Iridescent

31| Too Many Friends

"Vel... I can't ride."

"Surely, you can ride a bit, can you?"

"I suppose..."

As we were travelling to the campgrounds with our troop, I had Vel's help with the horses. We had to cross rivers and lakes, navigate difficult paths in the forest and woods, horses would be the quickest and most efficient form of transport.

It didn't take long before I was drawn towards a white mare with dark spots on her neck. The mare stood very still, unafraid of my presence. I stroked her neck gently.

"That's it," Vel encouraged, adjusting the saddles on her own mare. "Let her get used to you."

The mare was relaxed, her warm breath tingled my bare arms exposed below my rolled-up sleeve.

"Get onto her slowly," Vel mounted her own mare, "don't move or nudge her."

I did as she was told, being extra careful with the stirrup this time. I swung my leg over and sat onto the saddle. It was easy. The mare wasn't frightened at all.

"Good job!" Vel clapped, her purple eyes looked alive and bright. I was more than glad to see her in this spirit. Her beautiful dark brown mare bobbed her head, giving a playful nudge at my mare. I didn't stop my laughter.

"How come you never learnt how to ride?"

My lips thinned. I could hear Julian urging everyone to the exit of the troop cave toward a small path leading out from the Academy.

"My parents were worried," I said quietly. "I could see it in their eyes and... I hate to say this but it was discouraging. Every time I finished riding lessons I would find it harder and harder to get on the horse the next lesson. My mother, especially, would always give me a long speech about being careful before and after. Later, I just quit."

Vel was quiet for a while and, not wanting to place her in the spotlight, I smiled reassuringly. "You see? I'm a fine rider now! I've come to learn that horses are beautiful creatures."

"They are," Vel stroked her mare, her eyes sparkling with affection. "When I'm riding, I feel... free. I feel almost like an eagle. When I feel their strength, the speed and the wind... everything leaves my mind. I am just living in the moment."

I could see she was telling the truth, and perhaps reliving part of her memories.

"Who taught you?"

Vel grinned, giving a gentle nudge of her heels. I copied her and our mare began to move into a nice, slow walk. "Robin taught me."

I saddened, though Vel didn't seem to be saddened at all.

"In fact," Vel smiled, her eyes in the distance. We moved slowly to the entrance of the cave, following the others, "Robin taught both of us. Me and Jaxton."

Tracy was taking the roll. Ted and Will spotted us by the entrance. Ted gave us a playful wave and Will, a nice grin, before Tracy ushered them out the cave.

"You're blocking everyone's way!"

Vel had to resist the urge to laugh. As we passed Tracy, I gave her a nod as she impassively addressed us, ticking our names off the clipboard.

"Robin's good at a lot of things. I always wanted to be like him. Smart with my hands and head."

Our mares instantly went into a nice trot after we exited the cave, and I was clumsy at first, forgetting the riding lessons I had attended as a little girl, then I remembered to rise and lower my body with the rhythm of each step. It didn't take long before we went back to the walk.