by Ryan Evans
“Milord, welcome and congratulations,” a grizzled old sergeant with white hair said loudly as I came up to the stables. He was probably the most outrageous sergeant I’d ever met during my time in the battle academy. He was also the stable master. Though he could barely walk, on a horse, he was an artist. He demonstrated proper riding technique for the week we had learned about horses, and no one who watched him forgot it.
“Sergeant Arnef, thank you for the kind words,” I said with a slight bow. I was trying to suppress the smile that threatened to break free.
“Been a noble for a day and already talking like one of the silver spoon bastards,” he mumbled, but not softly enough to be missed. While his words were offensive, the way he delivered them and the smile on his face made it impossible to be angry at him. I couldn’t help but grin at his antics.
“So let me guess, you’re wanting to get a look at your new mount and maybe work with them a little before you fall on your ass in front of the formation?” he asked, already aware of the reason for my visit.
“Not quite how I would have explained it, but you hit the nail on the head, sergeant,” I said smiling at him.
“First thing’s first; I’ve got to know what your strength is. Horses are a lot like beast-kind. They don’t have the whole aura bit, but they can feel the power of the one riding them. If the rider is too strong, the mount will be a nervous wreck; if the rider is too weak, they’ll walk all over you,” he said in a matter-of-fact way. His words were unexpected. I’d assumed that it was more about learning how to handle the animals instead of forming a relationship with them.
“So sergeant, how is it you’d like to judge my strength? Have some weights to throw around behind the stables?” I said still smiling, but his had slipped a bit.
“No milord, you will direct your aura towards me. And before you ask me how, I don’t know how you elites do your thing. I just ask that you ease into it; I am an old man.”
Thinking of the few times I’d released my aura, I focused on him and gradually relaxed my hold in what I imagined was a beam directed just at him. After a short delay, my power awakened and flowed out like a physical thing.
He immediately looked as if he was under a great weight and dropped to one knee with sweat on his brow as my aura increased. “Please milord, no more,” he gasped out, and I unfocused my aura while working on pulling it back. I hadn’t been near full strength yet, so it only took a short time before I fully suppressed it again. Arnef was still breathing heavily as he rose out of a kneeling position.
Fear lingered in his eyes for a moment before he seemed to steel himself. “Do me a favor and never do that again.” His words were the same flippant style as he always used, but it didn’t quite convince me of his recovery. I still sensed the fear coming off of him in waves.
“It’s your lucky day. I’ve only got one horse that will work, and she’s a beauty. She might be a handful until you get used to things though. Come on in and meet her. Her name is Bashita, and she’s the meanest damn horse I’ve ever met. Though, what else would you expect from a young battle charger?” His words brought me up short for a second. Battle chargers were trained war stallions, and only the strongest nobles in the empire rode them. They were aggressive and just as dangerous to the enemy as their riders were.
Trained for the charge, they would run straight into a battle line without slowing, biting and kicking alongside their rider’s attacks. They were also the only horse breed trained not to panic with a shifted beast-kind on their back. They were bigger and stronger than other breeds and were able to carry the weight of anything short of the largest beast forms at a run. Their saddles had wide leather flaps that went down their sides and full barding to protect from enemy weapons and their own rider’s shifted claws.
“Sergeant Arnef, why does Silvanti House have any battle chargers at all?” I asked as we walked into the stables. With their standing, I couldn’t imagine that they had the wealth to afford them.
“We got three at a bargain from a failing house’s estate sale and wanted to see if we could successfully train them. We thought maybe the house leader would ride one, but he prefers a calmer mount. They keep the other two at the Silvanti manor. We kept Bashita here to practice working with a battle charger. We also like to bet on who can stay in the saddle the longest,” he said. By his tone I sensed his disappointment at the house leader’s choice. His respect for Bashita was also easily discernible.
As he finished speaking, we came up to a stall that had a tall, muscular charcoal grey horse in it. The horse was watching us and pawing the ground aggressively as we came near her. “Milord Valian, meet Bashita, the moodiest horse in my stables. Ain’t that right girl?”
I heard his words, but all my focus was on Bashita. Even though she wasn’t beast-kind, I felt a challenge for dominance when I looked at her. “I’d like to saddle and work with her if that’s all right, sergeant,” I said before I even realized I’d said it.
Her tack rested on the posts right outside the stall, and I’d have to bring her all the way out to saddle her. As I got within range of her head with the guide rope, she snapped at me. Out of reflex, I caught her head under her chin and held it still while looking into her eyes. Bashita’s body calmed, and her eyes softened a shade. I heard Arnef say, “I’ll be damned.”
As touched as I was by the stable master’s vote of confidence, I ignored him and maintained eye contact with Bashita. A silent battle waged for dominance. If I wanted to ride the beautiful charger, I’d have to win her over. After what felt like forever, the struggle faded, and an acceptance radiated from her. I tentatively rubbed Bashita’s neck, and she allowed it. I took a moment to wipe away the sweat from my forehead I hadn’t realized was there until after the struggle. Her acceptance relieved and excited at the same time. I walked her out of the stall and started the job of putting on her saddle.
Ten minutes later found me easing into the saddle for the first time. Arnef watched my interaction with Bashita but hung back. He didn’t do more than make small suggestions while I saddled her, letting me get a feel for things myself. As I sat astride the large battle charger, I felt eyes on my back from all those working in the stable.
Sensing Bashita’s energy, I realized that she was reacting to my tension. I attempted to calm my nerves and walked her around the gated yard for a little while. Once we were more in sync, we tried our luck at a trot and then a run out in the open field. After a little while, Bashita became an extension of myself.
As we left the area of the stables and rode around the academy, I got bold enough to try pulling my blades and guiding her with just my legs and heels. It actually worked better than trying to use the reins. She responded better to the freedom to choose her own path. I could respect that, so did I.
I was aware of the sergeants assigned to the stables watching us as I brought Bashita back to the gated yard. We’d been out for about an hour riding the academy perimeter. Their gazes didn’t bother me though; several training groups had already stopped to observe as we passed by them on our ride. Arnef walked up as I was taking off her saddle and brushing her. We’d be departing soon, but there was no reason to leave the sweat from our run on her all day under her barding.
“That was a sight to behold. None of us have been able to handle her more than a couple of minutes,” he said with clear approval.
“Thank you Sergeant Arnef. The idea of riding worried me the entire walk over, but honestly, it felt more like Bashita was a part of me as we moved,” I replied.
Sergeant Arnef nodded at this as if he expected what I described. “I’ve seen it many times in those with a strong inner beast. Instincts play a large role for both man and mount. Battle chargers have trouble hiding their strength and don’t submit easily. The rider has to clearly show their strength for a battle charger to follow,” he explained before pausing.
“Battle chargers like to be at the forefront of the group, and Bashita will chafe if you make her follow weake
r mounts. Also, know that you’re the only one riding a mount such as this in Silvanti House.” He said, smiling at my new mount.
We stood in silence for several minutes as I finished brushing out and re-saddling Bashita. Several soldiers broke the silence by bringing my backpack and saddle bags over. After I strapped them to Bashita’s saddle, I stepped up into the stirrups, ready to leave. Bashita pawed the ground, just as eager to step out into our new life as I was.
Chapter 7
After all my riding, I ended up being the last of the nobles to arrive to formation. As I rode up, I noted several things: The first was that my squad was grouped together just as I’d ordered, with Sergeant Iglias at its head. The column of soldiers was five wide and twenty deep so that was no small feat. Based on the smug looks among many of the soldiers, they had already announced the selections. The second thing I noticed was that besides the officers, there were also twelve mounted sergeants, and they all looked like hardened veterans.
Attendants and slaves were busy fussing over three large wagons at the back of the formation. One of them was the food wagon based on the smell of bread and meat, but the other two seemed to be full of various bags and supplies. Lathian was easy to recognize in all of the activity as he was the only elf among the group. While the others scurried around, his movements appeared calm and deliberate.
Bashita was at least a hand taller than any of the other horses in front of the army, and made me stand out among the other riders. Major Umbra scowled while everyone else looked surprised as they took in my appearance on my battle charger. Stephan’s mouth even hung open for a moment before he collected himself and resumed his look of superiority. I intended to try to keep space between the Umbras and myself the entire trip.
Colonel Karsam cast an appraising eye upon Bashita as we rode towards the officers. Several soldiers, including Tristan, risked glances my way from their positions in line. I felt guilty for not speaking with my friend yet, and I swore I would find time soon. It was overdue.
I fell in at the side of the mounted group in front of the formation. My position put me slightly separate from the other nobles, but based on my reading the night before, it was acceptable. I could ride at any point among the leading element as long as I wasn’t on patrol, in a guard detail or being summoned by a superior officer.
The Colonel got everyone’s attention with a hand gesture. “Now that everyone is here, I’ll say a few words and we’ll begin our journey.” The entire field was silent as he spoke, save for a few birds and the wind. “I know you’re all eager to get started, and some of you could do with some exercise to shake off last night’s celebration.” Some soldiers chuckled at his remark while others looked less than excited.
“The first part of the march will be just our group,” he continued, “We won’t catch up to the main body of our forces for at least three days. At that point, we’ll divide those not already assigned among the veterans. You may feel a certain way about not being selected today. I would remind you that the squads made this morning only have three veteran sergeants while those placed later will have many seasoned soldiers on which to rely.” He paused at this to give his words time to sink in.
“Once we meet up with the main body, we’ll begin a seven day march south east to the eastern border of the empire, Fort Granas. From there we’ll deploy as the imperial commanders see fit to bring the saurians under heel.”
The troops all cheered at this last part, and even I felt a shiver of anticipation. He’d used his aura while talking to underscore his point. That bothered me, but I wondered if it was just because I wasn’t comfortable using my own aura. The sergeants at the front of the formation got the soldiers moving while three of the mounted sergeants rode out on forward scout duty. Another three waited on the side of the road as the main force passed them for rear scout detail. I wasn’t left with my thoughts for long before the colonel gestured for me to come closer.
I knew I was in trouble for arriving late and holding up our departure. “I thought it was clear earlier this morning that I wanted to leave in a timely manner,” he said as I rode up next to him at the front of the formation.
“Yes sir, I have no excuse for my tardiness,” I replied automatically. He raised an eyebrow at my statement and looked down at Bashita. “Really Lieutenant, no excuse at all?” His voice held a sarcastic edge. The message was clear that my statement was obviously false.
“I got wrapped up in working with my mount and lost track of time. It won’t happen again,” I admitted as I rubbed Bashita’s neck. He just nodded.
“You seem to handle her pretty well, so perhaps the time wasn’t a total waste. I’m surprised that the stable master saw fit to grant you a battle charger. She’s a rare treasure, and if I thought it would have an effect, I might even have a talk with old Arnef about his decision to give her away. Know that if anything should happen to her that is deemed negligent on your part, you’ll have to answer to the entire house,” he said in a neutral tone. The warning was clear. She was too fine a mount to be ill-treated. I nodded and voiced my understanding.
“That is all, lieutenant. During these next three days, the mounted sergeants will handle scout detail. Once we reach the main force, you and the other lieutenants will be given scout and patrol duties. Is that understood?” He asked.
“Completely,” I said as I pulled Bashita toward the far left of the group of riders. Major Umbra had been scowling the entire time I’d been next to the Colonel.
The first day went by uneventfully. Clear weather and a slight breeze accompanied us, and we experienced no incidents as we marched. Everyone ate field rations at lunch instead of stopping, including the nobility, so we made great time. We were even fortunate in that it had rained in the last several days. The road was dust free, but dry enough not to get mud all over everything.
We established camp in an area of open forest by the roadway. The colonel signaled for a halt late in the afternoon, and the formation became a beehive of activity. The sergeants in charge of the march gave out assignments for the evening, and everyone had a task, everyone except for the nobility of course.
I moved to dismount and realized what riding all day meant for those not accustomed to it. After a moment of standing bowlegged next to Bashita, I embraced my pain and forced myself to stand tall. Stiffly, I walked her to where the other mounts were being cared for. I imagined that anyone watching me would wonder what I had shoved up my rear end. Even I had to laugh at myself.
By the time I arrived, the stiffness had mostly worked itself out. Several soldiers saw to the various mounts that had already been brought to them. The female sergeant that had been so congratulatory to Selene after the foot race led them. I absently watched as she instructed a soldiers under her command. I was so caught up in watching the exchange I didn’t notice when one of my classmates came up to take Bashita’s reigns. I handed them off without a second thought.
Bashita immediately reared and tried to lash out with her front hooves at the unprepared stranger. I pushed the soldier out of the way before they were struck by a hoof and received a glancing strike to the shoulder. I felt as much as heard a snap as Bashita’s hoof connected. Almost at once, a sharp grinding sensation radiated from the wound before the bones re-align themselves. The ache lingered even after my healing was complete. My regeneration was phenomenal and only took moments to fix the damage, but pain was still pain.
My temper flared with the hurt and I grabbed Bashita’s reigns with my uninjured arm. “That’s enough,” I said with a forceful tone and my aura radiating out a small amount. Bashita wasn’t beast-kind, so my aura didn’t have the same effects as it would when working with the soldiers, but she seemed to understand that I meant business. She settled after a moment and stood calmly with me holding her reigns. The soldier next to me trembled from the dangerous situation they’d barely avoided and the effect of my presence. Chastising myself for my carelessness, I suppressed my aura again.
“I apolog
ize milord,” the female sergeant in charge said as she hurried over. “We’ve not had a chance to train the new recruits in caring for a battle charger. If you can wait a moment, I’ll have one of the more experienced sergeants come and see to her.” Fear laced her voice, and she moved in front of the soldier near me to make sure I stayed focused on her. It was the same thing Karsam had done to protect Sergeant Iglias.
I mentally gave her kudos for bravery. No doubt that asking an officer to wait for any reason wasn’t smiled upon, but she had positioned herself to take my ire for the previous incident as well. She had apparently forgotten that until a day ago, I was one of the young ones too.
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll brush her out and picket her. Just bring me the supplies,” I said with only a slight grimace from the lingering pain. She bowed and moved to get the things I asked for, taking the still trembling soldier with her. In no time, everything I needed was there, and I went about caring for my stubborn battle charger.
The monotonous task relaxed me, and Bashita made it clear she enjoyed the pampering. It would have been even more relaxing if the surrounding soldiers weren’t tense at my presence. It radiated from them like a palpable force all around me. Eventually, I finished Bashita’s grooming, bid her a good night and walked out into the camp.
By the time I left the picket area, it was just shy of dark. The last rays of light barely peaked over the horizon. It really was quite beautiful with the light shining through the trees surrounding us. I headed towards where I’d last seen my squad setting up their tents.
Once we stopped for the day, the soldiers could go anywhere they pleased within the camp as long as they didn’t have a task to complete. Regardless of how they spent their free time, their bedrolls were always with their squad. A central fire provided enough heat and light for a fifteen soldier group no matter the season. If the squad broke up and went to socialize with others, I’d find an empty fire and would continue my wandering the camp.