Chronicles of Han Storm - Leilaka #1 (Fantasy, Adventure, Dragon Riders)

Leilaka *** Chapter 9 ***

*** Nine ***

    Connor was leading the riders and looked much displeased when they reached us. He pulled his horse up in front of Windshine who flattened his ears towards this human that dared to threaten me.

"So much for a day of rest for you!" Connor scolded. "That horse could have killed you."

"But he did not" I countered, stroking the stallion's neck before introducing him to the crowd.

"This is Windshine. He is to be my new mount, if it is in order with the Horsemaster."

A thin, ageing man rode up on a grey mare. "It is in order with me if you can truly restrain this stallion. Many men have tried to ride him, but not even the best riders were allowed to stay on his back. He is a good stud and his children are kind and graceful, but he is not content to be of service to us. You are most welcome to him as long as you can prove you can keep control."

I smiled at him, knowing that control was the last thing I had over this horse. No-one could make him do anything he did not wish to.

The whole procession turned and headed back to the castle. I had no saddle and my body was stiffening up to the point where every movement was painful.

Connor noticed, and after speaking with the Horsemaster, most of the riders went ahead at a gallop, leaving us to our crawling pace.

Windshine was walking between Connor and Drake's horses, tossing his head, complaining that he also wanted to run with the other horses.

I told him that this was a test and he settled down, obediently keeping to the slow pace.

At the stables, Marshall was waiting for me at Bree's empty stall.

"We made room for your new horse. The Horsemaster had moved Bree to the pastures."

I talked Windshine into the stall and slipped off his back. My ribs were tender.

Marshall handed me a brush to groom the sweat out of my horse, then took the pail to fetch water.

Connor and Drake took similar care of their own animals, looking over from time to time, checking up on the stallion's behaviour.

Windshine was impeccable, allowing me to clean him thoroughly.

The unusual exercise loosened my muscles again.

I held the pail of water for him when Marshall returned, then placed it in a corner while Marshall placed hay in his rack.

After stroking him goodbye, I joined the waiting adults at the entrance to the stable shed.

There were small groups of grooms and riders standing around the inner courtyard. I opened my mind to receive their thoughts, for from their whispers I could hear that they were discussing Windshine and myself.

Thoughts of 'unthinkable', 'horse-whisperer' and 'troublemaker' were foremost in their minds. Also awe and apprehension of this young child being able to control this most difficult stallion without a bridle, it was unimaginable.

Fear towards me turned the people away from me. Fear of the unknown in these unstable times made these people my enemies.

Whatever they did not understand, they wanted to get rid of.

Closing my mind to their thoughts, I hurried after Connor, apprehensive to be left alone amongst people that had no love for me.

Safely back in our room, Connor sat me down on a chair before examining my body for any obvious sign of injury.