One thousand tales from the stables of Ombra
A/N: Dearest readers, here is a story I came up with recently. I really hope you enjoy it. Now, please just let me make this clear (as many people seemed to have missed the memo) my stories are rated M for a reason… please, all of you who are sex squeamish, either don't read it or don't complain about it! I have warned you. Btw, this story is for Caity, who has proved to be an awesome friend! :D
One night, Appy witnesses the murder of a General from the Mountain Kingdom's army. Two people knew she was there, and they both need her… it's a game of cat and mouse as Appy is kidnapped back and forth by men who want her for reasons other then the obvious…
Chapter one: A girl called Appy
Friday nights were all pretty much the same. The fire roared and crackled as it warmed the Inn, men and soldiers slowly began to gather at the bar stools and the tables. My job kept me outside of the inn, and in the cozy stable. I took horses from their weary masters and made them comfortable in warm stalls. I fed, watered and groomed them. I was a stable girl. Appy is my name. Tony, my boss, made me cut my hair short like a boy's. He told me, too often: "Appy, you are a pretty girl and I don't want any clients taking advantage of you!" He even made me bind my chest. So I remained looking like a hazel eyed teenaged boy. I often wore a beret over my dark blond hair, to cast a shadow over my girlish face. One particular night in August, that was all about to change…
I heard the thunder of hooves long before they came. I was sitting on a stall door, caressing the nose of my horse, Rum. The gelding's massive head rested on my lap. My best friend, Mariette, sat on a hay block outside a tall. She hummed softly, playing with a piece of straw.
"You're lucky Tony doesn't make you look like a boy." I grumbled, running my finger's thought Rum's thick forelock.
"Appy, if I looked like a boy there wouldn't be any business." Mariette giggled. She was an 'entertainer girl'. She hated her job, and it kept her up all night. She often told me "Appy one day I'm going to be rich and I won't need to sleep with every man who shoves silver under my nose! I will have a good job, and sing for a living."
"I hear someone coming" I kissed Rum's nose before sliding off the stall door. "You had better get back to the Inn." Mariette groaned. "It sounds like a lot of horses… they're probably soldiers… soldiers are fit." I knew that Mariette admired men with nice bodies.
"Fu-un." My friend made a gagging noise before opening the big barn door. Her figure disappeared into the darkness. With a sigh I made my way outside too. The men were just halting their horses. It took several moments for my eyes to adjust to the semi dark, and once they did I was able to pinpoint the leader of the men. I recognized him as the notorious Firefox. I'd never seen- or met him before, but I recognized his flaming red hair and handsome face from the stories I'd heard. He looked like he was in either his late, late teens or early twenties.
"Excuse me, young lady?" He said in a swift accent. "Could you please take our horses?" I looked around to see who he could possible be talking to, but when there was no one else to be seen, I gasped! How did he know I was a young lady?
"Y-yes sir." My mouth hung open in awe. I took the reins out of Firefox's gloved hand and clicked my tongue. The horse dropped its head and followed me towards the barn.
"Her name is Hickabuck." Called Firefox. I didn't dare look over my shoulder, but a grin tugged at my lips.
I groomed all the soldier's horses before I turned to Hickabuck. She was a stunning animal, standing at about 16 hands. Her coat was glossy brown, her mane and tail silky black. Her mane was cut very short- into a Mohawk. She has a long face and sweet, black rimmed eyes.
"Good evening m'am" I bowed playfully before the horse, allowing her to snuffle my hair. She nickered into my ear, asking for better attention. I brought my grooming set into her stall, and set to work relieving her of the heavy leather tack. She sighed as I swept my finest brushes over her glossy coat. After I filled her buckets with cool water and oats, I perched myself on the stall door, so I could watch him eat his food. Four doors down, Rum whinnied impatiently. "I can visit you later" was my retort.
I fell asleep on the door, Hickabuck's rhythmic munching had lulled me to sleep, but the creek of the barn door roused me.
"Hello?" I called. The only light in the barn was coming from a lantern hanging from the rafters.
"Hi." I recognized the voice… "I came to see my horse before I went to sleep." I tried to hide my smile. Firefox approached, bottle of alcohol in hand. I slid off the door, and reassured the man that his horse was settling in nicely. He wore a handsome smile as he spoke to his horse.
"What breed?" I asked timidly, not taking my eyes off Firefox's lean frame.
"She's a six year old thoroughbred. My favorite girl." He kissed her nose, and she whinnied. I thought, with half a smile, if Firefox kissed me I'd probably cry out too.