The Horse Healer Read Free

it.
    â€œGo back with them now! If they die, it will be your fault,” the man yelled hotly, in a way Diego had never seen before.
    Abashed by his mistake, the boy decided to go back and look for them, but he stopped when he heard voices outside and cast a questioning glance at his father.
    â€œThere’s a crossbow in the trunk; bring it to me! You take the sword, and when you can, go back for them. Understand me: I don’t need you. …”
    When Diego went for the weapons, he was able to make out the carriage and the four horseman riding alongside it, on the verge of reaching it. They were far, very far, but he could see how one of them was trying to take the reins and how Belinda was striking back at him bravely. Then the girl struck the horses, to make them run faster, but her pursuers did the same and quickly covered the distance between them.
    One of them was brandishing a terrifying sword and was very close to catching them. And it was then when he saw the glimmer of steel falling hellishly over his sister’s arms and saw how the man hacked away at them.
    Diego was breathless. He couldn’t react. He listened to his father scream at him, but the sound was distant from him. His attention was hypnotized by the scene that his eyes could never again unsee. He never imagined he could witness something so terrible. But still, seconds later, he had to watch as the horseman stopped the two horses and brought the cart quickly to a halt. Diego felt his muscles stiffen and lose sensation. He felt the absence of air when his father asked him what was happening. He couldn’t talk.
    At that moment, more soldiers had reached the roadway and held down his two younger sisters, covering their mouths to silence their screams. Belinda was shoved brutally from the cart and lay there outstretched on the ground. One of the black-skinned horsemen grabbed her by her hair, so forcefully it twisted her neck, and screamed something at the other sisters that Diego couldn’t make out. In a mere instant, Diego saw the shimmer of a dagger that sliced through the air and plunged into Belinda’s body with devilish coldness. His sister, his beloved older sister, collapsed over the earth. She fell like a dead body while he could do nothing but look on.
    The killer jumped into the driver’s seat and took the reins. Blanca and Estela were thrown over the haunches of the two horses and landed at their captors’ feet. They turned the cart around and headed toward the south. Just three-quarters of a league afterward, they overtook the hill, shrouded in a cloud of dust.
    He was going to speak when he heard steps once again, this time on the stairs. He threw the crossbow to his father and hid, sword in hand, behind the door. He felt his heart pounding, and a cold sweat dripped down his neck. He asked himself if he would be brave enough to face them.
    By the sound of the steps, it was clear there were two of them.
    Diego nudged the door with his right arm to surprise the first person who came in with his sword. He squeezed it with all his might, preparing himself to pierce a coat of chain mail if necessary. He heard one of them breathing and poised for attack.
    He looked at his father.
    He had the crossbow aimed in the same direction. And when Diego saw the first shadow cross the door, and his sword began to travel through the air, a shout stopped him.
    â€œHold back, son! They’re from our side.”
    Two knights of Calatrava appeared in the doorway bearing two heavy blades. The tension of the past few hours was legible on their faces.
    â€œAre you the innkeeper?”
    â€œYes, I am.”
    â€œWe’ve come with orders to help you flee, just as our brothers are doing in all the other villages. We have to get away immediately,” he continued, his voice faltering. “They’re close on our heels.”
    The one who looked older tried to help Don Marcelo get out of the bed, but he