A Noble Estate Read Online Free Page A

Four: Departure
     
     
    The light wagon was parked in the middle of the stable yard, the two draft avtappi already harnessed and hitched up to it. Rak set his packs in the bed before he stepped up to the black and grey-spotted beasts. They were big-boned, with feathering on their thick legs that almost hid the climbing claws. They were normally as placid as the draft horses they were descended from but retained the fire of their vranyxia sides when threatened. Rak stroked their soft noses in greeting while he wondered why they were out here. The wagon—and these two avtappi—belonged to the embassy.
    Nymis, Ikayone and Tebber walked out of the palace bearing packs.
    Rak turned to them. “What is going on?”
    “S’Ioli has decided to travel with you for a while. At this time, there is nothing going on here that requires his attention.” Nymis grinned. “He wants to visit the temple in Loftos.”
    “Ah. Jisten’s estate would be a good halfway point then.” Rak was pleased to have the company.
    Dolron and Phonasa came out of the palace while Rak was speaking. They carefully set their burdens in the wagon.
    “S’Liast needs more help,” Phonasa said.
    “We’re coming,” Nymis replied. The guards all headed back toward the palace. They were in step before they were halfway to the door.
    Jisten set a hand on Rak’s shoulder, preventing him from following the guards. “Stay with me. Let’s go help Pikara saddle the avtappi.”
    Rak nodded and walked into the stable. Someone had set gear out for each and every avtappi in the stables.
    Kennit bounced up to them as soon as they entered the barn. “Can I come? Please? You’ll need a stable hand who knows avtappi. Please?”
    Rak reached out and tousled his hair. “Of course you may come with us. Ride Vrema. She gets lonely with S’Tyll gone so much.”
    Kennit squealed with glee and shot off down the aisle. “Oh, thank you, sir! Hey, Pikara! He said I could come!”
    “Good! Now help me saddle the avtappi,” Pikara hollered back, equally cheerful.
    With four of them working, it didn’t take long to tack up all the avtappi. They saddled the remounts as well, for Jisten quietly pointed out that the prince would still have a bodyguard. It was required. Rak did a quick count and shrugged. There were enough avtappi to go around. The beasts without bonded riders trotted out to the yard once they were saddled. Rak asked them to select riders for the trip.
    Kal poked his head into the barn. “The prince’s guard is assembled, Captain.”
    “Thank you, Kal,” replied Jisten gravely.
    Otikon and Yalyna trotted over to Kal who gave them sausages before he led them out of the barn.
    Rak checked the aisle. All the avtappi were saddled now. He touched Vyld and asked him to tell all the avtappi to leave the barn. The equines snorted smoke and bowed their heads as they complied, trotting out into the morning sunlight.
    Rak and Jisten followed after a last sweep for any stray equipment.
    Kennit ran past with an armload of light blankets and a stack of buckets.
    Rak snatched up another stack and a few stray brushes. Jisten and Pikara lugged the chest of avtappi armor out to the wagon.
    “Best not to leave anything here,” Pikara muttered. “Not if we don’t want it ruined or stolen by nosy sunnies.”
    Rak shook his head at her but didn’t argue the point. He looked around the yard. Jethain’s guards were all standing beside riderless avtappi, so Rak went and made the introductions. The matched set of twin war beasts had once again selected Largo and Orste as riders. Fentri and Tegaelin, both newer members of the prince’s guards, stood beside a black, grey and white-patterned riding avtappi and a light grey with darker points, respectively. Rak introduced them then moved on.
    “Tebber, how is Vaiyan?”
    The black and white-striped avtappi snorted smoke over his rider, who grinned from ear to ear. “He’s great, sir! I still can’t believe he’s mine!”
    Rak