Into the Abyss

Appearing slightly annoyed, but not at all surprised, the man acquiesced, “Very well, ma’am.” He then fell back to join his men, who appeared as annoyed as he. Jenn couldn’t blame them at all. They really needed to stop soon to set up camp, and she desperately wanted to stretch her legs and end this riding. It was, however, completely expected of Jehenna to act this way. Give the bitch a finger’s length of power and she’d stretch it to a day’s journey. Well, at least, thought Jenn, they’d eventually have to stop when the horses, who wouldn’t be seeing that well in the dark, pulled a wagon off a cliff. That would serve her right.

Finally, after about another quarter of an hour, when the western sky was only a lighter shade of black than the rest of the sky, Jehenna called a halt to the procession. As she called the halt, there was almost a collective sigh of relief and suddenly people began speaking, where they had been silent for about the last hour or so of the journey. The thought of stopping and resting was a relief for everyone.

As she halted the horses, Jenn gratefully stretched out her legs while still sitting on the seat. She swore she’d begun to think the madwoman would never halt the party. As she slowly climbed down from her wagon seat, she heard Sydney and Chass groaning to Master Trisfelt about his pronouncement that they should search around for kindling and fire wood to build a campfire or two with. She simply smiled to herself, wishing she could get away so easily. Slowly, working out her stiff joints, she began to unharness the horses and rub them down.

∼

Jehenna stepped off the wagon and began looking around for a good spot for her tent. She had no intention of sleeping outdoors under the stars when she could at least have the comfort of her plush tent. Thinking quickly, she confiscated two of the soldiers, before they could think of something else to do instead of setting up her tent, and relegated them to the task.

∼

“Rupert,” Master Trisfelt called to the boy, before he got too far away gathering fire wood, “let the others search for wood, you shall help me take care of our horses.”

It was hard to tell in the dark, but Trisfelt could have sworn a look of fear crossed the boy’s face at this. Nonsense of course, all young boys were fascinated by horses, and any lad Rupert’s age would be delighted to be assigned such an important adult task, rather than having to gather wood.

“Uhm, sir... if you ah, don’t mind, I’ll just help Sydney and Chass, I’m really not very good with horses. I... I’ve never done that before.”

“Exactly!” proclaimed Master Trisfelt, “That’s why I want you to help; you were so helpful on the day’s journey, I thought you deserved a better task then just gathering kindling. It will be an excellent opportunity to learn. Everyone should know how, and this is your best opportunity to learn. Come along boy, over here now.”

Rupert seemed to have the look of a trapped rabbit on his face, it was fairly obvious he didn’t want to do it, but Master Trisfelt couldn’t see why that should be. “Please sir, Master Trisfelt... I, uhm,” mumbled Rupert as he slowly inched forward toward Trisfelt and the horses.

“Now enough of this, boy.” Trisfelt proclaimed, beginning to get a little annoyed at the boy’s reticence. “Get over here.”

Rupert reluctantly came forward, staring at the horses. “Now lad, there is nothing at all to be afraid of,” said Trisfelt as the boy came next to him. “Here’s a good lad, just give ole Chestnut a pat here on the neck, for a start. Let him get to know you.” Rupert grudgingly raised his hand toward the horses neck, all the while gazing fearfully at the horse’s face. Chestnut, sensing the activity at his side, turned his head around to face Trisfelt and Rupert, just as Rupert’s hand began to touch the horse’s neck.

Without any warning, as the horse’s head swung around, and the boy gently touched its neck, the horse reared up neighing and screaming. The beast’s eyes rolled in its head in fright as it reared on its hind legs and tried to dance away from Trisfelt and Rupert. Unfortunately it was still harnessed to the wagon and the other horse.

Rupert, scared, fell back on the ground; Trisfelt stepped back in surprise. The rearing horse, tangled itself in the harness and rammed into its partner. The other horse, suitably annoyed began trying to bite at Chestnut. Chestnut didn’t seem to mind though, all it seemed to want was to get away; it just kept shoving into the other horse. The wagon bounced around, knocking some of the items carried within out onto the ground. Rupert, scurried away, with his back to the ground and all four hands and feet scrambling to make him move and avoid Chestnut’s flying hooves.