Disclaimer: AND "skips through the forest" …oh…wait….I forgot to say I don't own the cannon characters and you know the rest of the drill….heh.

AND BACK TO THE STORY!!!!!! "skips off"

Chapter 14: Finding Our Niche

The past few weeks have given Leo and I our strength back and Leo's finally put on some weight. He no longer looks like a twig with a huge shell anymore. After being here a certain amount of time we're supposed to be able to find our niche, where we work best. Leo has yet to figure out where he wants to work for the next year but I've figured out that I like working the fields, cutting lumber, and fixing the fences around the property. Leo mostly does odd jobs around here for now.

"RAPH!" I hear someone call, "WATCH OUT!"

I jump aside as a dark stallion charges at me and just misses kicking my left leg. I grunt as I land and twist around in time to see Leo jump in front of Gaeh and shout while waving his arms frantically.

The stallion rears and my heart drops. It drops down in front of Leo and I see the stallion's ears flick toward Leo for a moment and then back and he snorts, pacing and pawing at the ground.

Leo slowly reaches forward and keeps talking. The stallion makes an attempt to bite Leo's hand and I see Leo jerk it back quickly.

Gaeh looks scared, he's behind Leo and clutching the leg of Leo's pants.

For the first time in years I see the brother I remember; stern, proud, and brave. All I can do is stand here and hope nothing bad happens. Then to all of our relief the stallion stills and lets Leo grab its halter. After someone comes to get the stallion, Leo scoops up Gaeh and clutches him close, I rush over and realize then how bad Leo is shaking and place a comforting hand on his arm. He gives me a nervous look and a weak smile but after a few minutes the two of them stop shaking. Two days later the stallion, a blue-roan I later learn is still untamed and in the same pasture.

I walk out there and find Leo sitting inside the fence, just watching that stallion and as I get closer I realize Leo's talking to it.

"I'm not going to hurt you. It's ok, you're safe here. Joban's really kind. I've got scars like you. Joban is a good man," Leo whispers.

The stallion's ears keep flicking toward Leo and it shifts nervously as I lean against the railing.

"He won't come to me if you're around," Leo whispers, "he gets spooked easy."

I grunt and nod, smiling at Leo…he found his niche. I'll let him be for now. who would've figured my big brother would want to work with horses when he used to think only of using his swords, of training until he could hardly stand?

….

The next day I walk out to check on Leo, Aria and Gaeh walking along with me. We find Leo asleep and that stallion grazing contently next to him. That stallion looks up and snorts at us, before trotting off to the other side of the pasture. Leo sits up and glances at us.

"Come on," he tells me as he hops over and picks up Gaeh.

What is he up to now?

Reviews Please?

The stallion: .com/136006_1/roan_nokota_