"Mickey Zucker Reichert - Herald's Rescue" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reichert Mickey Zucker)

Hosfin finally spoke, but only to force out a single syllable. "Yes."
The Companion let out another trumpeting cry, this one seeming ten times louder without the
sheltering walls of the stable. It cocked its head, one pale eye focusing directly on Santar.
Hosfin managed more words. "I've never seen one without a Herald on it."
Santar had, but only after the rider had negotiated its board. "Very odd." He held out a hand
toward the animal and advanced with shy caution. If it wanted, the huge stallion could stomp him to a
smear.
Head still tipped, the Companion watched Santar's approach. He had almost drawn near enough
to touch it, when the stallion raised his muzzle in a blasting whinny.
Ears ringing, Santar jerked back, watching the animal prance a wild circle, then stop to snort and
stare at him again. Cursing himself for his own sudden movement, he spoke softly and soothingly as he
would to any horse, "What's wrong, boy?"
Still at the entrance to the stables, Hosfin said, "Maybe he's lost his Herald."
It seemed unlikely. Santar believed the Companions chose the best and brightest, and the
Herald/Companion bond was unbreakable. Needing something to say to the horse, however, Santar
repeated, "Have you lost your Herald, boy?"
The horse bobbed his head savagely and pawed the ground. He whirled, stepped, then looked
back at Santar over his shoulder.
The gesture was unmistakable.
Hosfin explained the obvious. "He wants you to follow him."
"Yes." Santar studied the horse. Only one scenario made sense to him. "Is your Herald...in
need...of help?"
The Companion's head whipped up and down so hard he had to make himself dizzy. He pranced
forward and back, still staring at Santar.
Terror shocked through Santar. He wiped his grimy hands on his tunic. "All right. Let me just
gather a search party." He considered aloud. "We'll need a doctor, a few strong men, aтАФ"
The Companion spun suddenly and charged at Santar.
"Hey!" Santar ran toward the barn. Hosfin ducked behind the door.
Santar had barely managed two steps when the stallion's head slammed his side, bowling him to the
ground. "Hey!" he shouted again, throwing up his hands to protect his head from the heavy hooves.
Huge, flat teeth closed over his tunic, hefting him into the air.
Santar bit back a scream, which would only further upset the horse. Instead, he launched into a
steady patter in a calm voice meant to compose both of them. "Easy now, boy. Nothing to get riled
about." He hid fear behind a tone deliberately pitched to rescue self and animal from panic. He felt
himself lifted, tossed. Air sang through his ears, then he landed on his belly across the horse's withers. It
did not wait for him to settle before galloping away from the village.
For an instant, horror overwhelmed logic. Stunned silent, Santar could only feel each wild hooffall
jar through his body. Instinct awakened first and he scrambled to a sitting position, grasping a hold on the
streaming, white mane. The smooth precision of the Companion's run thrilled through him. He had ridden
many horses in his day but none with the silken grace of this stallion. Every stride seemed to flow into the
next, and his body cycled like liquid through every movement. Finally, the last of Santar's fear slipped
away, replaced by exhilaration.
Hesitantly, Santar stroked a neck as soft as velvet, glazed with sweat. The familiar perfume of
horse musk filled his nose, and the mane striped his knuckles like bleached twine. "All right, boy. I get it.
Your Herald is in immediate trouble."
The Companion nickered, a clear indication that Santar had properly interpreted his actions.
"What good's my getting there fast if I don't have any supplies or expertise to help him?"
This time, the horse gave no reply, the road through the surrounding farmland unscrolling beneath
his hooves. Apparently, the horse found Santar adequate enough to save his Herald. The stable boy
hoped Hosfin would have the sense to call for help. Perhaps they could mass a group to follow him,