“There,” Katryna said, pointing to the mare’s leg. “She must have hurt her leg or something.”
One of Katryna’s guards helped lift the horse’s leg up for the women to have a look. Sure enough, an old iron nail had pierced the bottom of the horse’s hoof.
“Oh, no,” Katryna murmured. She could imagine the pain Tulip must have been experiencing. “You poor thing.”
Trish tried touching the embedded piece of metal, but Tulip struggled.
“M’lady, we are almost within the city walls. Why don’t we find you another horse?” Trish suggested.
Katryna grimaced, looking up at the sky as twilight approached. She weighed up her options. Tulip shook her injured leg about.
“It’s no problem for us, my lady,” her guard said. “I can ride with you up to the castle and someone can stay with the mare.”
Passers-by, some on foot, others in carriages or horseback, rode around the group. Curious eyes wandered over, making Katryna feel a little uneasy.
“No,” Katryna said. “I will stay. I don’t want to leave her like this.”
Trish nodded. “She’s just a horse, Kat. Let’s find you another-”
“No,” Katryna said, shutting down the idea. “She’s not just a horse.”
Her father had gifted Tulip to Katryna on her twelfth birthday. She still remembered it vividly- it was one of the only gifts she ever received from her parents, despite coming from a wealthy family.
The twelfth birthday in Camridia is a rite of passage; it is the day a child turns into a responsible young person, the first step to becoming an adult. Parents are expected to give a valuable gift. An Aurous Mare was thus very fitting.
Katryna knew that while it was a gift for doing well in her studies, and to help ease her anxieties about riding, it was also a subtle message from her father that she needed to grow up and face her fears.
What better way to do it, then?
Katryna looked about for hanging signs on the nearby wattle and daub buildings. She spotted an iron horseshoe hanging from one post not far off. “Over there. We should be able to find a stable hand to help.
Katryna led Tulip gently towards the nearby stable. She muttered soft assurances to her mare and continued patting her broad neck. Despite the pain of her injured hoof, Tulip hopped along.
Katryna took the horse in through the open doors of the stable. Above her head were long wooden beams, supporting a tall arched roof of thatch.
A young boy, no older than fourteen, was pouring water from a bucket into a drinking trough. He glanced over as he heard the group enter.
“I’m sorry, we’re closed,” the boy said. Judging by his voice, he had not yet reached manhood. He wore a dirty leather apron and thick boots soiled by what Katryna was hoping was mud.
One of Katryna’s guards raised his voice in response. “This is the royal princess of Camridia. You will do as she asks, boy.”
Katryna immediately noticed the boy’s unease. He was practically quivering, averting his gaze.
Katryna turned to the guards and gestured. “Wait outside, if you wouldn’t mind.”
They bowed and went back to their mounts.
“My mare needs help,” Katryna said.
The boy dropped the bucket and walked over. “You will have to come back t’morrow, I’m afraid.”
“Please. She has a nail embedded in her hoof and she can no longer bare my weight. She can barely walk.”
“I’m sorry, m’lady, but my master has asked me to close up for the night.”
Katryna closed her eyes in disappointment. “There must be something you can do?”
“I would, but…” the boy looked unsure.
Katryna patted Tulip who was continuing to quietly whinny and shake her leg about. “Please,” Katryna said. “She’s in pain.”
The boy looked at Tulip. His eyes met hers, and he scratched the back of his head.
Katryna pulled out a sack of gold marks. “I can pay-”
The boy then approached, shaking his hands. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll take a quick look.”
Katryna smiled. “Oh, thank you so much. Your kindness will be remembered.”
The boy lifted Tulip’s leg to examine it. His tunic was stained with sweat.
“What’s your name?” Katryna asked, standing beside the boy as he washed the wound with a bucket of clean water.
“Sam, m’lady. But everybody calls me Sniff.”
Katryna cocked her head, crouching beside him to help hold Tulip and keep her calm. “Sniff? That’s an odd nickname?”
“When I was younger, I was always sick. My friends used to always call me Sniff, on account of my constant sneezing. Momma used to say I was “allergic to the whole world.””
“That’s ridiculous!”
“Actually, I quite like it.” He rubbed his red nose. Katryna could not help but smile at the welcoming way Sniff spoke. He clearly knew his way around horses too- he knew exactly what he was doing, handling Tulip with a sort of confidence that only came with experience and dedication.
“My name is Katryna, by the way. Katryna Bower.”
The boy cocked an eyebrow, registering her comment, but did not make eye contact. Did he recognise the name? What did he know about her?
Katryna changed the topic. “Have you worked here long?”
Sniff shrugged. “Few years now. Momma needs help to put food on the table for us. Master Krem takes care of me well enough. Might even become a stablemaster myself one day.”
“I am glad to hear that. You’d make an excellent stablemaster.”
A small grin spread across Sniff’s dirty face, yet he was purposefully avoiding looking at Katryna’s eyes anymore.
“Forgive me, m’lady, but why all the questions?” Sniff said.
“Am I making you uncomfortable?”
“Not at all. It’s just that… no noble has ever taken any interest in me before.”
“You are doing me a kind service. The least I can do in return is
