The Formidable Mrs. Luff

“I am very nervous; I haven’t ridden for a long time. Not since I was fourteen.”

Luff looks me up and down,

“Not all that long ago then.” She says curtly.

Normally I would take this as a compliment, but Bluff’s manner is brisk, almost contemptuous. The horse she is readying for me is huge and dark with a glint in his eye that makes my stomach knot tight.

“It’s over twenty years ago Mrs. Luff!” I plead.

Luff snorts in derision,

“Like I said, not that long ago.”

She continues to fasten buckles and straps, all the while murmuring quietly to the beast, which is pawing the ground impatiently, shifting from hoof to hoof.

“Mrs. Luff, please, surely there is a smaller or older or quieter horse I can ride?”

“This is your steed. We’ve both been waiting for you.” Luff replies without turning to look at me.

I panic, searching for any way out of this predicament,

“Maybe you can ride with me? Or maybe there is another way, a car perhaps? I can’t ride him!”

Luff suddenly rounds on me,

“Listen to me, Missy, I’ve had women twice your age ride to Duwamish without ever having seen a horse before and they didn’t fuss or whine or carp one bit. Pull your britches up and stop being such a little girl. This is your steed and tonight you will ride.”

She looks at me fiercely, challenging me to utter one more word, as she holds the bridle, controlling the horse with a powerful hand.

“What is his name?” I ask meekly, taking the bridle from her.

“Solomon,” Luff replies as we walk out of the stables into the moonlit courtyard.

Solomon snorts, shaking his head in anticipation, almost ripping my shoulder from its socket in the process. I can feel his body trembling with excitement. I am also trembling though for entirely different reasons.

“He’s a good fella,” Luff continues, slapping his haunches fondly,” he’s strong, fast and fearless. He knows his way and he’ll look after you.”

She looks at me and her tone softens slightly.

“Solomon’s your steed Missy and he won’t let you fall. Now up you get.”

I still after all these years, for some unknown reason, remember how to mount a horse. I breathe deeply, give Luff a shaky smile and swing up, such a long way up, onto Solomon’s back.

“There y’ are now!” Luff smiles,” It’s something you never forget.”

Solomon begins prancing and bouncing beneath me, like an excited pup, eager to start.

I tuck L’Enchanteur’s bag deep into my hip pocket and tighten my cloak around me. Despite my fear a silly grin finds its way onto my face.

“Goodbye Mrs. Luff. Thank you.”

“Och, y’ welcome Missy. Now off y’ go .” She slaps Solomon squarely on the haunches, “Be away with you boy! Travel safe!”

Solomon needs no urging; leaping into a gallop he speeds out of the stable courtyards and into the night.