The Horse Healer Read Free Page A

refused.
    â€œYou saw your sisters in danger, right, Diego?”
    The boy nodded, full of anguish, without daring to recount what had happened.
    The knights were watching but didn’t understand what lay behind those words.
    â€œRun and help my daughters,” he said to the Calatravans. “Something has happened to them and they’ve tried to get away. They need you more than I do. Go fast, before it’s too late.”
    The men looked at each other without being able to hide an expression of absolute disagreement. That was going to complicate their task. They were knights, and they couldn’t abandon a defenseless man, but they also did not wish to leave women in danger.
    They decided to split up and help both the father and the girls, but at that moment they heard a great rejoicing on the lower floor. They heard voices, crystal-clear, speaking in Arabic.
    â€œThey’re already here!” One of the Calatravans looked out the window to see the location of the stables. He confirmed there was no danger in going to them. “We can hold off the first attack and maybe even the second, depending on the number of our enemies, but we won’t hold out for much more.”
    â€œTell me how I can help,” Diego interrupted.
    One of the knights gave him a severe look.
    â€œWhen they get here, you jump out of this window,” he said, pointing to it. “And then I want to see you run to the stables and get on a horse. Once you do it, ride off, and don’t let it stop until you’re far away from here. You should head north.”
    â€œI won’t obey you!” he responded.
    â€œMy son …” Don Marcelo struggled, enraged amid the sheets, and pierced the boy with his gaze. “You’ve already made one mistake! Don’t do it again.”
    â€œBut, Father, how can I abandon you?” Diego ran up to the bed.
    â€œYou disobeyed me and now your three sisters are in danger. It’s time you do what you’re told for once! Listen to the man!”
    â€œThey’re coming up!” The Calatravans stood one on each side of the door.
    â€œRun, now!”
    One last look full of pain, full of love, between the boy and his father before madness struck. Three men with black complexions, turbans, and flamboyant uniforms gave off loud cries, shaking Diego from his stupor. The first clashes of the swords, the enraged faces of the Christians, his father’s entreaties—maybe all of it together filled him with confusion as he stood beside the window. He jumped and rolled over the earth. Then he ran and ran. The stables seemed farther away than normal. He found his mare, who was nervous and trying to tear herself loose. To save time, he jumped on her without saddling her and grabbed hold of her mane, weaving it between his fingers.
    â€œGet me out of here, Sabba,” he whispered in her ear. “Fly … and don’t stop until I tell you.”
    The mare headed toward the wooden doorway and when she’d stepped out of the stable, she flew into a gallop, leaving behind twenty soldiers who were snooping around the area of the inn, looking for more Christian victims. Just as quickly, three of them hopped on their horses to pursue him. Diego, almost falling over his mare’s neck, spoke to her gently, encouraging her to show the power her breed was known for, the strength of her noble blood. He needed her to outrun his enemies.
    Going over a low promontory, in shock, he found his sister Belinda’s body. He saw it from afar and felt the sting of powerlessness. He knew he couldn’t stop. When he looked back, he saw a thirst for death that infused the faces of those who stalked him, the fury of their horses, and the danger in their intentions.
    He came within a few feet of her. Her face showed a terrible, bottomless fear. Her body was covered in blood and her nails were digging into the earth, as though by holding on to it, she could hold on