Heirs of the Tide: Lost Tales of Sepharad - Book Two by Michelle Fogle

Author:Michelle Fogle [Fogle, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Legacy Imprints
Published: 2023-04-11T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Malevisi Valley, Crete

Yonatan Déulocresca

The odor of fresh hay mixed with horse dung meets my nostrils when I enter the stable. Morning light falls through the open doors onto the beaten sod floor. A groom is already hauling buckets of water and food to the stalls, five on each side. I wander down the central corridor looking for the horse I rode here. I’d love to ride while I still have the chance. In the corner stall, I see the legs of someone standing on the other side of a dark, majestic horse. A soft voice speaks to it while brushing the animal. A head pops up above the horse’s withers and I recognize her. Aldonza.

“Good morning,” I say.

“Yonatan. I was hoping to see you this morning.” She comes out from around the horse holding a brush. Her eager eyes study me with a smile.

“And I was hoping to ride with you. Looks like a glorious day.” My gut flutters as I walk toward her. “Simon will return to Candia today and take the horses with him.”

“It’s a good thing we have an early start. I was just saddling my horse,” she says as she draws her horse out of the stall by the reins. Aldonza tosses her head and a single long braid swings around her shoulder. Her loose-fitting blouson trousers peek through the open sides of her emerald embroidered tunic.

“Tell me about this beautiful animal. She looks to be about fourteen hands.”

“Yes. It’s called the Messara breed, native to this island. Her bloodlines go back centuries to ancient Crete.”

“I’ve never seen a horse quite like this. The blueish-black coat and silver speckles are like a starry night.

“That is why I named her Estrella.”

“May I?” I gesture toward the brush and she hands it to me. I give the horse a few strokes with the firm bristles.

“The breed has a unique inborn gait, known as aravani,” she says. “They say it is like a camel’s gait. It doesn’t make the rider rise and fall, even at a gallop.”

“That’s amazing. I’d like to experience that for myself.”

From the entrance to the barn, we hear voices in conversation. Both our heads turn. Simon walks beside Coron. They stare at us, wide-eyed. Then Coron frowns and his brows pinch together. Are we doing something wrong?

“Good morning,” I say with an awkward smile. The hair on the back of my neck rises.

Aldonza frowns and bows her head. She draws her horse by the reins, passes me, and walks toward the entrance. In a momentary glance, a silent message passes between father and daughter. Coron’s eyes follow her until she’s exited. Then he turns to face me.

“Aldonza was just telling me about the Messara breed,” I say. My mouth goes dry. “I’d hoped to go for a ride this morning.”

“I’m sorry,” says Simon. “There won’t be time. We’re about to leave. But I could use your help to get the animals ready for the return journey.”

Coron narrows his eyes as he looks me up and down but says nothing.

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