Closed [Windmount Stable] Prancing Pony (Katelyn)

[Sayana]

Spring 4, 514 AV When Sayana awoke she found her stomach churning. She sat up slowly and willed her stomach to settle down. “It’s going to be okay. I’m going to be fine.” The Eypharian whispered quietly to herself. But then her belly heaved and she only just managed to slide her chamber pot out from the bed and lift the lid before she emptied the contents of her stomach into it. She sat on the edge of her bed for a chime or two trembling. Was that everything? She waited another couple of chimes and then pushed the chamber pot back under the bed. It seemed like it was done. Soon she wanted to talk to Devi to make sure it was all okay, but from her own experience it was not uncommon for mothers to get sick early in their pregnancy. She slowly got to her feet and went first to get some water to rinse out her mouth. The Eypharian hoped that it was still early in the morning, even though it was impossible to tell in her windowless apartment. She had purposefully gone to sleep early the previous night because she wanted to start something fresh and new today. She wanted to conquer her fears of what lay beyond the city walls. Other people probably went in and out of the walls all the time, with hardly a care in the world, but Sayana was not one of them. Her travels across Cyphrus accompanied, or rather enslaved by a zith, had left a stain on the idea of leaving the city even for a moment. And to make matters worse, the only time she had gone beyond the walls, she had encountered another zith. Though this one hadn’t managed to enslave her, she had effectively neutralized it by then, but it still didn’t give her a good impression of the wilds beyond. But it was spring now and in a year’s time, actually less than a year, she was going to be a mother. A mother to an Akalak, and she would be damned to let her son think that she was fearful or easily scared. Spring was a time of new beginnings, was it not? It seemed rather fitting to make a plan, a resolution to no longer fear the wilds. Or at least not in the way she had in the past. But where did she want to go? Try to find those hot springs again? No. As much as she would deny it to anyone who asked, she did not want to tempt fate by visiting the place where she had encountered the zith. As she began to prepare herself a quick breakfast of bread and butter Sayana tried to think of her options. She didn’t actually know much about what lay beyond the Syliran walls, and she might not even get very far if she walked. Suddenly an idea struck her. What if she were to ride? Surely the city had a stable with spare horses that could be rented. Of course, it might not be cheap, but who could put a price on overcoming one’s fear? The Eypharian was suddenly quite excited by the prospect and quickly gathered her things to get ready to go. Even though the watchtowers had flared green it was still cold enough to warrant her coat. It was frustrating that she only had the use of her mid arms but at least she could remove the coat at any moment to free up her others. When the Eypharian made it to the streets, it was still rather dark out. Of course, the narrow corridor-like streets were always rather shaded, but Sayana was pleased that it was still early in the morning. The grey wool coat kept her warm as she winded this way and that, instinctively heading for the taverns. But when she reached the open space near the main gates, she had to stop herself. Did she even know where the stables were? Despite it being early in the morning, there were still a number of people out and about. It didn’t take too long to find someone who knew of the stables. Sayana thanked the man graciously with a bat of her eyelashes, a cute little wave, and a wink over her shoulder. He was easily twice her age but the man deserved hope and a bit of loving especially since he was nice enough to help her out. Turn left away from the taverns and head towards the Nettle District. Continue past it until you can smell manure. She chuckled at the instructions. They were right to the point. As she passed through the Nettle District Sayana had to force herself from getting distracted by the little stalls and shops. She was always so fascinated by the huge variety of wares that were sold, but that would have to wait for another day. At last the telltale scent of horse manure reached her nostrils and the Eypharian couldn’t help but chuckle once more. The Nettle District thinned out to probably the most open space in all of Syliras, apart from a large building that was most definitely the stable (judging by the smell). However, as she neared the building, a woman with brilliant orange hair caught her eye. Instead of going directly to the stable doors, the Eypharian changed her path to the woman and the pony that was with. “Do you know if they rent out horses to use?” Sayana asked with a nod in the direction of the stables. “I like the one you have,” she added with a smile at the pony. “He matches your hair.” There were a couple of early risers with medium sized horses practicing laps, and there was even a giant warhorse being ridden by a knight. In comparison to the other horses the pony looked far more manageable and less likely to go about doing its own thing.

[Katelyn Marks]

Katelyn had risen early as usual, and out of lifelong habit she had found herself heading to the stables to tend to her horses. It didn't matter that everything was provided for Garrison and Sebastian every day--at least it could be. The squire had asked that she still be able to go about providing full care, and understanding her desire to take care of them herself, the Windmounts had complied. It was a simple agreement, and so far everything had worked out well for everyone. She was provided free stabling as a member of the Order, and the stable hands barely had to lift a finger for her two equines compared to most of the other occupants of the barns.

As soon as she arrived at the stables that morning, she went straight to work. Both horses were released into a paddock to stretch their legs while she cleaned their stalls. Katelyn retrieved a wheelbarrow and a pitchfork before diving right in. She scooped manure and dirty stray up off the ground and into the large bucket. Sebastian's stall was always noticeably cleaner than Garrison's, but the significant difference in their sizes meant an equally significant difference in their messes. She smiled as she scraped and scooped despite the smell and sweat soon beading her brow.

When she finished first with the pony's and rolled the mess away to where all soiled straw and droppings were taken, nothing but pleasant thoughts were on her mind. It was always relaxing being able to work in the quiet and know she was doing something productive. Being around her horses only helped to increase those feelings of calm assurance. Anything involving their care was like a drug given to the mad for relaxation. Brushing, riding, mucking, and just talking to them.

If Kate were to be honest, she'd admit the smell of manure was actually pleasant. Where others might have wrinkled their noses, she merely kept smiling, and once the first load was dumped the squire returned for more. After the second stall was clean she put the equipment away and fetched new straw, which she scattered across each stall floor so the gelding and stallion once again had fresh, comfortable bedding.

Katelyn wandered back down to the paddock once the stalls were ready with breakfast and clean water, but as she went inside and closed the gate behind her, only Sebastian came to greet her. She grabbed his halter when he approached and tied a lead to it, then peered across the enclosure to where Garrison stood staring at her, ears forward but stance unmoving. When she tried to approach, the massive stallion bolted back to the gate with his tail flagged and an energetic spring in his step.

Calmly, Katelyn tried again. Sebastian followed obediently at her side, patiently watching the two of them. As soon as they came close enough for her to reach out and almost touch his halter, he fled again, galloping away and bucking excitedly as he went. Unperturbed, the squire stared after her warhorse for a long few chimes, and when he stopped to turn back to her, stood almost arrogantly as if to challenge her.

"Alright," she said simply, and Sebastian looked at her out of the corner of one large eye.

With not even a glance back at the wily stud, she went back to the gate and led Sebastian out. Once the latch clicked behind her and the two of them began to wind their way back to the stalls, Garrison trotted up to the fence and whinnied a low rumble deep in his chest. Sebastian tried to stop and turn at the sound of his friend's call, but she kept watching and forced him to follow. Not too far from the barn though they were stopped by a small, exotic looking young woman with dark skin and hair. Katelyn stopped at the lost tone of her voice and smiled.

"Thank you. I was always fascinated by our matching colors when I was a girl."

Her grin stretched a little wider, and the telltale hint of crows feet wrinkled the corners of her eyes.

"And I believe they do rent some out for people to use, but you'll need to find one of the stable hands and ask them about the whole process. I just keep mine boarded here. Do you need some help?"

[Sayana]

Katelyn’s contagious smile soon brought a grin to Sayana’s face and the Eypharian approached the pony curiously. She had initially thought that the woman might have been a stable hand, or at least someone associated with the stables, but it turned out that she was merely a user of the facility. Sayana reached out a tentative hand to give the pony a gentle pat and a stroke before turning back to Katelyn. “You see, I’m looking to rent a horse and gear for the day. I was planning to take a short trip beyond the walls and figured I’d cover more ground on a horse. Just a short trip. Some exploring here and there.” Sayana explained with a confident air. Her plan was simple and she wouldn’t have to be out all that long. And surely nothing of danger would happen on the road so close to Syliras. She was then met with a little uncertainty on the last point and fought against the creeping sense of concern. However, in that moment she realized something more pertinent. “Actually… do you know if the stable hands will saddle the horse for you if you rent one?” Sayana asked after a bit of a pause. She had been about to plow on ahead to find one of the stable hands when she had realized she might need some help with that matter. “It’s been a while since I’ve ridden. A long while actually. A year ago. It didn’t exactly go so well.” A year ago she had left Ahnatep on a horse, but things had been ‘interrupted’. In attempt to avoid further embarrassment she turned her attention back on the pony. It was a lovely color and seemed rather docile. “How hard would it be to saddle a horse like that?” Sayana asked curiously as she gestured to the pony. She wasn’t too keen on barging into the stables only to make a fool of herself trying to put the saddle on right. “And… do you need any help?” Sayana assumed the woman was taking the pony out for a ride and would therefore need to be properly saddled. The proud Eypharian was loath to directly ask for help but she now she realized just how rusty and non-existent her own skills were. At least she might remember something if she helped the woman saddle the horse. And maybe learn something by watching her ride about the track.

[Katelyn Marks]

When the stranger's fingers touched the pony's nose, the gelding gave a quick, loud snort and tossed his head. He was an amiable old fellow, and as soon as her attention was off him he butted her with his big red head as if jealous. Katelyn pulled him back with a smile, and stroked the pony's neck.

"Sorry about that," she apologized, a little embarrassed. "I'm sure they would saddle for you, but are you sure you want to go out there so unpracticed? If it's been that long since you've ridden and you had a bad experience in the past, you might want to have a trial ride in the arena. It's not really my place to suggest that, but if you're thrown or your horse spooks...," Katelyn tried to explain, but trailed off and scratched her head

It really wasn't her place. If a grown woman wanted to get on a horse and ride Gods knew where, it was her own decision. She'd be a hypocrite suggesting against it. Katelyn of all people was notorious for saddling up and following no particular direction. It hadn't always worked out for the best either. She was glad the woman changed the subject.

"He's always an easy boy to saddle. Since he's so short you don't have to throw the saddle around all that much, and he stands well. As for... help?" Katelyn smiled and glanced behind her at the paddock where Garrison was watching. She looked back at the exotic little woman a moment, but quickly made a show of looking at nothing in particular, as if thinking seriously on the matter. "Yeah, actually, I was going to give Sebastian some exercise and stretch his legs. He's been cooped up for a few days, and I've been feeling guilty. Would you like to come lend a hand?"

As if angry about being ignored, her massive Tiaden gave a hearty whinny down in the pen. Kate turned and looked at him again, shaking her head.

"You know," she continued, suddenly having an idea. "If you want, you could ride Sebastian here. I have two horses. You see that big black beast over there? With the mean glare? That's Garrison. He's kind of jealous right now, I think. He'd feel better if he was included. We can use a corner of the arena. What do you think?" The Squire turned back to the young woman and smiled invitingly. "I could give you some pointers." She could tell the dark skinned beauty was embarrassed, and didn't really want to seem helpless. She had brothers. She could understand that sort of thinking, so Katelyn was happy to take the leap.

[Sayana]

When the pony gave a loud snort, Sayana pulled back her hand with a bit of caution. But shortly after he gave her a butt with his head and the Eypharian playfully pushed him back with two of her hands. Sayana glanced at the woman with a smile when she quickly pulled him back with an apology. She paused to think about Katelyn’s advice. It had been a long time. But she was also really anxious to explore outside the city and start conquering her fears of the wilds beyond. However, at least she could help saddle the horse and learn how it’s done. As the ginger woman explained that the pony wouldn’t be too tricky to saddle, Sayana seemed a little relieved. It did look like it would be easier since the horse was smaller. When Katelyn glanced behind her, Sayana followed the woman’s gaze to a much much larger horse. The Eypharian’s eyes widened for a moment but then Katelyn was back to talking about the pony in front of her, Sebastian. “Yes, I’d love to help saddle him and give him a ride,” Sayana replied with an exaggerated nod of her head and a pat on Sebastian’s neck. The pony looked like a far better option than that giant horse in the back. Who would even ride such a beast? But Sayana’s thoughts were interrupted with Katelyn’s explanation that she in fact had two horses and one of them being that very monster horse in the back. “That sounds like a great idea…” Sayana responded a little hesitantly. She still wasn’t so sure of that massive horse, even just riding beside it. “As long as you’re the one riding him, Garrison,” Sayana added this time more confidently as she pointed towards the war horse. “So Garrison, Sebastian…” Sayana gave a fond pat on the pony’s neck and he seemed to like the attention. “Oh, and my name is Sayana,” she added and held out her mid right hand to Katelyn. After the exchange of names, Sayana was eager to begin. She somewhat assumingly took the lead from Katelyn and wrapped it twice around her hand as a precaution should the pony suddenly try to go somewhere. She gave it another fond pat and started walking toward the barn. “Are the saddles in here?” Sayana asked as she gestured to the barn with one of her high hands. “Or where do you keep yours? Just show me what to do and I’ll give Sebastian here a great run.” The pony gave another nicker and bopped her in the head with his nose. Her excitement was only momentarily halted as she fixed up her hair but she’d be ready to start riding even with Katelyn on the tremendous war horse.

[Katelyn Marks]

She hadn't even realized that they'd skipped over names until Sayana introduced herself. Kate blushed in surprise and took the young woman's hand, giving it a firm shake. They'd launched to easily into their conversation that it had merely slipped her mind. The redhead smiled a little and offered her own name in return. She exotic woman was just so likable that talking to her was as easy as with a close friend. It didn't really bother her--really it was pretty refreshing to meet a stranger such as her.

When she handed the reigns off to Sayana, she turned to go retrieve Garrison while the young woman led her pony back towards one of the barns. As she called back to Kate the squire turned, walking backwards to the paddock so she could address her.

"There's a tack room just on the right as you walk inside. Wait there a moment and I'll be right up. Both my saddles are hanging up in there, I'll show you which ones they are," she called, then stopped once she reached the gate. Garrison was standing there waiting, looking abandoned and indignant. "Should have came when I wanted you to, huh?" was all she said to him as she opened the gate and grabbed his halter to lead him out. He came willingly now, eager to rejoin his little sorrel companion waiting by the tack room door.

The tall Tiaden half-carried, half-drug her back to the barn in his excitement, and by the time they were back with Sayana and Sebastian she was puffing with the effort of holding him back.

"Try not to get too close to him at first," she said as she let go to stallion and let him wait--patient now that he was with his equine friend--while she opened the door to the tack room and went inside. "He's not the nicest fellow to strangers... or anyone really." Katelyn didn't want to scare her, but she didn't want to be dishonest and get her hurt either. He was simply cantankerous, that was all. Inside she first retrieved the saddle Sayana would be using--her original riding saddle. It had been well-taken care of over the years, and despite its age the leather was supple and shone with the oils that she used to clean it with.

She handed it and Sebastian's bridle and blanket to the young woman, then went back in to grab her other saddle and Garrison's bridle, as well as the second blanket.

"Both saddles go on pretty much the same way. The girth is already hooked onto one side of the saddle, and just needs cinched up on the left. I like to keep them stored that way--just makes it easier I think. Watch what I do, and then I'll watch you and help you if you need it," Katelyn explained as she sat her saddle down and throw Garrison's blanket over his back. She adjusted it where it needed to go, about halfway up his withers and made sure both sides were even and everything was straight. Each of the horses had already been brushed today, so they didn't need it in preparation for their tack.

"Normally before you put everything on them you need to groom them so things lay properly. It makes them more comfortable," she elaborated, realizing it might be important to share with her. "But I did that earlier so we're fine." Next, Kate threw both stirrups stirrups across the seat of her cavalry saddle and lifted it high over her head to place it atop the stallion's tall back from the left. "Doesn't really matter what side you do this on. Most people do everything from the left. Mount, dismount, tack, but I do everything from both sides, just in case."

The squire stooped down and grabbed the Tiaden's girth hanging down his opposite side and pulled it over. She slid the appropriate straps through, cinched it up tight, buckled it, and let the stirrups drop back across his sides. Katelyn held his halter, bridle slung over her shoulder for now, and motioned to Sebastian.

"You go ahead and give it a try, then we can put their bridles on," she said. "He'll stand for you, but if you want I can hold him," she offered with an encouraging smile.

OOCNot very exciting, sorry!

[Sayana]

As Sayana made her way over to the barn there were a couple times that Sebastian looked anxiously over to Katelyn. It was clear that the pony knew and liked his rider well and Sayana had to offer him a bit of encouragement by pulling the reins and giving him some friendly pats. “This way Sebastian.” The Eypharian glanced at Katelyn as she went over to the huge horse. Almost unconsciously Sayana moved to the other side of Sebastian so that she put the pony between herself and the giant warhorse. Sayana found her way to the tack room and looked around at the multitude of saddles and other equipment hung up. She shouldn’t have really been surprised since Syliras had so many knights and squires that would need horses and corresponding gear, but it was still a lot more than she expected. A few moments later Katelyn came in being practically dragged by the eager yet massive horse. The Eypharian didn’t need to be told twice to keep her distance from Garrison and still kept herself situated with the pony in between them. When Katelyn offered the saddle, bridle and blanket Sayana hesitated for a moment at all the equipment and then decided it was warm enough in the barn to free up her arms. She quickly removed her coat and tucked it under a low hand and grasped the pony's reins in one of her highs. The Eypharian then took the offered equipment in her low and mid hands while keeping hold of the lead. She watched as Katelyn set down the saddle and first put the blanket on. The stirrups were moved out of the way while the rider placed the saddle on top, tightened up the straps, and then she let the stirrups fall down again. It looked pretty straight forward. Sayana also made a mental note that it was important to brush a horse down first. Sayana moved to the left side of Sebastian bringing her a little closer to Garrison but still keeping enough distance. He didn’t seem that nippy, or at least not yet. After setting down the saddle, she lifted up the blanket to set over the pony. Sebastian pawed at the ground and Sayana paused wondering if something was up or if she was doing it wrong. Perhaps the horse was just anxious to get started. Sayana tried to make sure the blanket was centered before hoisting up the saddle. She had forgotten to lift up the stirrups out of the way but corrected it using her low hands to hold them up while she set the saddle down. “I think that’s good,” she murmured to herself as she gave the saddle a little shake to see that it was lying comfortably on the pony. Sayana then bent down to grab the girth to start cinching it up. She glanced over at the way it had been tied and buckled on Garrison and tried to mimic it. Sebastian gave a nicker as she cinched it up quite tightly and Sayana frowned and tried to loosen it just a bit. “So up and over and through, and again and then through the buckle. How’s that?” Sayana asked as she finally finished up. It wasn’t quite as tidy as how Katelyn had done it and there was an extra length of strap hanging down but it felt like the saddle was secure but not too tight on the horse. “So do you go out riding a lot? And where do you go?” Sayana asked curiously. “I’ve hardly left the city walls since arriving here last summer. But now that it’s spring I wanted to get out and see what it’s like in these northern woods. Do you just stick to the road so you don’t get lost?” She knew of the road, or at least the southern one. It had been her saviour those many days ago. OOCI don't mind detailed and informative posts =)

[Katelyn Marks]

As she had been tacking up Garrison, Katelyn didn't pay very close attention to the going-ons behind her. When she turned to walked Sayana copy what she'd just been shown, confusion quickly muddled her features when more than one set of hands started moving and lifting things into place. The squire blinked a few times, then rubbed one of her eyes in frustration. Surely there was some dust making her vision blurry. But no--they were still there. She moved around Sebastian's rump to watch the fascinating proceedings, barely paying attention to how well the young woman was actually tacking her pony up.

Despite the daze it put her in, she did find herself amused. It must be very easy to get things done with so many extra arms, she thought in wonder. Kate watched the woman's arms and fingers move in dexterous unity, mouth hanging open in awe as Sebastian's buckles were cinched and the saddle's extra leather was tied off. When Sayana chimed in with a question, it took the squire a moment to reply.

"Yes, that looks about right," the redhead mumbled, eyes a little glazed over. Then after another long pause, she suddenly snapped out of it. Running a hand through her hair, she smiled awkwardly, trying to suppress the urge to ask all of her questions now boiling beneath the surface. "I do, yes. I keep to the road a lot now, but I used to ride up into the woods whenever I wanted a change of scenery. I followed water most of the time so I could find my way back, and well-used game trails. But it's easy to get lost if you're not used to wooded areas," she shared, then frowned. "It's very dangerous though. I haven't been out by myself for a while now," Katelyn added solemnly. After another long silence, she smiled slightly.

"So, I have to ask... and I'm sorry if this is rude of me, but... where exactly are you from? I've just, you know, never seen...," the squire tried to babble, but simply ended up trailing off awkwardly as she motioned to Sayana's appendages. She was horribly embarrassed by how sheltered she'd grown up. The majority of her experiences in life were with fellow humans. Of course the world was filled with all manner of other kinds of people, but the squire was still discovering quite a few of them. Her face was bright red by now, and she ducked her head to instead examine the young woman's handiwork with Sebastian's saddle.

Everything seemed straight and secure. When Kate tested the saddle's tightness, it gave very little. The girth wasn't too tight, and though the knot of extra leather was a little messy, she hadn't tied it wrong. After a few quick tugs everything fell into its correct place, and she made sure to check the security of the stirrups. When she finally turned around again, the squire was scratching the back of her head awkwardly.

"Everything looks fine here," she said. "Good job."

[Sayana]

When Katelyn came round to watch the Eypharian’s proceedings, Sayana looked up and caught the expression of surprise and awe from the ginger rider. A soft look of amusement filtered over her face as she finished off with the buckle. It seemed as though Katelyn was unfamiliar with her race or at least had never met one up close. Sayana continued on with innocent but legitimate questions about traveling outside the city. She watched as Katelyn’s curiosity was tempered by politeness, but the rider still provided useful information about how not to get lost. Following the road, rivers and trails made sense, so long as they didn’t fork without one realizing it. “So, I have to ask... and I'm sorry if this is rude of me, but... where exactly are you from? I've just, you know, never seen...” “Ahh, so you haven’t seen the glorious people of Ahnatep,” Sayana replied in a somewhat regal tone as she extended her upper four arms in a flourish. “Don’t worry, I get that a lot. There aren’t many of us here in Syliras.” And some of us choose to hide who and what we are. A dark expression flickered over her face for hardly a tick as she recalled a certain Eypharian who had done everything in his power to keep his race hidden from those around him. “But yes, I am an Eypharian,” Sayana continued on as Katelyn checked the straps. “I come from the south, from the hot sands of the Eyktol desert. It can be hot but Syna shines brilliantly for us all. I grew up there, amidst the bright array of markets, cultured dancers and artisans, stern jackal guards, slaves adorned in brightly coloured clothing to attend to your every desire…” She couldn’t help but talk a little of her fond memories of the place. Of course, her family never quite had the luxury of a slave and there were the shady parts of the city that Sayana frequently visited, but she tended to promote the positive qualities of her homeland. “Oh the stories I could tell you…” Sayana said seeing if she could tempt Katelyn’s curiosity a little further. “But we’re going to go riding, yes? What’s the best way to get up?” She had forgotten about the bridal and was already sizing up both the pony and the stirrup attached and was trying to see how big of a reach it would be to put her foot into it. She still stood on the left side of the horse and had her coat and the bridal tucked under a low arm. With a pensive yet determined expression she lifted her right leg high and managed to stick her foot into the stirrup. The red skirt she wore made it a little awkward, but at least the long slit down one side allowed for a greater range of motion. The Eypharian put a mid hand on the horn of the saddle to steady herself and then straightened her right leg. It was a bit of a struggle to get off the ground, however, with dismay she realized she had put the wrong foot in the stirrup. Her left leg had nowhere to go and even if she attempted to swing it over the horse she would facing backwards. “Oops, that was the wrong foot, wasn’t it?” The Eypharian conceded as she slowly lowered herself back to the ground. After a few hops, she managed to get her foot out of the stirrup.

[Katelyn Marks]

Kate found herself enraptured by Sayana's short, colorful explanation. She leaned against her pony's hip, absently stroking his coup, smiling as images of rolling sands and sumptuously dressed Eypharian's lounging in the sun filled her head. The squire didn't necessarily agree with the exotic woman romanticizing slaves like they were a luxurious part of life, but understood that other cultures held their own beliefs. She wondered idly how Sayana felt about the strict lack of slaves in Syliras. They were illegal in this part of the region, but just across the border in Kenash were a hot commodity. To the north in Ravok, and the south in Sunberth, it was a booming trade. Runaways flocked to the capital city here, seeking shelter behind its guarded walls.

It was a simple thing to dismiss though, with Sayana's little story enticing her attention. She pictured them now with all of their arms decorated in gold, shoulders heavy with thin silk.

"That's amazing! I've always wondered what all lies south of Sylira."

A smile spread across her face, and Kate hoped she would continue--thought she would really--but the Eypharian was done as quickly as she'd began, and once more they were on the topic of the task at hand. Her shoulders slumped visibly, but she smiled nonetheless. There was time for stories later, and Kate was eager to hear more. The squire was about to explain the next step, but Sayana seemed eager to be up.

Katelyn watched in amused silence as she hoisted herself up with the wrong leg, and was forced to stop as she realized her mistake. With both arms crossed over her breast, a bubble of laughter erupted from deep in her throat.

"You have the right idea, but yes, wrong foot. And were you expecting to ride him without any reins?" She held the bridle in her hands aloft, shaking it gently before the Eypharian. "Let me show you," she said, took the other bridle from her, looped one arm around Sebastian's neck, and gently guided the headstall up over his face, placing the bit against his lips. When his mouth parted she pushed it inside to rest behind his teeth and over his tongue. His lips smacked loudly, tongue pushing against it and rattling it around to get it adjusted. Lastly she pulled his ears through the headstall so the brow hand spanned his forehead, then buckled the straps into place.

"Now you can get on," Kate jested as she threw the reins over his neck. "Hold those when you mouth up--with your left foot on the left side, mind you." The squire grinned at her, and motioned for her to give a try. While Sayana climbed into the saddle, Katelyn moved around to where Garrison waited--surprisingly patient--and equipped his much larger bridle onto his face.

She made sure that Sayana was up safely and comfortably, and once she was seated moved back over to make some adjustments to the stirrup length. "You want to make sure that your knee is bent just a little while you ride. You won't have a good seat if your stirrups are too short or too long, and it could hurt your knees after a while," she explained. "The bottom of the stirrup should be about ankle-bone length." Katelyn held the Eypharian's foot against the edge of the tread to show her, then slipped her boot back in. "Don't keep your feet in too deep else you could get stuck if you fall. Keep your heels down, and keep your balls of the feet on the stirrup."

She understood that Sayana had ridden before, but it wouldn't hurt to give her the whole rundown. Kate would treat her today like a clean slate for safety purposes. The squire smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry if you've heard this part before. I don't want to bore you, but I don't want you to fall and injure yourself on my watch." She seemed pretty secure in the saddle now, so Kate went back to her Tiaden. Grabbing the reins, she stepped in the stirrup and swung up into her seat. Garrison tossed his head and stomped a hoof, and she adjusted the slack that she gave him.

"Make sure your reins are even, and spin Sebastian and follow me," she instructed, and gave her stallion a gentle nudge. "You don't have to kick him very hard, but if he doesn't listen don't be afraid to. You don't hurt him. He's a tough little guy." Garrison stomped his way out of the barn, head bobbing with each heavy step. She guided him down to one of the arenas, leading Sayana slowly, and waved at a page who ran to get the gate for them. There were a few people watching squires and knights train on their horses, but it thankfully wasn't crowded. Once inside, she led the Eypharian over to the left half of the arena and halted her warhorse.

"So," Kate pondered aloud. "what can do you do with confidence?" After a quick pause, she smiled. "Oh, by the way, our little talk about Eyktol is just on pause."

OOCAnother informative one!