Sincerely, yours (Completed)

Chapter 8

   The next morning my body ached so badly that I could barely drag myself out of bed. But I got up and did all over again. And again. And again. For the past few weeks. Each day was worse and more frustrating that the one before, but I didn't stop. I couldn't. I had to be on time for training. If I couldn't manage of become a strong knight, where would I be after all this training?

   Today our outfits were a bit different, I got to wear some black jodhpurs and a black long-sleeved shirt with a pair of paddock boots. Brynn helped me style my hair into a fishtail braid so the helmet would perfectly into my head.

   We marched towards the stables. It was a large shed made of weathered oak planks with a sloping corrugated iron roof that made even the average rainstorm sound like a hail of bullets, damp smell of ammonia, deep golden hue of old straw, half empty hay net hangs limply in the corner, almost empty black plastic bucket of water, stable door with top half pinned back by a rusted iron hook, door hinges creak, wind whips around the stable and reaches through the gaps in the planks like icy fingers.

   There was many horses to choose but the only one that immediately caught my eye was the big black horse that the mysterious boy always rode. I wanted to live his same experience so I obviously chose it, I stepped slowly toward him raising my hand to pet him and offer him a small sugar cube I found on the table next to his door.

   "Nice choice, this is the best horse we have," I turned around to see an old man, I think he works here. "Here let me prepare it for you." I helped him place the saddle and the bridle in place and I walked my horse outside towards the training field.

   "Welcome everyone to your first horse riding session, remember this is not for fun. Take these lessons seriously since you might need them on wars with the nearby countries or to keep the royal family safe during their tours." Caen should calm down, every time we learn a new skill he begins it with a speech.

   "The best way to mount a horse is to stand on his left side, put your left foot on the saddle, and make sure to place it right, not on your heels nor toes. Jump and flip your right leg over the horse and place it in its saddle. Take these cords in your arms and I'll teach you how to begin and stop your horse." This part was easy for everyone and so were the next steps.

   I only made him walk for a bit and it was enough to make my heart beat fast. I was submerged in sensation—the view between his pricked and attentive ears, the bobbing up and down of his head and neck in rhythm with his steady gait, his warm undulating barrel below me, his leathery animal scent combined with sweet hay and salty sweat, the sounds of his snorts, clip-clopping of his hooves and the squeak of the saddle, and the feeling of my rapid pulse thrumming and buzzing in my ears!

   I was eager to learn more, how to just run and jump on my horse, I want to live the feeling now but unfortunately this was a lesson for another day.

   I groaned and marched towards the stables, to return my horse to his place. I didn't want to part with it, not yet.

   Tomorrow is Sunday so maybe I'll have a chance to take it on a small ride.

   "You did great considering this your first time riding a horse." Praised me the old man when I gave him back my horse.

   "Thank you," I paused for a second before asking him a question that was taunting me since the beginning of the lesson. "I was wondering if you knew the boy that always likes to ride this horse."

   He gave me a small smile "Of course! I don't give away any horse before I know everything about the person," this gave me a small hope "I can't tell you his identity, I'm sorry since he likes to remain unknown."