by Sandra Elsa
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The next morning, Trace rose early and went to HQ to make the necessary arrangements. He returned to the room just past noon wearing a smile.
“Well Sis, if you’re competent with a sword, I think I have everything set up. They want to test you of course. They could never send anyone to my post that they weren’t certain was very competent with a weapon. I’ve convinced them to test your skills.”
He paced, hands behind his back, something clearly on his mind. “Please don’t take offense, but I have to ask this. You have a horse, but I need to know if you can ride him. ”
Bella was quiet so long he expected the answer to be no. After she walked over and opened the window, she turned back to him with a smile and said, “Yes. I mean I’m not experienced but Conall tells me Angel is willing.”
Exasperated, Trace said, “The horse being willing does not mean you will have the skill to stay in the saddle.”
“Angel will not let harm come to me. I may not look like an expert, but I'll stay on his back.”
Trace shook his head, then shrugged his shoulders and said, “That’s one thing the Captain will want to see before you will be assigned to my post.”
Obviously there was more to her horse than horseflesh. He hoped she was right about him. The fact that she could speak to him, even if it was through the wolf, set Angel well apart from other horses.
“First thing tomorrow morning we’re to report to the practice fields, Captain Farren will be testing you himself. He said he’s seen you around and would prefer that as few people as possible, soldier or civilian, knows that you’ve enlisted and where you were sent. There are things you will need to know about our unit before you're sent there, but we can’t discuss them here. There is a room in HQ shielded by wizards where we can talk. Right now I’d be happier if you would prove to me that you can ride Angel, just to set my mind at ease. I prefer not to be made a fool, in front of the Captain.”
She turned back toward the window and after a brief consultation, she said, “Let’s go.”
They went down to the stables. She opened Angel’s door, and he joined her in the aisle. By the time she finished grooming him, she seemed confident of her ability to ride him.
The rapport between horse and girl was incredible to watch.
Once he was groomed, Angel lay down in the middle of the aisle and Bella straddled him, wrapping both hands firmly in his mane. Ever so carefully, Angel rose to his hooves. Bella’s slight weight was little hindrance to him. Once he was standing he stayed still while Bella found her center of balance. When she stopped shifting about, he moved off, walking out the stable door.
“Wait,” Trace yelled. Angel paused in response. “I don’t suppose we could at least put a bridle on him? You will draw a lot of attention to yourself going out like that.”
Angel turned around and came back to him. “I guess that means he consents,” Bella said.
Trace’s jaw dropped when the horse turned around. He didn’t have a bridle with him, apparently neither did Bella. “Let me run down to the garrison stables and grab a bridle,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”