Don't do what? I wondered crazily.
Tavington looked away, shaking his head.
"Bordon!" he called; a man standing several meters away hastened to his side.
"Take this beast away from the noise; it upsets him."
"Sir," the man replied with a subordinate inclination. Where shall you have me tether him?"
"Away from the noise but where I can see him."
"Sir," Bordon consented and took the lead, guiding me toward the fort walls, where an empty hitching post stood.
"It shouldn't be too nasty from here," the one named Bordon attempted.
I looked down at him quizzically. Noise was everywhere. But this man looked gentle enough; he had the same sharp, soldier's appearance, but his features were softer and fairer than those of my master. Even with his auburn hair in the formal military plait, he appeared stern, yet not severe.
"I've got to go. Don't go pell mell, all right?" he eyed me with caution.
I huffed and turned away.
No pell mell? Well don't scare me into premature death! Good lord, just settle it with a sound bite!
Turning back around, I watched Bordon leave to join the group of soidiers; he was soon indistinguishable. With nothing better to do, I decided to observe the group of men to see what my master might do on his first day on duty.
Tavington started by ordering his men into a line. I observed with vague curiosity, as two of his soldiers, one of whom I recognized to be Bordon, lined up a row of dollish-looking figures.
BOOM!
"Auuggghhh!" I leapt off the ground and came down hard, feeling my world rattle.
BANG!
A sound, louder than a storm set my ears stinging with a ring, and I wailed as a third eruption of cacophonous sound barreled through, followed by tiny, quick snaps.
Run!
I didn't pause for thought; with one stride, I pulled the post free and set about, hurling along, as far away from the quakes as my legs would carry me.
"Hey…Hey!"
Away, away, AWAY! I fled, kicking up dirt and debris, scattering passersby in my wake, and just missing a tent line that bore into the left field of my vision.
"Get him!"
In blind fear, I continued my retreat until a human, dressed in worn civilian attire, reached out and grabbed a hold of my reins and saddle; I slung him along for several paces before becoming aware of his weight.
"You! Stoppit!" the man wheezed.
I pranced and stepped dangerously close to the hanging hitch-post.
"I said quit!"
A jerk of the reins brought me out of my frenzy.
"Wot ya doin'? You's gonna break a leg, actin' mad 'n all."
"That one is mine."
The man jumped and I composed myself to see William standing a short distance away, arms crossed as he glared directly at me.
"My apologies for your troubles, sir," Tavington addressed the man in a thin manner. "He will upset you no longer."
"Oh no, Colonel; 'e's foine. Just jumpy; git 'im 'round the guns a bit more, s'all."
For a moment, William looked as if he would bite back at the man's observation; his lips were tight and his eyes were set in a visual scowl.
"Perhaps."
" 'es young. 'e'll train up real good 'n fast, with proper care."
Tavington's gaze moved slowly, gratingly, from the man to my own apprehensive stare, while I chewed and licked my lips.
"Let us hope so."