The Accidental Highwayman by Ben Tripp

Author:Ben Tripp
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781466822634
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

Chapter 21

PLAY-PRACTICE

FOR A few days, we divided our time between fleeing and rehearsing. Once, we heard gryphons screaming in the sky, but at a great distance; we spent the afternoon concealed inside a hay-barn, to be certain we were not detected. On another occasion Willum was scouting ahead and spied pixies upon our route, so we took another road that led us long astray. All the while, bees came and went, Morgana keeping up so busy a correspondence with sympathizers to her cause that I thought it might have a measurable effect on the supply of honey that season.

Part of our collective disguise was the appearance of leisure. If we raced at speed across the countryside, it would be evident that we were either fleeing someone or rushing somewhere. The former would arouse the suspicion of the human king’s forces, and the latter would arouse the suspicion of the Faerie king’s forces. So we took our time about it, stopping in the afternoons to practice our performances. These pauses allowed Morgana time to concentrate on her bees, as well. She didn’t need play-practice in order to read palms, or so I thought.

The order of business was as follows: We would halt the caravan in some secluded place, preferably near flowing water so that there would be a defensive barrier against attack on one side. Then, while I freed Midnight from the harness, Lily would secure a rope between two trees, a couple of hands above the ground. Uncle Cornelius would set up the puppet theater. Willum and Gruntle would don their costumes, the hand puppets.

I observed that the feyín’s wings could curl up like overcooked bacon if they wished to get them out of the way, until they resembled a rucksack on their backs. Gruntle’s injured wing would not curl, but it was flexible enough to lie along his side, so it wasn’t a hindrance to wearing the puppets.

While everyone readied for their parts, I’d saddle Midnight—he would frisk like a colt at the sight of the leathers—and guide him to a level, clear patch of ground about the correct size for a riding-ring. The reason trick-riders go in circles is because the horse, in galloping, leans toward the center; this makes it easier for the rider not to be flung off. It also creates a full ring for the audience to stand in, which earns more pennies. But the primary advantage is defeating the effect of gravitation, at least a little bit.

* * *

On the occasion of our first practice, during an afternoon halt, Midnight and I started out with simple things, riding around and around. The horse thought I’d gone mad. We had lovely countryside on every hand, and here we were pelting about in circles. But he soon got the hang of it, and seemed to find me scampering across his back rather interesting. I practiced hanging from the stirrups, standing in the saddle, and mounting and dismounting at a run, leaping across his back like a Minoan bull-dancer of ancient times.

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