Gianna

My embarrassment at my strange episode faded throughout the next few days. I attempted to give Erik his space. Of course, he did not wish to rescue me from my stupidity again. He resented me. I had upended his life and made it more difficult as the days passed. So, I backed off.

Orpheus acted lazier through the week, though I couldn't blame him. The sun beat down on us all. Erik remained in higher spirits- well, for him, anyway. To most people, he resembled a crotchety old man with a bad toothache. But we reached some agreement, so I let his prickly mannerisms slide off more easily.

Amid our mutual peace, I forced myself not to speak to him lest he do so first. I pounced when he pointed out a bird species he had studied.

"Erik, what do you want to do when you become a man?"

"I am a man."

"No, you're not, silly." He turned, walking by Orpheus' head. Since we had already established his not-hatred of me, I didn't mind. I almost felt special. "I am not grown up. And we're only a few months apart, I think. Therefore, you are decidedly still a boy." I thought my logic was sound.

"If you meant earlier, what I shall do for a living, I have many skills."

"Like what?"

He seemed annoyed that I would question him. "Architecture, Music,... management among other things."

"Your sketches were very lovely." I mused. He inclined his head, almost like my compliments were no longer uncomfortable. "Will you sing for me now?"

"No."

Why did he refuse to sing for me? Was he not very good? Poor Erik! Perhaps his voice embarrassed him. And for me to punish him so!

"Why not?" Orpheus panted now. Erik's long strides challenged even the horse. How could someone walk so fast?

"It is not the time."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I mean what I say." He said.

"Fine." I stroked Orpheus' mane. A sheen of sweat glazed his neck, giving him a silver glow. He would need a rest soon. "Don't you want to ask me the same thing?"

He sighed. "What do you wish when you grow up, Gi?"

"Thank you for asking. I wish to travel the world with my wildly handsome husband. And we can eat fancy dinners and have a zoo of animals. I also will be the best-dressed woman in town, and everyone at the opera will be jealous of me."

"Opera is about more than what you look like."

"Oh, is this part of your experience?"

"No, but I refuse to believe a place with such beautiful music relies on looks."

"I have never been to one"

"Neither have I." His voice possessed a longing quality to it.

"But I have seen patrons exit. New York doesn't have quite the best Opera House- the Astor isn't much compared to Europe, or so I've heard, but everyone always dresses beautifully."

"Such as the music deserves."

"You must admit it is fun to dress up." This yellow sundress, though cooler than a velvet day dress would be, did not garner the same effect as my mother's finer attire.

"I have never given it much thought."

"No?" I continued. "It gives you something- how do I describe it?."He cocked his head. "Like a– surge of confidence. You can pretend to be someone you are not."

"That is a rather difficult endeavor."

"Oh, you refuse to understand! Dressing well can change a lot. Think about the innkeeper outside of Rome. He probably would have allowed us a room if we were dressed nicer!"

"He did not grant us a room because of my mask."

"Alright, perhaps a poor argument, but dressing well can influence how people treat you, but most importantly, how you feel. Why do you think wealthy people get more respect?"

"I see your point. How interesting. If only I would wear my Sunday church clothes, they would think me Adonis."

"Adonis? Is that another Greek story?"

"No- Yes- the point is, you overestimate the power of vanity."

"It is not vain to want to look well!"

He let out a small air intake through his nose. "Children."

"Alright, Mr. Pot. Lovely to meet you; I am Miss Kettle."

"Very funny."

"How so?"

"Our entire conversation has proved that age is not merely measured in years, but experience."

"And you have so much experience?"

"Yes, I have." Although from anyone else, this sounded arrogant, Erik spoke it like a heavy burden.

"I am sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for." He shook his head briskly, then ushered Orpheus forward faster.

"Will you sing for me tomorrow night?" Hopefully, a change in subject would liven up his spirits.

"No."

Exhausted, I gave up my attempts at conversation.

The following days bored me endlessly, but I avoided annoying Erik. His moods changed like the wind, and every time I thought I caught a peaceful breeze, it blew into a foul gust. I had nothing to do but walk and think about home. My nerves felt scrambled at the thought, and I would switch to more exciting adventures the near future could grant.

We reached a small village and enjoyed lunch. Erik perched against Orpheus' broad back, and I chewed some almonds. A splotch of red climbed on my dress.

"Erik, look! A ladybug!"

"How charming."

I maneuvered it on my finger to show him. Its brilliant scarlet back shook with activity. "Look how pretty!"

By now, I was clued into his expressive body language. He leaned farther against the horse's grey withers, staring at the sky. One lithe leg bent in repose.

"Why are you so upset? It's just a ladybug."

The small part of his mouth I could view stretched wide. "Ha! I could have said the same about the spider!"

"That is different."

"Why? Six legs instead of eight?"

"No. They look different."

"So?"

"Spiders are scary. If spiders looked like ladybugs, maybe people wouldn't hurt them."

"Maybe a spider can't help looking like a spider."

"Maybe a spider should try harder not to be so scary."

"How is it scary? It was just sitting there, simply existing."

"Fine, Erik, maybe you are right. A poor, poor creature. We should pity it indeed!"

"I didn't say pity. Just not act in violence!"

"Spiders bite people."

"They do."

"So maybe it's on both sides, then."

After I heard the trees shift for five breezes, I looked at him again."Maybe I should be nicer to spiders."

"Oh?"

"Yes, maybe they bite because people are mean to them."

"Maybe they do."

"Animals are never to blame. Never animals." Erik stared, but I continued, "And we are all creatures, right? I am probably hideous to a spider."

"That, you could never be."

My cheeks grew hot. I doubt he meant it as a compliment, but Erik often said things so deliberately and willfully that I believed he meant it with all his heart. Our idle lunch rambled to a reluctant end.

"Orpheus!" A small nicker. "Orpheus!" I smacked him on the bottom, but he did not get up. He didn't even try.

"He cannot get up. Don't you see?"

My stomach dropped. "There is nothing wrong with his legs?"

Erik meticulously touched each of his limbs, running his large hands all over the horse's pelt. Orpheus nickered once more, then lay his head in the grass. Erik shook his head.

"He must be lame," I said.

"Lame? Does that only happen to older horses? How old is he?"

"I do not know. Check his teeth."

"Why me? Do you think I am a doctor or something?"

"No, but this is my one dress, and it's yellow. If he spits on you, it can stain your dark clothing, not mine."Erik just stared at me, his golden eyes shining like small beams."And you are the boy, so it is the polite thing to do."

He only shook his head and lifted the horse's mouth. "What am I looking for?"

"Do you see his pincers?" Erik's arms wrapped around Orpheus' mouth, but the horse in question lay so still he did not need to. I coughed. "The shape- what shape is it?"

"It looks like a triangle."

I let out a breath. Erik glared at my silence.

"Well?" He demanded, dropping the patient gelding's mouth.

"He is at least 10."

"Thank you, doctor, for your diligent analysis! At least ten! Such science is the pinnacle of innovation!"

"Erik, stop mocking me!" He ceased his dramatic show, making do with a firm arm cross. "If he is older, he could be permanently lame!"

Erik looked back at Orpheus, offended on behalf of the animal for my speaking so crassly about his mortality.

"I did not know horses had the habit of not getting up."

"He has been showing signs. Did you not notice how sweaty he was? And slow? I don't know him as well. I thought he was just lazy." I made to lace my shoes. My gloves were dirty. I could buy new ones while in town. "We must find a doctor for him."

"No."

"No? What do you mean, no?"

"Doctors will do no help. He needs rest."

"What do you have against doctors?" Erik stroked Orpheus' neck, murmuring to him and ignoring me. "Something could be seriously wrong with him. I know some about horses, but not that much. Father hired always hired veterinarians." He eyed me passively, like a cat watching an over-concerned mouse. Pressing him, I continued. "What if something is wrong, and we look back knowing we didn't do enough to help him?"

I knew my comment struck when he painstakingly glanced back at Orpheus, lying prostrate in the grass. He wheezed as a soft wind blew.

"Very well. But you shall go retrieve this doctor you speak so highly of. I will stay here."

Would anyone understand me? "I didn't-"

"Just get the damn physician!"

I scampered off, unwilling to deal with his turbulent mood. What a way to behave in a crisis! Erik pressed his mask against Orpheus' neck, kneeling as if praying. I loved animals, always had, and I sincerely wished to aid another creature in need, but Erik's attachment to the horse was so intense that one would think he grew up with the beast. Bosom companions in the blink of an eye! I was chopped liver by comparison.

My mind wandered, my steps repetitive. Erik's mask. What could be under it? After so long in each other's company, I secured my fair share of speculations. An injury? Perhaps an illness? Maybe he is some criminal on the run. The circumstances of our meeting remained too strange. His poverty dashed any hopes of mine at his noble blood, yet his behavior suggested it. As I wandered, I knocked on several doors. People shooed me away like some idiot girl, which I resembled. The same amount shot me pitying glances and merely shook their heads. I bemoaned the loss of my old clothing. My once-white boots showed scuffs and grime, the dyed leather discolored into a brownish yellow. What a sight I was!

I wanted to cry, but I knew no one would take me seriously, not that they were inclined to. Orpheus' pain forced me onwards. On the fifth residence, someone finally offered a workable response. The middle-aged woman trimming her tomato garden pointed me to a humble blue house with a shingled roof—a doctor's.

He looked only a few years older than me and spoke French. I breathed a sigh of relief.

As I explained to him my predicament, I learned he enjoyed brief holidays from medical school at his parent's village. He remarked upon the excellent weather.

"Are you able to help us, then?"

"You say the horse is lame? I cannot make any promises, but I can try."

Before we set off, I inquired, "How much do you charge for your services?"

"For a pretty girl like you, do not worry about such things."

I gave him my best smile. All the better for Erik and I.

Erik did not move from his position, though he scrambled up when the almost-vet and I arrived. He greeted me with a nod and the other man with a glare so cold I almost shivered. Perhaps I exaggerated when I noted Erik's glares at me. They resembled warm hugs compared to the look he bestowed upon the man.

"Thank you for coming." I widened my eyes in warning at Erik, attempting to diffuse some of the tension.

"Of course." The man stared at Erik rather rudely. Erik fixed his gaze in return.

The examination lasted only a few minutes.

"Someone shooed his foot incorrectly." He said, pointing his left back foot. Erik glowered.

"So, he will be fine?" I prayed so.

"Should be. You need to get him a farrier immediately, though. That nail job is shoddy, and I imagine he has been in pain for quite some time."

"Oh, thank you, doctor!"

"Now, for your payment." He quickly glanced at Erik and wiped some sweat from his brow.

Confusion clouded my thoughts. "You offered your services free of charge, sir."

The man's anxious demeanor shifted, his lips thinning. "I do not cater to criminals for free." His sight leveled back at my masked companion.

They glowered for several moments, and I jutted in, "Oh! My brother? Sir, he is not a criminal!"

"As if I believe that. Take off the mask, boy."

"I will do no such thing, you incompetent twat."

I gasped. The man collected his things in haste. "Sir, please excuse my brother's behavior. He is rather sensitive about his mask, you know. He is only trying to save me from shame, however. I was terribly stupid one day and left a candle burning. He saved me, but only to the detriment of his poor, handsome face. Everyone said he always looked like our mother."

Whether he believed the ridiculous tale or not, he did not say. He stuck out his hand. "One hundred lira for my time."

"One-hundred? Sir, that is so much. You have only been here for five minutes."

Erik only watched, punishing me for the insolence of wanting to help a poor animal!

"I do not argue with silly little girls."

"And I do not do business with thieving clamfaces, but the world is surprising, isn't it?" Immediately, I brought my hand to my mouth.

He sputtered, "Good luck finding your horse a new set of shoes, child! You shall find no help in this town!" He stormed off.

I sat dramatically next to Orpheus, leaning against his broad back. My scream muffled in his soft coat. The gelding sighed.

"Didn't work out quite how you'd hoped?"

That gloating tone. I didn't dignify it with a response.

Erik paced, his long legs obscuring my vision of the awkward doctor fading from view.

He rambled, "Such is expected. At least you did not pay the fool. Ha. Clamface. Where did you get that? I should use that one."

"We need a farrier."

"Yes, it appears we do. Shall you try your charming tricks again?"

"Shut up! You are no help!"

"How could I be? The second he saw me, it was over."

"Oh, that's hogwash!" For a second, he cocked his head in confusion, then went back to pouting. "If you only took off your mask! He would not have been so rude."

Erik stopped. "Do you think I chose this?"

"You choose to wear a mask. And it's getting in our way. You could not be so freakish and take it off so people wouldn't treat us like this!"

Suddenly, he transformed. He charged at me, invading my space. I scrambled back. He leered at me from above, his eyes shimmering. My heart hammered against my sternum, and the air became suffocating. His hands rose and fell, weirdly contorting around his face. He made to grab me but stopped. Then he firmly set his hands down.

Without looking at him, I rose, racing off in the other direction. Several villages dotted the landscape. One had to have someone to help.

Erik's behavior terrified me, yet I felt no compulsion to abandon him. Orpheus needed me. Cultivating some better lie to explain Erik's mask, I ruminated. Why did he even wear it anyway? Ridiculous. My boots pounded into the grass as I stomped onward. Whatever he looked like, people's guards rose at the sight of such a thing. His stubbornness harmed both of us; couldn't he see?

I retrieved a man near dusk, long shadows casting over our bodies as I led him to Orpheus. He was quiet and said little. I handed over half of our savings. New gloves would not be permissible. I had to find somewhere to wash them, then.

Erik's glare softened as Orpheus' breathing evened. He even smirked when he stood up, shaking out his mane. The new nails were symmetrical, and the shoes were well-made. We would make it to Venice.