Chapter 6

by pr_squared

- do not use without the author's permission.

Aderyn chose to ride her new boy to Ofa’s, though a buggy would have been more appropriate for her dinner party couture. She donned leather chaps under her skirt to avoid the beast’s sweat. Cadfael rode his Disgeliro and they set out together. The long summer day and a full two moons at night would assure they had light enough for a safe ride. From the start, it was clear that each mount made the other jumpy.

Cadfael solved the problem by challenging Aderyn to a race. Unfairly, he had spurred his mount forward even before Aderyn had fully understood his words, let alone acknowledge his challenge. His actions were plain enough. Cadfael raced forward. Aderyn snapped her heels against her mount’s flanks and he charged after her powerfully. Disgleiro, long legged and bred for speed, was fast but the boy closed steadily and when Aderyn pulled even, Cadfael went to his crop though they had many miles yet to travel. His mount surged forward and pulled ahead. She gave him everything she had. Aderyn brought her boy to speed more gradually and saw the gap widen again. Finally, she applied her crop vigorously and the boy answered. He pulled even again and then ahead.

Cadfael applied his spurs and crop with uncharacteristic abandon. He hated to lose, especially to an Elfess, even his Aderyn. Disgleiro answered bravely. She inched ahead. Long minutes passed and Cadfael increased his lead. Perspiration dripped from Disgleiro’s sweating skin. Aderyn kept her boy at pace. Then Disgleiro began to slow. She gasped for breath, drool flinging from her bitted mouth. Her arms and legs pumped madly but her progress undeniably slowed. Cadfael assailed her with his crop and spurs. Despite Cadfael’s spurs and crop and Disgleiro’s valiant efforts, Aderyn pulled even, once again, and then surged ahead.

Disgleiro slowed almost to a walk. She was blown. Aderyn felt discomfited for Cadfael for blowing a strong mount like Disgleiro She would likely do no better than a walk for some time. Aderyn eased up on her boy as she had no desire to blow him too. Should she drag into Ofa’s on a blown mount, what would others think of her as a trainer?

Her boy was dripping ins sweat but in good shape when she reached her destination. The odor of sweating boy was somehow different than a girl or gelding. Aderyn was exhilarated. She dismounted and offered him a few kind words as she tied him to the hitching rail. She secured her boy on the east side of the house with enough slack to kneel or sit. The others would hitch their girls on rail provided on the west side of the house. She stroked his cheek fondly but hobbled him loosely. It wouldn’t do for him to kick anyone. She shed her chaps.

Dai and Ofa met her at the door. Appetizing aromas wafted from the kitchen. Ofa’s skills in the kitchen rivaled her skill in the bedroom, Dai teased. They were eager to see her new boy.

“What do you call him?” Ofa asked.

“If I plan to sell them, I usually don’t name them,” Aderyn explained. Their new owners always want to give them their own names and I don’t want to confuse the poor creatures.”

“He’s a fine looking beast,” Dai offered, “but I think breaking a boy is more trouble than he’s worth –even a gelding.”

“Ride him sometime!” Aderyn replied. “See if you like all that power between your legs.” She cast a quick glance at Ofa, who answered her with a shy smile and knowing nod.

Ofa studied the boy’s male paraphernalia and then looked at Dai, her beau. How can Elves take such pride in their modest male parts when sharing the world with a magnificent creature such as this?

“Do you think he minds being your slave?” Ofa asked.

Dai felt that rush of embarrassment. No one who had seen the castrated boys content to wallow in their own filth at the feed lot or once fattened adequately, amble peaceably to their doom on the killing floor of an abattoir, could argue that men were truly intelligent creatures.

“Who? Cadfael?” He’s hardly my slave.” Aderyn answered and looked at Dai. “Why would you think that? He rarely does anything I ask him – if he were’t so cute and cuddly…. If you know what I mean.”

“No, silly,” Ofa answered, “I meant your boy here.”

“He’s not my slave. The boy’s my beast. I bought him from Emyr and Dai here. I trained him myself. He seems to love to run.” Aderyn thought of the recent race. “I’ve never really given much thought to what he really wants – a full feeding trough and the chance to cover a few girls perhaps. I trained him and he just better discover that his most critical desire is my approval.”

Aled and Ceri arrived in a buggy pulled by a single girl. Braith came in a buggy too. Emyr and Gwillim rode their well trained and groomed girls. Cadfael dragged in last on an exhausted Disgleiro. Several wondered at the elegant girl’s shattered appearance. Some wondered why Aderyn had arrived so much earlier than Cadfael and wondered if the two had had some sort of lovers’ spat. Cadfael shot Aderyn a beseeching plea not to share a word about the humiliating race.

The conversation continued at the dinner table. Ofa’s views about Men were well known and tolerated though none could imagine Elven society without the Men who served in so many ways.

Ofa asked for help in the kitchen. Dai and Cadfael were quick out of their seats. All conversation ceased when the two Elves returned carrying a heavy platter with a half haunch of Man.

Aderyn thought, maybe I’ll give this one a name and keep him. She wondered how many boys and girls she would have to train for her father to earn his purchase price.

Tim sat alone by the side of the house. He pulled half-heatedly on his tether to no avail. Her heard the sounds of merriment inside the house and brooded. Is this my life, he asked himself?

The night was late when Aderyn emerged from the house. She spoke in soothing tones as she donned her chaps with no idea of his desperate resolve. She slipped off his hobble and signed his to the mounting posture. Without thinking, Tim knelt, his left leg vertical and his right knee on the ground. His unthinking obedience angered him further. As Aderyn settled herself into his saddle, he dashed off into the night.

Aderyn got her feet in the stirrups with some difficulty and pulled back sharply on his reins. Tim shook his head wildly to dislodge the bit or at least win some slack. Ignoring the wrenching pain, he kept running. Aderyn, an experienced rider, could do no more than keep her seat. She had never guessed that tonight would be the night.

Tim ran, he knew not where but he ran. Blood dripped from where the cruel bit had cut his mouth.

Aderyn let him run, happy that the streets were abandoned and none would see her disobedient mount. She kept her seat and eased up on the reins. She used neither crop nor spurs. She savored his strength and endurance and the wind blowing through her hair. She had never broken a mount a powerful as this one.

Tim ran. He ran though the village, all the way back to the stable and beyond. Still he ran a fair ways further but ultimately he tired and slowed. Gasping for breath, he knew that Aderyn still kept her seat in his saddle. He anticipated the sting of her crop or the sharp jab of her spurs. He waited for the wrenching pull on his reins but she did nothing.

Gasping for breath, he plodded on. Gradually, he became aware that she was talking to him. He did not understand her words but her tone was soft and kindly. He strained to listen to her and found that he had simply stopped.

He felt her hand pat his cheek. Aderyn pulled gently on his rein and turned him back toward the stable. I’ll keep this one, she decided. He had dark hair and dark, almost black hair. I’ll call him Gethin.