Distant Call
an excerpt

Fuller brought his horse alongside as they waited for the gates to be opened. ‘You all right?’
Janna drew a deep breath. ‘I think I’m about to throw up.’ A clatter from inside the gates announced the bar had been removed and they swung slowly open creaking on huge hinges.
‘Just as well the prince isn’t on your horse then, puking on royalty’s a treasonable offence in these parts, isn’t it?’ He moved his horse a stride away from Janna, grinning. Then they were moving forwards through the gate into the forecourt and her panic subsided. Several stable boys ran forward to take their horses as she slid from the saddle.
‘Is this you embarking on a new career as court jester?’ she asked.
‘One possibility I hadn’t considered. You think I show aptitude?’
‘No.’