Yes, I know it's been a long time, I've been busy in RL, but I should be on a roll again, at least until the holidays. Enjoy.
It was a short ride to the Lord Saki's estate, but it was still dark by the time they arrived. Mybrids of all types rushed around as they rode through the gates, all stopping to bow as the group passed by. April looked around, amazed at the massive greeting area, with its graveled walking paths, huge shade trees, and small ponds that looked to be filled with large, multi-colored fish. The buildings were all one story, with something like a porch wrapping around them. Walls were made up of squares of paper, much like the simpler homesteads near her home. Colored lanterns hung from the porch rafters and along the path, lighting the path with their pale, multi-hued glow.
Woman and female Mybrids both walked around in colorful dresses with delicate embroidery stitched on them, in designs of birds, flowers, fish and creatures she had never seen before. While the mybrids came in wide variety, the human women looked more or less the same: tall and pale, with ebony hair and dark eyes. They all openly stared at her, and April knew me must look as strange to them as they did to her. She had just enough time to change back into her normal clothing before she left, her tan breeches and dark blue blouse she had since she had been kidnapped, all a little worse for wear, but still in decent condition. Her bright red hair and pale blue eyes she knew from experience were something most people of this land had seen little of, unless they dealt with the few foreigners that were allowed there.
They rounded the corner of one building and April had to gasp at the massiveness of the stable. It was single story, like the rest of the buildings, but it wasn't raised off the ground. Right outside were several circular rings, and large fields could be seen in the distance. April could see a herd of mares and foals grazing in the dimming light, and she wondered about her babies back home. They would almost be yearlings by now. She hoped Casey was taking care of them.
Lord Saki dismounted from his horse, and lifted her to the ground as the three mybrids handed their horses to the stable hands that had come out of the building upon their arrival. An older human male came to take his horse and the Lord gestured to April.
"This might be our new trainer, if she passes the test tomorrow. She speaks Japanese better some these fools that you have hired. Find her a place to sleep for the night, and make sure none of the boys try to have any fun with her. If I hear that someone even tried to harm her, I will have both his and your heads, do you understand?" His dark eyes bore into the other man's, making it clear that it was not just a threat, but a promise.
"Yes, Oroku-sama." The older man said, bowing low. He turned to April. "Please, follow me." He turned back to the stables, motioning for April to follow him. "You'll have to stay in the feed room until we get a separate room set up for you. I wouldn't trust some of these men with the daughter of my worst enemy."
"It's no problem sir, I'll sleep where ever." She replied as she followed him through the stables, looking at the various horses who had finished up their evening meal. Soon the stopped at the room that held the grain and hay for the horses.
"Stay here, I'll bring you some blankets and maybe scrounge up something for you to eat." The man told her, then disappeared. Several minutes later he returned with a grilled fish on a stick, and a large horse blanket.
"This is all I could gather, I apologize." He handed her the fish and placed the blanket on a pile of hay beside April. He studied her as she ate the fish without complaint, and when she was finished and had given the bones to the barn cats, he struck up a conversation.
"What brings a gaijin like you to Nippon?" He asked. April sighed, running her fingers through her hair.
"It's a long story." She admitted, but at the man's encouragement, she told him of her farm back home, the people who ran her off of it. He seemed most interested in her time at sea, and the sailors she lived with for several months. She felt a pang of sadness as she went into her time with the traveling circus. She wondered how everyone was taking her absence. They were probably already heading to their next destination, preparing for their next show, trying to fill the gap she left.
"Such an adventurous life, and at a young age." He said when she had finished. "How old are you?"
"I'll be twenty in the fall." She answered, as she began to braid her hair for be. The older man grinned.
"You're the same age as the young masters." He informed her as she pulled a worn yukata from her bag. "I will tell you the story of this place tomorrow evening, as it is getting late and we will be up early in the morning so I can show you how we operate the stables." He turned to leave her, stopping at the door to give a polite bow that she returned.
"Oh, wait," She called out before he shut the door. "I haven't asked you your name. They have given me the name Shi-Gatsu."
"I am Kenshin." The older man said as he began to shut the door. "Oyasumi nasai, Shi-Gatsu." When she heard his footsteps fade, April stripped herself and dressed for bed. Some part of her was happy she was working with horses again, and had a chance to prove herself, another was irritated that Dong would go back on his word for any amount of gold.
She settled down into the pile of hay, pulling the blanket over her. The scent of horse was soothing to her, and she soon found herself fast asleep.
When Kenshin came for her the next morning, a small bowl of rice in his hands, she was up and dressed. She ate as she followed him around, making notes at the different horses that had any special needs, knowing that it's take a week or two to get everything down pact.
"Your main charges are this way." Kenshin said as they went to a different part of the stables. The area clearly housed the horses trained for combat, big, heavy brutes breed for a combination of strength and speed. A familiar red head stuck out his head, snapping at Kenshin as he walked by the stall.
"Well, if it isn't the red demon." She muttered as she walked up to him. "I wonder if your master is as foul-tempered as you." She went to scratch him behind the ears, but he pinned his ears and jerked his head up away from her.
"Korato-sama can have quite the temper on him, and I am afraid it has rubbed off onto the animal." Kenshin admitted, turning to the stallion. "This is Takehiko." He turned away from the animal and continued his way down the row, stopping in front of the stall of a dark bay. "This is Goemon-sama's horse, Haru. I must warn you, he has this animal spoiled rotten, and he's always looking for food."
"A trait of the Lord?" April asked softly as the animal nudged her for a treat. Kenshin nodded as another chestnut, this one more brown in color with a wide white blaze down its face stuck out his head to see what was going on.
"Daichi is Hideyoshi-sama's horse, he's well-mannered enough, but is prone to being flighty." April nodded, and followed him to the next one, a steel grey who stood, ears perked forward, staring out into the yard. "This is Musashi-sama's horse, Isamu. He's the best-behaved of the bunch." A snort came from the last stall, and Lord Saki's horse stuck his head to see the visitors, hay falling from his mouth.
"I'm sure you know who Akio belongs to. You won't have to worry about him too much, Saki-sama takes care of him entirely." She nodded and continued to listen as he showed her the pastures outside, talking to her about the small breeding program they had running.
When the sun had come up past the tree line, a stable boy, a small dog mybrid, came running up.
"Oroku-sama is requiring you presence in the main ring." He panted, long tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.
"Thank you Kenji." Kenshin told the young mybrid. "You may return to your duties if that is all." The boy bowed once, and took off back to the stables. He turned to April. "Follow me, quickly." He took off at a slow run towards the main house, April close behind.
When they arrived at the stables, they found a large group of people waiting there to watch, Lord Saki and the turtles closest to the fence. Some of the Ladies had spread out blankets under the trees, and where conversing with each other as they worked on their embroidery. Men looked to be gambling on how she would do, making small groups much like the gossiping women.
A loud cry from the ring pulled April attention from her audience. Inside, a snowy white mare, smaller than the horses in her care, ran around the small ring, looking to get out. Blue eyes were wide, showing the whites, and she was already soaked in sweat. Lord Oroku greeted her as she approached.
"Shi-Gatsu, you are finally here." He motioned to the mare. "This will be your test. If you can get on her and ride without any issues within a week's time, she is yours and you will begin your work with the others. If not- well, we always have room for new 'companions', if you know what I mean." April flinched internally, but bowed low.
"Yes, Oroku-sama." She said, glancing over at the mare. She had worse before, but never had to work an animal in front of people.
"Is there anything you need before you start?" Asked a cat mybrid that stood beside the gate. "A priest maybe?" April narrowed her eyes.
"A rope, about ten feet in length." She snapped. "And a bridle and saddle." He snorted, but ran off to get the requested items as she studied the mare. It was easy to tell she was just spoiled, and handled badly as a foal. It was an easy job, all-in-all. It wasn't long before the cat came back, and handed her what she needed.
She slipped into the gate, and placed the bridle and saddle on the ground. The mare froze and looked at her, ready to run. Moving to the center of the ring, April tossed the rope in the direction of the mare, sending her running. She could hear the muttering of the crowd, but placed her focus on the horse in front of her, tossing the rope again. She continued the action, calling out to the mare in a soft, even tone. About five minutes in, she got the first signal, an ear turning to her. A few more rounds had the mare chewing at the air, and after about fifteen minutes, her head dropped to the ground.
Dropping the rope, April turned from the mare, and moved slowly away. Soon she felt the animal nudge her shoulder, and April turned to her and gently rubbed her nose.
"Good girl." She murmured, reaching up to scratch her ear. Moving slowly, she reached for the padding, rubbing it on the animal's coat, getting her used to the feeling of it. When it was on, April took the bridle, and repeated the process, and soon placing it on the horse's face.
Last was the saddle. Picking it up, she allowed the mare to sniff and nibble at it. After deciding it wasn't food, she turned away from it. April eased it onto her back, stopping when the mare turned suddenly to see what she was doing. With the horse looking fairly bored with it on her back, April moved to the other side, and took the girth, attached to the right side, and moved back to the left, tightening it on the other side. The mare pinned her ears slightly, but otherwise stayed still.
April stepped from the horse's side, and took the reins, leading the horse around the ring three times before stopping. The crowd had gone silent, all of them staring at her as she prepared herself to get into the saddle. Looking over to where Lord Saki and the mybrids stood, they all watched her intently, waiting for her next move.
Placing the reins over the horse's back, April got one foot in the stirrup, she put her weight into it, only to have the animal bolt from under her. Ignoring the gasps from the one watching, she picked up the rope and began the process over again, and when the mare followed her around the ring like a puppy, she tried again. This time the mare stood still, and allowed April to lower herself into the saddle.
Squeezing her legs until the mare went forward, she walked the mare around the ring three more times, then brought her to a halt. Dismounting, April lead the mare over to where Lord Saki and the others stood.
"I believe that enough for her today, Oroku-sama." She said formally, bowing low. The older man nodded, and reached out to pet the mare. She stood still and allowed him and the four mybrids to touch her.
"That was still quite impressive, I must admit." Lord Oroku replied. "I have never seen something like that before. Is it something used often in the New World?"
"My Father taught it to me, Oroku-sama. I do not know where he learned it from. He never told me." April said, lowering her eyes. "He passed before I had a chance to ask." He nodded.
"I am sorry for your loss. Now, we must go and negotiate the terms of you working here." He turned, motioning for the cat mybrid to step forward, but April spoke up before he could move.
"You would please, Lord Saki, I much prefer taking care of her myself, I believe it was mistreatment that is the cause of her behavior." Dark eyes went to the cat briefly, but nodded.
"You may. When you are done, have Kenshin bring you up to the main house." He turned to the four standing quietly beside him. "You will join me, discuss anything that you may specific help with to her." He turned and left, parting the crowd of men a women gathering to get a better look at April, some exchanging money with soft curses and laughter. A rabbit mybrid, dressed in the manner of a Samurai, came up to her.
"Very impressive, miss." He said with a small bow. "Perhaps you can assist me when you have the time? My mare is a good horse, but she still spooks at fire, and I would like to work on that."
"I would be honored," April paused, not knowing how to refer to him. The rabbit seemed to catch on to it, and smiled.
"I am Miyamoto Usagi. My family has worked as Samurai for the Ha-" He cut himself off short. "The Oroku clan for many generations." April bowed to the rabbit, tucking the slip up in the back of her head to ask about later.
"I would be honored, Miyamoto-san." She said politely. "If you come to find me after I am done with the young Lords, I would be happy to help you." With another polite bow to him, she excused herself, and settled the mare into the stall.
Taking a few moments to dust herself off, she found Kenshin at the entrance to the stables, and he rushed into the west end of the main house. A small female mouse mybrid opened the door as they approached and ushered them in.
Lord Saki knelt in front a table, where two sheets of parchment sat. He motioned for them to sit down in front, and waited until they had settled.
"I had Hideyoshi write up the contract in English if it was needed, if you would look over it, we can sort out any possible issues that might arise." April looked over the documents, comparing the two. While it wasn't perfect, she could read enough to figure out what that contract was saying and make sure she wasn't being conned.
They were the same, right down to the last detail. Other than being given ownership of the mare, she would have her own room near the Lord's horses, and a small weekly salary. Festivals were rest days, as where Sundays for worship if she chose to. Her duties were primarily to the Lords, helping them with the issues their horses had, and caring for them. She had access to any stable hand that she wanted to assist her when needed. If anything came up, she would travel with them and every summer she would travel with them around their land to inspect how the local magistrates were running the villages. At the end, it stated that she would have a chance to resign the contract after five years, look for other employment, or save her money for a ticket home.
"Do you find the terms agreeable?" Questioned the man in front of her. April picked up the brush that sat in front of her, but froze when the tall turtle in purple, Hideyoshi, stood up and knelt beside her.
"I'm sure you do not know how you write you name, allow me to show you." He explained gently, and demonstrated the brush strokes, then made April copy them before allowing her to sign the contract. When the ink dried, Lord Saki stood up and clapped his hands together once.
"Good. You can start with Kotaro this afternoon." He instructed, and he turned to leave the room. "I will have maids set up your room while you're working." April looked over to the turtle in red, who looked less than pleased that a human woman was helping him.
Oh, this was going to be so much fun.