The Fire Inside

Amoret

It took Kova a while to decide. She had to look up and down the rows at least three times.

"How much longer is this gonna take?" Thomas whisper-whined. "I wanna ride Duke."

"Shh, baby." Camille rubbed her back. "Just wait."

After a moment, Kova turned around. "That one, please."

Finnick smiled, walking up to the stable. "That, my love, is a very good choice."

The stallion had well-groomed gray fur and black hair, strewn to the side of his mane. He was small, not to his full size, but he was the perfect size for the girl who picked her.

"What's his name?"

"His name, darling, is Dixie." He pointed to the sign next to the stall. "See, this says Dixie. Can you spell it out with me?"

Kova nodded and they spoke together. "D-I-X-I-E."

He smiled. "Good job, Kova."

She giggled. "Can I brush him now?"

"Well, we certainly can." He opened the gate and held her hand as they walked in.

Camille walked forward, letting the boys tend to their own horses. "Finnick, be careful." She came into the stall with him. "Kova, sweetheart, I know you're really excited, but what your dad here has failed to mention is that horses are lots of fun to ride, but they can also be dangerous."

"Oh, Cam, she's fine—"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Is it a crime to want to make sure my daughter's safe?"

"You're always like this with the kids."

"I'm just trying to make sure my kids are safe, Finnick. You're the fun parent, I'm the safe parent."

"Okay, okay, go ahead."

"Thank you." Camille rubbed Kova's shoulder. "Okay, sweetheart just be careful around his back, those hind legs can be dangerous if he kicks, and you really, really don't want to be near him if he gets spooked, okay?"

"Okay, ma'am." She looked at Dixie again. "Can I pet him?"

Camille laughed. "Yes, yes of course baby."

After learning the process of how to brush and feed him, Camille and Finnick walked Dixie out to the field where Kova's brothers were already strolling on their horses, chatting away. In another riding group were her ladies, each of them trotting along without a care in the world.

"Alright, Kova, can you stand on the stool?" Finnick double checked the saddle was tight. He helped her throw her leg over and sit properly. "Okay, you want to put your feet in the little holders there, good job, and hold on to both the reins and the little handle there on the saddle." He took the other part of the reins and started walking with her. She smiled as the horse moved into a trot. "Thatta girl!"

Mor smiled. She'd only ever travelled dragged behind a horse, never riding a beautiful creature such as this. Her old master had shown her his steed once, but once more she was reminded that she should never touch or be near such an animal. To not only be able to brush her fingers across a horse's mane, but to ride one all alone...what a blessing indeed.

She turned her head around as another trot came nearby. "Impressive," Iridesa chuckled. "What a breed you've got there."

"He's a beauty, that's for sure." Finnick chuckled, leading the horse along.

"Dixie's a good ride," Iridesa admitted. "Stable, secure. Are you having fun?"

"Yes," Mor giggled. "I've never touched a horse before."