Rueln Layheart

I had never said goodbye to anyone before. It was an experience that I really couldn’t say I enjoyed. After the words were out, I clung to my family, too afraid to let go. This whole thing might end up being the best thing I ever experience, an adventure into the unknown. Even if it turns out to be everything I imagined, everything I know is right here with me. Why can’t they come too?

“Have your master write to us every week,” Aleah murmured into my ear as she held me. “I’ll have the postmaster read it to us.”

“I want to know what you see. Tell me what’s out there,” Eidke said, his hand ruffling my already messy hair. 

“I’ll tell you everything,” I promised them both. 

When it was Papa’s turn, he stood over me with more life in him than I’d seen in months. Master Esra had hired a healer to help him. It was my price for accepting the apprenticeship. His eyes roamed over me for a moment before he kneeled and handed me my pack. I had little more than a spare change of clothes, but I clutched it in my arms like it was a lifeline. 

“You’re going to go further than any of us, Rueln,” he said, his large hand resting on my shoulder and giving me a little shake. “When you get there, wherever you go, don’t forget that I’m proud of you.” Papa hugged me one last time and then he guided me in a turn, so I faced my new master, who stood waiting by her horse. “Don’t be afraid. You’re going to do great things. The only one holding you back now is you.”

I turned to look at my father again, trying not to show how afraid I really was. I wasn’t sure at all that I was going to do anything great. It all felt too real now. I wasn’t ready. I wanted to go back home and help Eidke weave or help Aleah with the garden next spring. If I left now, it was all going to be over. I wouldn’t get any of that anymore. This was a mistake. I opened my mouth, about to take everything back and demand to go home, only to see Aleah smile at me. I hesitated for just a second and it was enough for her to ask, “Are you going to hold yourself back anymore?”

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I shook my head and hurriedly wiped at my nose. “No.”

“Then go on,” Eidke urged, grinning. “I’m waiting on my letters.”

I choked out a laugh and finally turned away, running towards my new master and my new life. The massive animal behind her, however, pulled me to a stop before I had made it within a few yards. I stared at the creature with wide eyes, wondering what exactly I was supposed to do. I'd never been near enough to a horse to pet it, let alone ride on its back, and this one looked vicious. The creature eyed me, its ears pinned back along its head. I didn’t know much about them, but I knew that wasn't a friendly greeting. The thing looked like it would bite my hand off if I tried to get any closer to it. 

"Are you ready, Rueln?" Esra asked, making a few adjustments to her saddle before she glanced over at me. 

I shook my head. She frowned and turned, putting her hands on her hips. "When I ask you a question, you will address me as Master Esra, or simply Master. Am I understood?"

Swallowing, I reluctantly turned my gaze away from the dust-colored mount and focused on her. "Ye-Yes, Master Esra."

"Very well," she said, nodding her head with satisfaction. "Now come here. Have you ever ridden a horse before?"

I took one step forward, eyeing the horse again, then another. "No, Master Esra." 

She smiled and reached over to pat her horse's sleek neck. "Well, you're about to. This is Peach. Now come here, don't make me repeat myself. It's time I introduced you two. You will learn to take care of her as one of your duties and when I feel you are ready, you'll get a mount of your own."

I do NOT want one of those things, I thought with wide eyes, even as I obeyed my master. 

"Here, give me your hand." She took my hand and spread my fingers flat before laying a small cubed treat on my palm. Gently, she guided me closer to the horse and offered the treat to Peach, hand and all. I closed my eyes, terrified I was about to lose a finger, only to have the weirdest sensation brush over my skin as the horse used its lips to pull the treat into its mouth. My mouth flew open in shock, but I didn't pull away.

Master Esra chuckled, her hand moving from underneath mine to the horse’s forehead, where she rubbed the fur affectionately. “Peach isn’t so bad when you bribe her,” she teased, having noted my reluctance. I saved my fingers once she covered them in drool, staring open-mouthed as the horse’s ears moved around as she chewed on her morsel. I was just happy she didn’t take any fingers. Still chuckling at me, Master moved to the horse’s side and motioned for me to follow. I did and the next thing I knew, she was hoisting me up and into the saddle. 

I clutched at the horn as Peach jerked her head up and sidestepped with me on her. Every muscle in my body tensed at the odd sensation, and I shook my head. "I'm going to fall!" I exclaimed. 

"No, you won't," Master Esra chided gently. "Relax, I have you. It's a little different at first, but I promise you'll get used to riding. It's quite fun, actually." As she spoke, Master Esra lifted a foot and slid her boot into the stirrup before pushing off the ground and guiding her other leg across the horse's back. In the next instant, her arms were on either side of me, so I felt more secure in the saddle. Peach moved again, shifting her weight and tugging at the bit as if she were eager to be off. This time, however, I slowly allowed myself to relax, gaping with awe. 

I was riding a horse!

"Hold on, now," Master Esra murmured as she gently guided the reins to the right. Peach turned immediately to the light touch and when Esra's legs squeezed against the horse's sides, they moved into a walk away from everything I knew. "Bye, Rue!" Aleah called after us, running ahead a few steps to shout at me. I shifted in the saddle so I could turn around enough to see behind us, lifting a hand and waving at my family one last time. 

"Bye!" Eidke yelled, a grin on his face from ear to ear. Papa remained silent, but he waved as enthusiastically as Aleah and Eidke. 

"Bye," I said, finding it hard to raise my voice loud enough for them to hear. When Peach moved into a trot, I faced forward again and left my family behind.

My smile quickly faded, leaving me with only my unease and the sound of Peach's hooves hitting the compact earth of the road. It was still too early for most people to be out, and the village was quiet. My excitement to ride faded as we traveled further and further from my family. We were only ten minutes from the town square at this pace and once we went through the portal to who knew where, that distance felt immeasurable. We could be halfway across the empire.

I blinked when my master guided the horse away from the town square, away from the portal. I knew it wasn’t active yet, but I thought she was going to pay the guard to turn it on earlier than scheduled. “Wait,” I said, pointing. “The portal’s that way.” Shouldn’t she know this? She had to ride through it, didn’t she?

“We’re not taking the portal,” Master Esra explained. 

“But—” I started, but she interrupted me. 

“But, nothing,” Master Esra said. I looked up to see her smiling, her expression excited as she urged Peach even faster. I clung to the saddle and straightened myself, afraid I was about to fall. “It is my duty as your master to teach you what I know, and the easiest way I know how to do that is by teaching you the practical way. You’ll learn the basics of taking care of a mount and equipment while we travel. I’ll find you a practice sword, or make one for you in a few weeks, and then I can start teaching you sword forms. It will take time, and if we travel the old-fashioned way, it will give you time to learn without the distractions of the city.”

I couldn’t say I was too fond of that idea. “What about monsters?! Or bandits? Papa told me it’s dangerous!”

Master Esra chuckled again, completely unafraid. “It’s my trade to fight them. The trick is to stay alive, and I’ve been doing this for years, child. You’ll be alright.” Seeming to sense my unease, she glanced down at me and wrapped one arm around me comfortingly. “Trust in me, Rueln. I will keep you safe.”

That seemed quite a lot to ask considering I had just met her, but in the end, I nodded and finally relaxed into the saddle. She was my master now. I had to trust her. Thankfully, it put my mind to ease that she knew how to stay alive out here if she got paid well enough to keep doing it. 

We stopped around noon beside a small stream. Master Esra dismounted, helping me down before she led Peach to the water for her to drink. I groaned as I sat down, surprised by how much my body hurt, especially my inner thighs. How was it possible to be this sore? I was just on my rear all day. The horse did all the work. 

Seeing me, Master Esra smiled. “It’ll take a while, but you’ll get used to it. The soreness will ease up after a week.”

“But why am I sore? I was just sitting down,” I complained as she eased down beside me and offered me a sandwich. I stared at it, a little surprised to be offered something with meat before I cautiously took it. Unless it was fish, or small game, my family could hardly afford to buy meat. It was usually saved for special occasions. It felt strange to eat it while we traveled. 

“You’re sore,” Master Esra explained, “because you’re using muscles you haven’t used enough. It takes a lot of balance to ride a horse. Your body is learning to move in a new way, so you stay seated in the saddle no matter what the horse does. Pretty soon, you won’t even notice.”