Race
Will whispered in Tug's ear:
"Do you mind?"
Tug whinnied softly. Kage stepped into Karasu's saddle and waited for Will to get on as well. As soon as he had, Karasu was whirled around.
"Lets have a race."
"Wha-"
"To the treeline, over the fallen log, and back again."
"Hey-"
"To put Tug through his paces," he continued as if he hadn't interrupted Will every single time he tried to put a word in edgewise.
"Don't-"
"Ready, Go!"
"Wait-"
Tug shot off like an arrow underneath him, Will could barely hang on. It was as exhilarating as it was terrifying. The wind ripped past his ears, and he urged Tug to even greater speeds. They were almost to the paddock, now. Just a tough and Tug slowed to a trot, then a walking pace as Will maintained the pressure on the reins. He leaned forward to pat his pony on the neck.
"He runs like the wind!" he said breathlessly.
Old Bob chuckled. "Not quite as fast as Karasu here, though. 'is speciality is the explosive dash - also known as sudden acceleration. he's got experience on 'his side, too."
Will noticed Kage and Karasu standing, once again, next to Halt. Why there?
He spent the rest of the day getting tips on riding and looking after Tug from Old Bob, as well as the finer points of caring for the little Ranger horse.