by Spoor, Garry
“Get off.” She told the gawky cadet in no uncertain terms. She could have been more polite about it, but she was more worried about Lionora than the cadet’s feelings.
“What?” He responded.
“I said get off, you’re hurting her.”
“Says who?”
Kile was just about to pull the kid off his mount, although she wasn’t sure if she physically could, when she heard murmurs among the other cadets as they began to part.
“What’s going on here?”
She was relieved to see Luke emerge from the stables. He was maneuvering his way through the crowd that had gathered to watch the show.
“This… girl… is telling me to get off my horse.”
How anyone could say the word ‘girl’ with such negativity was beyond her.
“Kile, what’s the problem?” Luke asked.
“Lionora’s hurt.” She answered using the horse’s true name. “It’s the saddle.”
“That’s stupid.” The boy replied.
“Please dismount.” Luke said. It was a bit more polite than how Kile had asked, but it carried with it a little more authority.
“It’s my horse.” To boy protested.
“The horses are the property of the academy until such time that you have proven yourself worthy of the tile of Hunter.”
“What’s that suppose to mean?” The cadet asked.
“It means get off the damn horse.” Kile shouted. By now every time the boy shifted his weight the shard of metal was digging deeper into her hand.
The cadet looked at Luke, and then reluctantly dismounted. Only when the saddle was free of his weight did Kile pulled her hand out from under it. There as a nice, long, deep laceration on the back, but she didn’t let that stop her as she quickly unfastened the saddle and let it drop to the ground. She could feel Lionora’s relief with the saddle no longer on her back and the metal shard no longer digging into her side.
“Did you inspect your saddle cadet?” Luke asked as he pulled aside the saddle blanket and revealed the open wound on the horse’s side.
“Well… yeah of course I did.” The cadet lied. He, like every other cadet, was just in a hurry to get to class. The welfare of the horse ran second to the training.
“Then you should have noticed that the saddle was damaged, and was causing your horse discomfort.” Luke told him.
Kile had to admire Luke’s demeanor. He had a way of scolding somebody without raising his voice, and yet that person knew he was being scolded. Kile’s method would have differed greatly. Of course it would have required a large lump of wood and enough room to swing it. She flipped over the saddle and found what she was looking for.
“Here it is.” She said, pointing it out.
Luke knelt down beside her and ran his hands over the exposed metal and shook his head.
“You will take this down to the quartermaster and have it replaced.” He told the cadet. “Then return here and treat your horse’s wounds. You can explain to Master Pike why you are late, but I warn you, his love of horses is greater than his love of cadets.”
“Yes sir.” The cadet replied, now that he knew he was in the wrong, he appeared a lot more civil, of course Kile couldn’t comment about that. She had not approached the situation is a very civil manner.
“I’m sorry.” The cadet told her as he picked the saddle up. “I… I didn’t understand.”
It was because he didn’t want to understand she thought, but she bit her tongue. He was trying to apologize and it wouldn’t do for her to make any more enemies.
“Forget about it.” She replied.
To her surprise he extended his hand, she hesitated a moment before accepting it. That was when the boy noticed that she was still bleeding from the cut.
“Oh.” The cadet said, pulling his hand back. “Are you alright?” There was a general note of concern in his voice that made her smile.
“I’ll be fine, just get that saddle seen to.” She told him.
The cadet nodded, his eyes never leaving the blood on her hand, as he hoisted the saddle on his shoulder. Struggling under the weight he turned and started off down the hill.
“There you go again, helping the helpless.” Daniel said as he stepped from the crowd that was now beginning to disperse. They appeared a little disappointed. They were probably hoping for a good fight or at least for her to get knocked down, that always seemed to improve their mood.
“Yeah well… if we don’t then who will?”
“But you always seem to come out on the hurting end.”
“Yeah, but that’s why I keep you around.” She said as she held her hand out to him.
“I’m gonna start charging you for this.” Daniel told her as he effortlessly fell into his own edge and ran his finger down the new injury. She could feel his energy pulling the laceration closed. It was the easiest type of wound to heal, or so he told her, just fuse the skin back together, or at least that was how he described it. It was still an amazing skill that never ceased to impress her as she wiped away the blood from her hand to find no sign of the cut.
“How about Lionora?” She asked.
“Lionora, you mean the horse?”
“Yeah, you can heal her too, can’t you?”
Daniel looked at the horse, then at Luke who just took a step back. It was his way of giving Daniel his approval, although he would never ask the cadet to do it. Daniel moved to the mare’s side, laying both his hands on the exposed wound, he quickly fell into this edge. If Kile didn’t know better, she would have sworn she saw the flow of energy from Daniel’s hand into the horse’s side, like glowing blue tendrils that flowed like water, unlike the black molasses that she had experienced with the Maligar, yet there seemed to be some connection. Did the arts actually have color she wondered?
When Denial stepped away the wound was healed, and Luke ran his hand over the horse’s side with a note of admiration.
“You do realize that he will not learn much from this.” Luke pointed out as he took Lionora by the reigns and lead her back into the stables.
-Thank you-
The mare replied as she followed the stable hand.
Kile watched Lionora go and felt as if she had accomplished at least one good thing today. She turned around to return to the others, and almost collided with Alex who was jumping up and down in front of her.
“That was so cool, how did you know?” He asked.
“That?” Kile said, waving it off. “That was… nothing, I just noticed that the horse was uncomfortable.”
“You are so helping me with Illusion.” Alex replied as he ran off into the stables.
“You keep this up; you’re going to gain yourself a reputation.” Daniel grinned.
“I thought I already had one of those.” She replied.
Kile spoke with Illusion, who, it would appear, was a bit of a practical joker and was just having fun at his vir’s expense. The stallion did agree not to over do it during training and to behave himself, and Kile could only take his word for it. She did give Alex a few pointers, although her knowledge of horsemanship was limited, it gave him the feeling that he was in control of the horse and not the other way around. It was funny how the truth was so far from reality.
She walked over to Grim and stroked the mountain pony’s nose.
“I brought you something.” She said as she produced an apple from her pouch. “I’m afraid it’s not a pie, but that would have been a little difficult to explain.”
Grim took the apples gently from her hand, and in one bite it was gone.
“I better get going. They’re expecting me to choose my horse before class.” She said as she turned to leave. “I wish you were out there.”
“Are you coming?” Daniel asked as he led Miliea out of the stables.
She bid Grim good bye and reluctantly followed.
Miliea was still a little uncomfortable around Kile, and she couldn’t blame the mare. She had seen her at her worse, totally consumed
by the Maligar. She wasn’t sure how, or why, but the power of the Maligar invoked feelings of fear and dread in the animals around her, it was one of the reasons why she swore she would never use it again, and now she found she had to learn how to use it in order not to use it.
Daniel pulled her up behind him in the saddled and they followed Carter and Alex out the eastern gate. The open field outside the walls was already starting to fill up with a number of cadets that had the same idea, to get as much time in with their mounts as possible before Master Pike Showed up. Kile dismounted and walked over to the paddock where six new horses grazed. One of these, she thought, would be her mount. Although they were all very beautiful horses, none of them really stood out, not that she would tell them that. She moved from one to the other, greeting each one in turn. They all seemed pleasant enough, she thought, but it was a bit awkward to select one of theses horses as her own, it was kind of like shopping at the rumored slavery auctions in Calastoon.
Another group of horses exited the Eastern Gate as more cadets began to arrive. Leading this new group, upon a large black charger was Master Pike. The man never looked very happy, and she wondered why he even wanted to teach at the academy, it was clear he didn’t like his job. He rode to the open field, dismounted and started removing his gloves. It was a ritual for him as he made a show of pulling off each one and neatly folding them, then slipping them into his belt. The cadets began to line up alongside their mounts in the field around him, Kile could only stand off to one side and watch.
He examined the cadets but more importantly he examined their horses, making sure that they were well kept and well cared for. She may not have liked the man, but she could respect his love of horses. She even went as far as to reevaluate her first impression of him, maybe he wasn’t as bad as she had first thought, but that was until he turned around and looked at her. He rolled his eyes and sighed as he started to walk towards her and she braced herself for what was about to come.
He hadn’t said two words before a loud crash rang out from somewhere inside the academy. It was loud enough to silence even Master Pike. The guards on the walls left their post to investigate and the cadets stood watching in silence. When nothing happened that was very noteworthy they turned their attention back to their own business, which happened to be Kile.
“Are you ready to choose your mount cadet Veller?” Master Pike asked as he pulled his gloves from his belt and flapped them in her direction.
“Yes sir.” She replied, and she turned toward the paddock.
“Take your time.” He said, although it sounded more like ‘hurry up’ as he stood right behind her, slapping his gloves into the open palm of his hand. “A hunter and his mount are as one. You are alone in the wild, the only one you can count on is you mount, choose carefully.”
Nothing like a little added pressure, he must get his material from Master Boraro. Both men seem to focus on the lonely existence of the hunter.
She tried to ignore the horse master as she walked passed the six horses once again. If this was to be her mount, she wanted to make a careful decision, not be pressured into it by an impatient man and his slapping gloves. She had already narrowed down the selection and was torn between a gray mare by the name of Fionlia and a brown stallion named Karisia.
The occasional sigh from Master Pike to hurry her up was only going to slow her down. She suspected that he must have had some knowledge of what kept her from class the last week and why she had ended up with Grim in the first place. For one reason, why had Grim been there? Surely someone like Master Pike, who prides himself on his knowledge of horses, would never have overlooked a mountain pony among the herd. It was because he had used Grim as a punishment that she didn’t care that he had to wait for her. The other cadets were also getting impatient as was evident by a few muffled comments thrown in her direction.
She had finally reached her decision, and was about to select the gray mare when a thunderous crash from the academy put a stop to it. The two guards on the western gate were off their post again as they ran inside. Whatever was making the noises was rather loud and very aggressive.
“Wait here.” Master Pike informed the cadets as he started toward the commotion. He had only gotten four or maybe five steps when something struck the western gate from the other side. Something inside the academy wanted out, and wanted out now. One of the hunters was thrown back as the gate flung open, the other was lucky enough to jump aside. Master Pike didn’t advance any further, he reached for his sword, unfortunately he was wearing one.
There was an eerie silence as everyone stared at the open gate waiting to see what would emerge. They didn’t have to wait long. A large black, hairy mass stepped through the western gate, two guards with ropes were trying to hold it back, but their efforts were in vain. Grim stopped, only for a moment to get his bearings, then started down the road at a slow, even pace, dragging the two hunters behind him. They were no more than rag dolls hanging on bits of string and the Mountain Pony didn’t seem to take much notice as he turned to the open field, heading toward the cadets. When he hit the grassy ridge the guards could no longer hold the ropes and were finally forced to let go, that’s when the mountain pony turned his attention to the paddock. As he reached the fence that held the horses he lifted one large platter sized hoof and brought it straight down over the wooden cross beams, easily splintering them under his weight. With nothing to stop him he entered the paddock and pushed his way past the other horses to stand in front of Kile. One stern look from the large black mountain pony, and the other horses quickly backed down. Everyone stood in silence, waiting to see what would happen next.
-Sorry I’m late.-
His voice boomed in Kile head, and she could tell that the Mountain Pony enjoyed the entrance.
“I think I’ve selected my mount.” Kile called out to Master Pike.
“Impossible.” He roared as he came stomping up behind her. “This is an outrage. This ill mannered beast of burden is not a suitable mount for a hunter.”
There was actually a compliment hidden in that statement since he did refer to Kile as a hunter, although she was sure that he didn’t mean it.
“You told me to choose a mount sir. He was suitable last week.”
“The circumstances then were different.” Master Pike replied as he grabbed one of the ropes that were still tied around Grim’s neck. “He is going back to the stables.”
Grim suddenly whipped his head around, pulling the rope and the Horse Master with it. Master Pike was yanked from his feet and tossed unceremoniously onto the ground. This wasn't helping Kile's position.
“This ill mannered, flea bitten, beast of burden…” he cursed as he got to his feet. “This… this THING will never be a Hunter’s mount.”
“On the contrary, I don’t see a problem with it.”
“Nobody cares what you think.” Master Pike remarked as he turned around to see a tall dark haired man with a well trimmed mustache standing behind him. “Guild Master Latherby, I... I’m sorry, I… I didn’t know it was you.”
“That’s hardly an excuse is it?” Mathew Latherby replied as he walked past Pike to where Grim was now standing. He slowly untied the ropes and let them fall to the paddock floor. “It would appear that your mount has been chosen for you.” He said to Kile.
“It would appear that way sir.” She replied.
“Do you accept him?”
“Master Latherby, you can’t be serious.” Master Pike protested.
“There is truth in that, I can never be serious, it’s so boring.” Latherby replied as he winked at Kile. “But it would appear that this is out of my hands. He has chosen her as his rider, who are we to deny that.”
“It is not the way things are done… it’s… it’s not even a proper horses.” Pike exclaimed.
“As a matter of interested Horse Master, there was a time when the hunters thought about uses Mountain Ponies as their official mounts.”
“Really sir?” Kile aske
d, she had never read anything like that in the history books.
“Oh yes.” Master Lathery replied. “They are wonderful animals. They can travel great distances without the need for rest, food or water. They can navigate rough terrain and icy surfaces even rocky hill tops. They were well suited for the Hunter’s needs.”
“Then… why don’t any Hunters ride them?”
“Because, they are foul tempered, ill mannered and stubborn creatures.” Latherby replied with a shrug. “Nobody was able to tame one… until now it would appear.”
Kile wouldn’t have said tame, she was sure that nobody tamed Grim. She just managed to befriend him somehow.
“She still must pass the evaluation and ultimately the final exam.” Master Pike pointed out. “If she can’t control it, if she can’t pass the final exam, then she can’t become a hunter. That is written in the Hunter’s Code.”
“What do you say cadet Veller, wish to give it a try?”
“Yes sir.” Kile replied as she opened the gate to the Paddock and let Grim out, not that there was much left of the paddock after the mountain pony stepped on it. “Thank you.” She whispered to him as he passed.
“We don’t have saddles suitable for… that thing.” Pike pointed out.
“Do I need a saddle sir?” She asked the Guild Master.
He stood there for a moment, a finger on his chin as his eyes moved back and forth as if he was actually reading the code book in his head. When he was finished he looked down at her and grinned.
“I don’t believe there is any place within the Hunter’s code that says you must have a saddle, although I can see where it would come in handy.”
“Then mount up cadet.” Master Pike sneered as he stepped back, his arms crossed over his chest, waiting for her to fail.
Kile had mounted him before, on several occasions, but she was usually thrown off soon after. Her technique was a little unorthodox, nothing that she wanted to attempted while the entire class was watching.
“How about a little help?” She whispered in Grim’s ear.
-Fine, but just this once.-
