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The midmorning sun promised a warm day, and already the glare made my head pound as Ben and I followed my daughter into the shady barn. The scents of hay and horse and leather wrapped around me like a familiar blanket. Nearby, dust motes swirled in the single ray of sunshine streaming through a grimy window near the pitched roof.
Akiko strolled into the gloom and squealed. “Lady!” The mare’s neck curved in a graceful arch as she reached for the child. Akiko’s silky, black hair swung as she turned, her round face wreathed in smiles. “I missed you… and you, Sir Donkey!”
The little animal poked his head over the stall door and brayed like a rusty hinge. Charcoal barked once and glared at him with narrowed eyes, but the donkey didn’t back away. His lips wiggled in an undignified grin as Akiko scratched behind his long ears.
Josephine’s raspy singing stopped. She popped up from behind the stall wall and smiled. “Good, you’re here. I need a word with everyone.”
This is my chance. “Me too.” My shoulders relaxed, and I pulled in a deep breath. All week I’d waited for the right opportunity to express my concerns about traveling to Vegas Depot. Our decision to journey west on Olen’s suggestion had been spontaneous… and irrational. Could we travel over thirty-six hundred kilometers on a hunch? We had no actual proof, nothing to go on except Olen’s impression that a shape on my Home painting depicted the Strat tower in Vegas Depot. Plus, it wouldn’t be the first time a scholar’s opinion had led us astray; the reason we’d traveled to Toronto Depot was because another scholar had misidentified the tower.
With winter coming, I wanted to head south and regroup. Staying in one location would also make it easier for my cousin Talbot to find us. Any way I looked at it, it made sense to find somewhere to stay. But first, I needed to convince the others to change the plans we’d made.
Akiko disappeared into the deep shade near the back of the structure. “Hey look!”
Even squinting, I couldn’t make out what she’d discovered. I ambled over and found her tugging her saddle from beneath a mountain of dusty leather. Her tongue stuck out the side of her mouth as she pulled on her tack.
Above us, Genevie’s head popped over the edge of the loft. “Watch out below!”
“Hey,” Ben protested in his deep, gravelly voice as his large, ornate saddle dropped onto the pile with a thud. “Don’t throw our things into the dirt. My saddle is special to me.”
“If you want a say in how the tasks get done, arrive earlier next time. Earl and I have been working our tails off to get us ready to leave on time.”
Earl appeared at the top of the ladder, waved, and turned to descend. My cheeks burned, and I glued my eyes on Ben to keep from assessing Earl’s tail.
“What tasks?” Ben folded his arms and frowned at Genevie. “All I see is a pile of
mishandled tack.”
Genevie made a rude, snorting noise. “Not only did we trim and shoe nine equines, but we also shifted a metric ton of straw to get to the tack and dragged everyone’s stuff over the edge.”
I should have gotten here earlier, too. If I convinced the others to postpone the trip, the effort Earl and Genevie had already made would be for naught. I cleared my throat to speak, but Genevie’s silver flask caught the lone sunbeam. The reflection dazzled my left eye, making it tear.
When I wiped it dry, Akiko giggled. “Yeah, boo hoo. At least you didn’t have to clean our bedrooms and bathrooms at the inn.” She heaved a dramatic sigh and flopped backward onto the pile of leather, causing Ben’s saddle to slide down the far side.
“Not you too,” he said with exaggerated dismay. He bent down, grabbed the saddle, and hauled it onto his hip. “Let’s tack up.”
“Sorry, can’t.” Genevie stepped onto the creaking ladder. “I’m still waiting for the applause we’ve earned.”
My window to call off the trip was closing, so I stalled, too. “Before we saddle, Josephine wanted a word.”
“Sure did.” She stepped into the aisleway, clapping two curry brushes together. They released a cloud of dust, enveloping her, and setting her coughing so hard she couldn’t speak. While we waited for her to catch her breath, the wagon we’d hired groaned into the yard.
My heart sank, and the pressure in my head increased. If Olen was here, I’d lost my chance to say anything about our trip.
Josephine caught her breath and straightened. “Good grief. Well, if our things have arrived, we should talk later.” Josephine held her hand out to Akiko. “Come on. Let’s say goodbye.”
“Do I have to?” Akiko bit her lip. “I did it last night, and it was really hard.”
Her sad expression sent a pang through me, but before I could reply, Genevie led her mares past us. “Then this one will be a breeze.”
I followed the others and reached the door in time to watch Beck and Olen leap off the wagon. Away from the water, Gunther looked unsettled and out of place, like an old, rumpled blue heron. I ducked to pat Charcoal, using the movement to hide my smile.
But my throat thickened as Mama and Gunther climbed down. There was no reasonable way we could all stay together, but I’d miss Mama’s warmth and her steady strength, not to mention her wisdom… and her cooking. And while I wasn’t sure where I stood with Gunther, his gruff advice and uncanny ability to say the right thing and be in the right place had saved me several times.
Genevie sauntered past me to the side of the wagon and shielded her eyes. “Any problems?”
“None,” said Beck, handing her a heavy sack. “Your horses all good?”
“Four feet, each and every one.” Genevie crossed her muscled arms. “Earl helped me trim and shoe everyone except brownishgreyishyellowishblack.”
“Sir Donkey is easier. Or Me-Lad-O.” Akiko giggled. “Gunther taught me it.” The way she smiled at Gunther was like a dagger to my heart.
Akiko wants to stay.
Gunther’s beard rippled. He winked at her while handing Genevie a brown jug. “Good?”
Genevie shook the jug and grinned. “Very good. I have just the place for it.” She studied the pile of crates and supplies around Ben. “You going to fit those supplies in your panniers, Hensly? My bags are full.”
“They’ll fit.” Despite his certainty, Ben already sounded weary. “Come and watch me make magic.”
Perhaps I could speak to the others after we reached the outskirts of the depot. There was no point in stalling any further. “I’ll give you a hand.”
Ben nodded. “Help me sort out the tack first.”
Little puffs of dust rose from our footsteps as I padded after him into the barn. When we reached the pile, I glanced at Josephine. “Is there an efficient way to handle this?”
“This is typical Genevie. Act first, think later.” Josephine shrugged. “Find your stuff, I guess.”
I nodded and pulled a packsaddle from beneath a jumble of leathers.
“Nope, that’s mine,” called Genevie from the other side of the pile.
“It’s beautiful.” I examined the detail and rubbed my thumb over the stamped pattern of hammer and tongs. “Why did I leave my leathers so plain?”
“It’s pretty until it’s time to clean it.” Genevie grinned. “The soap gets into every dent and divot. Massive pain.”
“Better to be a plain Jane than a massive pain,” sang Akiko as she tugged her bridle from the pile.
“Do you want help saddling Lady?”
The cheerful smile slid from her face. She bit her lip, glancing over at Mama and Gunther. “I wish we didn’t have to leave.”
Her plaintive expression tore at me and renewed my determination to say something to the others. “I know, Mouse. Come. I’ll help you with Lady.”
Akiko shook her head and squared her shoulders. “I’m not a little kid anymore.”
Oxide and Magnesium nuzzled me and crunched the apple slices I’d brought while I watched Akiko saddle her mare. My geldings both appeared healthy and happy, but guilt twinged through me. I should have visited them earlier. After Akiko finished, I saddled Oxide, then heaved the packsaddle onto Magnesium. I’d barely secured it before both their heads popped up in curiosity.
Earl led a magnificent horse down the aisle. Muscles rippled beneath his black coat, which shone in the barn’s dusty shade. His mane flowed along a thick, curving neck, and the forelock between his ears brushed the tip of his nose. He had enormous feet, well feathered, a short back, a powerful rump, and a full tail. He arched his neck to sniff noses with Oxide.
I leaned over the stall wall for a better look. “Who is this handsome fellow?”
The horse sniffed the back of my hand and bumped it for the apple slice I’d palmed.
Earl flashed me her lopsided grin. “Bruno, meet Matthew.”
“Where did you find him?”
“His former owner runs the restaurant on the waterfront.” She stroked the horse’s glossy neck. “They’ve settled here permanently and traded Bruno for a year’s worth of charcuterie.”
“Charcuterie?”
“Mm. Dried and cured meats. I made salamis, pate, bresaola, and cecina at Mama’s.”
The memory of transporting bloody, wrapped packages to Mama’s flashed across my mind’s canvas. “You traded frozen beef for Bruno?”
“Yes.” Earl laughed, her white teeth flashing in the dim light. “I knew I’d need a horse—I rode Akiko’s mare to the depot, remember?”
Earl made her plans weeks ago. But between when she’d negotiated for Bruno and now… Bowman had died. “You’re sure you want to come with us? It’s not too late to change your mind.”
Earl raised her eyebrow. “Are you uninviting me?”
I reddened and spluttered. “No. I want you—I mean, we want you to join us.”
Flustered, I stopped. If I wasn’t careful, I could become hopelessly besotted with Earl. It wasn’t just her looks, though they didn’t hurt. But her kindness toward Akiko, the sharp intelligence shining through her Emerald eyes, and the skillful way she cut through problems as easily as she cleaved meat were irresistible. There was also her compassion, forgiveness, and the grace she’d shown me time and again.
Earl’s laugh rumbled, low and musical. “Good. I can’t wait to see a buffalo.”
Buffalo. It was another gut punch. Earl looked forward to the trip I’d been dreading. After all the work she’d completed to prepare for our trip, admitting my doubts could hurt her feelings. My gut twisted, but I pasted a smile on my face. “Think we will?”
“If I get the chance, I’m making us a buffalo salami.” She winked and led Bruno from the barn.
I watched Earl go. I had nothing to offer her; no home, no permanent community, and no idea how to even romance a woman like Earl. Or any woman, for that matter. No, Earl and I should remain friends. Platonic friends.
Despite my certainty, I couldn’t stop myself from picturing long days on the road with her. Or cozy nights by the fire. Or…
“Need a hand?” Ben asked.
I jumped, flashing him a guilty smile. “Sorry, are you waiting for me?”
“I’m finished, but you…” He leaned over Magnesium’s stall door and gestured at the tack still sitting on the ground.
“Oh.” I hesitated. “The panniers are heavier than I remember.”
Ben chuckled. “Perhaps you’ve gotten soft, my depot friend.” He picked up
the nearest pannier and groaned. “Apparently, so have I.” Together, we heaved it into place and buckled the leather straps. When we finished, we were panting, but Magnesium merely cocked his hip and sighed.
Now or never.
I glanced around to confirm none of the others were within earshot and took a deep breath. “Ben—”
“There you are,” said Mama. “I have something for you.” She held two, familiar brown bottles toward me.
I uncapped the first, the sharp pine scent making my eyes water. “From Freda?”
Mama nodded at Ben as he left the stall. “Bryer brought them back.”
Gunther clumped over to us while I wrapped the bottles in the soft towel Mama handed me. “Did Bryer find his lost boat?”
“Not yet, so he’s hanging onto yours.” Gunther snorted. “She’s a fine boat, though ’tis needing a proper color.”
“Why?”
“Well, ’twould be nigh impossible to find if he lands in the drink again.”
“Right.” I flashed Gunther a rueful grin, remembering the gray-brown color I’d used to camouflage the sailboat. “And a proper mariner stays out of the water.”
“Aye, lad. Keep your keels wet and heels dry.”
“I need to get this old bass back to the sea before he desiccates.” Mama patted Gunther’s cheek. “Keep your leg clean and dry, and use Freda’s solution nightly.”
“Promise.” My throat thickened. Akiko was right; goodbyes were torturous.
Time to go.
With effort, I swallowed and led my horses outside. Ben was already on Zeus, his mule. Hera, his pack mule, waited, a patient expression on her long face. Akiko perched sideways on Lady, her silver mare, while Josephine fiddled with her stirrup from Fox’s back. Bruno’s dark coat flashed in the sun, contrasting with Earl’s pale skin. Bertha, Genevie’s buckskin mare, pinned her ears in annoyance at Gertie, Genevie’s gray-spotted pack horse who rubbed her forehead on Bertha’s rump.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay and party here, Genevie?” called Olen. “Jon and Cedrick are distraught by your leaving.”
“The party is coming with me, thanks to Gunther.” Genevie shook her flask. “
Besides, there are plenty of other frogs in the pond. Take care of each other.”
Beck grinned. “Likewise, sister.”
My left calf protested as I mounted, but I kept my face impassive. Beneath me, the saddle was hard and foreign. I shifted to find a more comfortable position. Assuming every route we’d chosen was clear, it would still take months to travel the thirty-six hundred kilometers. We couldn’t afford any further delays if we were going to go.
Even if my leg wasn’t fully healed. Even when my heart wasn’t ready to leave these people behind.
Should I call the entire trip off? We could stay in or near the depot. We had friends here, and in time, perhaps we could build the type of community Akiko needed. Somewhere safe where I could train her in art in secret.
But if we stayed, what would happen to my parents? Assuming my parents were in Vegas Depot… and assuming Carter knew who and where they were.
I sighed. There was no helping it. We needed to go, and we needed to go now before I lost my nerve.
The lump in my throat grew as Mama, Gunther, Beck, and Olen clustered together. I swallowed several times to clear it. “How can I ever thank you?”
“Find your family and send us word,” said Mama.
I nodded. “Promise.”
“I’ll send more than a word,” said Akiko. “I can do them all now.”
Josephine cleared her throat. “I’ll decide how much you know.”
“I’m going to have school while we travel?” Akiko’s eyes widened, dismay twisting her face.
Ben chuckled. “With me too. You’re my primary kitchen helper.”
“Oh boy,” said Akiko, looking glum.
I leaned closer to her and lowered my voice. “I have lessons for you, too.”
“Well, okay.” She brightened, gave me an exaggerated wink, and handed me a piece
of strawberry taffy.
I popped the candy into my mouth, letting the strawberry flavor chase away my bittersweet thoughts. Waving one last farewell, we pulled onto the road with Ben in the lead and me bringing up the rear. Donkey fell in step with Oxide, his head bobbing as he trotted beside us.
Ben led us through streets of crumbled buildings and rusted towers, the clip-clop of the horses’ hooves on the cracked pavement echoing off the ruined structures. As we rode, my eyes slid to the upper-level windows, looking for ichthys signs. We’d heard nothing from Talbot since Carter’s group fled the depot, but I trusted him to get word to us when he could.
We traveled beyond the frayed edges of Toronto Depot, and I turned my face to the sun, trying to picture the dusty plains and sculpted rocks of the desert southwest as Olen had described them. I’d grown up in the northeast, a child of cedar and snow, and couldn’t fathom the landscape Olen’s descriptions evoked. Despite our best efforts to prepare, we traveled into the unknown. Our destination was nearly a continent away, and the man who had threatened to harm my parents was somewhere ahead of us. With luck, our journey would be uneventful, but if not… I glanced back to where I secreted my sword into its usual spot in the spine of Magnesium’s packsaddle.
As the others descended a hill, I twisted in my saddle for one last look at the spire above the jagged skyline. The tower had proved a false beacon, but I didn’t regret the time we’d spent here. I allowed myself a lingering moment before turning to focus my eyes on the horizon. What was done was done, and what was to come would come.
My heart heavy, I bade farewell to those we’d lost and followed my friends toward our future. ...
