Morning, First Cycle of Imperos, the day after her arrival
During the season of Summer, Era II
Aydyn had arisen early that morning, a habit she still had to shake even after months on Demios. She had no intentions of staying longer than the one night in Abestat and was eager to find herself a horse so that she could be on her way. After obtaining directions from several people on the streets of the city, she eventually found her way to the Leaps and Bounds Stable, a place she never would have found herself due to its back-street location. As she grew closer, the smell of horses grew stronger and a small smile lit upon her face. A farm girl, the smell of horses brought back pleasant memories of home. Maybe she would stop there after all...
She let the continuing debate of stopping in to see her parents trail off as she entered the building. She was about to proceed further into the barn when her eyes caught side of a wooden board whereon was a list of horses, supplies, and prices. Shifting the wicker basket from one arm to the other, Aydyn moved towards it and glanced it over. Well, she certainly wasn't looking for anything pricey and as long as it could hold her, it would suit her just fine. As the daughter of a farmer, she was relatively familiar with each breed and figured that the plainsbred would be just fine, even if it wasn't a truly handsome beast.
She jolted around as a stablehand approached her and asked her if he could help her out. She nodded, setting the wicker basket down on the ground at her feet.
"Uh, yes, I was wondering if I could purchase a...uhmm...plainsbred?" She nodded her head to confirm her request.
"A mare or a gelding, if you can." She did not have the experience to really deal with a moody stallion.
The stablehand looked her over, assessing her physical height and weight. Aydyn knew that she was tiny and hoped that he would find a smaller plainsbred--she knew how big they could be at times. He finally walked away, meandering down the length of stalls to locate what he figured would be a fit choice for her. He eventually came back with two plainsbred mares, one gray with a dark gray muzzle, legs, mane, and tail, the other a deep rust red that was nearly brown, with a cream white tail and mane and a white blaze running down its forehead.
"Is one gentler than the other?" she asked tentatively, finding them both very pretty and relatively calm. She reached a hand out to the muzzle of each and smiled as their soft, whiskered noses nuzzled her palms.
"The rust a little more so. The gray is younger, though not by much."
Aydyn nodded, slipping a hand away from the rust to stroke the forehead of the rust. She was sweet and quiet. Aydyn, not knowing how to ride, wanted exactly this kind of horse. She would have to learn as she rode.
"This one will be fine," she announced scratching the horse's forelock fondly.
"I also need a saddle, a blanket, some feed, and a bridle with a bit. Oh...and some small saddle bags, please."
The stablehand nodded and lead the gray away. When he returned he had the saddle and blanket draped over one arm.
"Need me to show you how to do this?" he asked, about to drape it over the mare's back. Aydyn nodded and the stablehand proceeded to walk her through the placement of the saddle and the adjustment of the girth and stirrups. He retrieved the bridle and bit next and did the same with that tack. He set the feed bag and the saddlebags to one side as he instructed her and when he figured she was set, informed her of the price of the transaction.
Aydyn forked over five one hundred crown notes and sighed as she watched the money retreat into the man's pocket. She set the saddlebags on the horse and quickly rearranged her possessions into them or her knapsack before heading out, wicker basket on her arm and the lead of her new horse on her arm.
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