“You must make the Laird and Lady believe you are their daughter.”
“You heard those guys. The Laird is locked away with his wife and who knows where. I’m coming with you.”
“It will not be any pleasure voyage. I will ride hard and swift and the goat track around the mountain is-”
“Dangerous, I get it. I’m still coming with you.”
“You are a stubborn lass.”
“Get used to it. Now are we going or not?”
Eddard tried one last time. “We may not return alive.”
“That,” she said, slipping her hands into his while looking up into his eyes, “Is a risk worth taking.”
Chapter Twelve
Jessica thought she’d grown used to riding a horse but this was going to be something new. She could see from the moment the two of them entered the stable why this particular beast had been left behind.
“He’s a destrier,” Eddard said as Jessica stopped in the doorway. “A warhorse.”
“He’s not a horse, he’s Godzilla,” she replied, feeling the ground underneath her shake as the beast stamped its feet in the far stall, flicking its head violently as if daring them to get any closer. “You can’t be expecting us to ride that.”
“Och, he just needs the right touch, that’s all.”
Another violent stamp of its feet followed by baring its teeth at them, eyes bulging.
“I see the problem,” Eddard said, taking a firm step forward. “Wait there.”
“Wouldn’t dream of moving,” she replied, watching him make his way over to the stall. “Be careful.” She had a sudden vision of him being picked up and tossed through the air the moment he got close enough.
It seemed impossible that horses could be that big. She remembered reading about destriers somewhere. Huge beasts that cost as much as a Laird might earn in a year.
They were bred to be fierce, trained never to show fear during battle. She had absolutely no doubt it would throw them both if they eventually managed to get on its back.
“Shush,” Eddard said, hands held out toward the horse. “I ken you. You’re Apollo, aren’t you?” He glanced back at Jessica. “He was just a foal when I was last here and fierce enough then, took out the knee of the head groom. He was never the same after that.”
“The horse or the groom?”
He smiled at her.
“Don’t look at me, look at him.”
He pulled open the stall door as the horse eyed him suspiciously, then the two of them were gone from sight. She waited a minute but after hearing nothing, edged her way over and peered inside. She could see at once what was happening.
The horse had its rear right hock bound with rope to an iron loop on the wall behind it. Eddard was busy undoing the knots which held it in place.
She was certain he’d be kicked at any moment but as the last of the rope fell away the horse calmed at once, turning and nudging his ear with its huge head.
“All right you great lummox,” Eddard said, patting its neck. “Are we happier now?”
He led the horse out of the stall while Jessica marveled at his skill. The terrifying beast had become putty in Eddard’s hands. She knew how it felt. His hands on her were enough to melt any anger she felt, no wonder he was having the same calming influence on the destrier.
In a couple of minutes the saddle was in place and it was like the furious animal had never been there. The huge beast placidly walked out into the courtyard mild as a lamb. “What if we’re seen?” Jessica asked, glancing around her.
“What, by them two?” He nodded toward the courtyard steps. The two kitchen boys in guard uniform were asleep on their feet, slumped against each other. “Whatever they were drinking was strong stuff.”
“Are you sure it won’t hurt us?” she asked, looking up at the horse which stared straight ahead.
