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Later in life, Modern AU Murtagh would be the type of person to have a horse ranch, just because he loves them. He knows when to be gentle and firm with the horses. Brushes, cleans, trains, and feeds the horses himself.

Knowing he can’t do everything on his own, he gets himself a trusted team to help him with taking care of the horses, and assisting with land upkeep, and security of property. At some point gets someone to help keep finances organized.

Alín is part of the ranch team (can’t decide if she would be horse team or help with housekeeping). She is a permanent resident with her own suite. She prefers cleaning, but has one or two favorite horses that she helps take care of. Once she has a schedule set and her duties concrete, she's able to go through her day with ease.

Thorn is NOT a horse person, but he helps with security. Come hell or high water he will help protect his friend’s interests. Thorn is also a permanent resident, but unlike Alín, doesn't have suite. Just a bedroom in the same hallway as Murtagh's. He's often seen patrolling the grounds, or by Murtagh and Alín. In the evenings and on days off, he's seen hanging out with the rest of the staff, playing music, swapping stories, playing darts or drinking games. Just having a grand ol' time in their community. A fire in the room. Sometimes active in motion feeding off the enjoyment of the group, sometimes soothing with advice or an arm around someone's shoulders.

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Inside the house there are spacious rooms. Somewhere there is a stocked bar. Mostly beer with some wines for dinners and special occasions. A suitably sized dance floor, a home theater setup in the living room, places for kids to run around. Behind the house is an archery range. The kitchen has a service window that opens to the back yard. There's a couple more guest suites for when the Stronghammers visit. A room always ready for when Uvek visits. A library filled with books on history, world literature, and some philosophy. Perhaps some poetry books, both bought and some leather bound books filled with Murtagh's original poems. Some journals and a possible memoir stay locked away in a desk. Library also has a a cushy chair to read in.

In Murtagh’s office is a picture of his first horse, Tornac. Also there is a ledger to keep track of the horses. Name, age, personality, medical charts, parentage, etc. In another section are important dates and moments, for sentimental reasons and to look back on when he needs a pick-me-up.

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Murtagh LOVES it when the Stronghammers visit. The camaraderie he has forged with Roran, the warmth and steady command Katrina brings to the house, the children (Ismira has one or two younger siblings) bringing their joy and questions about the horses and the property. Thorn loves seeing the kids too, loves playing and interacting with them.

It’s rare that Horst and his family come by for a visit, but when they do Murtagh considers it a special treat. The first time they came over, Horst gifted Murtagh something he made in his shop to hang on the wall, and Elain brought some goodies for Murtagh and the permanent residents on the ranch. Now, he talks shop with Horst, done whatever he can to make sure Elain enjoys her visit. She does so much in her own home, when she's on the ranch Murtagh wants to make sure she gets to relax. Albriech and Baldor take advantage of the archery range, which naturally, Murtagh joins in. (not much ideas for Hope. She enjoys the horses, the architecture of the ranch house etc.)

Both families enjoy the motor carts, which Murtagh and the staff use around the ranch. First visit, Murtagh takes each family on tour of the property. After the initial tour, it's used for rides to entertain. One of the fathers or Thorn will take the kids out for a ride.

Very rare is the day Arya or Eragon show up. Both approve of the horses, the stables, the pastures, and the house itself. Murtagh will ride with them if the desire to strikes them. Arya has a certain charm with the horses that draws them to her. Eragon puts some at ease, others know they will have fun with the man and get excited. The archery range is a favorite activity for the trio as well.

Saphira tolerates horses, but she doesn’t like the stables. Firnen doesn’t like the smell of stables, but he does like riding horses, so he joins the trio. Even has a favorite horse himself (horse chose him). Thorn as mentioned above is not a fan of horses but is a supportive friend who wants to see Murtagh happy with the lifestyle he chooses.

When Uvek visits, there is a room all ready for him if he stays the night. While there, he helps take care of the horses for a couple hours. He and Murtagh talk for hours on personal matters, philosophy, plans for the future, current events. If it goes into the night, they sit on the back patio with a small fire and a beer or whiskey in hand. Uvek will also tell cultural stories to the staff around the fire with drinks in everyone's hands.

Carabel and Silna are occasional visitors. Carabel isn’t fond of the smell, but she is happy for Murtagh and will say so. Silna is reserved and quiet but she feels safe with Murtagh and will listen when he talks about the horses. Like her mother, Silna is not fond of the smell.