A/N: Hey all. I wrote this while I was not in the happiest of moods. I hope you like it. R and R
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the great and wonderful Tamora Pierce.
Dedication: This one goes to my dog, Beau, who knows when I'm sad and comforts me.
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Peachblossom whickered at Kel as she slowly brushed his flanks. Kel looked up, and her eyes filled with tears as she remembered that she would never feel as though she rode an avalach, would never feel like an army of one with her horse, would never be fighting in battle, knowing that Peachblossom had her back.
It was during a small skirmish up at the border that a dieing scanran soldier, as a last defiance, had reached with his sword and slashed the tendons in Peachblossoms leg. Daine had been able to heal the wound, but it would never be quite as strong as it was previously, and would be a danger in battle. A knight couldn't afford the danger of his horse falling out from under him.
"Oh, Peachblossom," Kel whispered, burring her face in his mane. "What will I do without you?"
"I think I could help." Startled by a voice from behind her, Kel whirled and saw the face of her old training master, Lord Wyldon.
"Sir?" she asked, confused.
"It is a fact that I breed some of the finest horses in the realm at my stables. If you wish, you could come and take a look at them. You need a new warhorse.
"Yes, sir," Kel whispered, looking down at the floor.
"If it helps any, Peachblossom was a fine mount, ornery as he was," He said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you, sir. I might come by your stables soon."
"That will be fine," Wyldon gave Kel's shoulder a squeeze, nodded, and walked out the stable doors.
A month later, Kel rode down a dusty road. It was a warm day, and the horses had been put out to pasture. As Kel walked Hoshi down the lane, the horses along the fence began to race each other. She admired them as they flowed across the field, and then continued on her way up to the stables of Cavall.