Chapter 7 ~ Ride
The morning sun woke Su Lin with its gentle warmth. She stirred, waking Shan Yu. They locked eyes, realizing their close proximity in the same bed. Su Lin made a move to get out of the bed but Shan Yu grasped her shoulder. "It's early yet." He said, rolling out of bed, "And you had a busy yesterday."
He went out of the bedroom and grasped some of the smoked meat and placed it onto a plate. There was a strange scratching sound at the door. Walking to the door, he opened it, letting a frantic Yan in. The small peahen raced through the house before going into the bedroom. Shan Yu followed her, taking the plate with him. He saw Su Lin cuddling with the peahen, who was making sweet little cooing noises. "Here." Shan Yu said, handing the plate to Su Lin.
"Thank you." She said, taking the plate and slowly eating the meat. "This is good. What is it?"
"Wolf." Shan Yu said, bringing her the skin and draping it over the bed. "Waste not."
She swallowed hard. Shan Yu laughed a bit at her expression before leaving her for the outside. Many people inquired about Su Lin when they saw Shan Yu out and about. Many of the warriors had even called her Hang Yong Shi, meaning Wolf Warrior. He returned to his home to find Su Lin cleaning house. She had changed rather quickly, removing her blood stained dress for a simple clean one. He was amazed at her wardrobe. Ever since their wedding, he had never seen her in regal or elegant looking clothes. Sure, everything fit her but nothing to denote her privileged position. "Good morning." He said, startling her.
"Must you always startle me?" she asked, laughing a bit.
Shan Yu laughed at that. He entered the room. "You are all the talk of the city." He said, making Su Lin furrow her eyebrows. "No one would fight a wolf alone, let alone a woman. You are practically a legend."
"Really?" Su Lin said, her voice quiet.
"Yes, really." Shan Yu said, grasping her chin and making her lock eyes with him.
They kept the eye contact for a moment but Su Lin pulled her eyes away from me. Shan Yu sighed, releasing her chin. Thinking on his feet, he asked, "Go on a ride with me?" offering her his hand.
Su Lin looked up at him. "Yes, that would be wonderful." She said, taking his hand.
Shan Yu smiled at her, leaving the house, making Su Lin follow. He didn't let go of her hand as he led her to the corral. He whistled, his dark bay stallion breaking away from the herd to come to him. "This is Cheng." He introduced Su Lin to the horse.
Su Lin bowed slightly, showing respect for the horse. Cheng returned the favor by touching his nose to her cheek. Shan Yu nodded his approval. "Pick you own horse." He said, taking the rope from his waist and tied it around Cheng's neck.
Su Lin nodded, entering the corral. The horses milled around the far end of the enclosure. However, one mare stood apart from the herd. Su Lin looked over at the mare who looked back. The big mare began trotting towards Su Lin. As the near black mare came closer, Su Lin saw a large scar cut across her left eye. The mare slowed and bumped her nose against her cheek in a horsey kiss. She stroked the soft face, turning to look at Shan Yu. "She was attacked by a wolf as a foal." He explained as Su Lin walked back to him, the mare off her shoulder following.