Solo [Windmount Stables] Walk It Out

[Jamie Lyons]

10th, Spring, 514 AV He could hear the hollering of young men long before he even saw them. Hoots of encouragement and raucous laughter rang across the grounds. He'd come into the city the day before to work for the morning, then return to the outpost tonight. It sounded like it wouldn't be a quiet day with the horses. He followed the wide, beaten down path to the arena, drawing closer to the voices. Not a heartbeat into his work and the party animals had started at it. He came upon a group of them--7 in all--cheering on their friend in the event arena. 6 leaned on the fence, beating on the rails and laughing as their companion clung to the big black beast he was riding. It was a massive stud, powerfully built with sleek lines that meant speed. Its head was tucked down between its front legs and a pair of terrible back hooves kicked and beat the air mercilessly. Its rider laughed and clapped his heels against the beast's foaming sides, pulled its head up with a harsh yank of his reigns, and drove it forward. The stallion's nostrils flared and he galloped headlong across the arena, spraying dirt and turf behind him like a wild pennant. Jamie cursed loudly and sprinted the rest of the way to the arena. He clambered the fence, nearly fell, and ran out to intercept the horse and rider. They fought fiercely and tirelessly. The rider bounced and was nearly unhorsed, and the stallion spun and bucked again. Jamie held up his hands and called out to the pair. "Whoa! Stop! What the petch are you doing?!" The rider's friends cackled and pointed--one booed at him. Jamie quietly jumped out of the way as a stray hoof came flying, and the horseman struggled to pull his stallion's head back up. Finally, he turned the stud in a tight circle that made it hard for the horse to struggle. How is he laughing? he thought wildly. The pause in bucking did give Jamie his opportunity to intervene. He ran in close, heart pounding in fear of being trampled, and grabbed the man by his shirt. He tore him roughly from the saddle, straight to the ground. Instantly, the horse broke away and galloped away. The rider's friends hopped the fence and came running over. One had a hand on the hilt of his rapier. The man shoved Jamie away, and he stumbled from the force as the stranger awkwardly scrambled to his feet and rounded on him. "Why the fuck did you do that?" he snarled. If looks could kill, Jamie would be struck down on the spot. He was dumbfounded. "Well?" the man demanded, coaxing him from his speechless stare. "I was helping you," he defended. One of the friends laughed, but the others curled their lips. "Why would I need help from you? I was breaking that damned stud." Jamie glance at the great black stallion pacing nervously on the far side of the arena. "You can't do that in here," he said automatically. "There are workout arenas for that. The knights and squires use this one most often." Wrong answer. "I don't give a shyke. I needed the space!" It was now that Jamie heard the accent in the man's voice. "You're not from around here, are you? You can't ride a horse like that in here. You were driving it near to death. Look at it!" He pointed at the horse, who's sides were heaving and lathered with sweat. The white foam contrasted starkly with its black body. "We're passing through to Kenash. We traveled to Zeltiva just to get that stupid animal. That nightwalker has impeccable bloodlines." "Keep riding it the way you were, and you'll be going the rest of the way with its corpse loaded in the back of a wagon." The men glared at him for a good long moment, so he pulled his trump card. "I'll go fetch the proprietor and you can speak with her about this. I warn you, she doesn't take the abuse of horses lightly. You can very well expect to have the beast taken away." He made to move by them, but a hand reached out and grabbed his shoulder. Fingers dug in tightly, stopping him. "You'll do no such thing. Let's forget this ever happened, alright?" It wasn't a question. The hand tightened on his shoulder, digging painfully into the muscle. He looked at all of them, each glaring and some smiling wickedly. For a moment he was afraid, but forced the emotion down for later. His voice shook only slighty when he spoke, but it was enough for them understand that they had him. "I'll let it be a warning," Jamie ground out, and they all nodded. "Warning noted. Now take that animal to a stall, brush him down for me, and cool him off. We leave tomorrow, and I won't parade him to Kenash looking like a mixed blood." Jamie glared at the dirt, not daring the look at him. "And don't say a word." He nodded imperceptibly, but they saw it. The hand released his shoulder, and he wanted to sigh with relief. He didn't look up as they left the arena, murmuring and laughing amongst each other. His ears burned and his cheeks were afire with humiliation. Finally their footsteps faded and he glanced up. They were gone.

[Jamie Lyons]

He couldn't help but glance over his shoulder as he made his way over to the stallion. Jamie couldn't see anyone watching. There wouldn't be, he realized bitterly. They expected him to obey and do exactly as they said, for fear of what might happen. And he would, he admitted to himself. The shame was heavy. He had a dagger strapped to his hip, but what would that do? He would never hold in a fight. He was a farm boy--nothing more. He could soothe a horse with his hands and words, train a bird, and work all day without tiring. But he couldn't fight to save his life. Not against 7 men, with some of them armed. That's what the knights were for. The Order protected him and everyone else day and night. He had never actually felt helpless in the face of a threat before--until just now. It was a horribly feeling. As he approached the fearful horse, it snorted uncertainly. He held his hands up, showing that there was nothing in them. He kept his posture gentle and closed, avoiding a threatening approach. No one got anywhere that way with horses. They were finicky creatures, and it was either fight or flight. He wanted neither reaction. When he spoke to the animal, his voice was low and reassuring. He smiled at it, and held one hand out invitingly to sniff as he edged closer. "Easy, big beasty. You're alright now." Large, dark eyes watched him suspiciously. The stallion stood rooted, torn between fear and curiosity. It held its head high, ears shoved forward and nostrils flared. It nickered quietly and rumbled deep in the chest. It was almost close enough to touch. He stopped and reached out encouragingly. The horse's nose tilted closer, but right before they almost made contact, the stallion squealed and fled. Back hooves kicked erratically and it galloped wildly again to the opposite side of the area, where it once more began to pace. "Shyke," he cursed quietly. Of course it wouldn't be that easy. Jamie once again made his way toward the horse, walking casually until he drew closer. As the distance closer, he gradually slowed and approached more cautiously. The stallion watched him alertly, snorting nervously, with its ears twisting every which way. There were many sights and sounds to be taken in here. He could see another groom escorting two horses back to a barn some distance away--a mare and her energetic young colt. Surely the stud could smell the heat of female in the air. That would in no way help the situation. It looked to be a young stallion. Perhaps endings its fourth year. Jamie could see the faint lines of youth clinging to its angular face, but it would be unnoticeable by fall. He was a beautiful creature, really. Long legs thick with well-defined muscle in the flanks and shoulders. A proud neck carried his fierce head with a beautiful arch, and his long back led away from perfectly sculpted withers. His shining mane and tail was tangled from the romp, but he could see that it would be soft to the touch when brushed to a shine. Deep brown eyes watched him come closer, and the stallion's ears twisted to listen when he murmured more reassurances.

[Jamie Lyons]

Jamie's fingers stretched out and carefully touched the sweaty black cheek nearest to him. When the horse tried to shy away and bolt, he lunged out and grabbed onto the reins dragging on the ground. The stallion reared and screamed, trying to thrash his way out of the hold. Jamie held on for dear life even when his feet came off the ground and he tumbled to the dirt. The horse tried to pull but the weight was too great and finally he stood still, sides heaving and nostrils flaring. The air had left Jamie's lungs when he landed, and it all came rushing back with a deep gasp. He coughed quietly as he struggled back to his feet and the stallion pranced around him nervously. It was a long wait until the beast finally came to a stop in front of him, tired of circling over and over. He kept a firm hold on the reigns in one fist and gently offered his other palm to be sniffed. Suspicious eyes examined the outstretched hand but the beast sniffed the air curiously. He snorted loudly and yanked his head away, but Jamie reeled him back in. Finally, he gave up on trying to calm the poor thing down. It was beyond his skills. "Pitiful creature," he mumbled sadly as he led the horse carefully to the gate. It followed reluctantly, constantly tugging forward, sideways, every direction possible. Jamie escorted it out of the arena and up toward the barns. The stallion nickered nervously and stopped every few feet, listening to the other horses respond to him curiously. Once, a shod hoof stepped on the middle of his foot. He sucked in a breath and pushed the horse's shoulder, struggling to pull his toes free. It skittered away, startled by his touch. He limped the rest of the way to the stall, sourly grumbling every few steps as the horse pulled and heaved.