Page 55 of Feathered Thief

“A wise lad, to recognize the value of my guidance,” a whiny voice said.

The fox crouched in the middle of the path.

15

CLASHES AND COURAGE

Relief flooded through Lenka. “Fox! You’re here! This is Geoffroi, a magical horse. He’s great company. But where is Papa Hrabik?”

The fox stretched luxuriously like a cat. Lenka couldn’t help admiring his glossy fur. Strangely lush for summertime, but then, he was no ordinary fox. “I see that you resisted the temptation of the golden saddle.” He sounded peevish.

Lenka shrugged and slid to the ground, stroking the stallion’s neck. “You warned me not to use it, and really, a golden saddle couldn’t possibly be comfortable for either a horse or its rider. And Geoffroi isn’t just a horse—he is a fay horse, and he has proven himself a true friend even to a stranger like me. He should never be anyone’s slave.”

On a whim—or maybe not?—she stood directly before the golden horse, looked deep into his eyes, and said, “Geoffroi, I declare you truly free!”

A crash like lightning split the air. Frozen in shock, Lenka could only watch as Geoffroi bugled in joy and shook himself from head to tail, reflecting sunlight in shimmering rays.

The fox let out a shriek. “What have you done! How did you— You fool!” Ranting, he spun to curse Lenka, using ugly words she’d never heard before—yet not one of them touched her.

Geoffroi shook his head. “Fox, you’re a beast by nature, that much is sure.” He then approached Lenka, dropped to one knee, and lowered his head, his muzzle touching her foot while she stood still and openmouthed. His voice sent shivers down her spine: “Your mercy reflects the beauty of your heart.”

Lenka reached down to smooth the gold silk of his mane. “But you deserve to be free.”

The golden horse rose and gently bunted her cheek. “Truly, I deserve nothing. It is my honor to receive your grace.”

“Enough of this drivel. I ought to leave you to your own poor choices,” the fox addressed Lenka in a silky, languid tone she would not have expected from him. Was that magic in his voice? “But I do feel pity for you, young man, so I shall once more aid you in your time of need. Come and ride on my tail.”

He extended his fluffy tail in invitation, and again she sensed something like a little push in her mind. This time, she realized he’d been doing that all along! She maintained her friendly smile and played ignorant, which she realized wasn’t much of a stretch.

“Thank you, but I can ride Geoffroi, as you see. So, will you please find Papa Hrabik and bring him to us?”

The fox stiffened. “I am not your servant to be ordered around.”

Lenka shook her head. “Of course not. You’ve been a helpful friend. But you must understand: Papa isfamily. He took a lost stranger into his home and accepted me as his child. Where I go, he goes too.”

Emotion radiated from the fox, and her new awareness recognized frustration and fury. But, why? He’d offered to help her, and so far they’d been successful, one way or another.

“Very well,” he spoke through bared teeth. “I shall find your useless old man and bring him to you.”

“Great! Now, where are we heading? Castle Valga?” Geoffroi inquired in a tone Lenka couldn’t quite read. “Zyrardów is the third vassal state.”

The fox was silent, so she politely asked, “Is that our next destination, Fox?”

“It is.”

“What will we find there?”

“A castle filled with sleeping people.” The fox still sounded irritated, but he appeared willing to resume his role as her guide. “The golden princess wakes every evening at sundown and heads to the bathhouse. During her hour of wakefulness, you must find her, charm her, and persuade her to run away with you.”

Lenka nodded even as she resolved not to lie to the princess. Trying to pass herself off as a boy only complicated matters and destroyed trust. Besides, hiding her femininity, especially her long golden braid, was increasingly difficult. Should she first confess her lie to the fox?

Then she noticed the fraught silence. Her animal companions eyed each other with open distrust. “Do either of you know how to find Castle Valga?”

“I can take you there,” the fox said quickly.

“I’ve been there,” Geoffroi stated.

“You never have!” the fox snapped.

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