The Fifth- A Star Rider Story (Under Edits)

Chapter One: Autumnknight

when I pulled my rolling suitcase off the ferry,I was greeted by the sight of a beach,but it wasn't picturesque. it might have been,with the steep dirt and rock cliffs above it and several people riding their horses up there,except there were big shipping containers scattered all over the beach. I asked a passing worker. he scowled at me and growled directions. I thanked him as graciously as I could manage and pulled my stubborn,battered suitcase along over the sand. I followed the path up a killer hill and spotted a walled structure with the sounds of an everyday equestrian stable coming from within. I grinned,recognizing it from the documentary about Lisa. Moorland Stables. I walked down the hill to the stables. when I came through the gates,I smiled. I was greeted by a teenaged guy with black hair with a grayish streak that I didn't quite understand. he was cute,though,and he smiled as he came over. "hey."

"Hi."I sincerely hoped I wasn't blushing.

"I'm Justin Moorland. you must be Kate. my dad told me you'd be coming today."he added before I could ask. "come on into the stables. I'll introduce you to your horse for the summer."

"great,thanks."I adjusted my suitcase uncomfortably. he glanced at it and seemed to get the hint.

"on second thought,why don't you go into the house and put your stuff away,and I'll get your horse ready so you can try him out when you get back?"

"sure. thanks."

after I put my luggage in the house,I headed down to the open-air stables. it was a solid structure,but the doors were so big that most of the front was open,but there was an inconsistency with what the outside looked like and how much space was used within. I decided to ask Justin about it. I found him tightening the cinch girth of an old battered saddle on a beautiful dapple gray with a white mane. "whoa."I said,forgetting all about the question that had been on my lips when I entered. Justin smiled at me. "you like him?"

"I love him!"I went up to pet him,and something clicked when I rested my hand on his nose.

"his name's Autumnknight. he's a local Warmblood. it's not actually a breed,but most people just call them Jorvik Warmbloods."

"he's amazing!"

"he's boarded here,but the owners are on vacation,and they gave us permission to lease him out."

"oh,um,I don't have any money-"

"it's okay. for one thing,Dad brought you here on a scholarship."he didn't sound too happy about it. "for another,Autumn here is a competitor,so he earns his keep."he unclipped the crosstie and led him towards me. "Well,what are you waiting for? get on."I looked at Autumn's irressistable chocolate brown eyes which seemed to give me the same message,and went to the saddle. mounting was a little bit of a challenge,since i was about five foot zilch,and he was a fairly big horse. but I managed. "okay. oh,before we do anything,why don't we gather the supplies you'll need for daily care?"

"okay."

"there was a water bucket--"he looked around and his face fell. "somewhere. oh,but that brush--"he  turned in a circle,then faced me again and grimaced. "disappeared. but the hoofpick--"

I laughed. "I'll find them,Justin. it'll give me a chance to get to know Autumn a little better."

"okay. sorry."

I laughed again. "it's no problem."

"okay. you're looking for a red collapsible water bucket,a fold up hoof pick,and a bristle brush."

"okay. c'mon,Autumn."I clicked my tongue and he took off at a slow trot. I found the bucket next to a pile of hay,and the pick and brush were behind a dusty ladder. how they ended up there,I have no idea,but I was soon back at the barn,taking care of my horse.