Rangers Apprentice: Return of the Dead

An Old Legend

Young Bob showed him how to tack and un-tack his horse, feed her, groom her properly, even how to check for stones in her hooves. He also taught him a few commands that Rain would follow.

Now he was in the stable, alone with Rain, since Young Bob had left and continued to slowly brush her; and judging by the way she almost closed her eyes, tilted her head and had her ears pricked, he was guessing she liked it.

Putting the brush away and closing her in a stall next to Abelard, who looked like he was sleeping, turned and left the small barn. It was night and the stars filled the sky, a chilly breeze blowing by gently. That's when he heard it. A low sound he thought he hadn't heard it at all. Turning around, he looked into the endless dark to see a smudged grey blob by the fence.

Walking closer he saw that it wasn't just a blob, but a horse. Walking right up to it he amended his first thought, an old horse. It's muzzle was white and it grey shaggy coat was clumped and scarred. Faded white scars criss-crossed here and there, one had even gone from his forehead to the tip of his nose; just barely missing his left eye.

He had never seen this horse.

This old, broken and shattered horse. But Daniel had heard of him.

He whispered his name to the never ending night, "Tug..."

The old grey looked up at him with dull dark liquid eyes that saw him, but didn't really see him. Reaching up slowly he gently stroked Tug's still velvety nose. "Who did this to you?" he whispered. The little horse startled him by responding in a low hoarse rumble. Again, Tug looked him in the eyes, yet it didn't seem like he actually saw him, like he was looking at something else. "What do you see?" Daniel asked. No reply.

"He sees the day he lost his master, your father," Daniel whirled around to see a bow-legged old man with only a thin wisp of white hair, sagging tan skin and pale blue eyes. "I'm Old Bob," he said, answering Daniels un-asked question for him, "I was the one ter breed and train Tug. Also gave him ter your father, boy did he learn just how hard it was ter mount a Ranger Horse, heh heh."

"You knew my Dad?" Daniel asked curiously. Old Bob nodded. "Sure did, he t'was a very polite boy when I first met 'im, over the years he became an honourable man and one of the greatest Rangers the kingdom had ever seen. Still is to, have yet to met a Ranger close to his skill besides Halt, maybe Gilan."

Daniel didn't reply, instead he continued to stroke Tugs muzzle. "He likes you," Old Bob stated, almost sounding surprised. "What's wrong with that?" Daniel questioned him, Old Bob hurried to amend his unintentional challenge. "Nothing, it's just that ever since the day Will- well since he," Daniel made a gesture to show that it was okay to say it, sensing the older man's discomfort at mentioning his fathers death in front of him. "Well, since then, Tug has trusted no one for many months. It took almost a full year before he let anyone near him, let alone touch him. Old Bob sighed, "He was damaged and still is. After all these years working with these horses, I don't know what to do."

Daniel looked at the old man, then at Tug. "Is he still active?"
"What?" The old man frowned.
"Is Tug still active? As in does he require a pass code?"
"Oh, well as I said, I haven't had much a chance to really work with him since he wouldn't let me so I guess he's still active, why?" he asked Daniel with a suspicious gleam.

Not answering his question, Daniel moved to the fence and stood on the second log, Tug flicked his ears up and glanced sideways at him but stayed still as Daniel leaned forward and whispered in his ear, only flicking it in response. Satisfied, Daniel swung onto Tugs bare back and waited for an explosion, but it didn't happen. Tug stood still and calm, then craned his neck back and glanced at Daniel. For the first time there was a shine to them that made him seem like he was actually alive. Okay now what?

Daniel grinned at the look of disbelief on Old Bob's face and dismounted Tug, back on the other side of the rail. Old Bob looked at him, "What were you tryin to do?" Daniel shook his head, "Just testing something..." Old Bob continued to study the youth in front of him before he turned to the small shack of a house. "Common, best to get some sleep." Daniel followed for a few paces before he glanced back at Tug with a small grin.

See you early in the morning Tug.