The Changers - Horse

Chapter 7

Thea laughed,

"Coming Mr. Landlord." She said through giggles as Eric ran to the door and swung it open with exadurated grace.

"After you m'lady." He said, with a posh accent,

"You know you're really going to have to stop that."

"Or what?"

"Or I won't kiss you again for a month." Thea said sternly. Eric lost his grin for a second, but it quickly returned.

"You woudn't be able to do that."

"You're right, lets go." Thea quickly said with a smirk and walked out the door, the stairs were short and they quickly saw their plumpy landlord standing patiently with the stable boy.

"Ah, follo' me m'lady" The landlord said with his strange accent and walked over to the entrance to the stables. Thea looked excitedly at Eric who was holding her hand, he had taken off his smile and replaced it with his usual, 'Don't-mess-with-me' face. Amour and Cannon looked up from their hay as they walked by so did some other horses. Thea smiled at each of them and they bowed their heads in respect, Animals are always so respectful, why can't humans be like that? She asked herself. The stable boy ran ahead into a tack room, when the rest of the group got there the wonderful sent of leather greeted Thea and she instantly relaxed.

"'Ere's where eh fun begins" The landlord said with a grin, his teeth uneven and unkept but he smiled just the same. He rumaged around in a box of stray bits, old, new, rusty, shiny, snaffles, french links and many others. Suddenly a loud *CLACK* sound reverberated throughout the small space. A small opening in the floor apreared and grew wider and wider, Thea could see a a spiral of sairs forming. Her excitement grew, and she involentarily grinned at the unknown.

"Are ye' ready?" The landlord said, takng one of the lanterns off the wall.

"Yes." Thea answered trying to hide her excitment. The large man didn't reply but lead the way down the dark stairs.

"Do you really think we should follow him?" Eric asked, clearly concerned.

"Yes, why? " Thea answered puzzled at Eric's question.

"You're just going to follow a man and his stable boy we've never seen down a dark hidden stairwell that can only be opened by rummaging through a box of bits and follow him into the darkness?" Eric asked, all in one breath, but he was more worried than winded.

"I trust him." Thea answered, not wanting to tell Eric about her horse senses. And without another word she followed the landlord down the stairs. The stable boy took up the rear with another lantern and the party descended down into the blackness. As the candle light bounced off the walls Thea could see that a thin layer green moss had started to grow from the wall in patches.

"Where are we going?" Eric inquired, a slight tinge of annoyance flickered in his voice,

"Ah, but see 'ere sir, its e surprise." The stable boy said with obvious enthusiasm. Eric let out a smaller sigh than usual in an attempt to be polite,

"Ok then." he said. They all walked a few more steps and the only sound was the dripping of water.

"I never got yor name stable boy." Thea stated, not turning around so she could focus on her feet.

"'Ames Gilbert, ma'am." He said as the lantern swung around casting light on his face at unusual angles.

"Almost 'ere, and I might be needed some 'elp at 'e door Mr. 'ric, Gilbert and 'er ladyship can 'old the lanterns." The landlord announced.

"Alright I'll move up there then." Eric said as he slipped past Thea to get behind the burly man.

"Now 'ere's 'e tricky part," the landlord said and they all moved to they could see around him, before them lay a narrow bridge about one foot wide and thirty feet long with an immeasurable drop below. "Now I'll go first 'n make sure is safe, 'ric you follo' me 'hen I get to the other side." So the landlord started across, his progress was slow but he eventually made it across.

"Right, now its your turn lad." He called from across the chasm. Eric took a deep breath and put a foot onto the bridge, then another, he got about six inches out then he looked back at Thea. She smiled at him, but as he turned back around his foot slipped on the damp rock, but Thea already had her hand on his collar holding him up.

"Do you want me to go first?" She asked, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Why not?" Eric's fear quickly dissolving in his eyes, replaced by embarrassment and annoyance. Thea chuckled as they backed up so Thea could cross the bridge, as she stood directly in front of it her eyes decided to make the bridge stretch, Great she thought to herself now I'm going to slip. But she immediately made the thought leave her head and took a step over the abyss. She kept her eyes on the landlord and the bridge in her lower peripherals and focused on putting one foot in front of the other. Thea felt like she had been walking forever but when she made it to the other side the landlord smiled at her and she turned around.

"Now you've seen the masters do it, let see you ametures give it a go." Thea yelled to Eric and Gilbert. Even thought it was dark and far away Thea could still see Eric roll his eyes and she stifled a giggle. Eric began his crossing and nearly ran across breathing heavily when he made it to the other side either out of being actually winded or nerves, Thea guessed the latter.

"You made it." Thea remarked in a nonchalant tone.

"I.... just... ran across... a thirty.... foot... bridge... and all... you can... say.... is you made it?" Eric said through ragged breaths.

"Well what do you want me to say? 'Wow look at Eric, he's just won a new horse for his amazing feats of strength, agility, grace, and overall greatness!'" Thea mocked with a laugh.

"No... but-" Eric began but was cut off as Gilbert tapped him on the shoulder,

"We could use some 'elp on the door Mr. 'ric."

"Right sorry." Eric turned quickly as did Thea, the door was down another tunnel but it was short. The door itself was stone like its surroundings but it had pictograms of all sizes and Thea couldn't decipher any of them. Eric, Gilbert and the landlord were all pushing on it when suddenly it gave way and opened, inside was a sight that would make anyone's jaw drop.

************************************************************************

I am so sorry this chapter took so long, I have been having computer troubles and have been super busy. Hopefuly you guys like this chapter and I can update soon! Bye!!