(PBEM)
A new Fae horse, a mare... who is pretty enough to mortal eyes, but to enchanted gaze, takes on Liam colors
"Her name is Wish" Tylar adds. At this, the mare bobs her head demurely
"Hello, Wish, it's a pleasure to meet you." August nods back. "Thank you for joining us."
Wish perks up at the attention, not so much vanity, but good nature and she whiskers a hello.
"oh, Baron, you don't know the best parts. Of course she CAN fight, " velvet says as if that was drab "And is agile and swift...
but, she also reads"
"It's true," Tylar adds, "We noticed her glancing at signs on the trods, and later, peeking over Velvet's shoulder as she read."
"She nudged me to get me to turn the page" Velvet says "i'm sure of it"
"Read?" he smiles "Well.... I suppose we'll have to get you some thing to entertain yourself with."
At that, Wish makes a happy horse sound.
"She does have limits. We tested her... we showed her a sampling of books. She adored the Chronicles of Narnnia, then to test her, we offered up a book from the Gor series which is... " Vevelt wrinkles her nose "Disturbingly sexist. She wouldn't have anything to do with the latter"
"Yes, those series have, ah, very different sensibilities." August agrees "We will find her something that suits."
Wish takes a sniff of August, getting used to him, and looks full of questions.
Tylar says "This is Baron August Truthbranch ap Liam, leader of Bannerhouse Truthbranch. Wish , he is your new person and rider, he'll decide how often to enchant you and so on. Now he will be able to ride side by side with the Baroness on Samson."
The mare seems to considers this, then nickers curiously again.
"I am not sure what she's asking" Tylar admits
"I either" Velvet opines
"Ahhh....." August sounds unsure "I am sure Wish would be a credit to any stable and is certainly welcome here. Ah. Tylar, Velvet.... are you sure you do not wish, ah, Wish for yourselves?"
"Please, I am a lady, side saddle when I must, but I prefer carriages of black..and she's not a carriage horse" She looks at Tylar "Black, not pink"
"Of course" He observes, then nnods "No thank you, Baron. I prefer to hike"
August, nonplussed, says "She is a fine steed but I will never best Coradel in the saddle."
"men" Velvet rolls her eyes
Tyler looks over at her like 'seriously?'
the Sluagh recovers "Pardon, what I mean is, your lady does not want you to best her. She wants you to share something she loves, riding, and it matters little if you become a master of it or not. She loves riding, she loves you and your company. Wish need not have the best rider, Lord. However YOU need a horse, so you may enjoy seeing your trueheart joyous."
"Well, we -do- ride together. But, ah, not often of late." he admits "Perhaps I have been remiss."
"She's meant as a gift, not a chore, Liege" Tylar looks to Wish "if she's going to bringg you misery, we could trade her to Silverwolf or something?"
Velvet frowns at that , clearly not liking the idea
Despite his words, August has approached and allowed Wish to sniff and nuzzle him. "No, no.... Coradel would never forgive me." He offers to stroke Wish's nose.
Wish is a rather friendly mare and enjoys the stroking.
She even pushes lightly if he stops
August smiles gently and keeps petting. "Have you been fed? Are you hungry?"
She shows interest in that!
"She maybe due for some oats" Tylar admits, "New day and all"
"Let me see about that...." August goes himself to the feed bins and measures out a portion. Once she has that, he fills her hay net with a tasty mix of hay and alfalfa.
Wish is patient, and eats daintily for a horse. Seems she's trying to not be seen as greedy.
August has rolled up his sleeves, and freshens her water too. He's not an expert, but he does know how to do -some- things in the stable. How could he not?
The squires watch and smile then "So.. would you say our quest was a success, Baron?"Tylar asks
"Hmm?" he pauses in route to the mucking-out fork. "Of course. You returned together, uninjured and with more than the prizes you sought. A definite success." A thought strikes him "Ah. Do you have an insight now, as to what your next steps will be? A title? Another posting? Something.... else?"
"I think I would, one day, like to earn my knighthood" Tylar admits "I think while I'm a capable assistant, I'm also able to stand as peer."
"For me, Squire hood suffices nicely, I would not refuse promotion if you feel it is necessary, but I rather enjoy you as my liege, and Miss Zara as role model, if that makes sense?" The slush responds "I still am curious to how sidhe souls vanish and the like"
"And... ah, forgive me, I do not mean to pry. You have a close relationship. You each support the other in their goals?"
"I have informed Squire Tylar that I require more tragedy, he's being MOST truculent" An accusatory look at her boyfriend.
"And I have informed Squire Velvet that I will not temporarily dump her just so she can angst about and pine at her heartbreak" The boggan returns.
"Cursed am I to be drawn to one so selfish" Velvet sniffs then sighs "But if he wants to be a knight one day, why would I stop him?"
"I just want her to be happy" Tylar replies
August takes this in and, wisely, does not comment on most of it.
"Very well. Squire Tylar, do you wish to ... no, not you, Wish... apologies, Tylar do you desire to begin your journey to knighthood?"
"Thank you, Baron, but.. I'm not sure how to answer that" He blushes "I mean, I don't think I've earned it, yet. How does tthe journey go?"
"I think it can vary." he allows "My own was hardly.... usual."
"You had a destiny" Velvet observes
"Might be just that," Tylar agrees, "Well, however is best for me, I'm willing to earn it, but I'd rather do it right than quickly, if that makes sense?"
"It does make sense, and that you wish it.... no, sorry Girl.... that you have those priorities speaks well of you." August compliments.
Wish doesn't seem that confused.. it's possible she grasps context better than a non fae horse
"Thank you, Sire" A smile slips free "But for now ,do you have any other duties of us?"
A gentle smile. "No, I think not. You should take some time for yourselves.And each other."
They blush a bit at that, and bow "Then, we're happy to have pleased and will do so. You and Wish get to know each other"
And they withdraw
Wish looks at August after she's eaten and nickers gratefully
"Coradel will be pleased to meet you." He goes and gets a brush. "Would you like to be groomed?"
A horsey nod and she makes herself accessible from all sides
He's not bad with that brush! Maybe not a firm enough hand, but he seems to have a talent for finding the spots that need it. He works to make her shine.
She seems to find it relaxing, and might press against the brush now and then to let him know it's okay to be firmer, but mostly she finds it restful. Whether August does or not is another matter
He seems easy to train! He picks up on her cues and grows more firm with the brush, but never painful. Soon she's glowing.
"There. Shall I leave you to settle in? If you like, I can open your door to the paddock."
A nod and grateful nuzzle.
"Here we go." He sets her up with her door open to the green grass outside and ensures she has water and enough in her hay net. "I'm sure you can introduce yourself to the others. I'll bring Coradel as soon as possible. Enjoy your stay here."
And August returns to the manor to attend to business as he waits for Coradel.