A Lock[8]

The floor was still sandy. Well, I wasn't going to sweep again. It was, in the end, an arena for horses. Famous horses, true, but it was literally on the sea shore. And I wasn't supposed to be the arena help anyway.1

A sharp clopping - a beautiful, swishing stride, I could tell - entered the arena. I turned around. A young man mounted up and started running his horse through excersizes. I approached the pair. He stopped and regarded me courteously. "I'm sweeping the arena," I pointed out, annoyed. He smiled condescendingly. "You're done."2

I stiffened. "I'm about to mop."3

He laughed. "You are not about to mop. They had to force you to sweep this place."4

What a stalker. I just shrugged. "Yeah, well, what am I gonna do. They offer me an oppurtunity - main horse keeper for the Aenan Equestrian. Then they say clean the place up. I'm not the help."5

He nodded. "There's a bunch of us about to storm the arena if we don't get it for practice," he informed me amiably.6

I almost slammed the broom down. Then I thought again.7

"Squire's horsemanship division?" I asked.8

"Mostly."9

I stayed - to watch from the side.10

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When Alexander didn't show up in the arena, I looked for him in the barn. I was lonely and somehow desperate - for what, I didn't know. I found him in the stall, grooming his chestnut Kenneth. I crossed my arms and leaned my elbows on the side of the stall. Everything felt right somehow; I knew it wouldn't as soon as I left and started using my brain again. So I stayed there. As Alexander acknowledged me, I observed that he was business-like but cheerful. I wished I could tell him how I wanted to be his lady. I wanted him to wear my glove at his saddle tonight. 12

And I was indeed wearing gloves. White lace gloves, to match the dress I would wear later in the evening, when I walked into Aen City for the first time. The dress was embroidered near the bottom with juvenile pink roses - I hated the roses. But otherwise, the dress was really a lovely affair. I felt like a page full of poetry in it.13

One of the new judges for the event walked me to the little inn wherein I was to sleep and went so far as to eat with me. It was quite a delightful interaction. It's a pity - very few of the people with whom I was acquainted would have enjoyed themselves so much. Proper introductions and all that.14

Actually, this young judge, I noticed, didn't seem to be too jovial himself. I suppose he was simply the serious type, but he looked almost ashamed to be seen with me. Finally I had enough and asked him what was on his mind.15

He sighed. "You see, there is a certain young man whom I owe a favor. I promised that I should meet you tonight. He is very interested to find out who you are."16

"He seems to be a very forward young gentleman," I said.17

"That, and more - he has few boundaries, and his principles are in a sad state," he admitted. 18

"And you would only give me such a poor report because you realize that I would not be a suitable object of courtship for him any way," I realized.19

He hung his head slightly. "There is some truth to that. Even just now, when you spoke your mind, you had no modesty, good woman," he admonished. "When first I saw you, riding in the fashion of a man with your legs bared, I took you for the Colomen Hermaphrodite."20

"I beg your pardon?" I gasped. "I am from Colomen."21

"Is it true - " he bent toward me shamelessly like a gossiping maid - "that a woman works in the Baron's stable?"22

"It's true," I nodded. "I've seen her, once. I was surprised by the way she controlled her horse, and am not ashamed to emply her style of riding."23

"But she is really neither woman nor man?" he said.24

"Of course she's a woman." I was upset now. "More a woman than you are a man."25

He jumped, but did not retaliate. "Then it must be true. What is said about she and the Baron's own son."26

I started to tremble. "What is - " 27

Then I stood up from the table. I could guess. "Thank you for the meal. And for the company." And I went upstairs to my room.28

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It was a life I knew. 30

Something sure and sinister crossed the fairground paths in the place of me. In the defense of me.31

The horses smelled hot. It was to be a hard day for Alexander III of Colomen. But he was like me; he expected it. He thrived under a challenge, if he didn't always welcome it. It made him stronger. Like it made me stronger.32

But he shouldn't ever, ever have been mixed up in the dirt I stirred. 33

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It was mid-day and warm. Alexander saddled his horse. He rarely let me. It wasn't distrust; he simply wasn't comfortable with woman preparing a mount for a man, instead of the other way around.35

As we passed a stone church, choir music settled on us like papery birds. It was a sad song that they gave out, and no mass was being said, so I knew they were practicing. Suddenly I remembered the thick smell of candles, the sound of full voices in the morning. I had never taken my first communion; I never understood much of what was preached from the pulpit. I wasn't about to resume my theological studies then, but still the church made me curious.36


The idea of Alexander's event was that the horses were not judged at all. Only their riders were. Only their riders. It was not a class for a nervous squire.37

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Of course, Alexander was not a nervous squire. Not, at least, in the arena. He was riding an unfamiliar horse that day, Aransel, because Kenneth was too round over the jumps. But Alexander held the reins in a manner that announced that he didn't need to know his mount; as long as it followed its rider all would go well. There was a gleam of ruthlessness in The Honourable Alexander.39

All did go well. Alexander, hard-riding and determinded, controlled the horse with impeccable communication, and it was a brave-hearted beast. My love landed that day exactly where he had planned to - in the finals.40

The last riders stood patiently in the center while the others lined the ring. Then they were given commands. The requirements were repetitive, easy at first.41

The finalists executed the rein-backs and pivots obediently, then one at a time cut a figure-8 on the hard arena floor. Some dropped from the required canter into a jerky trot. Good movement was hard to maintain when a rider was apprehensive, I knew. Alexander knew it also. He entered the figure with a good burst of speed, flying around the turns swiftly with a drumbeat of hooves. A little gasp swung around the onlookers. I set my jaw, beyond admiration. All I could do was hope.42

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I was there when Alexander An Curran untied the blue ribbon from Aransel's bridle and presented it to his father with a little bow. The Baron kissed it. He held it up proudly to An Curran. ''Son," he said, his eyes shining. "Be glad!" He sounded concerned. I knew why: Alexander's jaw was grim. There was not the least note of joy on it. My heart sank strangely, but I kicked Exit and followed them.44


We were preparing to attend mass. Actually, I was preparing the horses, after spending most of the afternoon bathing and grooming Aransel. The horse didn't need that much attention, really, but I wanted to prove something to Alexander III. I knew he would have spent that time with the horse, had he been able.45

And I knew why he hadn't been able. I wasn't supposed to, but I did. The Viscount of Dana had not appeared to 'congratulate' Alexander III. I have reason to believe that Alexander and Charmaine were supposed to be betrothed on that day. So Alexander and his Squire went searching.46

They came back just as I had brought out Jueves' saddle. I smoothed the pad along the chestnut's back, aware that they were watching me idly. Alexander gave me a preoccupied little nod. I hid my smile behind a stirrup.47

I saddled my horse last. The others had started out already, sure they would find the Viscount attending Vespers. 48

Exit took steps just as I swung myself up, and I barely stayed on. She swung eagerly toward the door. I had to turn her back sharply in order to close the barn door behind me.49

Charmaine's witch walked out of the barn shadows. Exit actually reared, pushing at the bit on her unstable hind legs. I bore my knees down on her withers until she steadied. Idony came forward, fearless. "Oh," said the witch. "Oh, she is beautiful." I smiled, and my shock turned to fondness. "She's my faithful friend," I said. "She got me out. I think she knew everything." The witch put a hand on Exit's fire-shaped Thoroughbred muzzle. "She has an odd leanness about her flank," said the witch, as she lined up Exit with her eyes like a row of posts. "Have you noticed?"50

"If I did, I've forgotten," I said. 51

"She is strong, isn't she?" said the witch, as she patted my knee - the closest she could come to affection while on the ground.52

I knew I didn't need to reply. 53

"Will you come somewhere with me?" asked Idony mysteriously. I shook my head and waved away a fly from Exit's ear. "The Baron is going to mass with his company. I must go to. I...I have to say thank you."54

"Alexander won," said Idony, as if testing the phrase, or mocking it. "Alexander."55

"He's been looking for you," I remembered aloud.56

Idony inclined her head just a little. She looked like a child who swallows despite a sore throat. "Come with me," she insisted. "I promise you will not be disappointed. You do not have to meet me until the sun is fully set." 57

Pulling at the fingers of my gloves, I let the silence fall around us as I thought. Then I clasped the hand she held out. "I'll be there." Exit bounded forward at a tap from my heels.58

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