Phase 1 - Lovely

“Ms. Sinclair, could I trouble you for a moment?” 

Cass looked up from the horse she was tending and regarded the young elf across from her. Ember was a sweet individual, almost annoyingly so, but they were excellent with horses so that made it worthwhile to put up with them. 

When the elf didn’t speak, Cass stood up straighter and regarded them more pointedly. “Yes, you have my attention.” 

“I’m sorry, Ms. Sinclair. I just…” 

“Ember, the point, please?” Cass asked, not unkindly but disinclined to wade through a dozen needless apologies just to find out what was needed. 

“I saw a horse at one of the auctions you sent me to. A pretty little mare. They didn’t sell, and I’m worried about them.” 

“A horse not selling at any of the auctions I sent you to shouldn’t raise alarms. It happens fairly regularly, and they’re either moved through legitimate private sales or put back in the next round. What worried you about this one?” 

“Well, ma’am, it didn’t look like she was okay. Didn’t look to handle right. Got almost spooked when they tried to get the bit in. Kept shaking her head. Had their tongue out a lot when I saw them in the stables.” 

“Ladren’s Auction House, yes?” Cass patted the neck of the horse she’d been working with and made sure the stable door was secure before heading towards her office. From what Ember had said the horse likely needed help, and while Cass couldn’t take on every project under the sun, if the horse had caught Ember’s attention the mare was at least worth looking into. 

“Yes, ma’am.” Ember nodded, her red eyes regarding Cassandra with a cautious hopefulness. 

“Go get Helen and Small Favors saddled. I’ll speak to Adelyn about getting a stall ready just in case.” The demonkin waved her hand dismissively, already walking away to find her stable master. 

“Thank you, ma’am! Oh, thank you!” Ember practically bubbled, racing off to get the two horses saddled. 

Cassandra didn’t bother to turn around or reply. She wasn’t exactly sure why Ember was thanking her, honestly. No decision regarding purchasing or not purchasing the horse had been made. At the moment only basic preparations were being put in place for the possibility. Hardly a drastic measure given the influx of horses into Thorn Rose of late. 

By the time Ember had saddled the two horses and gotten a few supplies in, Cassandra was just finishing off giving orders to Adelyn to have an isolation stall on standby as well as specialty feed for a handful of issues regarding dental or jaw problems. Given Ember’s description of the mare’s behavior, those were the most likely diagnosis Cass could see. There was a chance some of it was behavioral as well, but it never hurt to have several options for feed when bringing in a new horse. Not that there was any promise the horse would be coming back with them in the first place. 

The ride to Ladren’s Auction House was little more than an hour, Cassandra avoiding talking to Ember by keeping a quick pace and staying ahead of the young elf by a good distance. It wasn’t that she disliked the elf, but if they thanked her one more time she was going to scream. 

Ladren’s was just as it always was, neatly kept stalls with horses lined up along the long hallways stables, the smell of hay and animals thick in the air. The chatter was familiar and relaxed as the stablehands moved up and down the walk tending the horses. Further in the sound of cows and the other animals could be heard drifting through the air. 

The owner of the auction house came running out almost immediately, having recognized Cassandra. “Ms. Sinclair, what brings you to our establishment?” The mousy man gestured for two of the nearby stable hands to take the horses. 

Cass dismounted and handed Helen’s reins to the waiting stablehand, waiting for Ember to do the same before addressing the man. “My colleague, Ember, mentioned a horse that caught their eye but didn’t sell this last round. They wanted to know if the mare was still available.” 

The owner looked to Ember, familiar enough to know to get straight down to business. “Do you remember the auction number?” 

“1381.” Ember replied, trying not to fidget. 

“Ah, yes. She’s still being boarded here.” He began to lead them towards the far end of the horse stalls. “The owner was given a week to decide if they wanted to attempt a sale again or take the horse back.” 

“Their owner is…?” Cassandra followed at a relaxed pace, Ember almost on her heels as if still unsure what they were supposed to be doing. 

“A new seller. She came recommended to me by a few regulars, but I’m not sure I want to sell for them again. Something didn’t sit right.” 

“Elaborate, please.” Cassandra replied curtly. 

“Well, take a look for yourself.” The man gestured to the mare in the stall in front of them. 

“Is that the horse?” Cassandra turned to Ember for verification. 

“Yes, ma’am.” Ember nodded, already moving to stroke the mare’s nose. 

Cassandra nodded and turned to regard the mare. They were pretty, she had to give them that. A black, pearly husky dun. Not poorly kept, but clearly not kept up to the standards Cassandra expected. Their coat hadn’t been groomed in longer than was wise, though they weren’t caked in dirt either. They did pace some and seemed leanly fed, though not starved, and the mare didn’t flinch away when Ember moved to pet them. Little white birdcatcher spots sprinkled her coat, and the darker dun markings showed against small white socks as the mare shifted to get better pets. 

“Well?” She turned to the auction house owner. “The story.” 

“The seller said they acquired the mare about three years ago at an auction up north. Claimed she was two at the time of purchase and was about five years old now. They wanted her for a competition horse but she won’t perform for them. They said she’s saddle trained and ridable, but only barely. I’ve tried to get her in a bridle myself and she fights it something fierce. Once she’s under saddle she can be a smooth ride, but she doesn’t always respond to signals the way you'd expect and she tends to chew the bit a lot.” 

Cassandra nodded, not taking her eyes off the way Ember and the mare interacted. Even in the short time she’d been there she’s watched the mare toss her head and loll her tongue around. Not a lot, as it was clear the petite mare enjoyed the attention, but enough to signal a problem. 

“Have someone fetch her tack, please.” Cassandra was most of the way to making up her mind, a fact Ember was clearly aware of as the elf turned and gave her a hopeful look. 

“Of course, Ms. Sinclair. I take it you’re thinking about purchasing her?” 

Cassandra turned her yellow eyes on the man, a clear warning not to get ahead of himself. 

“Appologies. Of course. I’ll have someone bring that tack to you right away.” He took off down the hall. 

“You like her, don’t you?” Cassandra watched as Ember continued to stroke the nose of the mare, plying the pretty creature with a small offering of apple. 

The mare took the apple slice, but after a few crutches of it dropped the remainder into the hay. 

“I do, yes.” Ember picked back up the apple slice and after brushing it off, gave it back to the mare. 

Cass sighed and nodded. “Very well. We’ll see how she does getting saddled and such, and then I’ll see about buying her outright.” 

Ember squealed and bounded to Cassandra, wrapping the demonkin in an excited hug. 

Cassandra narrowly avoided simply shoving the overly excited elf away from her. Hugs were most certainly not on the agenda for the day. Avoiding the initial impulse, she simply snapped. “Ember, remember your manners, if you please.” 

“I’m sorry, Ms. Sinclair.” Ember pulled away immediately, red eyes wide with fear. 

Cassandra straightened her tunic and regarded the elf. “Kindly don’t do that again.” 

“No, of course not. I was just…” 

“I’m aware.” Cass cut her off, regarding the mare now more than the elf. The pretty little thing hadn’t flinched at all. Not at the sudden movements and not at the excited squeal. That was a good sign, if nothing else. 

Fortunately, a stable hand arrived with the tack at that moment, sparing them both any further addressing of the matter. 

“Well, you’re the one who wants her.” Cassandra waved Ember towards the tack. 

“Yes, ma’am.” Ember jumped to, fetching the tack and opening the stall. 

The mare backed away politely, not afraid but watchful, their ears twitching back ever so slightly. 

The mare stood still for the saddle, only shifting a little as they watched Ember’s practiced movements. They didn’t even try to fight or fidget as the strap was tightened down firmly but not overly tight. 

Then it came time for the bridle and bit. Ember had saved that for last, knowing from what they’d been told it would be difficult. 

The mare immediately balked, pulling back and trying to avoid it as they tossed their head. 

“Easy. Easy, girl.” Ember murmured, lowering the bridle and trying to sooth the now distressed mare. 

It didn’t take long to sooth the mare, the bridle no longer immediately near them. 

Ember slowly raised the bridle to try again, the mare missing it until a strap touched them and then they once again pulled back, tossing her head and attempting to put distance between them and the hated piece of equipment. It didn’t lash out at Ember or try to harm the elf, but it clearly wanted away from the bridle. 

“I think that’s enough for now.” Cassandra stepped up to the stall, holding out a hand for the bridle. “Get her calmed down, see about getting a lead rope, and I’ll get the paperwork settled on her purchase.” 

“Really? You mean it?” Ember asked, already stroking at the mare’s neck and brushing some of the dirt from the mare’s black pearl coat, taking extra time to get a bit of mud off the white of a nearby birdcatcher spot. 

“Have you known me to lie about purchasing a horse?” Cass didn’t wait for a response, already turning to walk away. “I’ll see all resources are provided for her care at Thorn Rose as there’s better access there, but much of her training and rehabilitation will be your responsibility when there. Is that clear?” 

“Yes, oh yes, ma’am.” Ember replied excitedly as she hugged the mare, who took it far better than Cassandra had. “Did you hear that, Lovely? You’re coming home!” 

Cass glanced back at that for a moment, a faint smile flicker across her features, Lovely was an oddly appropriate name for the mare, not that she intended to Ember that.