“Then you’ll speak to him, and if he’s keen on it, he can start training, see how it all goes. We’ll want to try it a few times, with just staff or friends. If that all goes well, we’ll begin to offer the package in March, we’ll say. By the equinox, as a goal.”
“A good time to work out any kinks in the wire.”
“And now, I’m after taking Sassy out for a bit. I’ll go to the stables, get a mount, and we’ll see how she does with a horse and rider. Merlin will come along as he’ll keep her in line. And I want to see how they get on. I think to breed them.”
Connor grinned. “I was going to speak to you about just that. It’s the right match, to my mind. They’re well suited—his dignity and her sassiness. I think they’d produce a grand clutch for us.”
“We’ll let them decide.”
Fin got a baiting pouch as the female still looked for the reward, and pulling on a glove, fixed Sassy’s jesses. She preened a bit, pleased to be chosen, and cocked her head, eyeing him with a look he could only deem flirtatious.
“Sure you’re a fetching one, aren’t you now?” He walked out the gates with her, and turning toward the stables, called for Merlin.
His hawk soared overhead, then went into a long, graceful swoop Fin could only deem a bit of showing off. On his arm, Sassy spread her wings.
“Want to join him, do you? Then I’ll trust you to behave and go where I lead you.” He loosened the jesses, lifted his arm, and watched her lift into the sky.
They circled together, added a few playful loops, and he thought, yes, he and Connor had the right of it. They matched well.
He enjoyed the walk, the familiar trees, the turn of the path, the scents in the air. Though he’d hoped he would, he felt nothing of Cabhan, and traveled from school to stables with only the hawks for company.
He thought the stables made a picture, spread as they were with the paddock, the lorries and cars, and Caesar’s majestic head lifted out the open stall window. The horse sent Fin a whinny of greeting so he went directly over to stroke and rub, have a short conversation before going inside.
He found Boyle in the office, glowering at the computer.
“Why do people ask so many stupid questions?” Boyle demanded.
“You only think they’re stupid as you already know the answers.” Fin sat on a corner—about the only clear area—of the desk. “I’ve just come from Connor at the school,” he began, and spoke with Boyle about the plans for the new package.
“Iona’s keen on it, that’s for certain. And Brian, well, he’s young, but from what I’ve seen and heard, he works hard, and I know he rides well enough. I’m willing to give it a go.”
“Then we’ll smooth out the details. Unless you need me here, I’m taking Caesar. We’ll try a hawk ride as I’ve Merlin and a young female along with me. I’ll map out a potential route.”
“Have a care. Iona and I went by the new house to see the progress early this morning. She saw the wolf, the shadow wolf, slinking through the trees.”
“You didn’t?”
“No, I was turned away, and talking with one of the carpenters. She said it came closer than it had before, though she’s put protection around the house.”
“I’ll have a look myself.”
“I’d be grateful.”
Fin saddled Caesar, who was eager to be off as he understood he’d get a run out of it instead of the usual plod. After he’d led the horse out, mounted, he walked a distance away, then baited his glove, called to Sassy.
She landed prettily, gobbled the bit of chicken as if she’d been starved for a month, then settled into it. She and Caesar exchanged one long stare, then the horse turned his head away as if the hawk was nothing to do with him.
“That’s a fine attitude,” Fin decided, and to test both horse and hawk, kicked into a gallop.
It startled the hawk, who spread her wings—another picture—and would have risen off the glove if Fin hadn’t soothed her.
“You’re fine. It’s just another way to fly.” She fidgeted some, not entirely convinced, but stayed on the glove. Satisfied, Fin dropped into a canter, turned toward the woods before he signaled her to lift.
She soared to a branch where Merlin already waited.
“Well done, well done indeed. You’ll lead, Merlin, and we’ll follow.”
His hawk looped through the trees; the female followed. Keeping to a dignified walk, Fin led the horse through.