Can it be fixed?

[conormccarthy]

Conor nodded, occupying himself by checking over the rest of the saddle. He found a few loose threads on the girth strap and clipped them off. "The Smith keeps me busy, I get a lot of work." There were few leather workers in the shire that had the range of skills that Conor possessed, particularly when it came to saddles.

"I get some time in the evening, but by then its too dark to do anything else." Conor was tempted to take the saddle and refurbish the tatty leather. But it would hold for now and that would cost the lady quit a bit more than he intending to charge for the small repair. "Is there anything else I can do for you?" He asked, knowing Arnold would insist he offered his other wares. Conor had quite a stockpile of belts, gloves and other small items of clothing.

[hazel]

Hazel was slightly disappointed he didn't have any free time. She would've liked to have gotten to to go horse riding again. "No that's everything." She replied, taking out a small leather purse that had enough money to pay for the repair. Which meant she'd soon have to carry it back to Nettlestone.

She half wondered what other jobs he'd have to do that day, but it was only a passing thought as she waited to find out how much the job was going to cost. It was unlikely she was going to return to the stables for a long while either, but that couldn't be helped, she had other errands to run.

[conormccarthy]

All this talk of free time was making Conor rather nostalgic for the times in the past when he was able to take long rides, when his days were not cluttered with things to do. At least he was earning money, but spending all day inside was quite restricting.

Conor mumbled the cost of the repair; the fee was fairly cheap as it had only been a short job. "The saddle's heavy, how far do you have to carry it?" He picked the hefty tack from its perch, draping it over his forearm. He had some more laces to cut before the day was out, but he wanted to put that off. Perhaps he could find an excuse to avoid it.

[hazel]

Hazel handed over the money and closed her purse. She was surprised the cost was so little, but then it didn't seem to be such a taxing job for him. It some ways she wished it had been a longer job, going back to the family wasn't a welcoming thought. Not when everyday was exactly the same. Part of her wanted an adventure, not just stuck at the house looking after small children.

"I have to travel back to Nettlestone." She said in answer to his question, wondering why he was now being inquisitive, but was glad he asked something. That and she wasn't looking forward to carrying that saddle back by herself, but it had to be done.

[conormccarthy]

Conor blinked, glancing at her face briefly. "You carried it from Nettlestone?" The village was a fair distance, she must have more strength than he had accredited her with. He motioned for her to wait, and he left the room. He came back a few minutes later, the saddle still over his arm and a large canvas bag in the other.

"Arnold says I might as well take the cart out there and sell some wares." He didn't exactly say that he would give her a lift, though it was implied. The fact that he didn't have to cut laces until he returned dented one cheek with the rare dimple.

[hazel]

Hazel nodded. "Yes, it's where I am staying. It got fairly heavy half way here, but I had to keep going." She smiled and shrugged her shoulders, there was no other option for her. They had no cart or horse to get here.

Hazel waited patiently, looking around the small room. She couldn't imagine herself working in such cramped conditions, it would probably drive her insane. "You don't mind taking me back? It's not to going to interfere with your work?" It seemed like such a kind gesture from someone who was so busy, but the small smile he wore puzzled her too. Conor didn't have to do this for her, but she was glad she wasn't going to have to carry the saddle.

[conormccarthy]

Conor shook his head. "No, I don't mind." In fact, he relished the chance to get out. Setting the sack and saddle back down, he tidies away his tools and collected up a collection of already-cut laces from the bench.

Putting the lace bundle inn the sack, he picked up the saddle and gestured for Hazel to head back out into the corridor. He directed her back toward the stables, following after her. He jogged in front as they entered the courtyard, uncovering a wagon that sat in one corner of the yard. He placed the saddle and the sack in its bed, and hurried into the tack room.

After a few minutes of putting things to rights after his polishing spree, he returned a few minutes later carrying a set of harness tack over each arm. The collar's rested on each shoulder, and there seemed to be an overabundance of straps, buckles and metal pieces. The blond man approached the paddock and when he whistled, a pair of rotund dapple grey mares came trotting over.

He opened the gate and while he began to tack up one of the two, the second ambled over to investigate the woman. Conor glanced over his shoulder once, but didn't seem worried that the mare was walking without any restraint. The large draught horse was a gentle soul and even if he woman was wary, the animal wouldn't cause her one pinch of harm.

[hazel]

Hazel followed his directions out of the stable and over to the cart. "Thank you. It's very kind of you to offer." She stood there and waited while he gathered, tidied an collected everything he needed. It was still bright and sunny, and the lovely day seemed to be lasting. It hadn't rained for quite a while and law of averages suggested it should some time soon. Still that was a worry for another time.

When the mare ambled over to Hazel, she perked up, and held her hand out for the horse to invstigate. Not worried, as she doubted Conor would let a horse out that would cause trouble, she moved to pat the mare's neck gently. "Does she have a name?" Hazel asked, continuing to stroke the smooth neck of the mare. And she had a lovely colour to her. The mare was much large than her old bay dun back home, but just as gorgeous and with the same placid temperment.

[conormccarthy]

Conor was busying himself with connecting straps to various parts of the harness and the mare was 'helping' by nibbling any unfastened pieces that she could reach. Conor grumbled under his breath, but smiled anyway. Millie was a trouble-maker, but she was too sweet to be angry at. He glanced over at Hazel, the smile lingering on his face.

"Her name is Lillie, this is her sister, Millie." He patted the broad flank of the horse, and clambered underneath her girth to fasten some pieces on the other side. The mare peered at him as he ducked under her, but seemed unperturbed. The pair of carriage horses were not phased by anything, and Conor could let even a child clamber over, under and around her with no fear that the cob would be on anything but her best behaviour.

"She's a sweet thing, but don't let her near your hair, she likes to chew it." Conor picked one of the bridles from where he had hung it on the fence and Millie lowered her noble head so he could slip the bit between her mouth and fit the rest of the bridle over her head.

[hazel]

Hazel smiled as she heard their names and kept petting the horse who really was a gorgeous creature. Briefly distracted by Conor and watching him get the mare tacked up, she momentarily forgot his warning and was bought back to herself when she felt a light tug on her hair. "Think it might be a bit late." She laughed, as she gently pried her hair free. It hadn't hurt, just took her by surprise was all. Stepping back from the mare for a second, she pulled her har back once again, as the nibbling had pulled it free. When Hazel was sure her hair was secure, she watched Conor finish up with Millie. "Their very well behaved. if not slightly cheeky." The brunette joked, in reference to her hair being rearranged. "How many horses are there at the stable?"

[conormccarthy]

Conor finished up with Millie and led her over to the wagon. She left her standing next to Hazel and tickled Lillie's nose. "I own four, these two, Lizzie and Feist. Most of the rest are over in the livery barn, and Arnold owns an old stallion that lives in the far paddock." He fussed with the mares, patting Millie as she decided she was not receiving enough attention. "There's room enough for more than two dozen horses, though currently there's half that."

Taking a loose hold on Lillie's mane, he turned her toward the fence where the rest of the tack hung and left Millie to demand fuss from Hazel. He still wondered if he would find a decent stud for the two draft horses. Lizzie was almost old enough now to bare a foal, so he should start looking for a stud to cover her next year. Perhaps he'd spot something on the way to Nettlestone. He'd been saving up for just that reason. All his horses were fine quality, real gems. To turn them into brood mares would bring in some extra income and perhaps allow him more time to spend on his dream of running a stud farm. As much as he enjoyed leather-working, he enjoyed the horses more.

[hazel]

Hazel placated the mare, by scratching her nose and petting her neck. There was something soothing about stroking a horse, it bought back memories from childhood, where you'd play and pat the ponies and go on little hacks with them. Still she was a long way from home and it wasn't worth remembering the good times, they'd only be tainted by what happened later.

Hazel nodded. "Are they all mares?" The more she listened to him talk about his horses, the more she wished she could stay and get to know them all, know their personalities and quirks, but they both had places to be and things to do. "Is there any reason why there aren't so many horses?" It seemed strange, plenty of people owned horses, they had to be keeping them somewhere?

[conormccarthy]

"Mine are," He answered, setting the collar over Lillie's neck, "But we board either." He connected up the harness pieces with deft skill, and tightened up the girth strap around the mare's chest. "In summer, most horses are being used but in winter, nobles usually don't have a need for them." Grabbing the second bridle, he fixed it over the draft's head. "We're usually full in winter." He was always downhearted that so many horses were uncared for, as if they only served purpose as transportation and ignored as companions.

Leading Lillie over to the wagon, he turned her around and backed her into position. Leaving her to stand in front of the cart, he took Millie and backed her up next to her sister. He clambered around them, fixing them to the cart and feeding the long reins to complete the complex setup. He double-checked all the pieces and when satisfied he climbed up into the driver's bench to take the reins.

He looked over his shoulder to Hazel, waiting for her to join him at the front of the flat-bed wagon.

[hazel]

Hazel could sympatheise with the animals, only needed as a status sign or for getting from A to B. It did seem unfair, but that was what people were like, only taking things for their practicality or money. It was a harsh world.

GEtting out of the way as Conor fixed up the cart to the horses, she waited until everything was set before going to the front of the cart and climbing in next to Conor. The journey to Nettleston would be shorter, but it was still a fair way away. "If you don't mind my asking, do you live at the stables? Or do you have your own home to go back to?"

[conormccarthy]

Conor waited until Hazel was settled then clicked his tongue. The two mares set off together, and Conor guided them out of the stable complex and out onto the main road of Knighton. He waved a hand in the general direction of the house that connected to the blacksmith's workplace and the stables. "I have a room at the Smith's house, behind the stables." He explained, turning the horses onto a narrow yet smooth road that took them toward the forest looming ahead.

Conor relaxed as the jingle of metal and the soft creak of leather reached his ears. He preferred riding in the saddle than sitting in the cart, but it was one of the most relaxing things to do. It was pleasantly warm outside, the sky clear of clouds as the sun beat down on them. The two draught horses made easy work of pulling the cart with their magnificent broad chests taking the weight and their stocky legs carrying them forward in a steady trot as he urged them onward with another click of his tongue.

The rod was edged with brittle heather and ferns, and was a little overgrown for disuse. Not many people travelled to Nettlestone from Knigton, usually choosing Lockley as the centre of business when they didn't want to travel as far as Nottingham. As a result, it would be a quiet and scenic ride, a fact that Conor didn;t help when he only spoke when answering Hazel's endless yet not unwelcome questions.