Horseflesh

[Jedediah Knox]

"Oh Ah do apologahse, Durham, curse mah foolish tongue; no offence was meant, that was a mere mix-up of words on mah part. But of course we'll be riding out a little, it's such a fahne nahght after the spell of inclemency we've had lately, the turf is firmin' up some. And, of course, it wouldn't be rahght to let either of y'all take ownership of these beasts without taking a turn in the saddle; fahve seconds there can tell you more than an hour of close inspection. And," Jedediah adds playfully, "whahle we're on the topic of misspoken terminology, Durham, Ah don't mean to say there's no value in close inspection - for example, a really intricate examination mahght have revealed to you," he leans in conspiratorially, "these are both stallions, not mares." He grins, and winks at Lady Annabelle.

"Ah'll have them saddled up. Ah took the liberty of acquirin' the latest top-of-the-lahne military tack for all y'all, although of course if you have your own you prefer it'll be no trouble for me to fahnd another user, Ah've been ridin' lately with some of the boys from the local cavalry regiment and they're quahte taken with it." He dons his hat and strides across the yard toward where his unusually large chestnut Arabian stallion has been waiting with what would pass for vigilance, stable doors again rattling at his passing.

He returns astride Flintlock as the stable hand and groom are adjusting the saddle girth on Lady Annabelle's new steed, Lord Durham's already standing restlessly, saddled and ready.

"There's a little indoor area with a soft floor, but we got us a good moon and the fields near here get the blood pumpin'... ahh, as it were. What say we skip the warmin'-up and go have some fun?" Apparently unbidden, Flintlock turns toward the exit, but Knox reins him in, awaiting a decision from his guests.