01. Foster
“How much thought have you put into allowing Ferrier to ride Salkhi?”
The question prompted a moment of silence before he cast Dari a curious glance, then turned his head to peer out at the paddock.
The Malaguld woman was stepping into the long grasses surrounding it, gathering up a growing armful of wildflowers. From here he could see the obscene amount she’d already stuck into her hair before that, a multicolored crown. Her penchant for simple things like flowers and idle exploring had been weeks ago mentally noted as he tried to find things she’d enjoy. But now he turned his attention to the young horse.
Salkhi was abnormally attentive to her, slowly following along on the inside of the wooden gate as she moved. What Tserren had assumed to be a short lived fascination had continued on over the weeks. He turned away, checking over a few saddles and blankets as they sorted things that needed repair from things still workable.
“Let him out to trail her. Put a bag on him if he’ll tolerate it. Don’t get bitten again.” Dari scoffed before sliding a bag from the pile, his footsteps quieting as he went to do as he was told.
He only turned to watch Salkhi excitedly prance from the enclosure and make a path right for her, slowing as he neared.
Mine straightened, watching the horse as he trot over. The soft leather draped over him created deep bags on either side and though it took a moment for her to step closer and carefully deposit her flowers there, he seemed unperturbed by her closeness. He gave her a look over before he stomped and ripped up some grass to eat.
And there in the distance she was given an encouraging nod before the older Dotharl went back to his sorting.