It had been some time since I last rode on a horse, but the old familiar habits came back quite easily. The dark bay gelding whose back I sat, was spirited yet well-mannered, readily acquiescing to my hand and knee commands from the moment I mounted him in Lord Michon’s courtyard.

Echoes from my past drifted into my thoughts.

My late father’s voice instructing the younger version of me, “Be one with the horse, respect his nobility and spirit, care for his well-being as you do your own, for there will come a time when he may be the only one you can really trust.”

The memory of riding bareback with Callyn behind me, pressed against my back, her arms around my waist, her breath a delicious warm whisper in my ear, “Be one with the horse with your knees and thighs, Ahren. Yes, that’s it, use the pressure of your knees to convey your commands, where you want him to go, when you want him to stop, or when you want him to run like the wind.”

No question, both my father and Callyn would have liked this fine animal.

I guided the bay a little ways off to the side of the trail the caravan was on, reined him to a halt then patted his neck with great affection. I chuckled softly as he snorted and tossed his proud head, turning my face to the side to avoid being lashed by his long black mane. His liquid brown eyes followed my blue ones, his ears flickering back and forth with interest as we watched the slow progression of the people, wagons, and assorted animals that followed behind Lady Kellina’s carriage.

It was a beautiful day for traveling, a slight chill in the air, but nary a cloud in the lavender tinged sky. Trees everywhere were ablaze in their splendor of fall colors.

The caravan made steady progress, having traveled west then southwest for several hours since leaving Lord Michon’s shire. We crossed the Azarite River about an hour ago without incident. That had been my first good look at the magnificent bridge spanning across the river in daylight, for the last time I had traveled across the bridge was in the dark of the night, several months ago. At the time, I was reluctant to reveal my hiding place amongst the caravan of merchants traveling to the Shire of the East.

The bridge was a monumental tribute to the creativity of the engineers that constructed it, and there was no doubt that they had employed high levels of magical skills to accomplish the feat. The framework was so strong and sturdy, none of the horses in our caravan showed any distress and crossed over the bridge without protest. The river below was somewhat swollen from the recent rainstorm, singing gleefuly as it moved swiftly from the Sea of Azar to the Ioldan Sea. I smiled to myself, remembering nights around the Ka’anti campfires where Sirra described the sights and wonders of this land, as viewed by her eagle eyes from the skies. Sirra was indeed a treasure house of information. I briefly wondered where she roamed those days.

We were quite the assortment: a company of at least a hundred guards of both genders under the command of fiery red headed Captain Payne, two hundred ordinary people, and at least thirty wagons loaded with tools, supplies, food and baggage.

And of course, Lady Kellina rode in her own carriage accompanied by four wagons loaded with her belongings: clothing, furniture, and linens. Four wagons for one woman? Admittedly, two wagons were full of furniture from her chambers. Still … however did I manage to travel with only a supply pouch and back-sack?

Five of the supply wagons were loaded with packages of dried, cured, and preserved foods, boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables, smoked meats, and bags of grain and seeds. One wagon was stacked with small crates of live chickens and a few small pigs, their squawks and squeals of protest erupting every time the wagon lurched over a rough patch of the trail.

Several cows, sheep and goats brought up the rear of the caravan, herded by a couple of farmers on foot with help from their cleverly trained shepherd dogs. At least the rain from the recent storm dampened down the dust on the trail, otherwise mini dust storms would have been created by the scuffling of so many hooves and wagon wheels.

Most of the guards were on horseback, which was why I was rather surprised when Captain Payne approached me before our departure from Lord Michon’s shire and informed me that I was to ride. To the silent question she saw in my eyes, she meaningfully inclined her head towards Lord Michon in the courtyard. I could only presume that His Lordship had confided in Captain Payne the true nature of my new role in Lady Kellina’s life, hence, I was given the dark bay gelding. I had ridden next to Lady Kellina’s carriage for most of the way thus far.

There was no anticipation of any trouble along the first leg of this journey, for the trail we were following was a well-known route to Falfa; a good sized village where we were to spend the night. We had not chanced upon any other travelers, yet, the guards on horseback were strategically spread out, in various places throughout the caravan, alert and watchful. Captain Payne had already dispatched several of her company ahead to Falfa to make the necessary arrangements for our arrival there.

I smiled as one of the food wagons approached, for Madame Adelaide was the driver, her hands firm on the reins of the two dun horses pulling the wagon. Madame was the only one amongst the caravan that I considered a true friend, a kindred soul, for it was she one that first befriended me after my arrival at Lord Michon’s shire a few months ago. Madame was a solid woman of perhaps fifty odd years, with kind blue eyes. Her warm maternal side endeared her to many people; however she was also quite capable of morphing to a steely-eyed, no-nonsense woman that made even the most hardened guardsman blush crimson when subjected to her wrath. She usually wore her long rust brown hair in a thick braided coil down her back, and on this day of travel, a well-worn wide brimmed hat of leather perched jauntily on her head.

A young woman sat beside Madame up front on the wagon, holding a silver-grey tabby cat on her lap. I knew her by sight, and remembered Madame Adelaide affectionately calling her Rylee on a few occasions. Rylee appeared to be about my age, slender of build, fair skinned with dark brown hair of medium length and brown eyes. She stole a glance at me from under her lashes and flashed a quick smile. The cat gave me a longer look with heavy lidded golden eyes as if measuring the worth of my existence in its world, then with typical feline aloofness dismissed me, burrowing its head into Rylee’s hands. The cat was curled quite serenely on Rylee’s lap, enjoying her caresses, and totally oblivious to the ruckus caused by the crated chickens and pigs on the wagon ahead. Idly, I wondered about Rylee’s family history, for cats have long been known to prefer the company of witches.

My Callyn had been a witch.

The cool hand brushing against my forehead parted the black quicksand of pain from my consciousness and left behind a trail of blissful peace. Dimly, I heard a sweet, husky voice, definitely female, softly whispering, “Sweet one, you are safe now, they can no longer hurt you. Sirra found you just in time, and brought you to me. Sleep, sweet one, sleep deeply and when you awaken, you will be healed of your grievous wounds.”

I woke from that deep sleep two days later, in a strange room and an unfamiliar bed. I was alone, save for a black cat curled up on a cushioned chair near the bed, its green eyes watching me with very intelligent interest. When I slowly sat up from the bed, the cat rose from its chair, arched its back in a full stretch, then leapt from the chair to the floor and trotted out the partially open door of the room. I gingerly moved my arms and legs, and then moved my head from side to side- the intense pain I was half expecting, half dreading did not manifest itself anywhere. The only evidence that remained from my injuries was an almost-healed scar lengthwise down my ribs to just above my right hip.

“Kino told me that my patient was awake.”

I looked in the direction from whence that husky voice came, and found myself drowning in the deepest emerald green eyes of a warrior woman, with silvery blonde hair standing at the doorway. She held the black cat in her arms.

Holding my eyes, she said, “My name is Callyn.”

In the space of that one heartbeat, she became my world.

“You’re looking mighty fine on that noble steed, Ahren!” Madame Adelaide called out gaily, bringing my thoughts back to the present. “But don’t dilly dally, boi. Quit daydreaming, you and your horse get a move on, we still got a ways to go if we are to reach Falfa before dark!”

The other night, with a twinkle in her eye and spring in her step, Madame had declared to me that this was an adventure of a lifetime, despite the daunting task of restoring a ruined shire that lay ahead of us. As much as she loved her high place in Lord Michon’s household, I knew that Madame Adelaide held a soft spot in her heart for Lady Kellina, and I suspected Lord Michon knew it as well. Indeed, I was glad Madame was a part of this caravan. I chuckled and nudged my mount to prance jauntily besides Madame’s wagon, then smiled and saluted her as we trotted on ahead.

Up the trail I spotted Captain Payne’s fiery red hair, near the head of the caravan. In the short time I was at the Shire of the East, I did not have much of a chance to interact with Captain Payne; however, I liked what I heard about her in the barracks. Payne was well respected by most of the male and the female guards, and she was said to maintain firm but fair discipline over those under her command. The general consensus was that Captain Payne richly deserved this promotion; yet, I also sensed a strong undercurrent of dismay and confusion that the promotion entailed the relocation to a long abandoned shire. And to serve as Captain of the Guard to Lady Kellina, of all people, when she was long known to be Lord Michon’s most favored submissive? An unattached adult female, other than an older woman, was rare in other shires I’d seen. And a woman ruling a shire? I had not yet encountered such a thing outside the warrior women. It was simply unthinkable. As much as I looked forward to such a place to live and build a future, so too did my gut tell me to be on most careful watch for trouble.

I had heard the whispers and mutterings; I did not like the tone of resentment regarding Lady Kellina’s changed status. now or in the days to come. I made up my mind to seek out and form a friendship with Captain Payne, and hope that she would indeed prove to be a valuable ally in ensuring the safety and well-being of Lady Kellina as Lord Michon expected.

The length of the journey and the uncertainty of what awaited us at our destination made it clear that no babies or small children would be allowed to travel in the caravan. From eavesdropping over the past few days and witnessing several tear filled goodbyes in the courtyard earlier today, I wondered just how many of my fellow travelers were truly willing to leave their families behind in the safety of Lord Michon’s shire. I sincerely hoped that they all would be safely reunited with their loved ones once the ruined shire was restored and once more inhabitable. Yet at the same time, with the culture and hierarchy of the Shire of the East being what it was, it greatly troubled me to know that perhaps for some of the travelers, they likely did not have any choice about being a part of this caravan.

It didn’t help that I was also burdened by the weight of the secret I had pledged to Lord Michon that I would keep, at least until it was time.

So, as I guided my mount back to Lady Kellina’s carriage near the front of the caravan, I made certain that I had a pleasant greeting, a smile and a nod for every traveler that we passed, whether they were on horseback, riding a wagon, or on foot. We all shared one common goal, to restore and rebuild this ruined shire that awaited us after three days of travel. If there was one thing that both Callyn and Sirra taught me in the time I was with them, it was that one should always strive to make a good first impression on people. One never knew who would prove to be a friend or an enemy, and sometimes a favorable first impression tips the scales one way or the other sooner rather than later.

I settled my horse into a steady, easy walk once more besides Lady Kellina’s carriage. The design of the carriage was similar to that of the caravan wagons, except that the carriage was enclosed on all sides and the top. The inside of the carriage was not overly fancy, but it was roomy and the seats were comfortably cushioned. We were on the doorway side of the carriage which had a large window opening in the upper third of the door. The privacy curtain was slightly pulled back from the window, and I could see Lady Kellina inside. Her personal maid, Krystel, was hidden from my view, likely sitting on the opposite side of the carriage from Lady Kellina.

Lady Kellina appeared to still be asleep, Her head resting on a pillow propped against the far wall of the carriage. Her feet were drawn up to the side of the cushioned bench, and covered by a small woven shawl. One arm lay across Her lap, forming a casual semicircle of protection around Her stomach, guarding that secret that so weighed in my mind. Her expression was peaceful, and Her lips were curved in a slight smile. I wondered what She was dreaming about.

Satisfied that my brief absence had not been noticed by Lady Kellina, I settled the dark bay gelding into a steady walk beside Her carriage. I reached into the pouch slung across the saddle and pulled out one of the wrapped packages of journey biscuits. The aroma of the spices of the sausage embedded in the dough was quite enticing, but just as I about to bite into the biscuit, a fleeting flash of gold from the direction of Lady Kellina’s carriage caught my eye.

I guided my horse closer and peered through the window of the carriage again. Lady Kellina had shifted Her position, such that a slender chain of gold now lay partially exposed at Her neck. She still slumbered. Just a coincidence, a ray of sun had reflected off the gold chain, causing the flash that attracted my attention. I couldn’t make out any details of the gold chain, but then again, I had seen Lady Kellina wear different pieces of jewelry before.

I remembered another golden necklace, from another time.

“What’s this, Ahren?” Callyn asked as I placed the small wrapped parcel in her hands.

“Just a little something for you, my love,” I replied softly, once again drowning in the depth of her emerald green eyes. “Go on, open it.”

“Oh, Ahren…” Callyn murmured as she pulled the slender chain of gold from the depths of the wrapping. At the end of the chain was a tiny golden figurine, of an eagle in flight. “This is so very beautiful…”

“Just as beautiful as the gift you have given me of my new name, Callyn.” I replied with a smile as she fastened the clasp at the back of her neck and let the tiny eagle rest against her heart. My own heart took flight as she leaned closer towards me. Her lips met mine, tender and gentle at first, then firmer and more ardent. So intimately attuned to each other’s nuances and rhythm we were, our smoldering passion easily ignited. Neither of us cared where one began, where the other ended, for the crests and waves of pure erotic ecstasy consumed us completely.

I was hers, and she was mine. It was as simple as that.

Two seasons later, with tear glazed eyes, I watched the flames of Callyn’s burial pyre cast glittery sparkles off of the golden chain and its eagle figurine. She wore my gift close to her heart to the very end of her life, and into the beyond. Neither her own healing powers, nor that of others of her former coven, could conquer the dark disease that ravaged her body from the inside out.

I blinked myself back to the present. Most times, memories of Callyn cut a deep and painful path into my soul. The bittersweet ache of loss was still there, and always will be, but more and more, that ache no longer held the power to paralyze me that it once did. Not ever since that fateful first day that I saw Lady Kellina

I stole another look at the sleeping Lady Kellina through the carriage window as I bit into the journey biscuit. Chewing thoughtfully, I once again wondered why, with her last dying breath, Callyn bade me to go to the Shire of the East. For all her talents as a witch, foreseeing the future was not one of them. Even Callyn’s friend, Sirra, had no answers.

“I honestly don’t know, Ahren.” Sirra shook her head regretfully when I finally asked, a few weeks after Callyn’s death. “Callyn never said anything to me about the Shire of the East. As far as I know, she did not have any connections there, whether they be relative, friend, or even enemy.”

I sighed in frustration. “I guess the only way to find out is to go there then. Will you come with me, Sirra?”

Sirra shook her head. “If Callyn only told you and no one else, then, she meant for this to be just for you, Ahren. This journey is for you and you alone.” She put both hands on my shoulders and waited until I looked fully at her. “You have come a long ways, Ahren, since I rescued you that night. You have learned well, from Callyn, from me, and from the other Kana’ti. Trust your instincts, in what you have learned, and while she may have kept her reasons secret, trust that Callyn knew what she was about when she bade you to go East.”

“So be it, then.” I replied.

In these few months that I was at the Shire of the East, I came no closer to finding rhyme or reason for Callyn’s last words. Then, when I remembered the mysterious voice that whispered in my ear that night in Lord Michon’s private office, I wondered. It was not Callyn’s voice, nor did it feel like her, that much I was certain. From whence that voice came, I was not able to figure out. I was not a devout follower of any spiritual or mystical arts, nor do I confess fealty to any one particular deity. But I have lived my life and conducted myself with a strong belief that higher powers do exist in our universe. My time with Callyn only reinforced that.

Mystery upon mystery. I was certain that somehow, in some way, Callyn’s last words to me, Lady Kellina, and the ruined shire that was our destination were all connected. All I could do was let events play out as they will and trust my instincts to guide me in making the right choices.

And in the process, I hoped that my strong attraction and personal feelings for Lady Kellina would not prove to be my downfall.