The Sword Maiden

Bridling and A Surprise

My second problem with Axe came when I tried to bridle him. He let lift the bridle up to his head, but as soon as I went to put the bit in he yanked his head away and backed up! He backed as far as he could on the edge of his rope and continued to pull. I released his rope so he wouldn't damage the fence.

I stared at him, trying to figure out how to cope with this new challenge.

Finally, I slung the rope over his neck, so I could grab it anytime he tried something. Once again I raised the bit up to his mouth and he backed up. I tried to resist him, but he was too strong for me.

By now I was starting to get mad. I looked him the eye. "Look mister, I don't think you do this with Redwar, so you better quit it with me." He gave me a perfectly innocent look.

This time when I raised the bit up and he started to back, I grabbed his lead rope and made him back. "You wanna back? We're gonna back," I growled. I backed him all the way around the clearing. When he said he wanted to stop, I made him keep going.

Finally I stopped him and looked him the eye again. "Alright, you wanna stop?" 

It took another two more rounds of backing to convince him that that was not a good idea. But he still shut his mouth tight and wouldn't let me put the bit in his mouth. Finally, I resorted to sticking my thumb up his mouth and wiggling it. At that point he reluctantly opened up his mouth and I rather hurriedly stuck the bit in, just in case he had any ideas about closing it.

Now for the next problem. How was I going to mount him? I looked around and finally decided to use the chopping block.

Thankfully he stood still for me to mount, I don't know how I would've gotten on if he hadn't. I felt like a fish that had been hooked and was floundering while being dragged over Axe's back.

Once I righted myself, I had to adjust to this new feeling. I put the reins in my left hand, like I did when riding with a saddle, but instead of resting my right hand on my thigh like I usually did, I grabbed a chunk of mane.

I gently nudged Axe and he went off at a steady walk, flicking an ear back to show he was paying attention to me. The rolling of his back under me was something I was not used to. I experimented with how he steered and stopped for a few minutes in the clearing. He was very easy to steer and to go, but more reluctant to stop. He was clearly a go-get-um pony.

That was the beginning of my first ride on Axe. We were to have many more. As I got to know him better he showed his quirkiness and smartness more. During my time there we explored all the forest and field around Redwar's clearing. I grew to be a better rider, despite taking a few falls.

Life in that clearing for those two months was great. I became a quick, clean, and neat swordswomen, thanks to Redwar's very rigorous training. I learned how to live off the land. Axe and I became fast friends, I dreaded the day I'd have to leave him.

But for all that, every night when I laid down I thought about my family. I sifted through memories and shed silent tears. Each night renewed my promise to find my parents, and, now that I knew he was gone, Derrek.

I still hadn't figured out Redwar though. All he told me was either about farming, sword training, riding, or the Life-Giver. He was a devoted follower of the Life-Giver.

I was more than a little curious about his past. What had made him such a good fighter, and not only that, but a superb rider? He and Ladine worked perfectly together.

Did he work in the Council's court as a guard? But that was unlikely, He was not Thathian, for his last name didn't match any of the seven clans. Maybe he was from our neighboring ally, Bretor? That seemed more likely.

My questions were answered one fine day about a month and a half after the Ravager raid. I was grooming Axe, getting ready to go on a ride. Redwar was at the chopping block, swinging the axe with ease.

The sunlight was warm on my arm as I flicked the dust off Axe's back. The dust glinted like gold for a moment before floating away. Behind me a resounding Thud! told me that Redwar had chopped apart another piece of wood.

"Ho there!" The greeting caught me off guard. I jumped and nearly dropped the brush.

At the edge of the clearing stood a women, dressed in plain trousers and girded with a sword. She raised her hand and waved, running towards Redwar. "Redwar! Redwar Volan! It's me, Valeria SwordCleaver!"

But before she'd even finished getting the words out of her mouth Redwar had stuck the axe in the block and was running, actually running, to meet her. They met in the middle and he engulfed her in a hug, even lifting her up and swinging her around.

I watched this joyful reunion with a mix of surprise and even more curiosity. Was this a relative of Redwar? No, that was highly unlikely, they didn't have the same last name.

Redwar set her down. "Valeria, how good to see you! It's been nine months if I remember right."

Valeria was beaming. "It's good to see you too Redwar."

Redwar sobered a bit. "Where's Clover?"

Valeria's face fell. "She was stolen from me last month. I've been tracking the thief, and I think he's somewhere in this area. So I figured, why not stop by while I'm here?"

Redwar frowned and his eyes narrowed. "I'll help you find him."

I felt a sudden twinge of anxiety, and was suddenly glad I wasn't in the horse thief.

Valeria patted his arm. "Fine, but Redwar, let it go. It'll be alright. After all, that's what you always told me," she said with a smirk.

Then she spotted me. "Oh, and who's this Redwar?"

Redwar turned. "This is Ravine SwordCleaver."

Valeria strode right up to me and offered her hand. "Always glad to meet a fellow SwordCleaver."

I shook her hand and found it to be strong, which pleased me. "Me too."

"Are you from the village that's over to the east?"

"Was." I looked at the ground. "It was raided by Ravagers two months ago."

Valeria's face showed sympathy. "I'm sorry. Is there anyone of your family left?"

I shook my head. "They're alive. But my parents are Ravager slaves, and my brother ran, where to I don't know. My village was burned to the ground." I looked up at Redwar. "Redwar was kind enough to take me in when I had nowhere else to go."

A knowing look came over Valeria's face. "Yes, that's just like him," she murmured. But before I could ask what she meant she turned to Axe. "Now, who's this handsome boy?"

Axe perked up a little and turned his head towards Valeria, sensing a friend.

I raised my hand and stroked his neck. "This is Axe. Redwar's letting me ride him during my stay here."

Valeria ran her hand down Axe's blaze. "What a handsome boy you are," she crooned. Axe perked up even more, seeming to absorb her praise.

"You wouldn't say that if you were the one picking out his hooves," I grumbled. Valeria giggled.