The World of Rhune

Robin couldn’t stop smiling by the time they reached the inn. She was not usually a happy-go-lucky sort of person, but Niko could always make her laugh. It was a simple two story building, but Robin had a feeling it extended pretty far into the back. “Here, why don’t we go see the horses first,” Niko offered. Robin agreed eagerly, though she still refused to get her hopes up. Niko led her to the back of the building where a small stable was located. Currently only three horses occupied the stalls. Robin’s eyes immediately fell on the stormy gray horse in the farthest stall.

She strode up to the stall and the horse greeted her with a whinny. It trotted up to her and pressed its head into her. She stroked his face with a chuckle and said, “I’ve missed you, Pavanjit.” The horse’s ears flicked towards her in recognition of his name. “I have to say, I was surprised to hear that you left with him, Sara,” Niko said as he walked over to stand next to her. “I couldn’t take him away from the family. A horse is worth a lot, especially an Arabian like him,” Robin replied, as she rubbed the horse’s ears. “Please, everyone knows that that horse belongs to you. It barely lets anyone else near it. I would swear that thing was not Arabian if I didn’t look just like one. I’m still convinced it’s something else,” Niko answered. “Pan is not a thing. He is a horse, and the best in the world. So how did you get him, anyways?” Robin asked, glancing at Niko. “Well they offered me to horses, because the family was doing well. I thought I might take him. To be honest I think the rest of the family was relieved. He may have been stubborn before, but after you left he wouldn’t listen to any of us,” Niko responded with a grin. “I feel bad. You didn’t have to take him for me. You could have had a draft horse that would’ve been much more worthwhile to you,” Robin said. “Like you said, I couldn’t take one from the family. Taking Pavanjit here seemed more like a favor,” Niko smiled when Robin made a face. “Thank you, Niko. This means a lot to me,” Robin said looking at him. “You’re welcome, Sara. I’ll give you two a moment,” Niko said and walked away to the stall that held his own dun paint horse, with its long black and white mane.

Robin smiled as he walked away before stepping into the stall. Pan gave a nicker and backed up as Robin entered the stall, prancing around slightly. “Hey, Pan,” Robin said as he came up to nuzzle her hand for the usual treats. “Sorry, I have nothing,” Robin said, opening her palms to show him. Pan muzzled her head catching a few strands of hair in his mouth. “Eew, Pan,” Robin moaned, jokingly, pushing him away but not putting much effort into it. He backed up though and Robin ran her fingers through his long black mane. She was sure that Niko kept him in good condition but she gave him a quick check. She felt his legs, going over his black stockings, his only markings. Everything seemed to be fine with him after she checked over him. She blew into Pavanjit’s nostrils which got her a huff of horse breath in her face.

“Niko, want to go for a ride?” Robin called over to him, keeping her voice low though so as not to spook the other horses. “You sure you don’t want to put your stuff in the room first?” He asked her. Robin thought for a moment, “No, I’d rather keep it with me.” “Alright,” He said back. Robin was about to pull herself onto Pan’s back when Niko said, “Well don’t you want your saddle?” Robin turned towards him, “I was just going to go bareback. Unless you have it with you?” “Well I wasn’t going to bring your horse without your saddle,” Niko said as he carried the black English saddle over to the stall. “Thanks, Niko,” Robin said as she placed a blanket over Pan’s back. Niko nodded and went back to his stall, where he had already started to put his horse, Janie, in her western saddle. Robin saddled Pan as if it was second nature, which it was to her. She put his bridle on, though she loathed doing it knowing how uncomfortable it made Pan feel. She didn’t want to take a risk though as the streets had been crowded earlier. She led him out of the stables, following Niko on his way out with Janie. Robin mounted easily, as Pan was a relatively small horse. Niko followed her lead and said, “So where to?” Robin checked that her pack was secure on her back, “I don’t know, why don’t we go exploring?” Robin turned to look at Niko who was smiling. Niko gestured to the road, “Lead on, Sara.” Robin smiled and urged Pan into a trot, staying on the sides of the road to avoid traffic. Once the cleared the traffic Robin led Pan off of the streets into an area much more open. It seemed to be some sort of ghetto with ramshackle shacks. Very different from the bustling market Robin had been in before. However, the area was very open which was good.

“How about a race,” Robin asked Niko who had walked his horse to only a foot beside her. Niko gave a groan, “We all know how these end. “ “Oh, c’mon, you big baby. It’s not like its long, and we all know Pan in an endurance horse,” Robin answered. “That may be true but he is fast as anything too, and you know that. He got his name for a reason,” Niko said. “Please, for me,” Robin said with a smile, knowing he would give in. “Alright,” Niko resigned, leading his horse a little farther away. “You can call go,” Robin said. Niko waited for them to both adjust themselves and then called out go. They both spurred their horses forward into gallops.