The fence creaked as Faleron hopped up to sit on the top beam. He watched in silence as Kel trotted the piebald Mare around the ring, it was a fine beast but the pair didn't quite gel. It was their third day at the market and still neither of them had found an acceptable mount.
"what do you think?" asked Kel as she passed Faleron by
" she looks handsome enough, but he doesn't seem to suit you."
" Oh, thank Mithros I brought you with me." said Kel " I was beginning to think it was just me, all that merchant is saying is how well we work together."
" me and you or the horse?"
"the horse." clarified Kel
" Let's go back and tell him we want to look at some other horses."
" Yeah, and actually look ourselves."
Almost as if the horse understood the slight dig at her, she put his long muzzle in Faleron's face and snorted loudly. Which caused an unfortunate series of events for Faleron, starting with Faleron falling off the fence and ended with Kel landing on top of him, in between fits of laughter she had somehow fallen off the mare. The absurdity of the situation didn't fail to register and the young knights rolled around in the dirt, their laughter filling the air.
The towns people looked over at the happy scene and immediately some of the reserve they held for the endearing knights melted away.
" what did tha' dmn'd horse do now? She fight'n' 'gin?" Snarled a coarse, common voice. The scanran horse merchant had wandered over. Still breathless from their laughter the knights could only splutter for breath. The merchant's features drew together into a snarl as he brought his cane upon the horse's rump.
"Wha' did I 'ell ya? 'ey? 'bout tha'?" The horse reared to bolt. fortunately Faleron was to fast for it. He grabbed the horse's bridle and led it away from the angered merchant at a jog. He didn't hear what exactly transpired between the two. He did figure it out when Kel came back with a bill of sale and a moody mare.
" How much?" asked Faleron pursing his lips
" one copper bit." grinned Kel triumphantly
" That little? Threaten to bring Daine down on him?"
" No, just the magistrate."
" what are you going to do with her?"
" I'm not really sure, because she didn't cost much I can still get a warhorse."
" Keep her, you never know when something's going to happen."
" mmm.. the next market?"
" Yes sir." Faleron saluted and grinned impishly.
" I think I'll call her Neal, what do you think?"
Faleron looked back at the stubborn horse " I think you found the perfect name for her."
Together the pair moved towards the bazhir tents with Neal in tow.
-3 years earlier-
Faleron had been with the Bloody Hawk tribe for about a week when he had heard that the knight commander of the Kings own was coming to visit his ex- squire sir Sacherall, which meant That Kel would be there.
That winter spent with the Bazhir and Kel, was easily the most enjoyable of Faleron's memory. The winter was as warm as the Tortallan summer, so Kel and Faleron spread out their bedding under a small mosquito net charmed by one of Numairs red robe underlings to repel rays of sun. Kel and Faleron never once woke up to sunburnt skin. Two weeks after Kel's arrival Faleron was granted the 'privilege' of jousting with Lord Raoul, Kel having been injured in a joust the day before. The sergeant , the one that looked like Neal, helped Kel hobble out of the fly netting tent. Faleron would later learn that the sergeant was Domitan of Masbolle. Faleron woke up two days later in the infirmary, and remembered nothing after that point.
When Kel came in she informed him that it was about time he woke up and that the tribe wanted to conduct a ceremony to make the young squires part of their tribe.
After the ceremony Faleron learned that they where now effectively Bazhir, other tribes would know them as bazhir and they would sell and trade with the squires now.
The moment Faleron saw her he knew that he had to have her, she was one of the Bazhir ' children of the winds'. A light gray mare whose coat was mottled with white, a flowing mane and tale cascading down her neck and rump like a waterfall. There was a mischievous light in her eyes and a restless quality to the way she moved around the pen. Faleron hailed the merchant over and asked to ride the mare before deciding whether to buy her or not.
In the language of his people the trader replied " Of course sir knight, I think your lady knight has found herself a young horse as well. Shall I find someone to ready them for you or would you prefer to do so yourself?"
Faleron looked out over the stockyard, he spotted Kel by another horse. It looked like a Tyran cross 'child of the winds', a stocky, yet fine boned chestnut stallion, with three white socks, one stocking and a broken stripe across it's face.
" I would prefer to tack up this one myself, as for Fal.." Kel called to the merchant
" Me too, If it's not to much trouble."
the merchant grinned " Not at all."
~(0)~
Sorry for the delay I actually had this chapter written up, but my computer just spazzed and I lost everything, I also lost my one word chapter.
I am getting 'round to answering my reviews. Thanks for reviewing and please keep doing so :)
The next chapter: the death of Kel's parents
Dramatic version duhduhdaaa!
If you love Harry potter and doctor who follow me on tumblr; Dexterbird
Now; a rant about HPFF: in characters they have Fred and George as FREDORGEORGE! it sucks :O
