Chapter 1 – A new mount

Peachblossom and Kel had been a team for a very long time, since her page years to be exact. He may be a ferocious animal to his foes, but he and Kel had a profound friendship. One that could only be shared between a horse and his rider. However, after a bad gouge to his leg during a fight in the Royal Forest, Peachblossom was being forced into an early retirement, thus putting Kel in the terrifying position of purchasing a new war horse.

"I don't think I can do this, we have been a team for so long. I would trust that horse with my life." Kell told her old knight master Raoul.

Kel had, of course confronted Raoul for advise on this matter. He and his beautiful black stallion Drum worked together as well as Peachblossom and Kel did.

"It is true that this will be a tough experience, and getting used to a new mount will take some time. But think of Peachblossom, he deserves his retirement to greener pastures. He has served you well Kel, he owes you nothing." Raoul told the young Knight affectionately. He may have had his confrontations with the old mule, but he knew how important the stead was to Kel.

Kel and Raoul neared the markets in Pearlsmouth. Kel had originally wanted to purchase a new stead from Corus, but after seeing nothing that really suited her, she and Raoul had set out for Pearlsmouth for a holiday and a chance to explore a more 'exotic' animal. Their stay so far had gone uninterrupted, their days consisting of seeing the new stock in the horse market and exploring the famous city. The only news from home was the Third Company was going to be in the region and planned on staying in Pearlsmouth before heading out on patrol. They would arrive in three days and Kel really hoped to have her new mount purchased by then. She found nothing more frustrating as listening to eight different men (or more) tell you what to look for in a new horse. She would find him/her and only listen to what Raoul said.

As they neared the horse markets, Kel admired the nimble Arabians that were favoured by the Bhazir. Their beautiful dished faces, petite frame and long flowing manes were not suitable for her purpose, but she admired them nonetheless. One day, perhaps when Hoshi retired she would purchase one of beauties for herself. Their swift pace would be suitable for her long journeys.

The next set of pens housed the larger, more blocky heavy horses. While strong, they were too big and clumsy for warhorses, better suited to pulling wagons or plows.

Kel and Raoul walked in silence throughout the pens, as no animals really caught their eye. Finally they rounded a corner and both Knights stopped in their tracks. In a pen by himself stood a magnificent dapple grey stallion. He was a tall animal and was heavy enough to carry Kel's weight but not to big that it would be hard to manoeuvre on a battle field. But what struck Kel the most was the dished face and long floating mane the magnificent stallion possessed.

"Raoul..." Kel stammered

"I know Kel, he is a gorgeous beast. Take him for a spin and if he feels right then buy him today. A magnificent animal such as that wont be on the market long. Hell I would even buy him for myself!"

As Kel and Raoul neared the pen a shabby man appeared out of nowhere and approached the two Knights. He was short in stature and very round. His hair was a mousy brown and parted right down the center. He wore a strange combination of clothing, including breeches and a long flowing robe similar to what the mages wore in the Academy. Despite his appearance the man aired a confidence about him. Not an arrogant one like Neal could sometimes exude but one that was generated by years of experience.

"Good evening Sirs! (Kel inwardly sighed at being mistaken for a boy, again). My name is Ronaldo and I breed and raise the finest horses in Tortall...maybe perhaps even the world! Are you interested in this fine stallion?"

"Yes I am. I would very much like to take him for a ride, but first can you tell me a little about him?" Kel Inquired not bothering to correct the man about his gender confusion.

"Why yes of course! His name is Ironside, he was born out of my finest Arabian mare. She was a gorgeous sight to see. I had been visiting a Sheik of the Bhazir many years ago, we were great friends. When I arrived at the tribes located, the Sheik was gravely ill. He told me to take the petite white mare in the pen behind his tent and ride as swiftly as possible. I followed my old friends commands, half expecting the mare to collapse dead half way through the journey. She obviously made it through the journey and as a token of his gratitude the Sheik presented me with the mare. Now I used her for many years as my riding horse, never dreaming of breeding her as no stallion could ever measure up to her. To my horror, one day I discovered that a wild stallion had jumped into the pen with her and...well lets just say 11 months later a bouncing baby boy was produced. Now this particular wild stallion was nothing I had ever seen before. He was jet black with a mane that fell to his knees. He had been the terror of my estates ever since my father began breeding horses. The rumor is that he is the last of a noble line of wild horse, born from the two horse gods themselves. I don't know if I believe it myself."

Kel entered the pen while Ronaldo rattled on about how his son had broke the horse to ride and what a level headed animal he was. Kel ran her hands over the stallions legs, observed his hooves and looked deep into the large liquid brown eyes. She could find absolutely no faults.

"Ronaldo, I would very much like to test your stallions paces on the obstacle course, if you would be okay with that. I am a Knight of the Realm and I need a horse that can withstand anything."

"Of course, I will fetch you a saddle and bridle for Ironside. Prepare yourself for the best ride of your life!" Ronaldo then scurried away and returned carrying a light saddle and bridle.

"He has been given some war training but not much Sir, I leave that aspect of the training to the Knights as each prefers something different. However, obstacles are by no means a difficulty for him."

Kel saddled that magnificent stallion and the three humans lead him to the center of the markets where a large ring was set up for tournaments. It now housed a large series of obstacles for riders to test their mounts agility and scope.

Before the mounted the stallion butted her in the back with his head and gave her hair a long sniff. He seemed analyzing her as she has done to him. As she swung herself into position, Kel felt the muscles of the stallion tense with excitement and anticipation.

The stallions grace was undeniable. His stride ate up the ground as she warmed him up. His paces were all extraordinarily smooth and he flowed from one to another. He responded exactly to Kels cues like he had been her mount forever. Kel then turned him towards the first obstacle, not noticing a certain blue eyed Sergeant had joined her Knight master at the railing.

When Dom arrived in the horse markets his jaw had dropped at the sight of the magnificent stallion Kel was testing. He was a beautiful creature and the two were in complete harmony. He also couldn't help but notice how beautiful Kel looked astride the horse. At first he thought it was just the image of horse and rider working as one...but the he began to notice he hair, which was not very long, well past her shoulders streamed behind her in a glimmer of golden brown. Her riding clothes fit perfectly and she had chosen to wear a higher styled riding boot that was popular amongst the inhabitants of Pearlsmouth. He watched as they neared the first fence and soared over it with effortless grace, wondering all the while what it would feel like to run his hand through her hair and look deep into her green-hazel eyes.

Kel and Ironside completed the obstacle course impeccably. This was the horse for her. As she rode up to the fence she noticed another man had joined the party...namely Dom, the blue eyed man she had a crush on for so long. Her heart did a couple of flip flops at the sight of him.

Meanwhile Dom watched as Kel lightly cantered the stallion up to the fence. Her face was flushed with excitement and her eyes sparked greener with happiness.

"Ronaldo, I would love to purchase this wonderful stallion from you and make him my new warhorse!" Kel grasped the mans hand as she jumped from the saddle.

After all the payment details had been figured out Kel and Dom wandered back to the Inn. Raoul had made some weak excuse about looking for a shiny present for Brui.

"I thought you were arriving in three days?"

"Well you see, we decided that we wanted to spend a little more time with our Knight Commander and the ravishing Lady Knight. Good purchase by the way, I probably would have bought him myself had I the chance."

"Ravishing is not the word I would use to describe myself Dom. And Yes, I do believe Ironside and myself will get along famously."

Dom watched as Kel put the stallion in his stall and began grooming him. He had known Kel for a long time and had always noticed her beauty. But today something stirred inside of him when he looked at her. Something that made him wish for her to look at him with love in her green-hazel eyes. He sighed inwardly. This was the famous Protector of the Small, she could have any man in the realm she desired...why would she pick someone such as himself. With this last thought Dom shoved his feelings aside and declared he was unfit to be seen at dinner and must wash up.

Kel peered around Ironside as she watched Dom saunter away. He was truly a magnificent person. So handsome, yet so nice. It was a rare quality these days. Kel had had a little crush on Dom since her years as Raoul's squire. No one knew how she felt and she planned on keeping it that way as she was sure her feelings would not be reciprocated. Kel sighed, at least she had found a new mount and wasn't running the risk of over using Hoshi.

After doing a very through grooming of the stallion, crooning to him the entire time, she then headed to her rooms to wash up herself and become at least somewhat acceptable for dinner. When she arrived in her rooms, a steaming hot bath was prepared with fresh lavender and rose hips floating in the water. It seemed everything in Pearlsmouth was luxury. Kel stripped of hr riding gear and slowly lowered herself into the bath. There she soaked with her eyes closed, relaxing. When Kel emerged from the water, she skin and hair were scented with both lavender and rose. For dinner, Kel chose a pair of rich navy blue breeches and a pale yellow tunic. Yellow was a color that was new to Kel, it gave her more of a feminine air (at the insistence of Lalasa) without being the color pink. The blouse itself was plain, but it was the color that made it look stunning, as well as the wearer. She chose a pair of soft black leather boots that she had picked up in the market. Kel looked in the mirror and sighed again. Her hair was longer, which she enjoyed greatly, but her face (she felt) was rather plain. Kel reached for the small bag of makeup that she carried with her, it was a gift from Yuki. The case was a rich emerald green with golden leaves embroidered on it. Kel opened the bag and applied a little cheek rouge. It was slight but it was all she was willing to try.

``The only mask I want to wear is my Yamani lump mask'' Kel told her reflection.

With that she exited her room only to run square into a curly red haired knight who was about the knock on her door.