Day 15 - Dropping Off the Horse

Helmuth reached forward to touch the glistening hoof that protruded through the rungs of the cart. The foal whispered out some air between her large teeth, but didn't blink. He felt the smooth surface of the young horse's foot and patted it reassuringly, though clearly no reassurance was needed. Perhaps it was reassurance to himself that such a fine horse in his care would benefit them both.

The remaining horsemen, who seemed to number in the thousands, with their identical tunics and packs, probably only numbered over one hundred, but were still in an overwhelming mass for Helmuth. They had all gathered now in the clearing before the house.

Helmuth turned his attention away from the cart and back to the man he now presumed was the group's leader.

"I thank you for bringing me my charge," said Helmuth. "I regret I lack means, however, to suitably entertain your... entourage," he looked for the right words. "I could not have expected-"

"Nay, Master Helmuth," the horseman interrupted. "We are anxious to return from whence we came. We leave our fortune in your hands now and bid you goodbye." And he and every other mount gracefully turned and headed back the way they had come, leaving Helmuth alone with a cart and a new horse.

Stunned by the entrance and exit of such a large group, Helmuth stood, stunned, for perhaps a quarter of an hour as he first watched them disappear in the distance, and then listened to the softened echos of the hoofbeats until there was nothing but the settling sound of birdsong in the forest again.

The horse purred and brought him back to the moment. His hand was still cupping the smooth slope of the hoof, and she was still observing him.

"Let's loosen these binds and see what we have here," he said. "Gut?"

He proceeded to untie the ropes that kept her safely within the confines of the short-railed cart. He was surprised to find that they were not tight to her skin, and even more surprised that she did not jump up when she found herself freed. He pushed the bed of blankets to one side and jumped in the cart himself in order to hoist her to ground. She continued to watch him without alarm.

With a gentle tug at the rope usefully knotted around her neck and muzzle, he led her to the edge and straddled the rail. He guided her front legs over and onto the ledge next to the back wheel. In synchronicity, the both deftly leapt to the ground in a single movement.

An auspicious beginning to the road of training upon which they were about to embark.