Page 176 of Forcing Fate

I looked at the pigou and gave a little giggle. I knew it was childish, but the more I learned about this creature, the more I loved him.

“You know, I trusted you,” I said, turning to Rafe. This creature was mine. He bought him for my use in the army.

“Hmm?” Rafe’s mouth quirked in a small grin as he towered over me.

“I trusted you to bring a horse that suited me.”

He grunted and twisted his lips as if he fought a full smile.

“But you did better than that,” I continued. “You brought one that’s perfect for me. Thank you.”

Rafe took his eye off mine and looked at the other men, rubbing the back of his neck. “I did the same for all the Tennan.”

“I’m not all the Tennan, but thank you, Rafe.”

I reached out to place my hand on his arm, but thought better of it and dropped it to my thigh. Any of the others might be watching.

“He’ll need his coat sheared at least once a year, if not twice,” he said, changing the subject.

Genuine thanks made him uncomfortable. I tucked away this new information, smiling to myself.

My fingers trailed through the pigou’s thick fur. “I’ve never cut a horse’s hair.”

“I’ll have Garion show you.” He gave me one last puzzling look before walking off toward the men.

“Now,” I said, turning to peer under the creature’s forelock. Alert brown eyes looked back at me. “What shall I name you?”

A few days later, I cut Thunderbolt’s hair with Garion. He was normally serious and unfazed, but he laughed at my name for the pigou.

“I’m not sure one has ever had such a grand name,” he jested.

“He’s as quick as one,” I said, cutting at the length of fur on his belly. “Besides, once people see me shooting from his back, they’ll understand the name.”

Thunderbolt’s trim took the entire day. We had to use a comb and shears, and the poor thing had so much dirt caked beneath, I kept running into mats.

Finally, as the sun began to set, he was done. His coat shone with care, a burnished copper that melted into black on his legs and mane, and tail. We trimmed those up as well, and his bright eyes watched me. He stood still and was well mannered while we tended to him. He looked like a completely different animal.

I, however, now looked like an animal.

I picked at my tunic that was covered in hair, dirt, and other things that I’d rather not think of.

“I think I look like a pigou now,” I said, stretching with a yawn.

Spluttering, I pulled a horse hair out of my mouth. Thunderbolt blew through his lips as if to laugh at me. I smirked at him and scratched his neck.

“Let’s head back.”

We cleaned up and had a stableboy put Thunderbolt away. The small boy laughed and mocked his ridiculous ears as they left.

We returned to the fortress, Garion as silent as ever. I headed straight for the cookfire, hoping that dinner was done. Who knew that cutting a horse’s hair would take so much energy?

“Avyanna.”

I faltered and spun on my heel at Rafe’s barked call. He approached me with a heavy frown, looking me up and down. He plucked a piece of hay out of my hair and held it up accusingly.

“Did you think you were going to eat like that?” he asked. His tone was not teasing, but rather demanding.

“Well, I was just–” I trailed off at his blank expression.

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