Chapter 11: The Hunt

The grey mare was beautiful, and I did not trust her for a second.

She stood in the court of the hunting lodge with the new saddle on her back.

She shifted her weight from foot to foot.

A groom held her head.

"She's a fine one, my lady," he said, without meeting my eyes.

"Is she?"

"A bit fresh. Sweet as a lamb after the first mile."

I put my hand on the saddle and looked at the strap under her belly.

It was thick brown leather, new, with a brass buckle.

It looked fine.

I am not a horsewoman. I am a billing coder.

But I had read the book, and I knew exactly how this chapter ended.

[Scripted event: The Hunt. Lady Ximena is thrown on the ridge.]

[Points: 410. Plot armor unlocked. Accept?]

"Yes," I said, under my breath.

[PLOT ARMOR ACTIVE. One charge. Use wisely.]

I mounted.

The groom boosted me, and I felt the saddle shift under my weight.

I did not say anything.

Bastian was already in the first party, with the Queen and her ladies.

He sat a tall black horse at the head of the line.

He had turned in the saddle when I came out.

He looked at me for a long moment, across fifty yards of gravel, and I gave him a small nod.

It said: I'm fine, I'll eat later.

He didn't smile.

He was frowning at my saddle.

The horn sounded.

The line moved out in a rush of scarlet coats, hooves and baying hounds.

I fell in at the back on the grey, on the last horse, as the list said.

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