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The sky was clear, the sun had just risen above the horizon, leaving a pale, bright blue in its wake. I had finally decided that today would be the day to purchase a horse. I have suffered many nights at the tavern only purchasing two tankards of ale, rather than my usual four. I'm not becoming sober today.
I walk down the cold, cobblestone roads towards the only small stable in town. It’s run down with peeling red paint, a shell of its former self. Still, it’s the only place for who knows how long that has a semi-reputable business going. And, if I’m lucky I can get a deal, the king is letting a few of the squads have a break for about a month. It’s been nice to be home after so long.
“Oh hello, Jason! We haven’t seen you here in what? A year? Wait, how long has it been?” He trails off at the end. The stable owner is a greying old man, he’s been working at the stable ever since I was young and my father would take us into town. He wears a pale blue shirt with brown pants with dirt on the cuffs.
“Yeah it’s been a while.” It’s actually been about 2 years, probably more, but I don’t bother to correct him. I walk up to him and politely shake his hand.
“Well is this just a friendly meetup or are you planning on doing business today?”
“Ha ha,” I laugh sarcastically, “You know that when I was 15 I couldn’t afford anything and also had no use for a horse. But now I do. My squad captain keeps hounding me to get one, so here I am.”
“Good, business has been slow lately,” He gestures for me to follow him into the stable, “alright so we have all different kinds. What kind of horse do you have in mind?”
“Preferably a mare and I need her to be relatively fast, but other than that it doesn’t really matter as long as it’s not too expensive.”
“Alright, well we have these two right here,” he points to two mares, one with a brown coat and dark mane, and the other white with gray spots. I pet each of them on their neck and neither were particularly drawn to me. They looked to be beautiful creatures, but having to be around these ones all the time I don’t think would be beneficial for any of us.
“Do you have any others?” I ask, itching my arm.
“None that are mares or–”
“What is that one?” I walk quickly over to the stall in the corner. There is a jet black horse, with a matching sleek mane. “She is beautiful.” I approach her and I can almost feel my eyes sparkling.
“Oh no, you don’t want her, you really don’t.” He exclaims, rushing over to me.
“Why not? She’s a beautiful horse,” I pet her and she nuzzles back into my arm, “And she likes me too.”
“Well you just don’t.” He says decidedly with an edge in his voice.
“You don’t know what I want. But why wouldn’t I want her? She seems nice, calm. She has strong legs.”
“You really want to know?” I nod. He looks around to make sure no one is around, “Well, let’s just say, when the old stable burnt down, all the other horses had fled across the way, except for her, she was just alone, standing there, in the burning embers of the stable.”
“Oh, well it’s… it’s fine.” Well, I mean I do need a horse, and if she can breathe fire great, and if she can’t, that’s fine too.
“If you’re sure my boy, go right ahead.” He unlocks her stall, connects her lead, and takes her out into the hall. “Do you want a saddle with that or are you just gonna tough it out?”
“I’ll have the saddle too, how much are they?” I ask cautiously.
“A mere five shillings, and I’m sure a now military man like yourself can afford that slight of a price.” He probes me. Well, I wasn’t necessarily going to barter, but I wasn’t not not going to barter with him on that, I mean he’s known me since I was a kid, I should get a discount.
“Ugh you guys are going to have to make me turn back into a tailor at this rate. But, I respect the hustle,” not really. We continue walking to where he has some of the saddles on display.
“Alright this is the only one I have for five shillings, all the others cost more.” He places the beat up leather saddle on a makeshift counter. It has almost no metal ornamentation and looks worn in some places, but other than that it will be suitable.
“Thank you” I place the coins in his hands. He transfers the reins to my hand.
“Well since I gave you a horse that’s not technically for sale, you have to tell me what you’re going to name her.” He crosses his arms.
“Bellatrix.” I respond quickly.
“Bellatrix huh? You know that's a bright star in the Orion constellation right?”
“I didn’t.” I say simply.
“The more you know. I wish you luck on being in the army, uh don’t die, you’re the best one in town to sew up clothes.”
“I’ll try not to.” I say with a soft smile on my face. I start to walk away to the tavern before I swiftly turn back around, “I uh, I know I just got her but I’m not exactly going anywhere for a few days, so uh, can you just put her back in there for a few days,” I rub my neck sheepishly. He kind of just stares at me for a moment in confusion.
“Oh uh, yeah sure, I guess so.” He takes the reins back from me and takes her back into a separate section of the stable, the one for owned horses.
“Thanks so much.”
“Uh yeah.” He gives me a weird look.
I walk back to the tavern but my hand falters at the door, I open it anyway. The aroma fills my senses, the sounds of people drunkenly singing, the smell of fresh ale, the bright candle lights. I quickly move up the stairs and to the room I’ve rented for the next few days. I don’t really want to fall back into those habits now, I don’t think Rigel would let me stay with them if I did. The room is simple, wooden floors, wooden walls, a singular painting on the wall to brighten the space, and an old, but comfortable enough bed with clean (enough) sheets on it. I sit down on the window sill and look out at the sky, watching the smoke come out of all the chimneys in the town. I don’t know how long I sit there for, just watching, and humming the song that mother used to sing to me and Julliette. I slowly get into bed as the moon rises high into the night.