The Red Lily (Vampire Blood #2)(65)

Nikolai couldn't imagine that the prison where they were building this army was at the Glass Tower, for Riker would've seen them. He must get this information to Arabelle and Marius as soon as possible. And to Friedrich.

They wound into town, clip-clopping over cobblestone as a few people bustled here and there, paying no heed to the two new strangers. The advantage of visiting a larger town was that there were always strangers. And few people took notice of them. A sturdy painted sign read Hanover Stables to the right. He pointed for Sienna. "There."

She nodded and took the lead, turning Astrophel into the stable yard off the cobblestone street and onto the hay-strewn dirt. Sienna stopped at the mouth of the stables and hopped down, petting Astrophel along her muzzle and crooning soft words to her. Nikolai dismounted and wound the reins over a hitching post outside the stables. He was about to call out when a short, stout man with dirt smudged on his pants and shirt who had a clean, kind face stepped out of the entrance of the stables.

"Mornin'," he said with a nod, wiping his hands on a rag.

"Good morning," said Nikolai. "We were hoping you might have room to board our horses for the night."

The man whistled, eyeing Ramiel and Astrophel and taking a step closer. "Now these two are beauties. I haven't seen Arkadians in a few years." He stepped forward and ran a hand along Ramiel's neck with a rough pat. He whickered and tossed his head, but then seemed to accept the man's affection as quickly as he'd rejected his presence. "Rarely do see them this far north."

"Aye. We're on our way to visit friends, but won't be long."

The sharp-eyed man raised his brow. "Not much to go on to if you're passing through Dale's Peak."

Nikolai didn't reply. When the stableman realized he wasn't going to get any further explanation, he stepped up to Nikolai, who was a full foot taller than him, and offered his hand. "Don't mind me. The name's Bart Hanover. I don't need to know where you're going or where you've been. I can tell by the looks of these animals that you're good people."

"Oh really?" He shook his hand. "And how is that?"

"Fine clean coats from regular grooming, well muscled from being well fed, horseshoes well shod."



       
         
       
        

Nikolai arched a brow. "I've seen many a cruel man treat his horses with the utmost care."

"Aye. 'Tis true. But then the animals are skittish and distrusting." He stepped toward the head of Astrophel, finally drawing Sienna's attention. She'd been wrapped in her own world until the stableman stepped forward. "Oh, now isn't she a pretty girl?" he said, patting Astrophel on her crown above her eyes.

Sienna smiled for the first time since the incident this morning. "She is, isn't she?"

"Aye. She seems to love her owner, too."

Sienna didn't correct him, but simply stroked Astrophel's muzzle. Astrophel's eyes drooped and blinked heavily at their attention.

"All right then," said Bart, turning to Nikolai. "The cost is three sovereigns per horse per night. That includes a warm paddock, fresh hay and water, and one bucket of oats. Now if they stay past noon tomorrow, that'll be another sovereign a piece for the use of the paddock through the day. And another six for both of them for lodging by nightfall." He unwound Ramiel's reins. "And whose name should I put these under in the register?"

Nikolai pulled his bag of coin from the saddlebag. Rather than handing over six sovereigns, he withdrew a few for himself and tucked them in his pocket, then handed over the rest in the pouch, knowing good and well such an amount was more than extravagant. The stableman peered inside and stared.

"That should take care of us for tonight as well as boarding without a name, should it not?"

Bart looked up with a smile. "This will do fine, Mr. Smith." He stuffed the bag of coin inside his loose pants pocket, then took hold of the reins.

"Could you direct us to the Winchester Boarding House?" asked Nikolai, moving alongside Sienna.

"Oh, aye. Sarah's place is less than a block that way and across the street. Green shutters and a green door. Can't miss it." He ambled into the barn, murmuring softly to Ramiel and Astrophel, who followed him obediently.

Nikolai crooked his arm for Sienna. "I believe they're in good hands."

She forced a smile, but it made her look sadder than wearing none at all. He laid his hand over her gloved one at his elbow.

"Let's get you to the widow's place. There you can rest till our recruit meeting."