Disclaimer: I don't own anything Tamora Pierce does.
The next day, Tobe was awakened by Stefan prodding him. "C'mon, boy," the hostler said, "Up ya get." Tobe grumbled, but did as he was bid, cleaning his teeth and changing into his breeches and shirt. He was used to getting up early, after four years of serving Kel. That didn't mean he liked it. He climbed down the ladder into the stables.
"What's my job today, Stefan?" the boy asked quietly. What, they meditated together. That didn't make them buddies or anything. The awkward levels were pretty high.
"Mendin' tack. You'll find it and the tools in the back shed."
Tobe walked out into the gray, chilly morning and grabbed the tack and tools. Stumbling a bit under the weight of the several saddles, bridles, and tools, he walked back into the stables. He found a bench at the back wall and set himself and his chore there. Tobe then started the dull, but happily mind-numbing, work of mending tack.
He was about halfway done when someone else walked into the stables.
"Stefan!" a woman's voice called. Tobe looked up. He indeed saw a woman, about five feet and eight inches tall, with laughing blue-green eyes. Her hair was dark brown, in a braid starting at her hairline and ending at her waist. Stefan walked over to her.
"Mornin,' Commander," he said. "How can I be of service to you?"
"It's one of the ponies in our stables. She hurt her leg. She must have jumped over something and landed badly. We think it's a fracture. I was wondering if you would please have a look at her. She's a good pony, and we don't want to put her down."
Stefan nodded. "I'll see, miss. Tobe, came and watch. Ye may learn summat about healing a horse."
Tobe put his job aside and trotted up. He wondered if there would be surgery involved (how graphic), or if it would just be a purely magical healing (much more desirable).
"New assistant?" the woman asked.
Tobe nodded.
"I'm Ariah Otani, archery instructor of the Rider trainees. And you?" she asked, her voice pleasant and light.
"Tobe, lady, Tobeis Boon. I'm here to learn from Stefan before I try for the Riders."
"Oh, you're going for the Riders? Good. And what's Stefan teaching you?"
"Wild magic with horses, lady," the boy replied, a speck of pride in his voice.
Ariah grinned. "How's that going?"
Tobe raised his eyebrows. "Meditation completely escapes me, but other than that…well I haven't learned anything else yet."
They walked along the path to another stable. Going in, Tobe saw shaggy, spirited mountain ponies filling every stall. His eyes widened at the equine scenery. Ariah led them to a stall with a gray pony in it. The poor beast was standing, but babying her front right hoof. The pony tried to walk over to Stefan, but let out a whicker of pain when she tried to step on her bad hoof.
"There now, beautiful," Stefan murmured, opening the stall door and entering. "There now, let me have a look." The horse visibly relaxed. Stefan bent down, and softly placed his hands above her swelled area. The hostler closed his eyes and knit his brow. Slowly, ever so slowly, Stefan poured his magic into every crevice and cranny, healing bone and reducing the swelling. It took a very, very long time. After the good part of an hour or so, in which Tobe pretended to pay attention while practicing the ever-vital skill of sleeping with his eyes open, Stefan stood and patted the pony's neck. She affectionately butted her head against the hostler. Ariah beamed.
"Thank you so much, Stefan," she said. Stefan nodded. Tobe had noticed the hostler wasn't very comfortable around humans. Kel had warned him about that.
The hostler looked tired. "Remember to give her plenty o' feed, miss," he reminded the woman.
She nodded, still smiling. "I know that well enough from my own healings. Thanks again, Stefan," she said, and, sensing that he wanted her to leave him alone, went to get more feed for the pony.
Tobe and Stefan went back to their own stables. Stefan yawned, obviously tired. However, the man still relentlessly brushed and fed the horses. Later that evening, after meditation, Stefan asked him about the horse's healing.
"So," he said, "what did you see about the healin'?"
Tobe pondered for a few moments. "Well, it seemed that you put your hands on her leg and poured your magic in, like how a human healer fixes up people."
Stefan nodded. "Good. Ye got the gist of it. You'll be learning healing after we learn the extent of your power: if you can take the shape of a horse, put yourself into their minds, call them and suchlike."
Tobe nodded. "I already know how to call them, and control an' stuff, but I don't know meditation or my full extent."
"That's what ye're here for, boy. Now, I'll bid ye a good night."
When man and boy ascended to the loft to their own separate bedrolls, Tobe could tell that Stefan fell asleep instantly.
'I suppose healing takes it out of you,' he thought, before dreaming about what he was to learn; healing, mind-shifting, calling, and possibly shape-shifting. It all seemed so grand for one simple boy like he was.
But why, merciful Goddess, did it have to be so time-consuming?
Author's Note: Hello, again. Woot, second chapter, I'm on a roll! Also, Commander Ariah's hair is in a French braid down to her waist, in case I didn't explain it well enough. :- Please, please, review, with constructive criticism! (compliments are welcome, too).
