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Undómë · 02-07-2006, 02:30 PM

Bregoware

Meghan

It had taken a number of walks down the line of horses the March-warden had picked that she might choose from. Too tall, many of them. She would have to pack a step stool to saddle the beasts or to mount. Too broad in the back most of them. Just looking at those made the muscles in her calves ache. ‘I’ll be bow-legged if I have to ride to The Golden Hall on you!’ she told one chestnut mare, who eyed her haughtily in return.

At long last, it was the March-warden’s wife who solved her dilemma. A small woman, much as Meghan, she came leading a young mare up to her. ‘I saw you eyeing those great beasts,’ she laughed. ‘And them eyeing you back as if you were some pesky fly to be flicked off with a swish of their tails.’ She brought the horse forward and laid the reins in Meghan’s hand. ‘Tis one of my mounts. Ash, I’ve named her. As you can see she’s a chestnut beneath but it looks as if someone scooped out the sooty ashes from their hearth and poured them over her back. Good spirit, she has. And can outrace the wind if she wishes.’ She ran her hand down the side of the mare’s neck. ‘Just keep a firm hand on her; let her know who’s riding whom!’

‘I’ll bring her back safe to you,’ Meghan called out to her as the group began to move out. Ash snorted and shook her mane, almost as if laughing. ‘Quiet, you big grass eater!’ Meghan whispered to the mare, leaning down along her neck. ‘And don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking – that it’ll be you bringing me home safe.’

From the little rise on which the village and much of its surrounding lands were perched, the great river could just barely be seen. It shimmered under the bright morning’s sun, like a broad, silvery ribbon. The group was moving at a comfortable pace, comfortable enough for talk. Meghan urged her mare forward a bit, pulling up beside Eostre.

‘Eostre . . . yes?’ The two rode in easy silence for a few moments after brief greetings were exchanged. Meghan nodded up to where Osmod rode at the head of the group. ‘Think he’ll take the lead every day?’ It was a guileless enough question, though the accompanying grin belied its innocence.

02-07-2006, 02:30 PM	#29
Undómë Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 400	Bregoware *Meghan* It had taken a number of walks down the line of horses the March-warden had picked that she might choose from. Too tall, many of them. She would have to pack a step stool to saddle the beasts or to mount. Too broad in the back most of them. Just looking at those made the muscles in her calves ache. ‘I’ll be bow-legged if I have to ride to The Golden Hall on you!’ she told one chestnut mare, who eyed her haughtily in return. At long last, it was the March-warden’s wife who solved her dilemma. A small woman, much as Meghan, she came leading a young mare up to her. ‘I saw you eyeing those great beasts,’ she laughed. ‘And them eyeing you back as if you were some pesky fly to be flicked off with a swish of their tails.’ She brought the horse forward and laid the reins in Meghan’s hand. ‘Tis one of my mounts. Ash, I’ve named her. As you can see she’s a chestnut beneath but it looks as if someone scooped out the sooty ashes from their hearth and poured them over her back. Good spirit, she has. And can outrace the wind if she wishes.’ She ran her hand down the side of the mare’s neck. ‘Just keep a firm hand on her; let her know who’s riding whom!’ ‘I’ll bring her back safe to you,’ Meghan called out to her as the group began to move out. Ash snorted and shook her mane, almost as if laughing. ‘Quiet, you big grass eater!’ Meghan whispered to the mare, leaning down along her neck. ‘And don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking – that it’ll be you bringing me home safe.’ From the little rise on which the village and much of its surrounding lands were perched, the great river could just barely be seen. It shimmered under the bright morning’s sun, like a broad, silvery ribbon. The group was moving at a comfortable pace, comfortable enough for talk. Meghan urged her mare forward a bit, pulling up beside Eostre. ‘Eostre . . . yes?’ The two rode in easy silence for a few moments after brief greetings were exchanged. Meghan nodded up to where Osmod rode at the head of the group. ‘Think he’ll take the lead every day?’ It was a guileless enough question, though the accompanying grin belied its innocence. Last edited by Undómë; 02-08-2006 at 05:00 AM.