She looked about, frowning. “Where are my weapons?”
“Have you not listened to anything I’ve said?” the healer scolded. “You’ll have no need for them until Sunday.”
“Not to use,” Ember said. “I want to be sure they haven’t been lost.”
The healer laughed. “If I know anything about the Guard, it’s that they do not allow any weapons to be lost. I’m sure they’re in the barracks, awaiting your return.”
Her words reassured Ember, but only slightly. She’d feel better with Silence and Sorrow hooked to her belt where they belonged.
After thanking the healer for her care and making several more promises not to return to the field too soon, Ember escaped the sickroom and hurried from the manor. When she burst through the doors, she gulped the spring air. The day was warm and further lightened her already buoyant spirit.
Despite her promise to remain within the keep, Ember walked quickly to the stables. Even if she couldn’t ride, she wanted to see Caber, and she hoped she might encounter Barrow with the horses too. His sudden absence chafed at her, making her worry she’d done something to offend him.
“Lady Morrow!” Ian was leading a frisky dun colt from the stables. “It’s good to see you well again. The rumors about your battle with the striga are impressive.”
“It’s good to be well. And I’m sure the rumors are much embellished from the truth,” Ember said, though she was pleased to think that her first foray into the field might have bolstered her reputation throughout Conatus. She smiled at him and then looked at the prancing colt. “Who is this?”
“A troublemaker,” he said. “We’ve just started his training and he’s due out on the longe line today.”
The colt reared, jerking Ian back. He swore, examining the fresh rope burn on his palm.
“Looks like you’ve got your hands full,” she said as Ian calmed the skittish young horse.
“It’s going to be a long morning.” Having gotten the colt under control, he stroked the dun’s bowed neck. “But well worth it. He has a fine spirit and will make the best of horses once we understand each other. Speaking of which, Caber will be happy to see you. He’s been in quite a foul temper since you took ill.”
Ember sighed. “I’ve been ordered not to ride yet.”
“That’s a shame,” Ian said. “When Caber’s unhappy, he likes to bite.”
“Oh, dear.” Ember spared the stable hand a guilty smile.
“No worries, my lady.” He laughed. “We were accustomed to Caber’s moods long before you arrived. The only difference now is that his temper is tied to you.”
Ember couldn’t help her smile, which Ian returned warmly. “It’s always good to see a strong bond between horse and rider.”
She nodded, more eager than ever to visit the stallion.
“Are you looking for Lord Hess as well? Or just Caber?” Ian asked.
Not expecting his question, Ember looked at the ground, hoping Ian didn’t see the heat creeping into her cheeks.
If he noticed, he gave no indication, only saying, “I think he’s getting ready to take Toshach out, but you can probably still catch him.”
Keeping her head ducked, Ember murmured her thanks and hurried past Ian into the stables. The rich scent of hay and sweet bite of grain eased her frantic pulse. As she walked along the stalls, horses poked their heads out, ears flicking in curiosity as she passed. When a familiar well-shaped chestnut face appeared, Ember called out.
“Caber!”
The stallion bellowed in return, craning his neck out of the stall and tossing his mane. When he began knocking his front hoof against the stall door, she ran forward. Caber gave another high-pitched whinny and banged on the door again.
“I’m coming!”
When Ember reached the horse, he blew into her face. She stroked his velvet cheeks and scratched his ears. He leaned over and gave a firm nip to her shoulder, enough so that it hurt but didn’t break her skin.
“Hey!” She rubbed her shoulder and he snorted, pinning his ears back to show his disapproval. Then he lifted his head and tried to chew on her braid as usual.
She twisted her head away but stroked his neck when he bowed his head close to her. “Will I be forgiven if I sneak a handful of grain to you?”
He answered with a hearty, low sound. Laughing, Ember planted a kiss on his nose. Approaching hoofbeats turned her head. The sound stopped as Barrow came to a halt with Toshach just behind him.
Ember’s heart jumped into her throat. It only took a moment of looking at Barrow’s dark hair and the gap where his shirt opened below his throat, giving the slightest hint of his chest, to plunge her back into her dream. She looked away as her skin heated up.
“Ember.” Barrow sounded as uneasy as she felt. “Have you recovered?”
Still not sure she could bury her embarrassment, Ember returned her attention to Caber, who had begun banging on the stall door again now that Toshach was near.
“Almost,” she answered him. “I’ve been told not to fight or overexert myself. But I feel well enough.”
“Good,” he said.
She glanced at Toshach. The stallion was saddled and bridled.
“Are you going out for the Guard?” she asked. “Or just for a ride?”
Barrow shifted his weight. “I’m just taking Toshach into the glen. We both could do with a bit of exercise.”
Ember nodded, wondering if he would go to the hidden waterfall he’d shown her. She half expected an invitation to join him even though she knew she’d have to decline. But Barrow stood quietly, leaving Ember to deal with the hollowness that carved out an empty space beneath her ribs.
Caber kicked the stall door again and she forced a smile. “He’d like to go with you. But I’m not allowed to leave the keep yet.”
“That’s probably best.” Barrow led Toshach a few more steps along the stalls. “If you’re feeling up to it, the healers could use your help. There are many injured after the Dorusduain mission.”
Ember stared at him, disbelieving that their conversation would end so abruptly.
“I was relieved to hear that you weren’t injured at Dorusduain,” she said quietly.
He was silent for several moments before saying, “I wasn’t there.”