Twice now, he’d called me that. I hoped he hadn’t decided it was my nickname.
Eleos glanced back from where he rode ahead. “The princess can take however long she needs to learn.”
“She most certainly can.” Seth agreed jovially. “And I can laugh at her, just like I laughed at Percy.”
Twisting to look over my shoulder, I spied an unamused expression etched on Percy’s face. He leaned forward on his stocky mare. “The Merchant Isles don’t have a cavalry, Seth. I was afoot soldier.”
The horse lurched beneath me as she stepped over a crevasse. Panicking, I grabbed the reins and leaned forward, legs squeezing the horse in a death grip. Seth chuckled again.
Galloping hooves thrummed behind us, like heavy drumbeats. I wanted to turn around, but I didn’t want to risk falling. Tilting my head every so slightly, I watched Seraphim ride past on her black steed, turn, and circle around me until she rode step in step.
“Looks like you can ride after all.” She admired, grinning.
“Does it?” I asked.
“We’re not being followed,” Seraphim announced. “Close as I can tell. Maybe they lost our scent.”
“Here’s hoping,” Percy grumbled.
Biting my lip, I recalled what the strange man had called me. ‘Elpis.’
No matter how far I reached into my memories, the word meant nothing. Though I wanted to chalk his actions up to the hubris of a madman, I couldn’t. He’d known I could step into the empty and survive.
Sitting back up, I focused on riding. Everything could come one step at a time, starting with keeping my seat. Chthonic madmen who were also psyches? I’d worry about them when I could ride a horse.
The sun began its descent through the sky, illuminating the mountain pass in orange light. We’d be stopping soon, thank the Maiden.
“Ah!” Seraphim called. “There’s a nice spot to camp.”
She rode to a cliff overlooking a lake and swung out of the saddle. A river cut through the pass, plunging into the waters below. Clopping through the shallow water, my horse stopped at my command and patiently waited for me to dismount.
Oh, gods. This was the hardest part. Psyching myself up, I muttered under my breath, telling myself the task was simple, and I was just overthinking it. Slipping one foot from the stirrups, I dragged it over the saddle, and. . .
Losing my balance, my other foot departed the stirrup, and I crashed to the ground, landing on my ass with a surprised yelp.
Like it was the easiest task in the world, Seth leaped off his horse and offered me a hand. “Color me impressed, princess. I thought you’d need help.” He tilted his head. “Helpoffthe horse, at least.”
Begrudgingly accepting his hand, I brushed my toga off. He clicked his tongue.
“Don’t bother.” He suggested. “I’ll have you rolling in the dirt plenty tonight.” Patting my shoulder, he retrieved a bundle of supplies from his saddlebags and joined Seraphim by the fire pit.
Rubbing my eyes, I imagined what life might look like right now, had I never left home. Market Street would close with the setting sun, and I’d be trudging toward the bar to hand over my day’s earnings to my collector.
Maybe sword lessons weren’t so bad. Anything was preferable to my old life.
“How’d it go?” Eleos asked, holding the reins of his horse.
“Better than I thought,” I admitted, looking up at my stolen steed. “I can’t say I’m a fan of riding, though.”
“Neither am I. Short rides are wonderful, but long ones?” He shook his head. “Camping’s the best part oftraveling, anyway. Especially when you have good company.” He smiled at me. “And a bard.”
Chuckling, I touched the flower he’d woven into my hair. Seth had suggested I ask Percy his story, and I’d yet to find the courage. Perhaps I’d finally catch a moment of his time tonight.
Laying a hand on my horse’s neck, I gazed into her intelligent eyes. Horses deserved names, didn’t they?
“Eleos,” I called. “Does your horse have a name?”
He patted the dappled brown mare. “Yes. Artemis.” Stepping back, he studied the other stolen mare, a black and white draught horse. “She’ll need a name, too. Percy will come up with one in no time, I’m sure.”
