The Sacrifices for Peace.

 

Chapter 3

They spent an hour walking through the stables looking at the numerous horses there. No words were spoken about anything other than the horses before them. There was a strange kind of tension between them that neither of them had experienced before. 



Bays, greys, palominos, piebald, skewbald and duns; Mares, geldings, stallions and foals, the selection of horses held at the stables was awe inspiring but Branwen’s decision was taken out of her hands by a pretty dun stallion.

He was chained to the wall and barred in by heavy locks and a steal door. Jarred was a short way away looking at a pretty bay mare talking with the owner of the stalls. She glanced at the two men then back at the stallion. His body was the colour of warm caramel and his main and tale as black as night with streaks of grey clouds and speckles of white stars. 



“My Lady that horse is damn near wild, not a horse for a lady” the owner told her. Her eyes met the horse’s sad and lonely ones and she slipped a hand through the bars offering it to him to sniff. “My lady that horse bites” 



The horse sniffed her hand, his soft velvety muzzle stroking her skin and his whiskers ticking and teasing her wrist. She ripped a bit of hay from the section beside her and fed it to the magnificent beast while she smoothes his nose and neck.



“My lady, why don’t we go have a look at that black mare I mentioned, far more suitable for a lady” the man jabbered bewildered “I cannot sell you this horse, it would take a strong man to control him”



“Open the stall” she asked stepping back. The man looked to Jarred whose eye brows rose.



“You heard my wife, open the stall” he commanded. The owner moved forward and opened the stall. Branwen stepped in and the horse nickered to her. 



“Hello friend” She said softly.



“I understand he is not suitable for a beginner but it is obvious that my wife wants this one so we’ll take him and another horse for her to learn on. Which one do you want Branwen?” Jarred asked.



“Whatever one you thought was best.” came her distracted reply.



“we’ll take the palomino gelding over there, this dun stallion and those two black Shetlands you were talking about, they would be good to help pull the small carts in garden for the gardeners” Jarred said and handed the man a large bag of gold “all with the best tack and harnesses you have, that should more than cover your cost”



“Would you like me to deliver?” the man asked eagerly.



“We’ll take the dun now, fit him with a bridle and bring him outside.” He took Branwen’s arm and led her outside.



“Thank you sir” she said with a curtsy. He smiled at her but said nothing, outside with the wind blowing through her hair, the sun playing on her skin and a sparkle of happiness in her eyes he could not help admire her. She was not outstandingly beautiful but she had a few qualities and she wasn’t undesirable. In fact in his mind he could picture her lying on his bed hands pinned above her head as he thrust in and out of her. He felt a shiver of lust but he pushed it aside. 



The owner of the stables who was also Braddoch’s father, Kael brought the dun stallion out. 



“What will you call him” Jarred asked watching the horse prance on the spot. 



“Ferus, it means Untamed.” She told him smoothing the horse’s mane until it stood quietly. 



Jarred walked over to his horse and mounted it then Branwen was lifted to sit in front of him. Braddoch came over and saluted the pair.



“Jarred, My Lady” he said bowing his head to her.



“Branwen this is my best friend Braddoch. Brad this is my wife, Lady Branwen” Jarred said.



“Nice to meet you sir” Branwen said softly inclining her head slightly. 



“The pleasure is all mine” he said with a bow before turning to Jarred “I was hoping that I could accompany to the castle I have things I need to discuss with you”



Neither Jarred nor Branwen missed the seriousness of his tone and a mere nod from Jarred was enough for Brad to get his horse and tie the Ferus to his saddle. When they rode it was mostly Brad that spoke, sometimes Jarred or Branwen commenting on something Brad had said. 



They stopped in the grounds of the castle next to a large empty field Branwen looked at her husband.



“May I let Ferus free?” she asked. Jarred nodded and dismounted before helping his wife down from the horse. Brad followed suit and handed the lead rope to Branwen as she approached. He offered her a small smile which she returned timidly before leading the horse away and towards the gate. 



“She’s a looker, not exactly your type though, more my type, too pretty for you” Brad said watching her go, if anyone else had said it, Jarred would have struck them but his bond with Brad was unique and Jarred knew that no malice was meant by it. “How did last night go?”



“As well as can be expected, cried herself to sleep afterwards” Jarred said watching his wife whisper soothing words to the horse before turning it loose. 



“Understandably, seeing you naked is enough to make any one cry” Brad teased trying to lighten the mood. “I’ve heard whispers around the castle. It might be just gossip but plenty of the noble women feel cheated out of a chance of being queen by Branwen; enough to snub her or worse. Especially Lady Cavendish, words are she had a fit when she heard of your marriage beat her slave black and blue out of temper. She’s a dangerous woman do not trust her. Let’s not forget the rebels in the North either, they still want your father dead no one knows what limits they will go to to get that.  Then there is your cousin”



“He has a name it’s Gordon” Jarred corrected out of habit “Gordon? What about him?”



“Don’t trust him Jarred, just don’t trust him” Brad said.



“I don’t know what happened between you and him in Thordabona but you and he seriously need to sort it out. He is my cousin, my blood. He would not harm me or my family. That includes my wife but if it makes you feel better I will be a bit more cautious” Jarred said dismissively, so dismissively both knew he would not.



They both watched the Branwen who stood watching the horse gallop around the field enjoying its freedom. 



“Brad I do need a favour from you” Jarred said “I want you to teach her all about horses and how to ride. Also I need you to find her a tutor, she has no education in order to survive life in the castle she’s going to need one.” 



“Got it.” Brad said. Jarred studied his friend. His family were rich, popular and the best horse breeders and trainers in the land. Jarred and Brad had grown up together but didn’t really become friends until they got their military training. Now Brad was Jarred’s second in command and Jarred did not regret that choice. 



Brad stood a foot taller that Jarred with thick black hair that looked windswept no matter how Brad tried to train it, Dark blue eyes that seemed wise before their time. He was not a handsome man but he was kind. Most women were put off by the jagged scar that cut across his lips but this had never bothered Brad much. He was married to his job and to the land.



Branwen now content that her horse was happy returned to her husband, whom lifted her upon his horse and walked side by side with Brad as Brad and Jarred talked work, who were coming along well with training and who weren’t. Branwen tried to keep track of the conversation but soon grew bored. It was nothing but faceless strangers to her.