Fire Born

Chapter 6

We walked out the parlor and into the yard, where a cool spring breeze met my face and tugged at my hair. Jordan grinned as he glanced at me,  "So I take it the Parfeller's aren't the type that could snap your neck like a twig as the rumors say, after all?"

"Not quite. More like the kind to break your ribs giving you a bear hug though," I joked. His laugh was easy, and I found myself smiling. "But I can understand why you didn't believe I was one of them. I don't exactly fit the rumors."

He shrugged, his steps light as we crossed the yard. "I wouldn't know— I've never met a Parfeller before. But, now I can say I have!"

The scent of horses and manure wafted to my nose as the stable came into view, a familiar scent from our own stables in the village. "And you nobles aren't as ruthless as the books say," I teased.

Jordan's grin faded slightly, replaced with a thoughtful look. The wind tousled his hair as he replied,  "Depends on where you go. But there are still some that live up to our names."

I thought for a moment. "Well you don't seem too bad." He smiled, then gave a soft laugh, but there was no humor in it. "What's so funny?" I asked.

"You have much more to learn about the world of the nobility, then. Ruthless isn't too far off,"He had a far-off look in his eye as he glanced over the yard.  "You'd be surprised what people will do for power. Cutthroat might be a better term."

"We share everything we have in my village. Don't your people do the same?"

He shook his head. "It must be nice to live like that, without anyone governing over you. Unfortunately, it can't work that way here."

I frowned, wondering what he meant by that. It was a foreign concept to me. Nevertheless, I would soon see exactly what he was talking about when I reached the Capital with Elric. I was nervous and yet excited for that day. We reached the entrance to the stable, with its tall wooden doors. The stable hands greeted us as we approached.

A gray-bearded man was leading a glossy black mare, her coat darkened with sweat. "Morning, Jordan!" the man called out, his voice warm and gruff. "Who's this little lady you've got with you?"
"Arthur!" Jordan broke into a grin. "This is Aster, our guest and the apprentice of Elric Shadowcaster."
The man's bushy brows rose. "An Archmage's apprentice, eh? That's no small thing." He held out a hand, which I shook, noting the rough calluses that spoke of years of work.
"Just Aster is fine," I said with a smile. "Jordan's been showing me around."

"Well, you couldn't have a better guide," Arthur said with a chuckle. "This boy's got a knack with horses that'd put his father to shame. He knows his way around the estate and surrounding land better than anybody."
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Arthur," Jordan replied, though his cheeks colored slightly.

"Oh, nonsense. It's true, and you know it." Arthur ruffled Jordan's hair, earning a playful swat. The black mare snorted, jerking her head back, and Arthur expertly steadied her. "Well, don't let me keep you. I've got to cool this one off before the sun gets too high."

"See you later, Arthur!" Jordan called as we moved on. He turned to me as we entered the stable, "He's one of our top Horsemasters. and taught me nearly everything I know about horses and riding. He can tell you about every horse here, down to the smallest markings."
"That's amazing," I said as we continued walking, entering the stable. The clatter of hooves on cobblestones and the low murmur of stable hands filled the air. Sunlight filtered through slats in the walls, casting golden stripes on the hay-strewn floor.

The scent of horses hit me, warm and familiar. A golden horse stuck its head out of a stall, ears swiveling toward us. "That's Comet," Jordan said, his face lighting up as he reached out to scratch the horse's nose. "He's the horse I was telling you about yesterday."