hiraeth | c.g. |

xxii

It had been a little over a month since Solaris had made Alexandria home. Over a month since Solaris said goodbye to their past Commander and Hilltop their leader. And it had been over one month since Clary had lost her sister. And perhaps she just wanted to feel closer to Enid, so she found herself where they talked about their lives after finding each other again.

With rope in her hands, Clary worked with one of the horses that Alexandria had brought in. It was a stallion, dark in color with pale hair and black eyes which stared at her with a ferocity she had only seen in Montu. But, just like she had her own steed, she worked him gently, establishing a trust she knew only worked for those fierce spirits. She had worked with him and a few other horses for the past month, Clary offering her hand with her abilities when it had been mentioned by Aaron that they had brought in horses but didn't know where to start in their training.

One portion of the rope was attached to the horse's bridle, while Clary's other hand was occupied by another rope. Flicking the latter, she guided the horse around the corral, getting him used to being led. Clary continued to do so as the morning sun came up, moving closer to the horse as he grew calmer.

"Whatcha doin?"

Clary looked back to see Judith leaning against the posts of the corral, a smile on her face as her brother's hat covered her from the sun. Looking back to the horse, Clary responded. "Still trying to work this guy. He's the last of the three that Aaron needed me to work on." As the horse slowed down to a trot, neighing softly, Clary looked back to Judith who looked at the animal with wide eyes of wonder.

Knowing the girl all too well, Clary let out a soft laugh. "You can come in. He's calm as long as you don't spook him." Judith immediately smiled wider, climbing through the posts before making her way to where Clary stood slowly so as not to spook the horse.

Standing by her side, she watched as Clary continued. "Why do you have him move in a circle?" Judith asked as she watched, her eyes never leaving the horse's movements. "It's a technique to get horses used to listening to its handler and to get it comfortable with the gear we use to ride." The young girl listened intently, watching as the woman worked.

After a few moments, she watched as she brought the horse closer by the lead. He was calm and walked slowly, his head dipping as Clary brushed along him. She looked back to Judith before cocking her head towards the animal. "You wanna touch him?" Judith nodded, bringing her hand out slowly before rubbing along his nose. "He likes you," Clary said softly. Judith giggled as he softly nipped at her hand, the horse allowing the young girl to pet him softly.

Clary watched as she delicately touched him, the kindness behind her touch evident. At that, Clary smiled softly. "You know, he'll be ready to ride soon. I think it's about time you learned how to ride, too." Judith's eyes grew wide, looking at Clary with a wide smile. "Really?"

Seeing the joy in Judith's face, Clary nodded. "Yeah, I'll talk with Aaron. He'll be a working horse but you'll be in charge of making sure he's fed and has water. When you're both ready, you can take him out for small runs." Judith only nodded fervently, excited to have the strong horse be her own.

"Can I help you work with him? I want him to get used to me." Clary nodded, placing a hand on Judith's shoulder. "As long as it doesn't interfere with your classes and lessons. Your mom would kill me." Judith laughed before Clary allowed Judith to guide him back to his stall before feeding him and heading out of the corral. However, they found themselves leaning against the posts, watching the morning sun.

"What's got you up so early?" Clary asked the girl after a moment of silence. "I heard Carl asking Mom where you had gone. He was worried when you weren't home." Clary nodded softly, knowing the young man meant well but he looked at her like she was a wounded animal sometimes and she couldn't take that on this day. "Is everything okay?" Judith asked, seeing her far off look, to which she nodded. "Just couldn't sleep—" Judith frowned. "Was it the nightmares again?"