Kizzy gasped. She’d been right. The cart she stood on was another hay cart, but at least a third bigger. Just what they needed.

  ‘Kizzy?’ shouted Jakob.

  ‘Over here! This place is amazing, but look at what I’ve found at the back.’

  The two boys ran over. Their gasps echoed around the barn as they saw the various carriages.

  The boys jumped up and peered at the cart. ‘That’s much bigger,’ said Jakob. ‘Will Xandra be able to pull this?’

  Strom answered, ‘I think Anna said she’s pulled the huge carriages in the past and they’re heavier.’

  In the other corner, along the back wall, Kizzy noticed something else. It took her breath away. She grabbed Jakob’s arm.

  ‘What?’

  She pointed. She couldn’t speak.

  Jakob and Strom turned towards the darkness, to where she was pointing.

  There were pinpoints of light across the far wall. Everyone knew that only one thing made that sort of pattern. They were bullet holes fired from a machine gun. They must’ve sprayed the wall, and whoever was against the wall.

  The three of them sat in silence.

  Strom spoke in a whisper. ‘We can’t tell Anna about this. She doesn’t need to be reminded.’

  The other two agreed. ‘Let’s just get this to the yard,’ said Kizzy. She dug her nails into her palms until they hurt. Anger and sadness fought to overwhelm her. She wiped her face and shivered. ‘Come on.’

  ‘The first thing we need to do is get it out of the barn. It might not move at all.’ Jakob pushed. The wood creaked and moaned.

  Strom started to search around the edges of the barn and returned moments later with an oil can. ‘Not sure this will work but we can try.’

  The oil can screeched when Strom tried squeezing it. Eventually, a trickle came out. He moved from hub to hub.

  The boys stood at the back and Kizzy grabbed the shafts at the front. She pulled and the boys pushed. The groans of creaking wood filled the barn, but the cart barely shifted.

  The muscles in Kizzy’s arms screamed, but she kept pulling.

  The cart shuddered then suddenly lurched forward freely, sending all the children flying onto the floor.

  ‘We did it!’ Kizzy shouted.

  Strom said, getting to his feet, ‘This is only the beginning, we’ve got to get it to the front of the stables.’

  ‘Easy!’ said Kizzy. ‘We’ll get Xandra…’

  Slowly but surely, they pulled the cart towards the front of the barn, edging it along the central aisle between the carriages and out through the open doors.

  But when they got outside, they could hear crying.

  Chapter 21

  Kizzy, Strom and Jakob ran back to the courtyard. They’d been so involved in the cart and carriages that they’d forgotten the time. Strom sprinted ahead.

  ‘Zuzu, I’m coming!’ He raced to the hay barn. The crying was coming from the loft. He launched himself up the ladder. Anna peered down.

  ‘I’m sorry, Strom, she panicked when you weren’t here. I couldn’t calm her.’

  ‘Not your fault, Anna!’ Kizzy heard him saying. ‘I’m sorry, Zuzu. I didn’t leave you. I’d never do that.’ He carried her to the top of the ladder, where she could see all of them, cradling her gently. ‘We were finding a safer way to travel.’

  Guilt stabbed at Kizzy’s heart. She’d kept him for so long. They’d been focused on the cart. She’d not thought about the others. Zuzu looked so small in his arms. Kizzy vowed not to let this happen again.

  Turning to everyone, she said, ‘Let’s get the cart around, and then we can sort breakfast before we get going, yes?’ The others nodded.

  Kizzy hesitated. ‘Anna, would you be all right bringing Xandra to the yard?’

  Anna, though still looking pale, smiled and nodded.

  Jakob and Kizzy got all the tack they needed from the tack room. As they carried it into the yard, Kizzy ran her hands over the stiff, cracked leather. It had received little attention recently.

  Out in the yard, Anna stood with Xandra. The mare’s coat was velvet black. Her mane rippled. She held her head high, ears pricked, watching what was going on.

  ‘Anna, do you want to put the tack on, as you know her?’

  Anna blushed before looking down. ‘I don’t know how to. Our grooms always did that for me.’ She patted Xandra’s neck.

  Kizzy looked across at Jakob.

  He held both his hands up. ‘I’ve only ridden Lipizzaner horses. I can put a saddle and bridle on a single horse, but the straps needed for a horse to pull a cart are very different. All those long reins.’

  Kizzy took the collar and bridle from him. She walked slowly up to Xandra, who was watching her cautiously. ‘Hello, Xandra.’

  Kizzy put her hand out, letting the huge horse sniff and snuffle at it to get used to her smell. Xandra’s ears twitched, listening to everything Kizzy said, as her nostrils flared.

  ‘I’m going to place this over your head.’ She stretched up and lifted the collar.

  Xandra, a professional carriage horse, lowered her head, making it much easier for Kizzy to slip the collar over. Kizzy gently pulled the mare’s ears through the collar before carefully sliding it down her neck, letting it rest. Having done that, Kizzy put on Xandra’s bridle, placing the bit in her mouth, and attached all the straps and reins. ‘You’re a good old lady,’ she whispered, patting the mare’s neck.

  She turned to Anna and Jakob. ‘Everybody ready?’

  The other children emerged from the hay barn, stretching and yawning. Strom was carrying Zuzu. She had wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his body.

  Kizzy smiled at them both. ‘Are you all right, Zuzu? I’m so sorry that I kept your brother for so long. I didn’t mean to frighten you.’

  The girl’s pale face peered over his shoulder. Her swollen, red eyes twisted Kizzy’s heart even further. But she grinned at Kizzy. ‘I know. He’s back.’ She squeezed her brother even harder, practically choking Strom.

  He pulled at her arms. ‘A bit too tight, Zu.’

  Anna said, ‘We’ll start getting food ready for everyone.’

  Kizzy nodded. ‘Strom, you take up the reins and I’ll lead Xandra.’

  They took the mare around to where the cart was waiting.

  Strom popped Zuzu up onto the seat of the cart while they worked.

  Kizzy felt a bit more relaxed when she realised she didn’t have to explain to Strom what to do. He knew as much as she did. They quickly and quietly backed the mare between the cart’s two shafts and sorted the tack out. They soon had it all organised.

  ‘Before we go, there’s something I want to grab from in there. Will you help me?’ Kizzy asked Strom. ‘Can I borrow him for a minute, Zuzu?’

  The young girl nodded. Kizzy led him into the barn. ‘Look, over there is a tarpaulin covering that carriage. Do you think it’s a good idea if we take it? We might need it for protection.’

  Strom didn’t answer. He just jumped up onto the carriage, clambering up via the wheel. He started to untie the tarpaulin. Kizzy went to the other side and untied the other ropes. ‘You’re a boy of few words.’

  He stood on the top of the carriage, rolling the heavy cloth towards her. ‘Mind out.’ The tarpaulin fell to the floor with a thump. He followed, landing just beside her. ‘I say what I need to say. This was a good idea. You pick up that end, I’ll pick up this.’

  Kizzy wondered if he’d ever stop seeming cross with her.

  The two children threw the tarpaulin into the back of the cart. Strom jumped up and sat next to Zuzu, picking up the reins. Kizzy took hold of Xandra’s bridle. She glanced back at him. ‘Ready?’

  ‘Ready.’ He nodded.

  They both clicked their tongues. Strom twitched the reins and Kizzy pulled on Xandra’s bridle. ‘You can do this,’ she whispered to the mare.

  The creaking of leather and wood and the clatter of Xandra’s hooves echoed around them. The mare strained and Kizzy could see how taut her muscles were, as the wheels slowly started to turn and the cart began to move.

  Kizzy patted her neck. ‘Good girl!’ She looked at Strom and Zuzu, who both grinned back.

  It didn’t take them long to get the cart down the path, pushing past the brambles and bushes, around into the yard by the stables.

  All the children cheered as they arrived. Kizzy knew they could all travel safely. Now to sort out everything else.

  Chapter 22

  They gave Xandra a drink and some feed before they fed themselves. A breakfast of beans and more peaches. Anna made coffee for them. Everyone ate until they were full. Kizzy had a feeling that they all had the same underlying foreboding she did. Who knew when they’d be able to eat next or what dangers they were going to face?

  Once they’d finished, they filled the cart with everything they might need: food, hay and any personal belongings they still had.

  Kizzy took Anna to one side. ‘Is there anything from the castle that you want? Anything to remember your family?’

  Anna took a deep breath. ‘There are some things I’d like to keep. I’m going to make myself go in there. Just to see it for the last time.’

  Kizzy took Anna’s hand. ‘Are you sure? It’s been pretty ransacked.’

  Anna closed her eyes. ‘I don’t know if I can bear to see that. But I don’t want to leave with nothing.’

  ‘How about you tell me the things you want and where I might find them? I can go for you, while you say your goodbyes out here.’

  Anna hugged Kizzy. ‘Thank you!’

  Kizzy went through the house, trying to remember everything Anna had asked her to get, filling a pillowcase she found in the children’s old bedroom. She added a few other things that she thought might be useful, without making it too heavy.

  When Kizzy handed the pillowcase to Anna, she briefly opened it, checking the contents. She touched a couple of items before stopping and knotting the bag safely. She looked up at Kizzy with tears in her eyes. ‘Thank you.’ She placed the pillowcase in the back of the cart.

  Kizzy turned to everyone else. ‘Look, I found these.’ She lifted up a bunch of water bottles and canteens.

  Anna said, ‘The men used those when they were logging or working in the fields or if we had a big shoot sometimes.’

  Jakob nodded. ‘They’re going to be useful.’

  Kizzy said, ‘And I remembered what John said about covering our mouths and noses when we ride, because of the dust from all the horses, so I found these.’ With a flourish, she held up a selection of richly coloured scarves.

  Anna’s hand went straight to her mouth. She stumbled slightly. She gasped, ‘Mama!’ Strom grabbed hold of her.

  Kizzy lowered the scarves and closed her eyes. ‘I’m so sorry, Anna. I should’ve thought. They were just so beautiful. We won’t take them. I’ll find something else.’

  ‘No, Kizzy. I’m sorry. It was just the shock of seeing them.’ Anna took the scarves from Kizzy and breathed in their scent. She cried quietly and then said, ‘Let’s use them, then it’s like Mama’s helping us. They still smell of her.’ She handed Kizzy one with red and purple swirls on it. ‘Here, use this one. It was her favourite.’

  ‘Thank you. It’s beautiful.’

  Anna handed everyone a scarf and they tied them round their necks.

  Jakob thanked her. ‘Are you sure about this, Anna?’

  Strom looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Are you ready to go?’

  Anna gazed at all the buildings. ‘It’s only memories here and not all good. It’s not home now. Who knows what will happen if we stay?’ She sighed. ‘I don’t want to see any more sadness here. It’s time.’

  Anna glanced at Kizzy and Jakob. ‘I believe you were sent to save us, even if you didn’t know it.’

  Jakob turned to Strom. ‘You fired shots at Faber. So you must have guns? Shouldn’t we take those too, just in case?’

  Strom brightened up. ‘Of course. I’ll show you where I store them and where the extra bullets are in the castle.’ He glanced at Anna, a little embarrassed.

  ‘Stop worrying, everyone,’ smiled Anna.

  ‘Could you collect everything, please, Strom?’ Jakob asked.

  Kizzy noticed that Strom seemed happiest when he was useful and doing things. She needed to remember that. It might make life easier. But they all needed to be busy now.

  Kizzy turned to the younger children. ‘Everyone ready, because we’ve got horses to save? We need to tack up. Helenka, can you and Matylda fill those bottles with water from the river? Make sure you keep your eyes peeled all the time, though,’ she warned. ‘You’re near the road there.’

  Turning to Zivan, she asked, ‘Are you all right to stay with us?’

  The boy said nothing but nodded, moving over to the horses and patting Honza’s neck.

  Matylda smiled at him, ruffling his matted hair. ‘I won’t be long. Come on, Hels.’ The two girls grabbed the bottles and ran towards the fields.

  Kizzy glanced at Jakob and grinned. Maybe they could make this work. He bowed in acknowledgement.

  They’d fed the horses earlier. Now, they tacked up Eda, Krasava and Bilko. Kizzy would ride Eda, a stunning, almost metallic gold-coloured Kinsky horse with a mane and tail like flax. She ran her hands over the mare’s coat.

  ‘You’re so beautiful. We’ve got quite a journey ahead of us. We’re going to become good friends, you and me.’

  The mare nudged her just like Pluto did. It made Kizzy smile. She put her hand out and Eda snuffled at it with her soft muzzle. ‘You are gorgeous, Eda; we can do this, can’t we?’

  She saw Jakob put a saddle on another Kinsky. This one had a pale gold coat with a mane and tail of pale cream, a true palomino.

  ‘There you go, Krasava. Does her name have a meaning?’ asked Jakob.

  The mare struck the floor with her hoof, ensuring everyone knew she was there.

  ‘It means beautiful,’ said Anna.

  ‘Seems appropriate,’ Kizzy laughed.

  She moved over to help Damek, who was struggling to get Honza’s saddle on. He was another elegant horse, a dark bay who held his head high and arched his neck.

  She took the saddle from the young boy and placed it on the gelding. Reaching underneath, she pulled up the girth and together they did it up, before releasing the irons. ‘There you go.’ She smiled at Damek. ‘He’s pretty big.’ Kizzy managed to say the sentence with a question buried deep in it.

  The boy pushed his glasses up his nose. ‘Thank you.’ Damek understood. ‘Yes, he’s big, but I’ve ridden horses like him. I know I can handle him.’

  Kizzy squeezed his shoulder.

  ‘Anna, what sort of horse is Honza?’ she asked.

  ‘A Shagya Arabian.’

  This triggered a buried memory. Kizzy looked at Jakob, who’d clearly had the same thought. They said together, ‘Stud book!’

  Both ran into the tack room.

  ‘There!’ Jakob pointed to a large book, high on a shelf. He lifted Kizzy so she could reach it. As she pulled the blue book down, a cloud of dust came with it, making them both cough.

  She spluttered, ‘We should take extra tack, just in case, plus the head collars and ropes Heinz gave us.’

  Jakob agreed. They both grabbed what they could and piled it into the cart, wrapping the book in a spare pillowcase.

  Anna, in the meantime, had finished tacking up Bilko, a dapple grey, and another two horses, Ferda and Margita. She tied them onto the back of the cart in case they needed them. ‘That’s it. We’re ready!’ she shouted.

  Kizzy looked around. ‘We are. Let’s get everyone who’s not riding in the cart. You all right, Strom?’

  He’d returned with all the guns and stored them safely in the cart, away from careless hands. He nodded.

  Just as she spoke, Helenka and Matylda returned with all the bottles filled to the top with water.

  Having stored them carefully, the two girls and Zivan climbed into the back of the cart. Zuzu clambered up next to Strom. The younger children were giggling, all very excited, and Kizzy could tell they had no idea how serious and potentially dangerous their journey was.

  Kizzy and Anna made sure there was enough hay to cover the children if they needed to be hidden, while Jakob and Damek moved all the other horses into one field.

  When they returned, Jakob and Strom went through the planned journey with Anna, Kizzy and Damek again, showing them exactly where they should go on the map. The route took them away from known resistance hideouts, as they’d planned.

  Folding up the map carefully, Kizzy put it into her bag, along with their papers. She remembered she still hadn’t told Jakob the truth about them.

  Several planes flew high above, too high to tell which side they were on. Even Jakob didn’t recognise them.

  It was the jolt everyone needed. Getting ready had almost been fun. The planes subdued the group. The horses were getting impatient, pawing at the ground and shaking their heads.

  ‘Right, so the plan is,’ shouted Kizzy, ‘Anna and I will lead the herd out. Strom, you follow on with the cart with Jakob and Damek. Everyone all right with that?’

  Strom looked across to Jakob. ‘Yes, I’ll wait here until you go by.’

  ‘Come on, everyone.’ Kizzy waved for those on the horses to follow.

  They all trotted down the path to the field at the back. The sight took Kizzy’s breath away. A multi-coloured sea of horses. ‘There’s so many,’ she muttered. ‘Come on, Kizzy, you can do this.’

  Leaning down, she opened the gate wide. Jakob and Damek rode through, positioning themselves behind the herd.

  Once they got there, Jakob signalled to Kizzy. She looked at Anna. ‘Ready?’ The girl nodded. ‘Here we go.’

  She stood up in her irons and waved to Jakob, shouting, ‘Wagons ho!’ just like John had taught them.

  Kizzy and Anna led the horses from the front while Jakob and Damek drove the horses forward from the rear.

  The horses all jostled and nipped at each other as they poured out of the gate.

  Kizzy squeezed her legs, and Eda responded easily, dancing forward.

  Anna looked a little apprehensive, though very settled in her saddle.

 

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