After three weeks on the sea, avoiding all of the men and counseling Eric after every single time Lord Ash used him, I was ready to get off the boat, no matter what situation we would face once we landed.

We docked in a relatively small town. Lord Ash had told me to dress in a riding gown, and I had, and my chest was packed. I had even taken some trousers and tunics.

Once the crew of about fifteen soldiers, plus myself, Lord Ash, and Eric were off the boat, horses were paid for and we went to saddle up. I watched most of the men bemusedly as they struggled to saddle and bridle the horses themselves. They had also acquired a carriage, most likely for Lord Ash, Eric, and myself.

I finally took pity on one of the soldiers, and when he was distracted, quickly adjusted the straps so they sat comfortably, but snugly around the horse’s middle. I managed to finish without him noticing, and walked solemnly toward the carriage, wishing I could ride.

I heard a nicker to my right, and found a gorgeous paint stallion. He was white with brown patches and stood much taller than me.

“Hello, beautiful,” I murmured, approaching him with gentle steps. He snorted, but when I reached my hand out, palm up, for him to smell, he sniffed, then pushed his nose into my hand.

Without meaning to, I let out a giggle. Cutting it off quickly, I looked around to make sure no one had noticed. Stepping closer to the horse, I smoothed the bridge of his nose, crooning a nonsense lullaby very softly.

“Lady, you may want to get away from that beast. He’s a biter,” said a voice behind me, and I turned to find a wizened old man that still had the musculature of a youth.

“Oh, no, he couldn’t possibly be mean,” I replied sweetly, still stroking the stallion’s nose.

The old man tilted his head to one side.

“He seems to like you a great deal, and he normally doesn’t like anyone. Are you with that band of men over there, the ones who look like they haven’t worked a day in their life?” he asked, nodding toward the soldiers, many of whom were still struggling with the saddles.

“I am,” I replied, but didn’t give him anything more.

He smiled sadly at me and gestured at the stallion.

“Sundancer’s yours then. A girl like you deserves some happiness, and since no one else can get that close to him, you two deserve each other. That’s his tack, hanging there,” he pointed at a saddle and bridle hanging on the nearby rail, “and I figure you can probably do it yourself since you helped that soldier.”

He winked, then sauntered over to the struggling soldiers.

I grinned, then turned to Sundancer. Whispering under my breath, I said the incantation my mother taught me as soon as I could speak.

“Moon and sun, fire and rain, let life’s circle begin again.

“I ask you now to bond with me, a connection made for eternity.

“I earn your loyalty, and you my knowledge.

“Let this bond be a bridge.”

When I finished, I touched my forehead to his.

Lady Ember. I am honored to be in your service, he spoke, his mind touching mine.

“And I am honored you have chosen me, as well. Do you prefer just the saddle, or bareback?” I asked, keeping my voice low so the others wouldn’t hear.

How about just the saddle? I don’t want you falling off because of that contraption you’re wearing, Sundancer replied, walking closer to the saddle so I wouldn’t have so far to go.

“Thank you,” I said, in reply to both. I pulled the saddle from over the railing and hefted it onto Sundancer’s back. After quickly doing the straps, I checked with him to make sure he could still breathe, then gestured for him to follow me back to the group.

He easily followed me, and I felt a rush of pride when all the soldiers noticed him and looked at their own horses.

Lord Ash was already sitting in the carriage, and leaned out to speak with me.

“Are you going to ride, lady?” he asked, glancing quickly at Eric, then whipping his eyes back towards me.

I nearly narrowed my eyes, but I couldn’t anger him. “Yes,” I replied, “and Eric is welcome to ride with me if your lordship could use some much deserved rest.”

Lord Ash squinted his eyes at me, but I kept the same innocent expression on my face. After a bit of looking back and forth, I saw him relax and gesture to Eric.

“You may ride with Lady Ember, for now,” he said, brushing his legs against Eric’s as Eric clambered out of the carriage.

“Yes sir, thank you sir,” Eric said gratefully, coming to stand by me.

Lord Ash smiled and shut the carriage door with a snap.

I offered my hands for Eric to use, and easily boosted him into the saddle. Then I put my own foot in the stirrup and swung up onto Sundancer. Several of the soldiers probably got an eyeful, but with Sundancer to protect me, I wasn’t afraid.

The caravan began to move, and Sundancer followed, needing no instruction from me.

“Where are we going, do you know?” I asked Eric quietly, so the soldiers close to us wouldn’t hear.

“I managed to listen in at one point, and they said something about a bounty and a monster,” he replied, just as quietly.