Chapter 15
Heero glanced at Raven as she talked with a horse dealer.
"Hey guys this is Stanley. He's a friend of Evan's." Raven told them as she turned to face them, "Says he can help us find the horses we're after. And in quicker time."
"Great. All we need are two stallions." Duo grinned, "Saw one back there in paddock twenty, but Rave wouldn't get him."
"He was a mixed breed and barely fourteen hands." Rave argued, "Besides I'd rather have a horse that I can ride, then ones that are just for show."
Stanley and Heero smiled.
"There's a dealer in paddock twenty eight. He's got a couple of stallions that might interest you." Stan suggested, "Heard he was trying to sell them together as they are so closely bonded."
Raven smiled at him.
"Lead the way." Heero said, reading Raven's look.
Stanley led the way over to a nearby paddock.
"Alright Stanley!" A guy called, "Thought you were here to sell horses not show tourists around."
"I wouldn't be so impolite Neil." Stanley replied, "Raven here asked for my help after she'd bought one of my mares and two of my stallions. Anyway you know if Liam has sold them stallions yet?"
"You mean the dangerous friendship ones?" Neil laughed, "You've got to be joking. That Angelo-Arab has a right temper. Will hardly let anyone near it. Never mind test it."
"Sounds interesting." Raven said, "An Angelo-Arab you say? Well that's one of the remaining types of horses I'm after. What about the other of the pair?"
"The other has a sensible temperament." Neil answered, staring at her, "He's a powerful horse. But it's the Angelo-Arab you wanna watch out for."
"Breed?" Raven asked.
"Hanoverian." Neil replied.
"Perfect!" Raven smiled and walked past him.
"Stan you gonna let her do this?" Neil checked, "That Angelo-Arab is dangerous. No one can tame him."
"Rave doesn't want to tame him." Heero stated, "She'll just reach an understanding with him."
Neil stared at him. But he joined the others as they followed Raven into a covered paddock.
"Look I'll give you twenty five thousand for the Hanoverian." One man was saying to another, as they got inside, "But I will not take the Angelo-Arab."
"I'm sorry but I want to sell them together." The second man said, "Besides I need to know you'll care for them."
"Their only horses you fool!" The first man yelled.
"Hey chill." Stanley stated, "There's a lady present."
Both men turned to face the newcomers. They were just in time to see Raven enter the ring in which the horses were being kept.
"You got a death wish girl!" The first man cried, "That horse will kill you!"
"Look I don't know who the hell you think you are." Heero said in monotone, "But I won't stand by while you yell at my girlfriend. Raven knows what she's doing."
"Liam, this is Heero and Duo." Stanley said, doing introductions, "And that wonder of a lass is Raven. She's in the market for horses. Heard you had two of the types she's after."
"Couldn't even dissuade her, with the Angelo-Arab's temper." Neil added, "She's one tough nut."
"You're telling me." Duo muttered.
"But that horse won't let anyone get close." Liam argued, "He'll chase her out the ring. I've seen it too many times. Buyers enter the ring to check the Hanoverian. And get chased out by the Angelo-Arab."
"Well this is different." Heero told him, "Rave has come to check the Angelo-Arab."
Liam stared at him as if he was joking. All eyes drifted to the ring as the sound of galloping was heard. Raven was stood in the middle of the ring, and the Angelo-Arab was running straight at her. She didn't move a muscle. The horse changed direction and missed hitting her only moments before crashing into her. It then turned round and trotted up to her. Where it began nosing her. Raven stayed still and allowed it to. When its nose began to rummage around her back pocket she pushed it away.
"Give over." She smiled, and took out her sour sweets that had been in her back pocket, "Here, have one."
She held it out and the horse ate it off her hand. It then nudged her hand and shoulder. Raven turned and faced the others, her hand on the horse's neck.
"How much do you want for the both of them?" She asked.
Liam stared at her. Neil nudged him.
"You'll take them both?" He checked, still in shock, "The Angelo-Arab won't really go with anyone."
"You sure?" Raven smiled, "Seems to like me."
Raven then walked round the ring with the horse following her.
"That's not right, I was here first." The buyer argued, "And I want that Hanoverian."
"But I already told you I will only sell them together." Liam told him.
Raven walked over with the Angelo-Arab. She lent on the barrier, with the horse stood parallel to the barrier.
"He's quite a looker." Stanley sighed, "Who's gonna be his rider?"
"Do you really need to ask that?" Duo grinned, "Rave's his rider. Figured she'd be the one to have the Angelo-Arab. Que-chan always said they were her favourite."
"Before you decide on riders you may want to sort out the deal." Neil suggested.
They all glanced round at Liam and the buyer. Both were arguing over something.
"FINE!" The buyer bellowed, "I'LL SHOW YOU HOW TO TAME A HORSE!"
Everyone watched him in shock as he walked over to where the Angelo-Arab was stood near the barrier. He raised the riding crop he had in his hand, and then brought it down with all the strength he could muster. Only it missed the Angelo-Arab's back. Instead it hit Raven right across her own back as she stepped in the way, tearing open her top. She fell forward, but managed not to cry out. The Angelo-Arab caught her across its back. It then ran off to the other side of the ring.
"YOU BASTARD!" Duo cried, all happiness drained from his face, "YOU…"
He didn't finish. Heero had leapt past him and had the buyer pinned up against the wall. His eyes were cold, no emotion showed on him.
"Get this crazy man off me!" The buyer yelled.
"No." Duo said coldly, "You've severely injured his girlfriend. And you did it across her back which was only just healed from the backache she's had to go through during the past week. So painful it had her screaming. A lass that hasn't screamed since she was four years old. One who can bare pain to great lengths. I'd hate to be in your shoes if her Sister and Cousins were here."
"Say no more Duo. We are." A female voice stated.
Heads turned to see Trowa, Quatre and Serena walking over to them.
"Heero drop him." Serena ordered, "As Raven's sister I demand satisfaction to be carried out. And that I will do myself."
Heero moved back but kept hold of the guy so he couldn't get away.
"Que-chan, check Rave." Serena sighed, "Evan will need to know how bad her back is."
Quatre nodded and headed into the ring with Trowa. Both lads managed to reach the horses and take care of Raven.
"You are one pathetic fool." Serena told the buyer, "You have no respect for any living thing. Whether it's human or animal. I think I know the best way to get satisfaction. Heero let the horses deal with him."
Heero smirked and threw the man into the ring. Trowa and Quatre had just got Raven out the ring, when both horses charged the buyer. He scrambled to his feet and ran out the ring and paddock.
"Cheers Sere." Raven smiled, stood straight between Trowa and Quatre. Trowa's jacket was round her shoulders, "Liam, you never did tell me how much you wanted for the horses."
"Typical Rave." Duo laughed, "Only you can go from getting injured to buying horses."
"Make me a deal." Liam suggested, still taken back by what had happened.
"Well if I was you I wouldn't sell them for less then thirty thousand each." Raven said, watching the horses, "So I'd say sixty thousand would be the right amount."
"Raven, that's a lot of money." Neil muttered.
"And the horses are the best. You pay a lot for the best." Raven replied, writing the cheque out.
She then gave it to Liam and they shook hands.
"I'll send over my stable lads to pick them up." She told him, "Now I think we've got all the horses we came for."
Heero laid a hand on Raven's shoulder and steered her out the paddock. The others all followed. Leaving the Dealers to discuss everything.
Evan groaned as Duo finished telling him what had happened at the Horse market. Heero had slipped away with Raven. She was glad they had. Evan would no doubt collar her later and have a go.
"Come on let's check your back." Heero said, steering her into the first aide room.
Raven removed her top, once the door was closed and laid down on her front. Heero moved her hair out the way and gasped.
"What is it?" She asked.
"He made you bleed." He told her, gathering the things he needed, "When did you get them scars? I never noticed them before."
'Scars?' Raven puzzled, 'Dam the bloody scars from the wings. Er…'
"I can't remember when I got them. But it was ages ago." She said, "You are on about the…"
"Two faint parallel scars running down your back." Heero finished for her, "Yeah I was on about them."
Raven sighed with relief.
"Rave, I've been wondering if the war with Oz might be ending." Heero muttered, "Just Lady Une hasn't called us out or anything. We were told not to head to the base for a while. Then when we did go, we were told not to go again till we were called in."
"Sounds like there trying to make some changes." Raven commented, "Do you want to return back there?"
Heero finished cleaning the whip marks, and grabbed a bandage. Raven sat up ready for him to wrap it round her chest.
"It's just I have so much time now." He told her, as he wrapped the bandage round her, "I don't hate having time to do things. Just sometimes it seems like…"
"You're getting lazy." Raven smiled, "Heero you're used to action. The war isn't ready to end yet. It will continue. Lady Une will call you in again soon. I'm sure of it. I think they may have been getting ready to move the base. If so it would be better if you weren't there. That way no one can connect you to them, for now at least."
Heero tied the bandage off, and gently kissed her neck.
"What would I do without you?" He sighed.
"Become a cold emotionless soldier again." Raven teased, and got off the table.
Raven put her top back on and both of them left the first aide room.