Battle Horse

Chapter Ten

    After Ena's heart warming encounter with Horace, she grudgingly prepared the horses for the journey. The other boy who would joining her helped as well. They gathered up brushes and hoofpicks. His name was Abrad, and he wasn't the friendliest. She was suddenly grateful that George would be accompanying them. She knew none of the older students would talk to her beside Malvin, but even he had his own friends. George was her ward mate, and they grew up together. She and George were pretty close growing up. Not as close as Will and Alyss were, but close enough.

   Malvin came by later to tell her and Abrad which horses they would be riding. While Abrad inspected them, Malvin pulled Ena into the supply room and shut the door.

"What did you tell Horace?" He asked.

"I told him the truth. Why, did you expect me to make up a lie to someone who's practically my brother?" She said hotly. Malvin shook his head.

"No. Ulf didn't exactly want a lot of people knowing where we're headed though." He explained.

"Why?" Why would Ulf not want people knowing? They were only picking up a few horses.

"It's complicated, Ena. Make sure that kid keeps his mouth shut." Malvin said, clearly irritated. Ena rose an eyebrow, letting out a huff before briskly exiting the room. What's with all the secrecy?

***

   Ena was awoken by Malvin early the next morning. She was still mad at him, so she didn't speak to him. She quickly got dressed and ate a quick breakfast before running off to prep the horses. Ena would be riding Dancer, which she was excited about seeing he was one of their own horses. She saddled him after she brushed him out and made sure his feet were clean. She tied her pack to his saddle and led him over the the hitching post where the fourth years were tending to their own horses.

"Ena!" George came running up behind her. Her eyes widened and she gestured for George to slow down. She had seen the flash of panic run through Dancers eyes when George came up running.

"Don't run around the horses, George. Someone will get hurt." She scolded him. His face dropped.

"No problem, En. Sorry." His voice was sincere, and he gently ran his fingers over Dancers neck.

"Let's get your horse, George." Ena said, taking his hand and leading him over the the stables where a horse stood waiting for him.  The large silver roan gelding was named Sage. He was one of the more experienced horses in the school. He was retired from battle, so Ulf used him for occasional trips and training new students how to properly ride. Training a horse that's never been ridden is a lot harder when the rider has never ridden before either. He was perfect for George, who had never ridden before in his life.

   Once Ena had finished saddling up Sage, she led him over to the other horses waiting with anticipation to leave. Ulf headed over to them with the others Ena would be going with.

"You all know your jobs, so I don't need to repeat that much. Make sure to be careful but on time. Fourth years, if my first years come backs damaged, I will damage you." Ulf threatened. There was a ripple of nervous chuckling through the Six fourth years, Malvin included. They dispersed, each mounting their own horse. Ulf came over to Ena as she was helping George mount Sage.

"Be careful, Ena." He said quietly, so only she could hear him.

"I'll be fine, Sir." She smiled.

"I know you will, Kid. Just after what happened to your father, I want you to be careful around these new horses. They aren't trained. Keep your distance. You're only going to care for your mounts, not the new shipment of horses." He said in a serious tone.

"How much did you know about my father?" She asked, suddenly curious. Ulf's eyes dropped, and he walked over to Dancer, helping her into his saddle. Once her feet were firmly in the stirrups, Ulf gave her a sad smile, handing her the reins.

"Enough. I might tell you a bit more when you return. Now off with you." He said. She nodded and clicked Dancer with her heels once to make him trot so she could catch up with the others.

***

They rode for a good ten hours before dusk set in. Ena's thighs were burning from sitting in the saddle for so long. She'd never ridden for such a long time before, and she was ready to cry. Her legs were so numb and she wanted desperately to curl up in a ball. Dancer seemed a bit tired too, so when they finally made camp, they both were groaning with pleasure. She unsaddled Dancer, brushing him out and giving him a quick rub down before leading him over to the creek they were camped by. Ena knelt down beside Dancer and cupped her hands, letting the water fill her sore fingers. She used the water to wash her face, and to rinse away the grime from the ride. After she refilled her canteen, she stood and headed over to her packs. She untied her bedroll from her saddle and unrolled it, lying it neatly down on the ground.

"Getting ready for bed already?" She heard a familiar voice call. Malvin sat casually in the grass, across from the fire that another student had lit minutes before.

"I'm exhausted, aren't you?" She scoffed. He gave her a small smile, picking at the grass and throwing it into the fire, watching it give off smoke.

"Yes, but this is the only vacation we get from horse school all year. I'm not going to spend it sleeping." He smirked. Ena rose an eyebrow.

"We're on horse school business." She stated bluntly.

"Yes, but we have no supervision. All Ulf cares about is that we get the horses and bring them back. Ulf just wants us back in two weeks. It only take three days to get to Araluen castle, and three days to get back. That gives us a whole week to mess around." Ena hadn't thought of it that way. She'd never been to Castle Araulen, but Malvin did have a point. She stood and made her way over to where he sat.

"So what's the plan then?" She asked.

"We usually hang around the castle for a bit, exploring and pestering the women. You probably won't have fun with that though." He said. She nodded in agreement. A sudden grin lit up Malvins face.

"I know! Princess Cassandra will be there. She usually takes morning walks around the gardens. We aren't allowed in since we will apparently 'flirt' with her. Which is probably true, but you won't." She rose an eyebrow in question.

"Your point is?" She asked.

"We need you to befriend the princess."

***

Sorry to those of you waiting on Morgarath's daughter. It's difficult since I haven't read the third book in three years. It's time to re-read the series! I hope you liked this chapter! And Cassandra and Evanlyn with probably be in the next chapter.

Holy Crap guys! The next book is coming out in October! It's called the Tournament at Gorlan! I'm so excited! I thought he was finished with the RA series and was just going to continue Brother band, but this is awesome too! Spread the word!

~Avis