Steel Maiden by Kim Richardson

then
his concern was gone by the time his eyes met mine again. He smiled
at me again, and it sparked something hot in my chest.
    He looked about my age, maybe a few years
older, with a goatee. He held himself gracefully, like the noble
man he probably was, and wore the red and gold colors of Anglia
proudly. He patted the horse’s neck gently.
    “He’s a magnificent animal. Strong, but
calm, with an even temperament and quiet nature. Perfect for
someone who’s never ridden. He’ll take good care of you.”
    “Is it that obvious I’ve never ridden?” I
said.
    It was hard not to stare at the skin that
peered through the neck of his tunic.
    He laughed softly, and my heart did a
somersault. “It is.”
    I could listen to that laugh all day.
    “So you know about horses?” I mumbled
stupidly.
    My stomach was full of butterflies, and I
felt like an adolescent girl. What was wrong with me?
    “I do,” he said, and I wished he’d stop
smiling like that. “You could say I’m a seasoned rider. I’ve been
riding since I was five.”
    I sighed. “Of course you have.”
    I stared at the soft curls that brushed
against his jaw. He hadn’t shaved for a few days, and that was just
fine with me.
    “I’m probably the only one here who’s never
actually been on a horse.” The words came out more desperately than
I had wanted. I didn’t want him to think I was scared, even though
I was terrified.
    He gave me a lazy smile, and his eyes met
mine. “Well, you’re going to have to learn quick,” he said and
steadied the horse.
    “Can you climb onto this fellow’s back on
your own?”
    I don’t know why, but I looked over to the
podium. The high priest was watching me with a frown, clearly
aggravated that I hadn’t climbed up on the giant beast yet. We were
the only two not saddled up.
    I might be poor, but I had my pride. I was
going to do this. I had to do it.
    “Of course I can.”
    I moved beside the great beast. I’d seen
riders mount their horses before. I knew I had to put my left foot
in first. I grabbed hold of the saddle, stuck my left foot in the
stirrup, hauled myself up, and swung my right leg over the beast’s
back.
    I felt a mixture of fear and excitement as I
sat on my new companion. I smiled as I felt the enormous beast stir
beneath me. It was gentle, even though I could tell that it sensed
my fear. The smell of horse filled my nose, and I reached out and
patted the great creature on the neck. I think I was soothing
myself as much as the horse.
    “You steer the horse with the reins.” The
handsome stranger handed me the reins.
    “Hold them just above the pommel of the
saddle. Keep your hands steady at all times, too much movement, and
you’ll jab your horse in the mouth with the bit. Urge the horse
forward by gently squeezing your calves into the horse’s sides. His
name is Torak.”
    He gently stroked the horse’s neck. “He’ll
take good care of you.”
    I raised my brows. “You know this
horse?”
    He nodded and continued to stroke the
horse’s neck. “I do. He used to belong to my family.”
    Something sad appeared in his eyes. “We sold
him to the temple, along with many other great black beauties.”
    I wanted to ask him why his family had sold
their horses. Clearly he cared about them, but it wasn’t my place
to ask. And it felt too personal.
    He moved towards the back of the horse.
“You’ve got provisions here.”
    He motioned to the large leather saddlebag
and peered inside.
    I opened my mouth to stop him, but thought
better of it. I didn’t think he was trying to sabotage me; it was
more like he wanted to help me. But I just couldn’t
understand why. It wasn’t because he thought I had a pretty face,
or was a damsel in distress…it was something else.
    “There’s not much in here,” he continued and
closed the flap. “But it’ll keep you for at least two weeks. Then
you’ll need to find food on your own.”
    He watched me, and when I said nothing he
added, “Do you