Raven's Strike (Raven #2)(43)

"Tell him you'd like Cornsilk," said Jes.

Seraph felt her eyebrows creeping up.

Jes ducked his head. "I help him sometimes, Mother," he said.

"Akavith has a way with wild things," said Tier.

"Don't worry about the cost," Seraph told Lehr briskly. "If it is too dear, we can sell the horse when we no longer need it. But go now so you have the daylight - take Skew, he'll be faster than walking. In the morning we'll talk about the most likely places for Benroln's clan to be."

Akavith lived halfway to Leheigh. It would be dark before Lehr made it home, too late to start out on a hunt for the clan.

Lehr took the pouch and tied it to his belt. "I'll be back as soon as I can." He turned to Jes. "I'll tell him you told me to ask about Cornsilk."

After the door closed behind him, Seraph turned to Hennea. "Do you see any profit in waiting for word from Brewydd before we try anything?"

She shook her head. "I wish I could be more help. I don't know how the damage was done or how to fix it."

"Standing around wringing our hands won't do anything," said Seraph. "Tier, lie on the rug beside the fire. This could take a long time, and you can't move about. Get comfortable."

"Can we help?" asked Rinnie. "I could make some tea or soup."

Seraph started to shake her head, then stopped. "It would be best if we ate first. Bread and cheese then, Rinnie."

"And tea," said Jes. "I'll go get water."

Akavith was eating dinner when Lehr knocked on the door. He stuck his head out. "Eh, you're Tier's boy," he said.

"Yes, sir." Akavith was a formidable man with few kind words for anyone who had fewer than four feet. But Lehr had grown up with Seraph for a mother, and it took a lot to intimidate him.

Black eyes glowered at him from under bushy eyebrows. "What do 'ee want, lad. I've dinner to eat."

"I need a horse, sir. I can wait until you are finished."

"A horse!" He said it as if no one ever came to him for horses.

"Yes, sir."

He looked out at Skew. "Got a fine horse there."

"Yes, sir. But I need to fetch a Traveler healer for my father, who took more hurt than we thought from his stay in Taela. I need a fast horse who can travel a distance. Skew's too old for the trip."

The animosity faded from Akavith's face. "Do ye' now. Tier's taken hurt? Well, that's a different matter. Go on out to the barn and look for what suits ye. I'll be there as soon as I get my boots back on."

The horses in Akavith's barn were a choice bunch. Lehr stopped by a tall chestnut mare with a flaxen mane. She left her hay to come to the stall door for attention.

He leaned his forehead against her neck and drew in the sweet-salt scent of a healthy horse as he scratched gently along her cheekbone.

Gods, he thought, I hope Brewydd can do something. His faith in the healer was enormous, but the fear in his mother's eyes made his chest tight.

"That's a good, choice, lad," said Akavith, his voice the soft crooning one that he usually reserved for his horses.

Lehr straightened. He usually heard people approaching, but he'd had no idea that the horse trainer was nearby.

"I like the bay two stalls back, too," said Lehr. "And my brother told me to ask about a horse named Cornsilk."

"That's Cornsilk, right there, lad. And your brother has a fine eye for horses." Akavith grabbed a halter and opened the stall door. He haltered the mare and led her out so that Lehr could get a better look.

"She's coming five and fully trained - some of that training by your brother. I usually sell them younger than this - that bay is four and sold already. I've had offers for this mare, but... Ye see, lad," Akavith patted her red-gold shoulder. "Noblemen are too proud to ride a mare. They'd make her a lady's mount, trotting her from one party to another." He frowned fiercely. "She wouldn't be happy like that - she loves the trails and the challenge of a long run. Just don't be putting a harness on her and make her pull a plow like your father did to that Fahlarn gelding of his; Cornsilk doesn't have the bone for it. Tell your father to come see me, and I'll find him a replacement for the grey he lost, I've a few horses that should suit him."

"I doubt we can afford it, sir," Lehr told him, but he wasn't thinking about a new farm horse: he was falling in love.

Out of her stall, the mare was beautiful, fine-boned like a sight-hound, and nearly as tall as Skew. Liquid dark eyes examined him with curiosity and the sweetness of a horse who'd never been mistreated. Exotically long and silky, her mane and tail were the exact color of cornsilk. Her nostrils were wide to drink the wind.

"Tell your father, and we'll work something out," said Akavith. His craggy features relaxed a bit more, and Lehr felt as if those keen old eyes saw right through him. "Yes," he said, slapping his thigh. "You and this mare will do."

They bargained for a while, and Lehr knew the price they agreed on was far lower than the horse trainer would have gotten from one of those nobles who were looking for a lady's mount.

"Don't fret," said the horse trainer. "Your brother won't let me pay him, and these past few years he's as good as my best boy with the horses. Do you have a saddle and bridle that'll fit this mare?"