Planet Serenthia

Chapter 16

The next morning my job had changed, I was told to muck out the stables a rather smelly job although one that I do not mind doing. I was away from all the women's angry glares that they had not dropped since yesterday, and in my own privacy. I was secluded away from the masters and warriors.

The horses all welcomed me with a neigh, as I stroke each one. I wonder if they have been named yet. I stroked them all giving them equal attention before taking their collar and tying them to the grooming post. I threw the hay outside the stable before refilling it with the heavy bags. The old food that was left in the trough looked stale and I threw it away replacing it with fresh food and water. Once their homes where clean and tidy I started brushing each one making sure that their coats where clean before platting their manes to prevent it from going in their faces. It took me all day, and I had missed lunch, going hungry once more.

Maybe the women wanted to starve me to death so that I would not be a burden to them anymore. I was awoken from my thoughts by the sound of footsteps and I panicked. It was a master, I could instantly tell that it was a master and I dropped my eyes to the floor and pretended to look busy. He payed no attention to me and instead unlocked the cage door, pulling himself effortlessly up onto the horse before riding out of the stables.

When I was younger mother had payed for my to ride on the back of a pony on holiday, It was a rather boring ride with someone holding the reigns and guiding me. I wanted to be able to ride the horse freely galloping around the grass. But these are horses not ponies, and they are much taller and broader than the ones of earth, built to carry Serenthian warriors on their backs.

Without much consideration I grabbed a stool from the side of the stable placing it against the side of one of the horses and tried to swing myself up onto it. However it was with much failure as my leg struggled to even wrap around it. I tried again only to end up in the same predicament. "Would you like a hand." The familair voice of J asks as I glance towards him, my eyes meeting his own eyes. I instantly drop them to the floor knowing that I have overstepped the line already, however he does not seem to care.

He enters the stable and effortlessly picks me, placing me onto the back of the horse as he quicks the stable door open. He guides the horse out of the holder and into the stable allowing the horse to walk up and down the stable. "Have you had lessons before?" He asks as he grabs the reigns and leads us in a different direction.

"No." I respond meekily as he laughs

"Then I will show you how to ride." He states throwing himself up onto the horse and directing it out of the stable, the horse picks up speed and my hearts start beating faster.

"Z no we can't not out here." I state as I feel eyes burning into my skin.

"Of course we can." He says laughing as he makes the horse pick up speed, I wanted to throw myself of the horse. The attention that he was creating was one I was trying to avoid.

"Right first lesson of the day is. You must trust the horse, he can read your emotions if you are scared he is going to react the same way." He states as he sides himself of. "Click your tongue and he will walk for you." He demands as I try and click my tounge. It takes me a few attempts and I can feel the amusement that J is getting, however I mange it on the third try. the horse starts moving forward slowly and I mange to walk around the grass area.

"Now to speed him up hit your legs on the side of it." I look at him worried that I will hurt the horse however he nods his head giving me the reassurence that I need. The horse starts trotting much faster than before and panic starts to settle in my chest. What if I fall of and everyone watching laughs, Or what if he runs over one of the women. The panic starts building up and I want to get out of the horse, I look over at J to ask him how to stop it however he is convercing with Vex. The horse starts getting distraught and tries kicking me of, I fight to stay on not wanting to land from such a height onto the floor. The horse stands up on his hind legs making me tug at the saddle as I feel gravity try and pull me to the floor.

J runs over, comforting the horse as he takes the reings stroking its main and patting his head. "I think that is enough for one day." He laughs as he slips me of the horses back and guides the horse back to the stable, he returns back. "Tommorow I will teach you again you will become a pro." He says in his thick accent, the two of us walk back towards the direction of the camp. It is busy today with everyone running around. The heat of the sun digs into my back and I can feel a sweat start to create as I try and keep up With J. (Maybe add Targriss in somewhere)

But not eating and the heat of Serenthia's sun, made me feel faint and before I could call out J's name I dropped on the floor unconscious.

J's POV (maybe)

She dropped to the floor, all I heard was a thud no warning no nothing. She was out cold her eyes shut, however the rise and fall of her chest made me aware that she is still breathing. Indidiuals gathered around their gasp had sounded when they saw her on the floor. Even some of the women came over, I can hear one of them muttering however I am to far away to catch what they are saying.

"J what is this all about?" Targriss demands as the crowd parts way to allow him to step forward. His eyes scan over Z on the floor her hair sprawled across the grass. "Healer." He demands as the older man steps out from one of the cabins looking flustered. He has a jar of some herbs in his hand as he bends down at her head, wifting them under her nose, however she does not react. "Take her into his room." Targriss demands as I slide her into my large arms, I can feel the tension from Targiss as I do so, but I chose to ignore it taking her into the healers tent.

I place her onto his table, her body still limp as Targriss stands over her. "What did you do?" He accuses towards me as the healer starts mixing remedies together. I have fought alongside Targiss for years, being one of his closer companinons, we trained together when we where younger and our parents where close. I do not get intimated by him, like others would do and therefore do not fear looking him in the eyes.

"I did not do anything." I state as he looks at me accusingly. "And before you try and accuse me no I did not touch your beloved mate." I snap as he lets out a angry sigh.

"Mate, she is no mate of mine." He states as I stare at him in disbelief.

"You sent men to track her every day even though you where told she was most likely dead. You punished us each day to help relive the pain that you where feeling. You refuse to breed with anyone despite the fact that the clocks are against you. Tygriss I say this with respect, you need her." I pause

"Who do you think you are telling me what to do! Get out!" He bellows as the healer tips the position in her mouth, her eyes flickered open making me ignore his demand, and it seemed as though his attention was distracted from me onto her. Her blue eyes blinked for a few times as the healer helped her sit up slowly. 

"She is weak. She will need proper taking care of, no more working for a while and proper food and water." The healer says as I look back at Tygriss. Her eyes flicker between the two of us, as though she can tell there is tension in the room.

"I will take her back to my tent." I state as Tygriss eyes snap towards me.

"You will do nothing of the sort, she will reside with me." He states as he lifts her into his large arms and towards his tent. I smile to myself knowing that my job here is done.