[au] an early snow

[the_seafarer]

It's only mid-autumn, as the Bar-year reckons, but one morning Caspian wakes early to find that the light coming through his window has that particular muted quality to it that only comes from sifting through clouds and a veil of snow.

And snow it is indeed, when he comes outside: it crunches pleasantly beneath his boots as his breath freezes in the air and his cheeks turn pink with the cold. Snow; and still it falls, silent and light.

He heads to the stables with the intention of finishing his chores quickly so he can let the horses out to frolic in it, whistling as he goes.

Comments

[the_seafarer]

"I'll borrow Corella today," Caspian decides.

Meanwhile, the usually solemn Duncan, confronted with the light, cold fluff on the ground of the paddock, snuffs at it for a moment before breaking into a series of coltish capers, apparently delighted at the sensation.

[sai_delgado]

Susan leaves Corella in the stable for now, and considers the others. "Ghost hasn't had a good long ride in a while," she says, and eyes Corella. "It's late enough in the year that she'd not be close to being in season. Aye, I'll take him."

[the_seafarer]

Caspian runs a hand over Corella's back, her thick, dark-gold winter coat soft beneath his palm before reaching for her tack.

"They'd have a handsome foal," he says, amused. "But best not to court trouble, eh?"

[sai_delgado]

"They would, aye, and I've been meaning to talk to Lucy about it," Susan says, and makes a slight face. "There's many and many-a owner I need to approach, to see if they've interest in such."

[the_seafarer]

"A good project for the winter," Caspian observes.

"I can't speak for Lucy, of course, but I think she'd be amenable."

[sai_delgado]

"Mayhap, but there's some who keep their horses for pleasure-riding only and hadn't ever thought of more," Susan points out. "I'll not deny it was a surprise to me to hear it, but there ye have it."

[the_seafarer]

"I suppose it depends on what sort of stable you want to run," Caspian muses.

"Have you ever considered trading with a patron with access to horses in their world for some of your own stock?"

[sai_delgado]

Susan looks startled first, then thoughtful.

"I'd not," she says, slowly. "There's naught of need here for a stockliner true, not as there were in Mejis. And we've not yet had need for horses for others who haven't one of their own, but..."

But it might be something to consider, oh aye.

[the_seafarer]

"Think about it," he encourages. "We do well enough as a boarding stable, surely. But it's possible more patrons would like to learn to ride, or even own their own mount. Or perhaps need one for whatever world to which they'll return."

[sai_delgado]

"I will," she agrees, beaming at him. "It's a good idea, Caspian, say true."

[the_seafarer]

He smiles back at her and retrieves Corella's blanket and saddle, settling them over her back as the mare snuffles at the hay in her trough.

[sai_delgado]

She sees to turning out the remaining few, save for Ravenscourt, who balks so hard at the snow she can’t bring herself to force him into it.

“Mayhap he’s like a lizard and needs the warmth,” she speculates. “A blanket it’ll be for him, beforehand.”

[the_seafarer]

"He hasn't much extra flesh or coat to keep him warm," Caspian agrees. "Poor old fellow."

[sai_delgado]

Susan wrinkles her nose at him and goes to saddle Ghost. "Are thee almost ready?"

[the_seafarer]

He grins at her, bright as a June morning despite the cold outside.

"Ready and willing," he tells her, leading Corella out.

[sai_delgado]

She finishes saddling and bridling Ghost, dons the hat, scarf, and gloves that Caspian brought her, and leads the stallion out after them.

Ghost whinnies at them, and Susan tells him, "Hush, ye silly."

[the_seafarer]

Caspian, swinging himself into the saddle, gives her an admiring glance.

"You look cute as a button in your winter wear, Su," he laughs. "Warm, too."

[sai_delgado]

"It's all because of thee," she reminds him, as she settles lightly atop Ghost's back and collects him with knee and rein. "Since thee were the one to see to it, do'ee ken?"

[the_seafarer]

"My point stands, I think."

He adjusts his own scarf and nudges Corella forward a few steps with a squeeze of his knees. "Whither shall we go?"

[sai_delgado]

Susan tilts her head back and looks at the cloudy sky, then back at him. "It's not likely to storm, is it?"

[the_seafarer]

He shades his own eyes and looks up, then shakes his head.

"By my reckoning, no," he says. "Although I expect the snow may fall like this for a while yet."

[sai_delgado]

Her smile is soft and shyly pleased. "I don't mind that, if thee don't, and the horses don't."

She shifts in the saddle, looking outward over the land, then suggests, "Should we see if the tree-sisters' garden's affected by the snow?"

[the_seafarer]

Caspian looks pleased at the suggestion. "A fine idea, Su," he says.

They've been to the garden a few more times and introduced others to it as well, and each time the birch-lady seems a little more like a person and even the willow-lady seems nearly ready to speak. "Let's."

[sai_delgado]

Her smile brightens, and she leans forward and speaks to Ghost, urging him forward at the trot. It's not his most comfortable gait, but she's well able to sit it, and he's too restless for a walk to be enough at the moment.

"I'm curious as to how the snow'll look in the trees," she admits.

[the_seafarer]

"See for yourself," Caspian tells her, smiling, as they head towards the woods. It takes a little coaxing to get Corella into a trot to match Ghost, but she settles into it after a moment.

The the light, fluffy flakes have settled on every branch and twig and needle, providing stark contrast to the dark trees. Everything is muffled and silent under the blanket of snow that steadily coats the world.