A/N: Still not Tamora Pierce, I'm poor so dont sue. Ily, R/R pls.
When Daine woke up before the sun had fully risen, there was a small family of foxes laying around her nuzzled in her bedroll and around her inside her small tent.
As she tried to shift to get more comfortable she noticed the soreness on her shoulders as well as the object clutched in her hand. When she brought her hand up she saw the glint of the silver claw clutched tightly. As Daine stretched out inside her bedroll waking the foxes closes to her, they wiggled out of the bedroll, meeting up with the rest of their family and running out, giving Addy a scare as she was on her way to check on Daine. Daine let out a sigh, great more to try and explain as if I have any real explanation.
Addy poked her head inside the flap of Daines tent, luckily with a smile on her face, "Do you usually have nighttime visitors like that?" Truthfully Addy didn't care that animals seemed to gravitate towards Daine, if she decided to stick around, Addy was sure she would get to meet plenty of interesting.
Daine couldn't help but smile, Addy was a sweet kid, "Never go cold at night." Daine got up and started rolling up her bedroll and gathering her other supplies that had come out of her saddlebags, grabbing all her things, Daine exited her tent, hearing the animals welcome the sun, or say their last words for the day heading home for a rest. Bringing her things over to the wagon for storing until they were ready to go, Cloud trailed behind Daine throughout her morning routine, stopping to get pats from Addy or to talk to the horses. Daine had yet to get a chance to meet the horses that pulled the cart, but with a little over a half-day trip ahead of them, she was sure she would find time to make their acquaintance.
Addy, Gerald, and Daine finished packing up their camp, loading their bags into the wagon, and hooking the horses to the cart while Daine saddled Cloud. The three worked quickly and efficiently, and Gerald made sure to compliment this when they were all ready to go. "I think that's one of the quickest break downs of a camp we've ever done," he jumped up into the driver's seat of the cart, Addy climbed up, in her hands some clothes that needed mending, and Daine climbed onto Cloud's back, unstrung bow in hand, quiver on her back. With a flick to the reins, they moved out, Daine trailing the cart, listening to the sounds of the woods around them.
As the sun rose closer to midday, Daine moved up to ride next to the horses leading the cart. Hello two-legger, I'm Dustcloud, but the small one calls me Dusty. The big grumpy guy next to me is Blazer. The one who spoke up was a happy, dun-colored, young, mare, who looked at everything with wide eyes, and the 'grumpy' one was a roan-colored gelding with blaze marking on his forehead. Both were large strong and clearly well taken care of, Daine smiled at the young mare's enthusiasm. Daine passed her time listening to Dusty chatter on about her life, where near their stable was the best grass, etc. every once in a while, Blazer would chime into either reprimand or make some sarcastic comment, Cloud even piped up with a comment or two. While this was going on, Gerald studied Daine and how seemingly randomly she would giggle or shake her head, I wonder what is going on in her head, she keeps looking at the cart horses like she's having a conversation, or listening intently to a story, the more time Daine spent with the father and daughter the more questions Gerald had, who was she really.
At midday the group stopped by a stream, to let the horses graze and get a drink, while the humans had a lunch of cold cheese, meat, and bread. They quickly moved on once the horses looked like they had had a good enough rest, deciding that they would keep moving until they reached the inn inside the city limits. They were making good time and should be there while the sun was still up.
The ride that afternoon went much the same as that morning, Addy mending old clothes, Gerald steering the cart, and Daine listening to the animals and keeping an eye out for anyone or anything suspicious. Everything was going to plan until about 2 bells after midday when Daine noticed that the animals in the surrounding area had grown silent, all hiding or running away.
"Somethings wrong, its too quiet…" Daine said quietly while working to string her bow and ready some arrows. Gerald and Addy looked at her like she had grown a second head, but still got out their respective weapons, Gerald his sword and Addy knives. They sat at attention but continued on as if nothing had changed, when out of nowhere, a group of 10 or so thin robbers descended upon the trio, armed with rusty swords, axes, and knives, and misshapen bows, riding ponies that didn't look any better than the men riding them. Daine quickly knocked an arrow drawing, firing, and knocking again, not taking time to aim past a general direction of one of the raiders, down they went, Gerald jumped down from the seat in the wagon, cutting down the thieves, when any got too close to the wagon, Addy threw one of her thin blades, slowing their movements long enough for Gerald or Daine to take them out. The battle was soon over, all the thieves either retreating or lying on the ground dead, there were 5 mountain ponies bare of riders, milling around and then slowly making their way towards Daine for comfort. She could tell they were more afraid than upset that their riders were dead, they were fighters, they were used to simply bringing people to and from, or working fields, nothing close to a battlefield, they were hungry, and wanted to be as far as they could from the dead, but also knew that Daine was a two-legger that they could trust. She dismounted and began stroking and murmuring reassurances to the ponies.
"Hey Daine, Da, what should we do with these guys?" Addy had climbed down from her spot on the wagon and was stroking one of the new ponies. "Should we just set them free, we could sell them? Or sell their tack and whatever's in the saddlebags?" Addy looked a little anxious, Daine glanced over, and Gerald looked pensive.
"I think we could sell them, or keep em, both are good options, we could see if there are any buyers, we should be in Cria in a couple hours, we'll stable them and see where it gets us. Daine we'll stick around until you find some work, we're not gonna leave you high and dry." Gerald had been thinking of what to do with Daine since they moved out this morning, it seemed that her getting work would be best for everyone, she said that was her plan anyway, and seeing how she was with the horses and these ponies, he knew she'd be able to get work pretty quick once they got to the city. "Having the ponies might even help with getting you introduced into a stable."
With all that decided, Daine strung the ponies together, wrapping the end of the lead rope around the horn on Cloud's saddle. Addy and Gerald got back onto the cart and they were off again, but this time all of the humans kept their weapons out and at the ready, just in case. But the rest of the trip went smoothly, with Daine keeping the new ponies in line, getting to know them. They were young still, and the raiders that had them never gave them names but they were excited at the prospect of having a name, Daine reassured them that once they reached the city and figured out what was going to happen to them, she'd make sure that they would be named, this made them happy and they were struggling not to break free of the lead rope and run ahead to this so-called city.
They reached Cria around the 5th bell, going through the city gates, past the guards, through the of the lower city, and towards the Stormy Inn was large and had a good-sized stable around back, the people that greeted them were friendly and seemed to know Gerald and Addy, but Daine hung back, sticking to gathering the horses and ponies and bringing them to the stable, trying to stay out of the way. The horses and ponies in the stable were from a wide range, from cart horses to shaggy mountain ponies, both like the ones Daine led, as well as the long-legged bread that were used by messengers, and some large warhorses ridden by knights and warriors. It seemed that this large inn was a favorite to all types, attracting both commoners and the nobles who weren't staying in the palace far up on the hill. Daine walked further into the stable, greeting the horses who neighed their hellos, Daine smiled and promised to come by later after she groomed her charges, this seemed to please them immensely many blowing air out of their nostrils and turning back to what they were doing prior to her arrival.
There were empty stalls further into the stable, there were so many stalls in the huge stable that finding 8 empty stalls all together was a simple task. Daine quickly got to work stabling and unsaddling the horses and ponies, starting with the two cart horses that seemed to be the most exhausted, they had a long couple days, and the cart was heavy, taking their tack off, brushing them down, and checking their hooves was so ingrained in Daine that little thought had to be dedicated to the task at hand, and while she worked she was able to think, what would she do now that she had reached Cria? She could always find work in a stable, maybe even this one, or maybe at some nobles townhouse in the city, that could work, maybe find work at the palace, she was flexible and didn't have anyone relying on her or waiting for her back home, so she could really do anything. Daine worked her way down the line of ponies while she thought, leaving Cloud for last, Cloud would surely have a say on what Daine was thinking, but as long as Daine could bring Cloud with her, Cloud was truly find with whatever her two-legger chose to do.
Daine hadn't really been paying attention to the outside world while she was contemplating what she would do with her life, and when a cough sounded from outside the stall she was in, she jumped, dropping the brush that was in her hand and making the pony she was grooming look back at her in confusion. Daine looked at the young man leaning against the entrance to the stall with a flush, she could see amusement plastered on his tan smug face, he had a smile on his face.
"Hey there little one, need any help with this group of trouble makers?" he had humor in his voice, but she could tell he was sincere in his offer, "I'm Sam by the way." He offered his hand which Daine took with very little hesitation, shaking it. The pony Daine had been grooming had moved up to the guy, Sam, and was sniffing his pockets looking for a snack. He can't be all bad if animals seem to like him, he pulled out an apple from his pocket giving it over to the inquisitive young pony who took it and then snorted and slobbered over his shirt, which he took in stride, laughing it off, and patting their neck.
"I'm okay, if you couldn't tell I find it quite relaxing, it's a good way to pass the time, plus I'm almost done, I only have my Cloud left to do and shes a little picky."
I am not picky, I'm selective, there's a difference. Cloud snorted at Daine who in turn rolled her eyes and turned back to Sam.
"What was that? Can you hear her?" Sam looked at her with his head tilted, he didn't look scared or anything like that, just curious.
"I guess, some times I understand what animals say, its kinda weird, but yeah…" Daine moved out of the stall, past Sam, and into Clouds stall, trying to keep her head down to hide the blush that had crept over her face and was quickly spreading down her neck. Daine took Clouds tack and saddle off and started rubbing her down. Sam moved over to stand in the doorway of Clouds stall and handed over another apple, which Cloud inspected and then took, but didn't give Sam any indication of how she felt about it.
"I see, picky." He smiled and laughed at his own joke, but he still had an inquisitive look on his face "So, is that just something you can do, or do you have the Gift?" he didn't sound rude but he looked like he wanted to pelt her with questions, he flushed and looked at his feet, "Sorry, I have the gift, and talking to animals sounds like the best thing ever, so if it's the gift then maybe I could figure it out too."
Daine shook her head, "no, no gift, just something I was born with, nothing magical whatsoever, my ma tested me enough to know that, I just got a knack with animals is all. I'm Daine by the way." She shrugged and went back to brushing Cloud.
"Well that's one Gods blessed knack, say what are you doing here in Cria Daine?" He looked over Daine, she's young but she obviously has worked hard to get here, she must have some sort of vague plan at least.
Daine looked Sam over, he looked trustworthy, he didn't seem like he was going to attack her or something because he found out about her skills, "well, right now I came into the city with a couple of merchants, so I'll be staying with them until I find work somewhere, I want to stay in the city, so I'll probably look around at some stables or something." Daine had finished grooming Cloud and was gathering up the saddlebags and other random bits and pieces to bring inside.
"Well, my parents have been looking for a new hostler or stable hand to help out with our horses at our townhouse, my family just moved in from our estate, my father is working at the palace and hates staying there," he chuckled as if there was some inside joke or hidden meaning "anyway my mother and the younger kids are on the estate, but there are still enough people to need some sort of extra help, we breed horses you see. Any way you should swing by tomorrow around midday if you're interested in the job, I'm sure my father will be just as impressed with you as I am. My knight master is staying here in room 15 if you want, he can bring you by the house, hes like my father, hates the palace, too much drama, anyway, it was nice meeting you." And with that he was off, walking towards the street and up the hill. Daine was speechless, she hadn't even realized the guy she was talking to was nobility, let alone a squire, and then he offered her a job, this city is throwing her for a loop and she hasn't even been here for more than an hour or so. Shaking her head, she continued into the inn, asking a servant she thought she recognized from earlier where Gerald and Addy were, the servant was nice enough to direct her to the fourth floor, room 43. It was a larger room, with 4 single beds, so each of them could sleep in one, alone, the idea was refreshing, but Daine wasn't really looking forwards to sleeping inside with no animals crawling in, she was so used to it, that it was often hard for her to sleep without some type of animal curled up next to her. That was an issue for tonight, Daine set her the bags on the floor next to the bed that no one would be using, they could go through the other ponies' bags and see what they could use or sell.
The bags didn't have anything special in them, some spare clothes most in terrible shape, some food, and about 25 coppers overall 5 saddlebags, nothing that was worth much and nothing that was of much use to them, the saddlebags themselves weren't in great shape and that and the clothes could be sold as scrap material if nothing else, but really selling the ponies with their tack was where they could make the most money from their skirmish.
Once this chore was done the trio decided to head downstairs to get some dinner, listen to gossip, and on Daine's part, update the other two on her job opportunity. They settled down, getting served quickly a meal of vegetables, meat, and bread, Gerald getting an ale, and the two girls getting raspberry twisley. They tucked into their meal, not talking until all had their fill, Gerald was the first to speak up, "So Daine, have you come up with a plan now that we're here?" he took a long gulp of his ale before turning back to her.
"Well, actually that's what I needed to talk to you guys about, I need some advice, I met this guy when I was in the stables, he saw how good I was with the animals and asked if I'd swing by his family's townhouse to meet his father and talk about a job as a stable hand. I think it's a good opportunity, but I still want to know what you think, it is work for a noble and the guy, Sam, told me to find his knight master here if I decided to go…" Daines voice trailed off, she wasn't sure how'd they'd feel about the proposition, she wasn't even sure how she felt. The three sat in silence and Gerald and Addy thought it over, and while Daine tried to contain her anxiety.
"Well, I think it's a great idea. You said you wanted work in a stable, and this Sam fellow seems alright, and you haven't committed to the job, just a meeting, nothing else, so if I was you, I'd go find his knight master and make plans for going by the townhouse. Be cautious, but go with an open mind, stay alert, if you wants us to come with you, we will, and I'd bring Cloud and your bow and arrows, Clouds as good as an army in terms of having your back." Gerald rattled this all off quickly, but effectively, and when he was finished he grabbed his tankard of ale and leaned back, looking pleased with his decision.
Addy looked down at her hands, and then looked at Daine and nodded. "It is a good plan Daine, just be warry, I don't wanna have to patch you up again." Addy smiled, causing Daine to smile back. Addy had an infectious smile, you couldn't help but smile back or like her. Daine decided she would go knock on room 15, see if Sam's knight master was in, if he wasn't she could always check again in the morning. When Daine told them this, they both agreed to accompany her, just because Sam was kind didn't mean his knight master would hold the same values.
Daine led the other two up one flight and down the hall, they stopped in front of room 15, taking a deep breath, Daine knocked.