Young Writers Society

“Ma’am.” The bartender nodded to her, reaching out to take her coin purse. He didn’t make eye contact. But, then, she supposed she didn’t need him to.

Jerica turned and glanced around again. The two aggressors had already been escorted out of the room by the soldiers. She glanced back at Rek. “The girl is safe?”

“She’s safe,” Rek agreed with a nod.

Jerica nodded tiredly and rubbed her face again. “Alright, then.” She turned and started for the door. The crowd parted immediately to give her a wide berth. She did her best to ignore them entirely, keeping her sour gaze straight ahead.

Once they were outside, she finally let her shoulders slump as she took a deep breath. It was a warm summer evening, but it felt a bit chilly now that they’d exited the stuffy warmth of the crowded tavern. Especially since Akeno’s shirt was a little damp with sweat. Still, it was better than nothing. And she was grateful for the coverage.

Akeno was on her heels and wrapped his arm around her shoulders the instant they were alone outside. His voice was quiet and gentle as he asked, “are you okay?”

She stopped walking and nodded, leaning against him for a moment, letting him support her weight. “Just exhausted… and angry.”

“Understandable.”

She nodded again, closing her eyes, and heaving a deep sigh. “So tired.”

“Let’s get you home, then.” He tightened his grasp for the briefest moment in the hint of a side-hug, then he pulled away and started for the stable. They weren’t supposed to show affection in public and they both knew it. People would talk.

Jerica opened her eyes and followed him, shoulders slouching.

“You okay?” Rek appeared at her right shoulder, looking at her in concern.

“I’m fine.” She nodded tiredly, glancing over at him. “Just wanna get home.”

“Fair.” He nodded, matching her pace.

They rounded the corner into the stable, and saw a couple soldiers already there, saddling their horses.

“Ma’am.” The soldier nearest them nodded to her, then Rek and Akeno. “Sirs.”

“Hello.” Rek returned the nod, striding forward to take the reins the soldier held out to him. “Thank you, Ty. Get some rest, okay?”

“Yes sir.” The young man nodded, umber skin damp with sweat as he looked up into the face of his commander. “You too, sir.”

Rek offered a tired smile and nod, then strode outside, leading his horse behind him.

Another soldier walked forward with Jerica’s horse. She took his reins with a nod of thanks and shuffled outside tiredly, throwing her arm around her horse’s neck and leaning against him heavily. “Hey buddy. Who’s a good boy? My little baby. Ranofer. Honey.”

Ranofer was a gift from Zander for her twelfth birthday, and she cherished him greatly. Zander was the absent uncle who she wished wasn’t so absent. She knew it wasn’t his fault – he was a busy man with a lot going on, and he came by as often as he could. But she missed him terribly. And Ranofer reminded her of him. So she doted on him shamelessly, especially when she was as drunk as she was now.

“Baby boy,” she murmured as she got him outside and then clumsily attempted to mount him. It was awkward and took her several tries to even get her foot in the stirrup, much less heft herself up. And then once she did, she nearly overcorrected and tossed herself off the other side. She was too tired and sore and drunk for this. But before long she was seated and slouched down in the saddle scratching his shoulder. “Take me home, buddy.”

He gave a little snort of acknowledgment. At least she was going to pretend that’s what that meant. She glanced up and saw Rek off to her right and Akeno to her left, both also on their horses – Akeno’s bare chest illuminated by the moonlight. Her gaze lingered a moment longer than it should have and she bit her lip and turned away, urging Ranofer forward.

Their party of three chitchatted a bit as they made their way through the winding city and up the slight incline than led to the Palace, but Jerica was mostly in her own little world. Blood rushed around her temples too loud for her to be able to focus on conversation. And it felt like each breath took every bit of her energy reserves to be able to draw it. She was grateful to have people she trusted with her, so they could be sure they stayed safe and she wouldn’t have to be on high alert on the ride home.

Akeno and Rek dismounted outside the Royal Stables and led their horses inside like they were supposed to. Jerica rode Ranofer directly into his stall, despite the dozens – perhaps hundreds, at this point – of times she’d been chastised to dismount outside. She slid off his back and then stumbled into the wall before she caught her balance. Her body felt like it weighed as much as Ranofer did himself.

She groaned and rubbed her face – carefully – then sighed and started fumbling with Ranofer’s girth to unfasten his saddle. Why was life so hard right now? Her brain was slow, her hands were clumsy, her body was heavy.

“Jer?”

“Mm?” She turned her head with a grimace as she heard Rek’s voice behind her.

“I’ll get Ranofer,” Rek offered, striding into the stall and putting a hand on her shoulder to massage it for a moment. “How about you get to bed? You’ve gotta be wiped.”

“I’m fine.” Jerica shook her head, then winced again as it sent a stabbing pain through her head. She rubbed her face with a sigh.

“Be that as it may…” He gently turned her and guided her towards the door. “You’ve done enough for tonight. I’ll grab the horses – it’s the least I can do, since you two dealt with the drunks. It’s okay.”

“Mm… he needs grain,” she muttered, deciding it wasn’t worth the argument.

“Yup.”

“And a brush down.” Jerica stumbled as she crossed the threshold, but Rek steadied her.

“I know,” he said patiently. “I know Ranofer’s nightly routine as well as I know my own. I’ve got this handled. Get to bed. Please.”

Jerica grumbled but nodded and shuffled forward. “Thanks.”

“You betcha.”

“Thanks, Rek!” Akeno nodded to him, then turned and matched Jerica’s pace as she strode towards the door – near enough to steady her if needed, but not touching her for now. “Have a good night.”