“On the morrow,” Fin answered him. “Ye can rent it again, minding ye keep to the same terms, Boyle.”
“My lord!” Boyle attempted to look distressed. “Have I not been faithful to our agreement these past years?”
Fin laughed. “Aye, ye have,” he admitted.
“I have a group of Protestant lords coming in from the north in a few days,” he told Fin. “They’ve rested in this house before, and they sent to me this day. I’m relieved I can accommodate them once again.” He bowed politely. “Godspeed, my lord. Safe home.”
Then turning, he hurried off down the street.
They were gone from Torra House as the first fingers of light began to clutch at the skies above. Archie had insisted that Fin ride his horse until they reached the gypsy encampment. He walked sedately alongside his master, carrying the new saddle and bridle. Leaving the city proper, they turned north and stepped onto the Perth road. Several miles later with the horizon beginning to display a rainbow of color, they reached their destination.
The small wagons were carefully placed in a defensive circle. A communal fire blazed high in the center of the camp, which was already alive with men and women preparing for their day. Children raced about. Dogs barked. Fin was certain he heard a rooster crow as several chickens scattered in front of him. Jock came from the largest of the wagons to greet them.
“Good morrow,” he said. “Yer right on time to get a good distance today. Come, and I show ye the animal I have in mind for ye. But remember, my lord, the beast must like ye or I cannot sell him to ye.” He led them to the edge of the encampment where just beyond in a field a herd of horses grazed. The gypsy whistled a sharp note.
Fin watched as a black stallion raised his head from the sweet grass, and then obediently trotted over to where they stood. The horse was absolutely beautiful. He was as black as the darkest night but for a light marking on his left shoulder. The marking was small, but as it was pure white against the animal’s silky midnight black hide, quite distinct.
“It looks like a comet,” Fin said, noting the small round head attached to a curving tail. Reaching out, he rubbed the horse’s soft muzzle.
“Ye have guessed his name, my lord. ’Tis Comet,” Jock said.
Fin looked the animal directly in his liquid brown eyes. The creature had an intelligent air about him. Leaning forward, Fin blew gently into Comet’s nostrils.
The horse nudged Fin back gently with his muzzle. “May I ride ye, Comet?” Fin asked.
The horse appeared to nod his head up and down. Grasping a handful of mane, Lord Stewart swung himself up onto the beast’s back, and they galloped off across the field, sending the other horses scattering.
Jock nodded. “I knew it was his horse,” he said to Archie. “I’ve raised him since he was born, and I couldn’t let him go to just anyone. I’ve had offers, but the men were never right. Yer master is.”
“Is he saddle broke?” Archie asked in practical tones. A horse was a horse.
“Aye, and I see ye’ve brought one along. Good!” Jock replied.
The horse was incredible, Fin thought as they galloped around the meadow. He had a smooth gait, and he wasn’t winded at all when they returned to where Archie and Jock stood awaiting them. The animal had strong long legs and a broad chest. He was perfect. They came to a stop, and Fin slid off.
“If ye feel that Comet has accepted me, I would gladly have him for my own,” Fin politely said to the gypsy. “He’s a grand beast. I’ve never ridden finer.”
“I can see he’s yers, my lord,” Jock said. “Now, there is just the small matter of his purchase. I will want a gold piece for him.”
“Too much! Too much!” Archie said, glowering at Jock.
“He’s worth it,” Fin responded, “but I have no gold. I can give ye five pieces of silver, all true weight, none clipped.”
“Comet is worth more,” Jock said quietly.
“When ye come to Brae Aisir in the autumn,” Fin promised, “ye will be welcomed again, and always. There will be water for ye, wood for yer fires, and hay for yer animals. In addition, I will give ye five additional silver pieces.”
Jock thought for a long minute. Finally he nodded in the affirmative. He spit in his hand and held it out to Lord Stewart, who returned the gesture. The two men shook hands. “We have an agreement, my lord,” the gypsy said. “Now take yer horse, and ride for Brae Aisir before another starts plowing with yer mare.”
“She’ll kill him first,” Fin chuckled as he handed the five silver pieces to Jock.
“Aye, I believe she would, but still if ye hurry, ye can save her the trouble, and kill him yerself,” Jock replied. “My wife read the cards for ye last night. Yer way is difficult, but ye’ll have yer way in the end, my lord.”
While the two men had concluded their business and talked, Archie had laid the new blanket across the horse’s back, saddled, and bridled him. Comet danced, now ready to go. Fin mounted his new animal, and with a wave at Jock, the two men road off south for the Borders.
It was a good day for traveling, and they rode the day long. As it was midsummer, the sun did not set, nor the light fade till late. They stopped to rest the horses twice, once taking time to eat the simple rations they carried—oatcakes and cheese. Their flasks were filled with wine, and when the wine ran out, they would drink water. At first the sun was warm on their backs, but as it moved west as the hours passed, it came about to shine in their faces as they rode, and finally moved around to their right.
At twilight they found themselves shelter by a low stone wall that edged a portion of the road. They staked the horses in the field beyond to graze after watering them in a nearby stream. They ate sparingly from their food, and then slept as the summer darkness fell. When they awoke, the moon was shining down so brightly upon the road that Fin decided they might ride on. Watering the animals again, they saddled up and went on their way, heading south and slightly west.
