The Lost Hero

Chapter 8

It was a few weeks of the same pattern before Robbie approached him with a new lesson.

"I was thinking," Robbie started one morning over breakfast. "You should really learn to ride a horse. It's nothing like riding those sand seals of yours, you know." He nodded to himself as if approving his own idea. "Yes, that will be a good skill for you. Traveling with horses is the most common way to travel. They can help carry great loads and you can move much faster. What do you think?"

Dahvi tried not to seem too excited; the horses always intrigued him and he wanted nothing more than to learn how to ride.

"Unfortunately, we don't have the funds to get you a horse of your own," Robbie continued conversationally, immediately diminishing all of Dahvi's earlier excitement.

"Are horses expensive?" Dahvi asked curiously.

Robbie nodded. "Oh, yes. Especially a well trained one. And they're expensive to keep as well. Naturally, you have to provide them food and water and shelter. And a good set of tack can cost quite a bit as well."

Dahvi frowned. "Do we need tack?"

Robbie considered this for a moment. "Well, I suppose not," he said slowly. "You won't be able to hook a wagon up to 'em without the appropriate equipment, though. But, I suppose you could ride without a saddle, if you were a very good rider." He pointed a fork at Dahvi. "Which you are not."

But all Dahvi heard was that he could ride without a saddle. And an idea came to mind.

"How do you train a horse?" he asked.

Robbie eyed him carefully. "Do I look like a horse trainer to you?" he sneered. "It takes a lot of work to get a horse trained. A horse must trust you and be willing to learn. That's why a well trained horse costs so much."

Over the weeks, Dahvi had come across many herds of wild horses throughout Akkala. If he learned enough, perhaps he wouldn't need to buy a horse at all. He could catch one and train it himself. It was wishful thinking - he knew it wouldn't be so easy. But the challenge excited him.

"There are a couple of training facilities throughout Hyrule," Robbie continued on. "Unfortunately, most of those are for the Hyrulean soldiers only. But, I've got some connections of my own, and there's a great trainer that is willing to work with you at the stables just south of here."

Within the hour, Dahvi found himself at the stables, admiring the horses in the stalls and tied to hitching posts.

"You must be Dahvi," a voice behind him said.

Dahvi turned to the woman that approached him, and she smiled.

"The young equestrian. Robbie said you have a fascination with horses. I'm Kaifa. You ready to get to work?"

Dahvi turned his gaze back to the horses, hesitant. Now that he was getting his opportunity to ride, he felt nervous.

"They can sense your fear, you know," Kaifa said, grinning. "Come on. I've got a nice one for ya." She moved down the aisle to one of the stalls, opening the door and putting a bridle around the creatures head. She coaxed the horse out, clicking with her tongue and leading it out of the barn and outside. She patted it's neck when she spoke to Dahvi.

"I call this guy Spot."

Dahvi looked the horse over. He was mostly brown in color with four white feet, but not a single spot marked him.

"Spot?" Dahvi echoed, a brow raised.

Kaifa laughed. "Ironic, right?" She gestured with her chin. "Come on. I'll show you how to saddle him." She tied Spot to the hitching post, then moved inside to retrieve her equipment. She showed Dahvi the saddle and bridle and explained all the pieces that went with it.