Delphi's map showed Phillip Island as connected to the Mainland by a bridge, but no one knew if it was still in place or had collapsed into the ocean long ago.
If it had washed away, then the island should be comparatively safe, though nowhere this side of Bass Strait was a place you could let your guard down.
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 of two 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, 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. It's no wonder the grass is so short everywhere, it's being constantly cropped."
"That's the best news ever," said Delphi happily. "Having horses will get us to Horsham much faster, and we'll be safer travelling on horseback. Brilliant. That's also a sign there aren't any dragons on the island, or they would have eaten them all. 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 and start breaking them in. Where did you last see them?"
"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 wetlands 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."
"I saw you do it Rubes, and you were amazing."
Ruby flushed with pleasure at the compliment.
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.
Loveday and Feifei had caught them up, so they were a full complement. 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 found in a rock formation.
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 laid 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? Let me know which one takes your fancy and I'll get you started with them."
"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 to remove the distraction for the horses they were training, saving just a few 'spares' in case any of the ones they had chosen proved to be intractable.
It was hard and thirsty work, and the hour was approaching midday.
"Indy," called Delphi to the girl, who had already managed to sit astride her mount and was now working on basic commands. "You're almost done with your horse. Could you head to the lake and get us some fresh water. There are some peach trees there with ripe fruit at the top. Take my bag and fill it for lunch."
"On it, Delph," said Indy, jumping from her glossy dark brown horse. She had chosen a large male, being a taller girl.
Indy set off back down the road at a slow jog, leaving behind her sword but strapping her dagger to her thigh.
-----------------
The Honour Guards approached Phillip Island from the far side, sailing around to the north before dropping anchor and swimming ashore.
Alton pulled out his map from inside a waterproof tube.
"Alright. Baer, Wolf, Han, go and locate their boat on the south side. Assuming they're not on it, sail it around here," he pointed on the map. "Anchor it there out of sight. 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, you head south here to Swan Lake," he showed the man where it was located on the map. "Fill up the water bottles and see if there's any fruit around there. The girls may well go there for fresh water too, so keep your eyes and ears open."
"Sir," Niko saluted and set off in a loping run.
"Bo, Magnus, Cormac," with me. "Let's see if we can track them down."