Chapter 51 Fate or Chance
The stone nest.
Yegor learned to climb trees at the age of three. He swam across King Gutierre Lake for the first time at seven. Climbing up and down stairs with messages in five castles trained him to be fast and strong. He reached the nest in nineteen minutes. His lungs ached and his legs were weak. He decided to run up the stairs every day until it became easy. He walked slowly until he saw a group of men and women on the other side of the nest. The boy rested and observed the activity with curiosity.
Nestor quietly: Chara, you must approach without fear. You will feel a push in your mind. First, it is like a headache.
Floriano with seriousness: Give her your mind.
Hernando touched her shoulder: We believe in you.
Chara breathed deep: I am ready.
Nestor softly: Corsino, now.
Corsino began walking backward while talking to Little Feather. She could understand some of his words, and his tone of voice was very calming. The attendees had formed a semicircle in front of the nest. When Little Feather stood still, Chara approached slowly but surely.
Chara: You are very beautiful. Your eyes are bright.
The young Pegasus heard the kind voice and felt a heartbeat as if it were that of a sister. She pushed her mind into the mind of the biped.
Little feather: Can you understand me?
Chara felt a very strange sensation. She began to feel a headache like never before. She calmed down and tried to open her mind.
Little Feather took a step forward but stopped. The Pegasus backed away and spread her wings. She reared up and kicked at the air.
Floriano and Nestor grabbed Chara by the arms and pulled her away from the dangerous hooves.
The men formed a line to calm the Pegasus and slowly pushed her towards the nest.
Chara stood there, surprised and disappointed.
Nestor: Chara…
The woman ran quickly to her room. The shouts of the men and women did not stop her.
Nestor and his wife followed the woman. But when they saw Yegor, Marcela kissed him on the cheek and went to follow Chara.
Nestor: Do you have messages?
Yegor offered a bag filled with scrolls. He did not understand what had happened, but he saw the sadness reflected on their faces.
Nestor: Thank you. Food?
Yegor: Food? Yes.
Yegor had not been able to eat enough in recent months. He was almost twelve years old, but he looked like a fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy.
Nestor: Bonita, please help me.
The girl ran towards her father and smiled at Yegor.
Nestor: Food and drink for the page, please.
Bonita took his hand and led him to the kitchen.
Nestor: Riders! There are many messages.
The men gathered near the nest. They all felt sorry for Chara, but they were riders and messengers first. Their duty was more important than almost anything else.
Nestor: Floriano, Puerto Blanco. Please wait for a response. Hernando and Folker, the Ridges. Wait for answers. I will take the four for the islands. Corsino, you must search for a fleet at sea. Locate it and note its position. If there is not a large warship, fly south and look for one. They cannot see you, understand?
Corsino smiled: Yes, Master Rider. What is the order?
Nestor: Grey Wing, Red Sunrise, Snowfall and White Stockings. Fast takeoffs.
All the riders and helpers hurried to their tasks. Each one carried Chara in their heart. They prepared four Pegasi to fly in less than an hour. When one leaped from the end of the stone path, the next raced in to take its turn.
When Yegor left to look for his mother, Bonita went to find Chara. Marcela hugged the youngest rider, who was crying silently.
Bonita: Chara, are you okay?
Chara between sobs: No, I am a failure.
Marcela: No, darling, you are the first woman rider. Sometimes a Pegasus rejects her rider. But it is possible to try again.
Bonita sadly: Chara, you are still my hero.
The three women sat on the bed, embracing each other.
The apartments of Esteban.
Tatiana found the youngsters and asked to speak alone with Marco and Lupita.
Tatiana: I am sorry you are here. I believe you are victims of a plan of the old man. My husband must decide your fate. He is a good man. Would you like a message sent to your parents?
Lupita: I do not have parents. Only Marco and his mother care for me.
Tatiana: I understand. I can send a message to your mother. And some coins for her.
Marco: She cannot read.
Tatiana: Of course. My page can read it for her. On a good day, how many coins do you earn with your chair? And you with your... talents?
Marco tried to sound matter of fact: On a good day, four, sometimes six silver coins and more copper ones.
Lupita quickly: Marco! Liar!
Marco quickly: If I say it with confidence and she believes me, I will have earned it honestly.
Lupita glared at him: Tell the truth, Marco.
Marco: Fine. Six or eight copper coins. One silver coin, if all goes well.
Lupita: Five copper coins up to one silver coin in one night.
Tatiana: Okay, I will send your mother a message to assure her that you are all right. And some coins for her.
Lupita: Thank you, mLady. She can accept my coins. She has a young daughter who needs food every day.
Tatiana: Do you always tell the truth?
Lupita: No. Sometimes I lie a little to men, but they are never big lies.
Tatiana: Do you eat every day?
Lupita: No. Not every day.
Tatiana thought: People in the biggest and richest city in the kingdom do not eat every day. She called Antonio and wrote a short message. She counted ten silver coins into a bag and closed it.
Tatiana: Do not worry. My husband will treat you well, I promise.
She opened the door to find her page standing his post. He turned to her and bowed slightly.
Antonio: Boyarina, at your service.
Tatiana: You will take this message to a woman and read it to her. You will give her this bag. This boy can describe the house and how to get there.
Marco and Antonio were boys of almost the same age. Both were illegitimate. Marco was the son of a prostitute and a thief, and he survived however he could. Antonio was the son of a servant in a noble family. His father did not acknowledge him. But thanks to the kindness of Tatiana, he was accepted as a royal page. Two life paths had led to this room in the royal castle. Antonio left to fulfill his duty, and Marco stayed behind as a prisoner with his friend.