The alleyway was long, and turned. The doors along it were boarded over. Lissie saw a sign that said ‘Bodies through other entrance’. The horses were single file, led by Alexander’s black and white Monsieur d’Cirque. Lissie had Peach following Anvil, and Riley was behind her.
Lissie did not realize they had arrived until Cora turned around, holding Monsieur d’Cirque’s reins. Her pale face shone deep blue in the shadows. The boy ran back out of the darkness and grabbed the black and white horse. Cora said, “What are we doing with the horses?”
“Stable’s around the other way.” The boy strode off, with the show horse following his bouncing feathered cap. Lissie bit her lip, and followed.
That man really doesn’t care where we go as long as he can get a drink.
Riley hissed, “He has walked straight into a speak easy! We can’t go to the Wharf without him, they’ll make us pay. That dog! Do you think he took Ruskin with him?”
“I couldn’t see anything past Anvil. Maybe Cora knows,” Lissie whispered behind her. She hoped she wouldn’t be heard.
Cora’s scared enough already.
“Fret not, good ladies. We have the finest oats south of the peak!”
“Isn’t that like two miles north?” Riley raised her voice. Lissie thought it sounded anxious.
“Depends on the peak.” The boy was fiddling with a large wooden panel on the wall. “If one of you could help me, this thing’s rather heavy.”
Riley jumped off Sugarsnap and handed her reins to Lissie. She looked back at the horse; they both seemed confused. Sugarsnap snorted at her and pawed her front hoof.
There was a scraping, winching sound and the panel lifted up to reveal a stone stable. There was straw on the floor, but it was old and rotten. It smelled of blood.
I may have to ride the Wind just to get away from this place.
The boy darted forward and began lighting torches. Riley followed him, demanding where the other horses were, if they were to believe this was a stable. The boy bowed to her and said, “You are our first guests with horses tonight. Not many travelers, what with the borders closed.”
Lissie threw her leg over Peach, sliding off gently, and falling to the cobbles. She crouched for a moment and examined a piece of straw in the yellow light. It shone black and slick. She threw it down in disgust and said, “Did you fire your groom, too?”
The boy frowned at the floor and said, “Haven’t seen him in a day or so. I’ll ask Svetlana. Promise your horses will have the finest oats in the third kingdom!” Lissie frowned.
Cora said, “We just need to find Alexander, and tell him they don’t have lodging for the horses. I can’t imagine their lodging for people is much better.” Lissie saw her wrinkle her nose.
The unnamed boy grabbed Anvil’s reins and pulled. “We have fine stables! Just a broom, some fresh straw, it’s a palace in the daylight.”
Anvil did not move.
The boy clicked his tongue and pulled harder. “You lot are the ones that showed up in the middle of the night!”
The warhorse just planted his feet.
“Enough of this, I’ll stay with the horses. I wouldn’t trust this kid with a hat.” Riley’s hand was on the hilt of her sword, and Lissie knew she was itching to draw it.
Lissie said, “We’ll find that man and drag him out by his ear.”
“Take us inside.” Cora had her hands on her hips. Lissie thought she looked tall. Perhaps her nose was so high in the air in order to get away from the smell of that straw.
“I can’t leave these horses out here! It’ll draw a crowd, and it’s not safe for a lady alone.” The boy was tugging on Anvil’s reins with all his strength now.
Riley drew her sword and it flew over the boy’s head, cleanly slicing off the top of his knit cap. Lissie saw his eyes widen in horror and follow the fluff of blue drifting down in front of his nose. “I’ll be whipped.”
“Better whipped than gutted. Don’t tempt me,” Riley said. Lissie saw that Riley had learned to hold temper a bit with Tlaso, but she didn’t have far to go.
Lissie said, “Take us inside.” She put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. He dropped the reins.