know when you'll need it." The lady bit her lip and eyed Liz. "Is there magic in this world, Liz?"
    " No M'lady, although some people think so. The superstitious ones say the king has magic, and the Arbolians say they have gods. Actual living ones, walking around, not God, who is different. And the Marchessaus, they say they ride the wind, instead of horses."
    " Hmm, so it's not all gone, then."
    Liz eyed her, askance, but however unusual, the lady didn't seem uncanny.
     
    ***
     
    December watched the young officers with amusement, that evening. They all kept sneaking looks their way. The other captain finally broke the ice.
    " We noticed that black horse out, today."
    Liz beamed. "Wasn't he spectacular!" She lit up like a witch girl on the Solstice.
    What ?
    The girl's reddish brown hair gleamed, even braided and pinned so tightly around her head. "I'd never have thought a horse that size had that much speed in him."
    Her enthusiasm drew all the other officers.
    "I assume you'll be riding courier next week?" Captain Alpha smiled.
    Odd name. I t stirred, not direct memories, but something like it the Wolf had said . . . Who? Who is "the Wolf?"
    " Oh yes, I do every year. I grew up on horseback." Liz tossed her head like a horse.
    The enthusiastic young men chatted about their favorite horses, races, long journeys, tall tales about their hardest journeys. Only Quail waking and fussy pulled the group apart, the young officers to their beds for their early rising, and December and Liz back to their rooms to avoid some of the other patrons, who appeared a bit drunk and not at all shy. The soldiers were all in the old rooms above the common room, and the women nearly alone down the new ell. When two patrons egged each other into following, she nudged their sodden brains just a bit and they bumped each other and commenced an argument that lasted until the women's doors were locked behind them. The magic felt funny, numb, or like trying to do delicate needle work wearing thick mittens. Rather like her fingers and toes. She snorted at the thought of frostbit magic. Actually, everything seemed to be getting in without any problem, or even conscious thought. Perhaps she'd better think about how to keep things out. A physical shield was just . . . she held her hand out to the side, formed a small shield, tapped it on the ground. Yes, no problem. A mental shield was twist of mind . . . she flinched back from pain . . .
    I can't save you! I haven't any more to give! Memories of the screams of the injured and dying  . . .
    Went away.
    Her head pounded.
    Perhaps an indoor privy was not so bad. She closed herself in the little closet and bathed her face in cold water. Practiced deep breathing, and decided she wasn't going to be sick.
    December finally walked back out. Explored the saddlebags and pulled out a warm robe. Quail woke, so she fed the hungry baby, and burped her and rocked her. Hummed a snatch of song.
    Liz came back in from the privvy, clean and refreshed, with a thin cotton shift swirling around her calves.
    " Apart from your baronet, everyone here seems very nice. Perhaps I should buy a house."
    " Perhaps you should buy a horse farm."
    " Now there's a good thought. Who do you talk to find out about farms that might be for sale? The Exchange, again?"
    " I think the baron owns all the land, every one holds from him."
    " Hmm, no private land owners?"
    " Well,