As predicted, each of the noble houses wanted a look at the man named Silverbolt. However, the fascination didn't end with a simple look. During his practice sessions, he played odd music. It seemed to come from thin air like magic. Low guttural lyrics accompanied by thundering drums and some heavy stringed instruments, and then into harmonious singing.
The music didn't bring the crowds in alone. Silverbolt's chain weapon drew oohs and ahh's from the onlookers. The chain flail wound and unwound around Silverbolt at lethal speed. Not once did he trip, nor did he miss targets made of heavy clay. They shattered in rapid succession every time.
I drew the mirror from the secret pocket and pointed it at Silverbolt for Drizella. "He isn't human, is he?" I asked.
"Are you sure you want me to answer that question?" Drizella ran a hand through her spaghetti-stringed hair. "The answer is more complicated than you think."
I decided to leave the question alone. Silverbolt was in the tournament. It's all that mattered. "I have a shot at keeping the kingdom safe. Besides, I'd rather hear it from Silverbolt."
"I see. Growing attached, are we?" Drizella asked with a sly tone and a raised eyebrow.
What was she thinking? I had no romantic attachment to the man. I ignored the question and allowed my voice to become icy. "The tournament preparations are well underway, and I did promise him a trip to The Coil."
"You want to know what the snake Rexword is up to?"
"I do," I said. The mirror flipped back toward me. "So, once Im packed, we're off."
I had great expectations of my trip to the coil. Unfortunately, bitter disappointment met those expectations with haste. Let us begin with travel arrangements to The Coil. I expected to take a carriage with my newest ally. We'd talk about life and share our hopes and dreams on the open road. Naturally, I asked Silverbolt what he thought. To which he replied.
"A carriage makes a bold statement. It says I've come to impose my rule, and the walls create a barrier between you and the people. I think horseback is much safer and stealthier. Something that big is impossible to hide, should we need to." He walked away after saying a record amount of words.
I couldn't find fault in his thoughts. I don't know what superheroes did in his world, but it made them proficient at statecraft and security. I wonder if it made them good riders as well. Not that I was fond of the activity.
Many young women will tell you how they love horses. I'm here to tell you I am not fond of them. They smell and leave their excrement everywhere. The saddles are uncomfortable, and I don't enjoy camping. I ache for days after a long ride.
On the day we left, the clouds covered the sky but produced no rain, thank goodness. I wore a simple but colorful gown, and my spare was of the same quality. I wore my favorite crimson cloak for luck, and when no one watched, I prayed to the All-mother for a safe and productive journey.
The grey wood stable didn't welcome us. Neither did the animals. We drew closer to the door. The horses whinnied and pressed against their stalls. Silverbolt advanced a few more feet, accompanied by shouts of panic from the stablehands.
"Get ready to release them, boy, and try not to get trampled." A gruff voice shouted.
"Yes, sir," A timid voice said.
Silverbolt turned around and headed back in the direction we came, "I wonder," he said, "Give me a thumbs up if the horses start to calm down."
Was he the cause of their unrest? I shuddered to think of it. Yet the further away he got, the calmer the horses became. Silberbolt roughly got fifty feet away from the stable when silence fell over it. I raised my thumb and sighed. "So much for conversation on the road," I mumbled.
Silverbolt cupped his hands over his mouth and said, "You get the horse. I'll go on foot. Don't worry. I can keep up."
I entered the stable, filled with the nose hair curling smell of dung and hay. I kept my eyes on the ground for horse turds. Nasty creatures. Why couldn't they go outside?
The stablemaster smiled, then dropped to one knee and placed a hand over his heart, "Your majesty, it is an honor to see you in our humble establishment."
While his words and actions pleased me, I couldn't help but think of Silverbolt with only his feet to carry him. "I'd like a horse with the least amount of fear."
The dirt-covered stable hand laughed and shook his head, "No offense, your majesty, but all of these horses are quite the cowardly lot." He paused, put a finger to his lips, and said, "Except Hilda. She's a nasty old nag. Didn't even flinch a few moments ago."
I noted a hint of fear in his voice. Did I want a temperamental mount? Would it allow Silverbolt near enough to make conversation? I had enough confidence to take a risk. I took a formal approach to the situation. "My companion strikes fear into the beasts, and I need a more robust mount. What would it cost to take Hilda?"
"I think we could give her away...ouch," The stableman said. He doubled over in pain and backed away with a faceful of tears.
"Two crescents. I'm saving up to renovate the place." The stablemaster wrung his hat in his hands
I handed him ten crescents. "I'm willing to help an honest man." I closed his fingers over the coins. I offered my kindest smile. "Now, may I see my noble steed?"
"Boy, bring Hilda out." The older man shouted.
"Do I have to?" The young man's eyes filled with fear. He took a step toward the exit. "She bit me four times when I fed her. She went out of her way to do it too."
The stablemaster crossed his arms and glared at his charge. He straightened the bright red mustache with a finger. "What did I say when I took you in as my apprentice?"
"Push through the bad times because the good times are just ahead?"
"I'm sure Hilda will be pleased to know freedom is at hand. Now go."
A few moments later, the stablehand brought a midnight black horse with long onyx horns and crimson eyes. Massive hooves clapped against the earth. The beast bared a mouthful of hideous teeth and snarled.
My face reddened at the insult from the ugly mare. I pointed my finger at the obscure animal. "That is quite enough out of you..."
Hilda's teeth clacked inches from my fingers. Her hooves kicked up dirt toward me. A high-pitched neigh mocked me.
"I tried to be nice." I gripped Hilda's ear and started to twist it. "I think it's time we had some girl talk," I said.
Hilda's hooves dug into the earth. She shook her head back and forth, desperate to free herself of my iron grip. Tears streamed down Hilda's fuzzy face.
A knot of guilt formed in my stomach, and I released the ear. I ran a hand over Hilda's snout. "Let's start over, shall we?" I took the rope and led my equine companion out into the dismal day. The black leather saddle awaited me.
Hilda knelt and allowed me to assume my position. Much to my surprise, the saddle provided comfort for my posterior. "I'm sure we'll be best friends in no time," I said.
***
As it turned out, Hilda didn't have a problem with Silverbolt. She enjoyed tugging his chain weapon. Her teeth clacked against the metal links, and she'd snicker at my armored companion.
I patted her on the neck, "Hilda, behave yourself, or we'll have more girl talk." I had decided to give my cantankerous mount a warning as I had grown to like her more than most horses.
Silverbolt said nothing to either of us as he tromped forward with purpose. As promised, he kept pace with me. It shouldn't have been possible, yet the exception to the rule walked beside me.
"How are you doing that?" I blurted out.
"Doing what?"
"Keeping pace?"
"Oh, I just can."
"It's not possible." I put my hand on my head and sighed at the foolish statement.
"A lot of not possible things happened since I got here," Silverbolt said. He threw a rock. It vanished over the horizon, where the sun began to dip into slumber. "I don't care how I got here. I get to live and go on new adventures. I've no complaints."
"How do you feel about me?" What a stupid question to ask. I shut my eyes tight to avoid the mask's empty gaze. My entire body was aflame with embarrassment.
"We're working together. Isn't that enough?"
"I suppose it is. We should stop and make camp," I said. I closed the conversation before it went to uncomfortable places.