51 The Volcano

'Blackjack is gone...' Aurelia slapped her forehead. 'He's the fastest horse in the village, but he belonged to Cyrus.'

So now they were not one, but several steps behind the madman. He wondered how Cyrus was restraining Xander. Worse, he could already have gotten rid of him.

'We will have to make do with Lady. She's the next best option, but she doesn't really like me...' Aurelia grimaced. 'Only dad could tame her.'

'I am not surprised, ' Falcon eyed the chestnut mare, which was giving the both of them a really dirty look, having been pulled out in the rain. She was backed up against the stable wall, snorting loudly.

'C'mon, girl, c'mon.' Aurelia murmured soothingly, holding out a sugar cube.

The mare shook her head violently and backed up, raising its leg. Falcon pulled Aurelia back, who lost her balance, toppling on top of him. The two landed in a pile of hay, Aurelia's face inches from his, and his head swam.