Samuel was… well. He was not falling - if only barely – and that was really all Jigano could ask at the moment. Maybe talking horses were normal in this not-quite-right world? Maybe all animals talked? But he wasn’t hearing anything from the other horses in the courtyard beyond “neigh” and “whinny” and the unease he’d managed to push back for a few minutes rose up again in the back of his thoughts.
The king made the first move, but with the feather silencing him for the moment it was up to Samuel to respond. That he did so in a way that was mostly in-character was impressive enough for Jigano’s ears to perk and flick backwards, wishing he could encourage his new friend without risking the poor bookmaker sliding off his back.
That was still strange and awkward and he really didn’t want to dwell on it longer than he had to.
”A feather?” the king said, still jovially pleasant but with a hard glitter in his small brown eyes that Jigano noted – and didn’t care for in the least. ”And only a feather? I hope it’s as rare as you say, my loyal huntsman!” As if on command – though, really, any bard worth his salt recognized good dramatic timing when it hit him upside the head – the horse spat out the flaming feather to the cobbles at the kings feet.
All eyes around them went to the strange, magical plume and silence spread in a ripple as others turned to look at what had frozen the king and his entourage. At last an older man, finely dressed with chains of high office at his neck and dark hair carefully manicured into an oiled braid and small goatee, bent down carefully to retrieve it – and wipe the horse spit from it with a white cloth before handing it to the king. Those brown eyes gleamed with avarice now as he examined it, holding it up to the light with no little awe. ”By God, the feather of a firebird!” Never taking his gaze from the plume he continued, breathless. ”Not for generations has one been seen in the kingdom! Why, I would be the envy of all my neighbors if I had it in my menagerie. Huntsman!” The meandering of his thoughts ended in a short, sharp bark of command that had Jigano laying his ears flat in distaste at such disrespect for his companion.
”As my finest hunter and most loyal servant, I command you to bring me the firebird by three days’ time! Whatever you need for this task is yours; you need only ask my vizier for it.” With the decree spoken and witnessed, the king turned, cradling the feather close. Whatever plans he’d made for his ride were forgotten in his preoccupation with his new treasure as he hobbled back into the palace, leaving Samuel and Jigano to face the tall, thin, stern-faced man who had picked the feather up earlier. A dark brow arched in a silent Well? as he waited on ‘the huntsman’s’ list of needs.
The king made the first move, but with the feather silencing him for the moment it was up to Samuel to respond. That he did so in a way that was mostly in-character was impressive enough for Jigano’s ears to perk and flick backwards, wishing he could encourage his new friend without risking the poor bookmaker sliding off his back.
That was still strange and awkward and he really didn’t want to dwell on it longer than he had to.
”A feather?” the king said, still jovially pleasant but with a hard glitter in his small brown eyes that Jigano noted – and didn’t care for in the least. ”And only a feather? I hope it’s as rare as you say, my loyal huntsman!” As if on command – though, really, any bard worth his salt recognized good dramatic timing when it hit him upside the head – the horse spat out the flaming feather to the cobbles at the kings feet.
All eyes around them went to the strange, magical plume and silence spread in a ripple as others turned to look at what had frozen the king and his entourage. At last an older man, finely dressed with chains of high office at his neck and dark hair carefully manicured into an oiled braid and small goatee, bent down carefully to retrieve it – and wipe the horse spit from it with a white cloth before handing it to the king. Those brown eyes gleamed with avarice now as he examined it, holding it up to the light with no little awe. ”By God, the feather of a firebird!” Never taking his gaze from the plume he continued, breathless. ”Not for generations has one been seen in the kingdom! Why, I would be the envy of all my neighbors if I had it in my menagerie. Huntsman!” The meandering of his thoughts ended in a short, sharp bark of command that had Jigano laying his ears flat in distaste at such disrespect for his companion.
”As my finest hunter and most loyal servant, I command you to bring me the firebird by three days’ time! Whatever you need for this task is yours; you need only ask my vizier for it.” With the decree spoken and witnessed, the king turned, cradling the feather close. Whatever plans he’d made for his ride were forgotten in his preoccupation with his new treasure as he hobbled back into the palace, leaving Samuel and Jigano to face the tall, thin, stern-faced man who had picked the feather up earlier. A dark brow arched in a silent Well? as he waited on ‘the huntsman’s’ list of needs.
