Page 146 of Fires of the Forsaken
“Her name’s Abby Normal—” I said.
“—will follow ye while ye ride?” he patted the horse’s neck.
I stared at the massive bay creature he was holding. And then turned to Abby Normal, who stood several feet away, watching my every move. “I guess we’ll find out. Does it have to bethathorse, though?”
“Navigator is a good mount.”
“He looks like a mini elephant.”
“He’s gentle. And he’ll take care of ye.”
“Right. Well, I’m gonna need some help getting on him.”
“Aye, I thought you might,” Braxton chuckled.
Navigator’s saddle was slightly above my head, and I couldn’t jump that high, so poor Braxton had to lift me onto the horse’s back.
Abby Normal immediately pitched a fit. She pawed at the ground and made that awfulmowow.Apparently, she was a jealous bitch.
“I don’ understand the name ye’ve given that Púca,” Braxton said as he watched her tantrum.
“Abby Normal.” I shortened the reins when Navigator fidgeted.
“Are ye intentionally mispronouncing the word?”
“Yeah. But that’s the point. Like, it’s…well…it’s a long story.”
Braxton smiled. “Perhaps one day ye can tell me.”
“When’ll that be? While we’re sewing someone’s guts back in? Or in between battles? Nothing beats hearing a monster story while you’re running for your life, right?” That came out way more snappishly than I’d intended. “Sorry,” I amended. “It’s been a long few days.” I glanced over my shoulder. A still-unconscious Cheriour sat slumped over a saddle. He didn’t even stir when another man leapt onto the horse behind him.
A sour feeling curdled in my gut.
Braxton gave my calf a light tap. “He’s strong, Addie.”
“Yeah, but he’s in bad shape.”
“Aye. No denyin’ that. But he’s survived worse.”
“Define ‘worse.’ ‘Cause, from where I’m sitting, there can’t be many thingsworsethan having a fucking crater in your stomach.”
Braxton didn’t answer. Just turned and patted Navigator’s neck. “Ye should get along well with this fellow. He’s a big ole fool who gets himself frightened over nothing sometimes, but he’s lenient. And he’ll do his best to be brave while yer on him.”
And, with that, Braxton mounted his horse and gave the call for us to ride out.
I nudged Navigator into a canter and heard the thrumming of Abby Normal’s hooves as she followed.
A few feet in front of me, a man held Cheriour steady in the saddle as his horse dashed through the trees. Cheriour’s head flopped lifelessly back onto the man’s shoulder.
41
Major Bitch Mode
The people of Niall watched us solemnly as we staggered through the streets. There was no music that afternoon. No laughter. No robust greetings. Just a lot of murmurs and worried glances.
My traveling crew was so small, battered, bruised, and dreary, we might as well have returned to Niall waving a neon banner that said:We Fucked Up.
And peoplereallydid not react well to seeing Cheriour injured.
