[Narvaen Stables] A place for a Friend

by **Enthere** on September 12th, 2014, 8:39 pm

9th of Fall, 514 AV

A ragged Kelvic, and a more ragged mixed blood gelding made their weary way to the highly acclaimed Narvaen stables. The Kelvic tugged the pack horse down the road, and the poor beast pulled back, away from the woman. It was a constant battle, fortunately for both of them, the Kelvic was winning. She always managed to tug just enough to keep the horse moving. So it went, pulling and pushing all the way to the stables. Both out of breath by the time they arrived.

Enthere stood by the first pastures, catching her breath and preparing herself for the last leg of this journey. Friend stood as far away from his master as the leadrope would allow. His ears pressed back against his skull, as they had almost invariably been since the wandering Kelvic had aquired him off a horsetrader months ago. The only difference between now and then was the animals conditon; he was looking poorer and poorer, he couldn't deal with the constant stress and bare amount of food available in the Zastoska Mountains.

The horse also caught his breath, taking gulps of air and trembling in the slight chill weather. Enthere didn't reach out to comfort him, she knew that would only make things worse. He hated her, and she had let him hate her. For seasons he had borne her packs and supplies. She wouldn't be here if not for the wearisome horse. Now she would repay him, she would find a place with people he didn't hate that would care for him, and with less labor and more food. She hoped she would find that here, though she was dubious. The Narvaen stables were known for being a well-run bussiness, and as far as she'd seen they were. But she was afraid they wouldn't take on a scraggly mixed-blood packhorse, even just until they could find another owner. It was the only place though, Enthere knew there was none better to care for him, so she would convince them to take him, it was her responsibility.

With a final sigh, the Kelvic paced towards the first large stables, pulling her horse behind her and hoping someone more gentle than she would be able to take him.

by **Enthere** on September 15th, 2014, 12:00 am

It was warmer in the stables, heated by the horses enclosed in the stables. The air was full of horse smells, and the soft sounds of the beasts; stomping hooves, whuffles, and the occasional neigh. Friend emmediately perked up, starting to pull Enthere into the stables instead of away from them. At least someone was now enjoying the outing, being around so many horses, non of which she was sure would like her presence, was not pleasant for Enthere. The smells and sounds were to enclosed, heavy on the air or echoing through the enourmous structure. They were nothing like the sounds of the mountains, the wildernesses and fields which she so often roamed. The normally steadfast Kelvic shied away from the horses, putting as much distance between them and herself as she could in the confined space.

The Kelvic stood in the middle isle of the stables, waiting for...she didn't know what. It didn't take long for one of the many stable hands to notice her, a pleasant woman with a confident air walked over, "are you looking for something?" She asked, talking to Enthere but having eyes only for Friend. She ran her gaze over the horse, frowning at his thin scruffiness. Enthere dropped her gaze from them meekly, she was not proud of her neglect of the horse. "I am looking for...for a new home for this horse." She said, still staring at the floor. The womans gaze flicked to Enthere, "You've come to the right place, I suppose. I'm Sienna." The woman, though obviously displeased with the horses condition, had a tone of gentleness to her voice, like she knew the other woman was aware of her fault and only trying to make right.

"I'm Enthere," the Kelvic said, raising her gaze, but watching the horse instead of Sienna. "And this is Friend." Enthere held the horses lead by her side, standing distanced from the horse. She wanted to give the rope to the horsewoman and be done.

"Ah, that is a good name for him." Enthere sensed the woman was smiling. "Were you looking for a permanent home or...?" She asked. Enthere shook her head quickly, "I was hoping for...I was hoping to sell him." She finally found the strength to look at the woman properly, holding her gaze.

The woman stepped over to Friend, letting him sniff her, and blowing into the horses nostrils. That must have been a horse thing. Then, after Friend obviously accepted her, she ran her hands over his back and down each leg individually. "He's not in as bad a condition as he looks." She said, still focused on the horse. "He's mixed blood, I suppose maybe some Zavian in there, but my brother wouldn't be pleased with him." She flashed a grin at Enthere, "luckily its me here, as always."

Enthere still stood apart from them, "so you'll take him?" She said hesitantly, still feeling shameful, but hopeful that she and the horse would be free of each other.

Sienna nodded thoughtfully. "I'll give you 65 Miza's. My brother won't like it if he hears about it but...well, he wont hear about it." She gave another grin to Enthere and a few passing stable workers. "And when we sell him we'll find someone real nice, aye we will." She reassured Enthere, giving Friend a pat on the withers.

by **Enthere** on October 26th, 2014, 12:39 am

Sienna took the horses lead and began to escort him down the isle, she gestured for Enthere to follow her. The horsewoman led them out of the first stables and across the yard to the second. "We'll keep him in here until he fills out," she said, "would you like to see?" It wasn't really a question, Enthere was already following her, she would have to see this through to the end. The wiry Kelvic followed Sienna silently, wondering why she wanted her to see the stable.

She spoke just as they were coming to the broad doorway of the stables. "I can stay out here." She said, hanging back, ready to turn and leave. Sienna turned to look at her, her gaze was fierce, "I know the horses don't like you, but your not that scary. You give yourself too much credit." Her voice was surprisingly light, but firm. She was used to dealing with animals that didn't want to listen to her. Enthere stared at her for a moment, then followed her into the stables.

The second stables were just as warm and light as the first, but the calm was broken by the occasional groan or gasp from the horses. One of the animals kicked its stall door repeatedly, jangling the latch. It was less orderly as well, if only slightly, the stable hands strode or sprinted across the main isle, fetching things and talking loudly. Friend was settled in a stall at the far end of the building, next to an even smaller horse. Sienna gave him another pat on the nose as she walked him in, and there was already fresh hay and water for him.

by **Enthere** on December 3rd, 2014, 1:15 am

Sienna turned back to Enthere, smiling. "Back to the tour," she said, walking a few stalls down the row and stopping. Enthere padded after her, "tour? What tour?" She asked, puzzled again by the woman. Sienna seemed to ignore the question. "It will have to be short, I have a lot to do, but you have a lot to learn, so I have to give you the tour." She said it briskly, then turned to her next subject. Sienna leaned over the stall door and called the horse over, it came almost magically. Enthere didn't know anyone could make animals respond so readily, the thought made her uneasy.

Sienna turned to frown at Enthere, "you don't have to stay over there, come here." Enthere went to her as easily as the horse had, watching the stalled animal and the horsewoman warily. "This is one of our brood mares," Sienna said, "she's a Zavian." Enthere looked at the horse, remembering the woman said Friend might be Zavian. The mare looked nothing like the little pack horse, how could Sienna guess at his blood?

The horse shied away from Enthere, but didn't lay her ears back in the way Friend did when he was put-off (which was always). Sienna started talking again, quite at home with the equines in a way Enthere would never be. "In the future, when you think you might like to get another horse," Sienna fixed her with a firm gaze, "and I'm not saying you should. But if you do, you'll need to know how to properly take care of them. I am going to give you a few pointers." Enthere nodded, slowly. There was no question in the womans words: it wasn't an offer. It was a order. Enthere felt that failing to listen to the horsewoman would have consequences.

Sienna was moving on. "Obviously horses need plenty of food and water every day. They need to be curried-brushed-every day. They eat grass, hay, and oats. But don't give them too many oats. That's bad." The horsewoman had taken the tone of someone talking to a small child, or an ignorant person, which, in the case of horses, Enthere was entirely ignorant.

by **Enthere** on December 4th, 2014, 1:56 am

Sienna seemed to sense that Enthere wasn't really following her, the woman tossed her hair like a horse flicking its mane. "Lets see a few more breeds," she continued down the line of broad doors. Inside the next stall was a massive horse. Enthere tried to discern why the animal was in these stables instead of the other; all the horses in this stable were supposed to be sick or something. This horses head was hanging low to the ground, but otherwise he looked fine to her.

The look Enthere saw in Sienna's eyes told her the woman was concerned for the beast, though her tone was light. "This is a Tiaden," she said. "It's quite rare that you see them outside of Syliras. Their war horses that the knights use, that's why he's so big." The giant horse pricked his ears when he heard Sienna's voice, but showed no other recognition. The enormous horse was of more interest to Enthere than the others, she could truly say she had never seen an animal so large, she wondered if he was really as docile as he seemed.

"He's sick." Sienna said, not deigning to give an in-depth account of his problem. Enthere nodded, but kept inspecting the horse. He was just so big. She didn't know how a person could mount him, much less control the beast. Sienna interrupted her thoughts. "I think that's enough," she said, suddenly in a less than happy mood. "I'll pay for your horse and a stable hand will show you out. You can rest assured your equine will be well taken care of."

Before the woman left her, Enthere nodded to the large horse and said, "I hope he gets better." Sienna gave a sharp nod of approval, "me too," and walked away. Enthere didn't wait for a stable hand to show her out; she knew the way. She left exactly the way she had come, though with less of a burden. She was glad to know that Friend would get the care he deserved. The Kelvic and the horse just hadn't been suited to each other, and now Enthere had one less mouth to feed. Although, the horse had been company on lonely nights, even if it was ill-tempered company. Enthere thought she might miss him, though she was certain the horse would not feel the same way, and he would probably be more comfortable than she was tonight.