Hidden Jewel (Heartfire Series) by Strong Jennifer

Author:Strong, Jennifer [Strong, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jennifer Strong
Published: 2012-06-14T07:00:00+00:00

It took but moments to brew a restorative drink, to quaff half and pour the rest in a small bottle, just in case; sunlight dropped below the Western ridge just as she stepped outside, and she hurried through the exercises, the ritual to greet the great fiery orb, though it was evening, her timing backwards, feeling breathless and weary before she was through. No walking this time, no hour-long trek down the mount to the Dead Wood at the bottom of the north face. She'd never make it without someone noticing her absence, picking up her trail, no matter that her parents seemed suspiciously absent this eve. Her mare was an intelligent beastie; letting out a rather flat sounding whistle, Ailill waited. Her hearing was as perfect as always, her ears, tuned toward the stable, easily caught the sound of her mount letting herself out of the stall, the clink of metal seconds later as strong horse teeth drew the latch that kept the outer doors secure.

"Well... and what's amiss then, Epona?" she countered softly when the mare only stared at her from around the open door. "Aye, I've been ignorin' ye for days, I ken it... Ye think I'm a grotty master; a minging, worthless wee lump o' hairless flesh, aye? Alright, I'll give ye that, just this once." The mare continued to watch her, obviously expecting more. She blew softly, snorted and pawed the ground when Ailill took one, then two steps closer, reaching out to pat the velveteen snout. "Och, wheesht mo cridhe. Ye'll draw attention, and we dinna want that. Nay, ye're a cromulent wee cuddy, are ye no? Och, aye, now ye'll see me. Ye've missed yer master, I think. Weel, I'm back frae the darkness now. Pleased wi' that? Weel, no as pleased as I." Nudging her for another tart green apple, the mare stood still, chewing loudly, unconcerned as Ailill patted her, looked her over with a trained eye. After checking each shoe carefully, the woman mounted with only a bit less grace than usual, turned the gentle beast toward the tree line and set off at a trot. Sensing where they were headed as well the weakness in her master, Epona quickened the pace on her own, cantering gracefully along trails hidden from the human eye until the granite formation loomed ahead, the dark pines concealing from view the darker entrance into the bowels of the earth. As if she knew it was not yet time to return home, the horse lowered her head and whickered, hurrying Ailill into the darkness so that she would hurry back.

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