Neidr, as promised, accompanied Dew to the stablemaster after several boring hours in the kitchens. Dew found their desserts entirely acceptable and had no strong approval for any one of the options presented. It maddened the baker to not know what she preferred best. 

Efa tagged along, sketchbook in hand and curiosity at heart. She admitted in the quiet of the morning to having felt terribly the day before. The violence Rhyddid displayed turned her stomach and the crowded hall only furthered her illness. But, she managed to sleep somewhat well and it gladdened her to see Dew wake in good spirits. They didn’t get to speak long before a maid entered to light candles followed closely by the Fae ladies. They said nothing at seeing Efa with Dew. 

The stablemaster greeted them just before they entered the long barn. Like the servants, his garb fitted what Dew came to understand as typical for the working class. A leather wrap clasped at the front with four metal buttons and a pair trousers. 

“Blodeuwedd,” Neidr gestured to Dew and the stablemaster bowed low, “Meet Pawl.” 

“Pleasure,” Dew nodded back in respect. 

Neidr translated as the stablemaster guided her through. The Fae horses, called glanus or glani for multiple, lined the stables with curious noses. They knickered, exposing sharp teeth and rough tongues. Their coats glowed with colorful patterns down their legs and spine. 

The stable hands fed the beasts stews with meaty chunks of Civek. To keep them occupied while in the stalls, metal balls hung from a wire across the backside where the glani chewed and licked. 

“The metal is cool and eases any discomfort. Glani shed their teeth several times a year,” Neidr explained as they stopped in front of one of the beasts. “This one is yours.”

Like the others, Dew’s own glanus towered over her, even dwarfing Neidr. Pure black with a long mane and tail, it lacked the distinct patterns of the others. 

Pawl said something.

“He is telling you to not be shy and enter. This one is affectionate and kind,” Neidr translated.

Dew hesitantly entered the stall and petted the beast’s neck. It knickered quietly, its temperament well in the face of a stranger. Its hooves stomped the stone floor and Dew darted back in case it hit her. One hoof spanned her waist and then some. 

“Pawl would like to know if there is a name you would prefer for your glanus.” Neidr waited patiently as Dew inspected her mount. 

“The sex?”

“A female.”

“This one does not have patterns…” Dew bent low to inspect the legs and saw long hairs sprout from the knee, falling almost to the floor. 

Neidr questioned the stablemaster for a moment. 

“It is born without. She is still young and may show patterns later… Would you prefer a different horse?” Neidr suddenly grew nervous. 

Before Dew could refute, she heard an audible gasp from Efa who ducked low. Neidr and the stablemaster followed before slowly rising and stepping away. 

Rhyddid strode into view, stretching his neck to see into the stable. 

“Does this one not please you?” 

“Koli shall be this one’s name.” Dew headed out of the stall to greet Rhyddid properly. 

Her mount became displeased by the sudden disappearance of attention and nipped her shoulder. The teeth did not rip the fabric, but she could feel a distinct point to the nip. She squealed in fright, spinning around to face the beast. 

Rhyddid pressed to her back, a chuckle vibrating through his armor and tickling her. He grasped one of her hips to pull her back into him and the other scratched at the beast’s nose. 

Dew’s heart hammered at the close proximity. She held still, eyes darting quickly to where Efa watched on. Her sister worried her bottom lip. 

“She will not harm you intentionally. They are greedy creatures for attention.” He patted Koli’s muzzle roughly before pushing back on the creature. “Shall we ride?” 

The stable hands brought forth a saddle that Dew recognized. It nearly made her laugh when they placed the small thing on the colossal back of Koli. A strange pole extended from the stirrup down Koli’s sides. 

“You will be too short for Koli to understand your commands. The pole will make up for that,” Rhyddid explained before hoisting her up. “You ride at home, do you not?”

Dew squirmed as she tried to find her seat. Her legs spread far wider than she anticipated. Her skirts accommodated her new perch but only so much. 

“I have, yes.” Dew gripped the pommel with both hands as she eyed the distance to the ground. 

If Koli bucked her, it would be a long fall. 

Rhyddid guided Koli from the stables and out to the enclosure. He walked along the perimeter and would glance back to see how much Dew managed to relax. After their first circuit, he smiled at seeing Dew sitting straight in her seat with legs pressed firmly to Koli’s sides. 

Dew did feel a bit better riding. She’d never ridden the large draft horses she saw in the fields, but she thought this must be a similar experience. Her legs bent awkwardly at the knee to reach the stirrups which laid at an angle. 

“Here,” Rhyddid handed her the reins and let her circuit once then twice by herself. “Not much different, is it?” 

“Oh, it’s very different,” Dew called out as she passed him for her third go. 

Efa stood behind him on the other side of the fence. She propped her sketchbook on one of the posts and scribbled away with a piece of charcoal. 

Dread filled Dew as she watched Rhyddid peek over at Efa. He smiled at her, completely at ease and attentive to her drawing. Her sister shily raised the paper for his inspection, the sketch far from complete. He nodded in praise. The dread receded. 

Dew managed to reign Koli into stopping by Rhyddid. Idly, she wondered if Efa would be given a horse. 

“Does Efa enjoy riding?” While he aimed the question at Dew, he watched her sister’s reaction in the corner of his eye. 

Efa stiffened at the thought and when she looked up to Koli’s large stature, paled significantly. 

“She much prefers to stay on the ground.” Dew bit her lip nervously as Rhyddid turned his face to Efa. She could not see what expression he made until he turned back to her with clear amusement in his eyes. 

“I understand.” He grinned and opened the gate for Dew. “Neidr, take care of Efa.” 

Neidr bowed reverently to his command.