Chapter 42 Closer

"Well, it seems we ve come across some free time," Dmitri observes casually as we leave luncheon. "Perhaps you d like to go for a ride? We haven t visited Excalibur in quite some time. I fear he s getting lonely, and I m convinced that he s under-exercised." "By all means. It s been quite some time since we ve had any time for such wonderful, leisurely pursuits. We should certainly take advantage of it," I agree immediately. Some time out of the mansion together, away from Giacomo and the problems he causes, could only do us good. My conversation with Malina yesterday convinced me of that much, if of little else. We need not exchange more words as we make our way through the passageways to the stables. Roderick helps us with Excalibur, as usual, and we depart from the mansion mere minutes from when we left the dining room. I breathe a deep sigh of relief once we re out in the open air, enjoying Excalibur s smooth canter. The black stallion seems as p