Page 41 of The Shadow of Polaris

“Aw, okay… He’s in the back barn.” Judas knelt beside Arcturas and held out a careful hand.

“Easy, Arcturas,” I commanded.

The wolf sniffed the boy’s hand and licked the remnants of sugar crusted on his fingertips. Judas shrieked with joy and stroked his other hand down her chest. If he had any more sugared cubes with him, I knew they’d instantly be best friends.

I followed Aryx to the back barn, passing through pristine white stables harboring horses with coats of the same bleached color.

“Venia breeds only white horses. It’s a symbol of status and wealth for our people. When Kratos was born, his black spot made him a monstrosity. I was lucky to find him when I did. The previous stableman planned to put him down the next day to assure that he wouldn’t muddy their bloodline.”

I glanced back at the towering horse. He was nuzzling Judas affectionately, causing the boy to break out into uncontrollable giggles.

“What kind of person could slaughter an innocent animal just based on a discoloration of their fur?”

“The heartless kind.” A man stepped into the stable, joining us. With velvety, dark skin, he looked slightly older than I was. He pulled each finger of his riding gloves off and tossed them on a shelf of leather work boots.

“Hyppolytos, my friend, it’s been too long.” Aryx threw his arms around the man in a full, wholehearted embrace.

Hyppolytos smiled, wrinkles creasing at the corners of his jade-colored eyes.

Aryx turned to me and introduced us, “Elpis, this is my oldest friend.”

The man nodded toward me.

“I see your travels were worth it, then.” He shot Aryx a look and crossed his arms against his chest.

“To my misfortune, they were.” I scowled, clenching my fist.

“I’m sorry to hear that. However, as much as it pains me to agree with Aryx, you’re the person who can take out Tethys and bring the city peace.”

“Trust me, Lytos, she won’t buy it.” Aryx’s smile faded, looking at me with deep disdain.

Hyppolytos grew quiet, watching his old friend watch me.

“Well, I don’t know what happened, although I’m sure Ryx here probably messed up big time. He’s not all that well versed in conversation with women. Please accept my apology for whatever idiocy performed.” Hyppolytos held out his hand for me to take.

“It was definitely a performance,” I hissed, shoving my hands in my pockets.

I thought of our travels to Venia, the quiet words we shared, the connection we had felt. It had all been a lie, a manipulation to get me here. The betrayal was still as bitter as rust on my tongue.

“Well, Lytos, I need a favor. We’re headed to Canissa this morning. I was hoping to take Kratos,” Ryx said.

“Sure, I bet he’d like the chance to stretch his legs.” Lytos looked at me again, eyeing my dirty trousers and stained tunic. “I think my wife has a box of old clothes she was planning on donating. You’re about her size. I’ll ask her to grab it for you.”

“I would appreciate that,” I said, suddenly very aware of the stench that clung to my skin.

“Come up to the main house. You can clean up. Have you two eaten yet? We have a couple slices of quiche leftover from breakfast.”

“You know I can’t turn down Margerie’s baking.” Aryx threw his arm around Lytos and the two started out the back stable doors and up the hill to their home.

The farmhouse was equally beautiful as the downtown city townhomes. Its painted blue shudders matched the sea of poppies that stretched across the front yard. Trailing Judas, Arcturas met us at the front gates. The two both panted heavily, as if an intense game of tag had just ensued. I scratched behind the wolf’s ear, seeking a familiar face in the group of strangers I’d found myself a part of.

“Margie, guess who came by to see us,” Lytos called, swinging the glass-paneled door open.

“Oh, I saw through the window, come on in, Ryx! It’s so good you’re here. I’m just finishing up some dishes. I’ll be out in a minute,” a soft female voice hollered from down the front hall.

Dishes clanked and cluttered as she finished putting them away. I shifted my weight in my boots, growing uncomfortable from the intimacy of their home. Portraits of family and friends covered the walls, leaving no white paint visible. Their lives were splayed out on the walls. It felt wrong for me to gaze upon them. I was an intrusive force, an outsider, getting a glimpse of their intimate family details.

A petite woman stepped down the hallway. Wiping her small hands against her apron and tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, she beamed. Before Aryx could introduce me, she stepped forward and threw herself around me. Stunned, my arms remained paralyzed at my side, unable to return the friendly gesture.

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