The Song of the Keepers

Chapter 9 The Art of Patience

I made my way down to the stables a short while later, having finished cleaning up the library with Cato. The long, low, stone barn with a dark metal roof was to the north of the fortress and by a large sandy arena. I meandered through the wide aisle-way, stroking any horse's nose who stuck their head out. It smelled distinctly of pine shavings, fresh hay, and horse sweat.

"Hey Astrid, where's Jasper at?"
Vienna asked, appearing around the corner with Kairos by her side.

"He should be here shortly. Got rather sidetracked by the promise of a computer."

"Welcome, Emily, Nyx, and Hadassah. I am Keeper Amber and I shall be your riding instructor."
A small woman with curly copper hair pulled into a ponytail poked her head around the corner and spoke to us.

"Good afternoon."
I responded politely.

"We're very excited to work with you."
Vienna expressed with a bright smile.

Well, that's debatable.

"We are missing one."
Amber glanced about as though expecting him to be hiding underneath a bale of hay or tack trunk.

"Hello, did I miss anything?"
Jasper strolled into the barn right on cue.

"We were just getting started."
Amber replied, beckoning him closer.

"Here are your halters, you'll be catching, grooming, and saddling your owns mounts. I'm not your groom."
She passed us each a leather headstall with a long cotton lead attached.

I gingerly took the thing from her, not having any idea how to put it on.

"So it goes on the face right?"
I asked, just to be certain.

Kairos snorted and Jasper raised his eyebrows.

"Come, I'll show you all how to halter your horses."
Amber answered.

"Actually I know already."
Jasper was quick to tell her.

"Good, show that one then and save me some trouble."
She pointed at me unceremoniously.

"Newton, you'll be on Ironclad. Emily, you'll take Amethyst. Nyx can have Xeta, and Hadassah will be on Tempest. Names are on the stall doors."

I muffled a groan. Of course, I'd get a horse with a name like Tempest. That couldn't bode well.

We came across Ironclad first, a tall grey gelding with a thick build, long mane and tail, and a soft eye. Jasper promptly gave me a tutorial on haltering. It seemed easy enough, undo the buckle, slip it up onto the nose and toss the leather strap behind their ears and re-buckle it on the other side.

While Jasper led his gelding out to the tie rail, I located Tempest's stall which was down the far end.

"Tempest! Here girl."
I called to her.

A small reddish colored mare with a white blaze stuck her nose over the door to sniff me. I stroked her head and reached for the latch. She promptly snorted and turned away from me, returning to her pile of sweet-smelling hay.

"Now don't be that way."
I told her, slipping into the stall.

I held up the halter, attempting to mimic Jasper's movements. The mare didn't fuss when I pulled her head up and struggled to put the halter on. I swear however, she gave me an exasperated look when I managed to put the thing on upside down the first time. Finally having it the right direction, I gave a tug on the lead and starting walking toward the door. The mare didn't move.