"I can't help myself," she managed. And she couldn't. A selection of the most amazing horses she had ever seen were being placed in a line before them.
"The number and kind of your riders," Hearn said, coming to stand next to Miach. "I will select the proper mount for each."
Miach nodded. "We are seven, including Morgan and me. My elder brother Adhémar rides with us as well. He looked quickly at Hearn. He's a fair rider."
Hearn called out to one of his lads who brought forward a horse that even Morgan had to judge as superior. She looked at Hearn with a frown.
" 'Tis fit for a king. Adhémar is a bumbling oaf. I would settle him on something less fine, were I you, and save this for someone who can ride."
Hearn choked. He finally had to lean over with his hands on his thighs and cough until he had apparently recovered from some sort of fit. He straightened eventually, put a hand on Miach's shoulder to steady himself, then he laughed heartily. "Well, Mistress Morgan, I just might. Or perhaps I'll make certain that young Buck here can teach his brother what he needs to know to ride such a beast." He drew his sleeve across his tearing eyes and chuckled a final time. "Ah, me. Oaf, indeed. Now, Buck, continue on with your company and we'll see what suits."
Morgan allowed Miach to discuss the needs of the rest; she spent her time admiring a line of horseflesh that men likely would have killed for. She suspected murder might have been the least of what a man might have done to have an Angesand steed. To think something of this quality might be hers…
Hearn put his hand on her shoulder in a friendly fashion. "Well, we've settled the rest of the company. What of you, missy? Is there something there that catches your eye. "
Morgan didn't dare say. There was a beautiful horse standing there, somewhat apart, of a mahogany color with a streak of white down his nose and little white socks on his feet. He stood next to a horse that matched him except that he was black. Both beasts seemed to be flying even as they stood there, perfectly still and perfectly mannered. Outside of the flashy horse that Morgan couldn't imagine Adhémar managing to ride, those looked to be the finest of the lot.
And that was saying a great deal.
But she didn't dare voice her desire. Miach's water had been sweet and her swordplay superior, but even those things could not possibly manage to win what stood before her.
Hearn studied her for a moment or two, then motioned to one of his lads. Morgan watched in astonishment as the mahogany horse was brought forward. To her everlasting horror, she felt her eyes begin to burn.
Hearn met his lad halfway and brought the horse back to Morgan. "His name is Reannag," he said. He held out the reins. "He's yours."
She looked up at him. She could hardly see for the tears in her eye. "How did you know?"
"Some things are destined to be, my girl," he said with a grave smile.
Morgan blinked, hard, then accepted the reins with a gingerliness she might have used with a legendary sword. Reannag didn't seem to mind, though, He merely stared at her in a friendly horse fashion, as if he waited for her to come to terms with the magnitude of his splendidness.
Morgan thought that might take quite some time.
Hearn turned to Miach. "You'll have the black next to him, won't you?"
"Gratefully," Miach said. "What is he called?"
"Rèaltan. Do you care to try him?"
"Desperately," Miach said frankly.
Hearn laughed. "Saddle or none?"
"I'll manage without, thank you."
Morgan stood next to Hearn and watched with concern. "Are you certain he shouldn't have a lesson or two? "
Hearn shrugged, "If he's bucked oft and breaks his neck, you may have his horse."
"Well, that's fair enough, I suppose," she conceded.
But to her surprise, Miach swung up onto that horse as it he'd done it all his life. Then again, he was a farmer. That would explain his proficiency on horseback, which even she could see was considerable. He rode the horse around the lists several times, then slid off its back in front of Hearn. He made Hearn a very low bow.
"My gratitude. He is a magnificent beast. "
"Keep him well."
"I will."
