Chapter 29: Queen Georgina
Late Autumn:
Holly:
Over lunch the next week Queen Georgina continued her interrogation. She wanted to know everything. Dorian decided to join us though, to spare me.
He admitted that I had to figure out the riddle as well, but he knew I could do it.
I told her I already had a few guesses, but none I thought was right.
She asked about my hobbies, to which I answered horses, work, and Uller.
Uller was her favorite topic. She was delighted with him. She was desperate for another child, and Uller was young enough to spoil still. I was a bit nervous at the prospect, but she started her list of things to get him with tutors so I really couldn't complain too much. Dorian was brilliant so I knew she would choose the best for Uller as well. I knew bringing him here I wouldn't be able to be around him as much as I would like, but I knew I could function if he had been left with Vili.
Choal's mother had also joined us, and she made a comment about a horse named Farsha that I should met, to see if I could make her suitable. Normally I would have not gone anywhere near horses that were not my own, but I had left mine in Ornyth. My heart was already aching for them.
Dorian said he had sent for an Asterion horse for our engagement present. For that I raised brow at him when no one was looking. He didn't have money for that. That was the point of the competition.
He only shrugged.
On and on lunch seemed to stretch. Queen Georgina tried to set up meetings with wedding planners, but we refused her. In order to keep up with appearances for the competition.
She finally relented when she said it was a good way to make money. Dorian, I could tell wanted to vomit at the idea of taking his people's money. It was really the only way. The only thing left.
The money was evident in my rooms. The rooms I had been given were very bare. Uller's had only a bed and tub. No dresser, no chest, no side tables. Mine had all the usual things, but they didn't look fine or ancient, just bare and basic. Not that I needed such fine things.
"We will have find you a suitable gown for Yulesmas, young lady." Queen Georgina said at one point. To which Dorian told his mother not to worry about it. Again, I was surprised at this. The queen seemed satisfied by it though. She didn't like my overalls, and I rarely had worn dresses since coming here. She seemed to understand this meant something.
Dorian and Choal's brothers appeared from a fold in the garden to steal cakes. They were made to sit and converse politely. They targeted in on Uller and asked if my toddler brother wanted to play with the teenaged boys. Dorian shut it down before I could. I was not interested in them corrupting my brother. Dorian knew I was more protective of Uller than usual, following recent events.
The boys, all three of them, pouted. Hollin tried to kiss my hand, but slobbered on it. I smiled politely, but whipped the spit on Dorian's leg surreptitiously.
….
After lunch we went to the stables to see Farsha. Choal and Dorian led the way.
"I don't mean to scare you, but Farsha is Hella's horse. Truly." Yrene said before disappearing with Nehmeria.
"She's aggressive, but not evil." Choal smirked at his fleeing wife.
"That's a good way to describe Hella's or Lorcan." I joked. They didn't laugh.
The horse was gorgeous. The stable hands stayed close by when we inspected her. The rich black coat looked pristine. Not a war horse, but a warrior herself.
They stayed back a bit, but when I unlocked the paddock, they rushed forward to close it. Choal advised me to let someone else led her out to the track. I demanded a good reason for that. To which he told me that I would be trampled by her. I rolled my eyes.
"Hello, Farsha. I have a few things to tell you." I said to the horse. She seemed to lower her head to hear me better. "The war is over, and warriors must find something else to do with their time."
She seemed to agree. "I would like to race you. I know you will show everyone how magnificent you are, and I promise no matter fast you go, I won't fall off."
Farsha nudged my hand under nose. She huffed and puffed at my scent. She stayed calm.
"Let's go for a first ride then." I smiled at her. I lifted the heavy saddle myself and did all the straps up. That felt like stretching after a long time asleep. It felt like waking up.
I led Farsha out of the stables, and then put my foot in one of the stirrups, but they were set Choal's length.
Several people rushed to help me into the saddle, but all they did was spook Farsha. I had no choice but to swing up into the saddle before they caused her to lose any trust in me at all.
…
DORIAN:
I had never seen Farsha hold so still. I have seen Farsha do anything but bite at anyone who wanted to saddle her, and yet she let Holly do it.
And when Holly led her to the track, they went slow. Something that Farsha didn't do either.
On the next pass, Holly stopped Farsha, at a line. She was talking to her, that was clear, but whatever she was saying it was about her and horse.
Moments later they took off around the track, faster than I could comprehend going.
They ran around at top speed for several laps. This would be Holly's joy then.
She was beaming at Farsha, and beaming at riding again.
"Well, your trails are lacking, but Farsha is finest horse here." She laughed.
"We will make trails for your highness, if it pleases you." One of the stable hands offered, I hadn't realized they had followed us out to see her ride. Holly laughed at that too.
"I'm just a lady. And not one who can order any landscaping." She slid off of Farsha and hit the ground with a loud smack on the cobblestones.
"What's next?" She asked me with just the hint of smile.
"Back to work, I'm afraid." I shrugged and took her arm.
