The Course of Destiny

Chapter Six

Destiny

"Why did we get a saddle if I'm not going to use it?"

He pulled the saddle off of Silver's back after undoing the sinch. "I told you. If you are good at getting on without a saddle, getting on with one in a bad situation will be easy."

"Why can't I just practice with the saddle? It's not like it will ever fall off-"

"What if something happens to your horse and you need to take a saddleless horse to get away?" He interrupted.

I didn't respond.

He smirked. "Get on the horse."

I sighed and put my arms over Silver as Wesley began lunging him in a circle at a walk. I hopped on one leg, trying to swing the other over and pull myself up. After a couple awkward hops I got myself on.

I was actually getting stronger from everything Wesley was making me do the previous few weeks, though I wouldn't tell him that. He taught me to shoot, fight, jump things on a horse, and more, but he'd make me do them over and over until I got it "perfect". Except he was a perfectionist so that meant doing them many times over.

Needless to say, I was exhausted, sore, and irritable.

"Faster," Wesley ordered. "Use his movement to help you get on."

"He's barely moving," I complained.

Wesley got Silver into a trot, but that was harder if anything, and he of course made me keep going until I could barely walk.

After he finally told me I was done for the day, I lumbered over to the small table where my canteen was and gulped down some water. Don't get me wrong, I was very grateful that he was teaching me how to survive, but my god, this wasn't a military camp.

Giles, sitting back in a chair with his feet resting on the table, chuckled. "Ya know, your riding could use some work."

As I walked by him heading to the fire to make some dinner, I smacked him with my canteen.

"Ow!"

"Ya know, I could put poison in your food. Don't tempt me."

He rubbed his shoulder, giving me a slightly pouty look, as if I really hit him that hard. "Looks like someone's in a bad mood."

I glared at him then began to gather and mix ingredients for the meal. Yes, I didn't want to cook, but their cooking was atrocious, so I agreed to make the food if they cleaned afterwards.

Wesley sat down next to Giles, shaking his head. "You two are acting like children."

When the stew was done, Mr. Dawson sat down as well and we all ate with little conversation. After we finished the meal, the men cleaned up and we all sat beside the fire as the daylight faded.

But of course, Giles couldn't keep his mouth closed for long. "Feelin' better now, Miss crabby?"

Aggravating me when I was tired had apparently become his favorite pastime. "Can you shut your mouth, Giles?"