The two riders galloped from the barn and headed on their way down the trail. The mud was less here due to the fact that the rain hadn't reached this far and they could push their horses to the brink of speed.
Yami had started in front for the first two turns in the road but his horse was getting winded and she started to drop back losing speed.
When Bakura caught up with the two he scolded Yami, "I told you not to get the sprinters! They fade faster than the distance at full gallop!" And with that Bakura's horse started gaining a monumental lead, the other dropping back into a trot and then an exhausted walk.
Bakura pulled up on Tanz when he could no longer see Yami behind him and considering the fact that he was on a straight trail that ran pretty far down, that was saying something. Tanz danced underneath Bakura making him bounce in his seat.
Bakura chuckled making the horse snort in indignation that his rider thought it funny that they were no longer running. "You sure do own up to your name there pal."
Suddenly a blur of dappled grey and black, mahogany, and blonde flashed by, "The best thing about sprinters," it was carrying out behind the blur, "is the second wind!" (1)
Yami and Ruhe flew around the curve up ahead and the dancing of Tanz became more jostling. Bakura threw his head up and laughed kicking his horse and letting the prancing feet extend into a heart pounding canter.
Next Town
Tanz and Ruhe stood lathered and exhausted. This was their rest time between the walking that Yami and Bakura did to cool them down.
The four of them had just thundered into town which was filled with more pine trees than any of the quartet thought possible.
The funny thing about Tanz was that he danced when a saddle was on him but when it was off and he was tied, he stood still like a forty year old mare. And now untacked and tied like the specifications, he was absolutely relaxed flicking absentmindedly at flies.
The two men who owned the horses were on the porch of the bar. Yami was leaning against a post watching and waiting for something and Bakura was seated on the edge watching his mood changed horse with a lazy smile.
The only warning came with the sound of hooves and a muttered sentence from Yami, "Here they are."
Before coherent thought was possible Bakura was launched backwards by a heavy body and was being hugged.
Bakura just sat there until it hit him like what had just hit him, it was Marik.
Bakura struggled to get up with the mass of human being still hugging him breathless. He saw Seto getting off of Teufel who was standing next to a very happy and whinnying Engel.
Teufel watched carefully as his rider got off and then when he was sure his rider was safe, kicked out at Engel who sidestepped still giving the horsy equivalent of a beaming smile.
Marik sighed and called out to the mare, "Engel! Get over here before Teufel has your hide." The mare responded immediately by bounding over to her rider.
Her furry side was pulled up right beside Marik and despite himself, he grinned and stroked the soft white hair surrounded by sorrel spots.
The rest of the group laughed and Seto walked up tieing Teufel on the far end of the hitching post so as to not kick anymore of the horses.
He slapped Bakura heartily on the back and then moved to Yami and did the same, "Nice to see you guys. We got a job down south in Harbor," he nodded to the bar, "a couple of rounds and I'll tell you all you need to know."
The gang of three with the new member sidled inside while one overly happy horse, one calm like the dead horse, a horse with the demeanor of an army sergeant, and a horse that could move his feet faster than any stood tied to the posts outside. (2)
Foot Notes:
1: It is a trait in a racehorse that after they use up their initial energy and drop back they can suddenly spring forward with another burst and a renewed need to be faster.
2: In case you didn't grasp that the three members are: Seto, Marik, and Yami, and the new one is Bakura. The horses in order with the sentence are: Engel, Ruhe, Teufel, and Tanz. Their names are supposed to indicate their mannerisms and a name is supposed to bind rider to horse, so if you buy one 'finished' or already named the bond is very small.
Author's Notes: I noticed that the numbers weren't showing up in the earlier chapters under foot notes so I changed the way I wrote them, hope it works. In the earlier chapters though it just goes down the list 1, 2, 3, and so on because I don't know how to change them, sorry! Yeah, I know, quite a short chapter, but I wanted to toy around with it and leave you all with a cliff hanger!! Muahahaha! Sorry but the next chapter will probably come soon so don't fret! Those who read my other stories don't kill me! I just need inspiration….The REVIEW button is down there, if you would be so kind….