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As if the horses understood his words exactly, they flowed out of the stable as quickly as they entered, but for a shaggy bay gelding who remained behind

“That’s the trouble histling them in,” Lady said, “it’s not very specific They were just too far off to hear ”

Karigan had never heard of singing a horse in and was sorry the demonstration had not worked She did know a Rider or tho could summon their individual horses with a whistle, but an entire herd? She was impressed

“Could you teach al asked, apparently impressed as well

“Why sure, lad” Da him He was a stocky specimen with a star between his eyes, and he was coated in dry h My foxy Fox here needs curry and comb, and brush and pick before we ride Gave himself a mud bath, he did, and us a delay”

Karigan leaned against the stall door, Condor resting his chin on her shoulder as she watched Da without cross-tie or halter He half closed his eyes in contentment as Damian stroked him with the currycorooan had known some in her life that were intolerant of it, or at least had sensitive areas that when touched, incited a kick or bite

In the rabbing a shovel to pick up piles of manure left behind by the horses

“Da you out to the plains to look over the herds,” Lady told her

“That…wasn’t thean asked

“That lot? That was our do to take you to see where the wild ones run That is, after all, the stock from which he picks Green Rider horses”

“Wild horses,” Karigan murmured “I didn’t know”

“There are wild horses,” Lady said, her gaze distant, “and then there are wild horses”

“True enough,” Da, Fox lifted a hoof for him to pick out “I don’t choose just any horses for my Riders”

In no tileamed and his tail and mane were combed neat and unmatted Daal, lad,” he said, “giveup if you would”

Fergal did so and Daal Used to be able to vault right up, but I’ as I once was, am I, Lady”

“You are ancient,” she told hih this were a cherished joke She brought him her basket and placed the handle over his wrist He leaned down and they kissed “Now don’t be too late in co”

“Oh ho, I shall not be late for that!” He turned to Karigan and Fergal and said, “Mount up ” He squeezed Fox’s sides and they plodded out of the stable A whistle issued from without—this tied from the tack room and trotted outside to join his master