Morning light leaked through the clouds as Ahrie yawned and stretched.
The horse was already awake—staring at him like it hadn't slept at all.
"Let's go, sleepyhead," Ahrie muttered, rubbing his eyes.
The horse snorted.
They walked through the streets, half the townsfolk staring at the odd pair—
a rough-looking seeker and a sleek, black, blue-eyed horse that looked too proud to belong to him.
At the Seeker's Hall, Ahrie tied the horse's rope to a nearby tree.
"Ssst! Behave yourself, got it? I'll be back."
He patted its neck, then stepped inside.
The horse watched him disappear through the doors.
Moments passed.
A man, a trader by the look of his satchel, strolled by and slowed down when he saw it.
He whistled low. "Well now… what do we have here?"
He stepped closer, hand out, a greedy glint in his eye.
"That's some fine breed… wonder who left you out here alone…"
The horse's ear twitched.
Its blue eyes tracked his every move.
The man reached for the rope—
Snap.
