Delphi's map showed Phillip Island as connected to the Mainland by a bridge, who knew if it was still in place or had collapsed into the ocean long ago.
They had slept on the boat last night for safety, and this morning they set about exploring the island in pairs. Delphi and Winter stayed near the boat and waited for the teams to report back.
Loveday and Feifei were the first to return.
"It's not wide," said Feifei. "It took us about an hour to walk across the island to a beach on the north side. There's a freshwater lake not far from here, with black swans all over it. There are little shaggy Highland cattle everywhere. They're quite shy but they don't seem to be aggressive, just curious. And there's a herd of wild brumbies. They thundered past us when we startled them grazing"
Delphi did a little happy dance. "Brilliant. Having horses will get us to Horsham much faster, and we'll be safer travelling on horseback. There can't be any dragons on the island, or they'd have eaten them. Probably means the bridge's collapsed," she sighed. "Let's get moving then. We can't linger here too long. There'll be guards on our tail. You two sail the boat behind those rocks and anchor it out of sight. Winter and I'll go and find Ruby and the others so we can catch some horses. Where did you last see the brumbies?"
"Direct opposite side of the island if you walk in that direction from here," said Loveday, pointing due north. "There's a rocky beach there and they were grazing in the field near the beach."
"Alright, meet us there," said Delphi. "Bring as much rope as you can lay your hands on, some riding clothes and the flints. Grab the medicine bag too. I'll leave a note for the others in case we miss them."
She started scratching in the dirt with a stick at their designated meeting spot.
Delphi and Winter managed to gather up Ruby and the others not too far past the lake. They were using the old bitumen road, which although heavily cracked and overgrown, was the easiest path for walkers, and was clearly being used by the cattle and horses who had worn a narrow, packed dirt track down the middle.
Ruby was beside herself with excitement. "We saw the brumbies about thirty minutes north of here," she prattled. "There are some rock formations we can use to trap them. Did you ask Feif and Loveday to bring rope?"
"Yep," said Delphi. "How long do you need to break them in after we catch them?"
"With all hands-on deck it could be done in a day."
"You have half a day," said Delphi flatly. "We can't afford to stay in one place any longer than that until we get to Horsham."
"Okay," said Ruby with determination. "I helped Consort Cheales break in Snowy, so I know how to do it."
The girls crept through the bush towards the herd of brumbies. Luckily, the horses didn't startle easily. They had probably lived here for hundreds of years without any natural predators.
Delphi signed for the four girls on the other side to break, and they all started to run towards the herd, shouting and clapping, forcing them into the natural corral they had selected among the rocky outcrops.
The ponies whinnied and streamed towards the rocks. Some of them managed to escape out the sides, but most of the herd were forced into the dead-end. Loveday and Lili slammed down the logs they had stood at the entrance to prevent their escape.
"Yeehah!" Ruby yelled with excitement. "Wow, look at them all, they're sooo beautiful. What colour does everyone want?"
"Pick us the most docile ones that look the easiest to break in in a short time," said Delphi seriously. "We don't have long, so the criteria is; first, healthy and sturdy for long rides, second, easy to train, last, good looks and coat colour."
"Okay Delph," Ruby pouted, "I just really love that black one with the white star," she said wistfully.
"Last criteria Rubes," Delphi reminded her.
After Ruby had selected them eight good horses, she got everyone started on the process of breaking them in. They let most of the rest of the herd go free, saving just a few 'spares'.
It was hard and thirsty work, and the hour was approaching midday.
"Feifei," called Delphi. "I'm almost done with my horse. I'll head to the lake and get us some fresh water and fruit for lunch. You're in charge here."
"On it, Captain," said Feifei.
Delphi set off back down the road at a slow trot.
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The Honour Guards approached Phillip Island from the far side, sailing around to the north before dropping anchor and taking the dinghy ashore. Alton pulled out his map.
"Alright. Baer, Wolf, Han, go and locate their boat on the south side. Assuming they're not on board, sail it around here," he indicated the route on the map. "Anchor it there out of sight," he pointed to a cove. "Meet back here when you're done. If you run into any of the girls, catch them. I shouldn't need to remind you, but don't damage them, and don't touch them."
"Got it Commander," said Baer. "Not sure how we catch them without touching them but understood."
"You can touch them to catch them, just don't touch them, if you get my drift?"
"Got it. Catch them. Touch them to catch them. But don't touch them."
"Let me be very specific men. Don't touch them sexually. The Emperor was very clear he doesn't want these women looked at or touched."
"Mmhm. No problem, Commander. We'll catch them without looking at them or touching them. Hopefully they'll just stand still and let us lead them away with a fierce look."
"Get out of here Baer. Just be good. That goes for all of you. Be. Good. Boys."
"Yes Commander," they said without much enthusiasm.
"Niko, I'm going to head south here to Swan Lake," he showed the man where it was located on the map. "I'll fill up the water bottles and see if there's any fresh fruit around the waterhole. The girls may well go there for fresh water too. You take Bo, Magnus and Cormac and see if you can track them down along this road."
"Sir," Niko saluted, and the four men set off together in a loping run, the commander heading off alone towards the lake.