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the way they always do, When you're ridin' sixteen hours
And there's nothin' much to do
Asgeir and X'yrin worked long and hard on the foundation of the barn. Though it took the morning to complete, by the time the early afternoon arrived the holes were dug and the wood to hold up the structure was cut to its proper length. X'yrin and he had nearly placed the sum of them when she turned to a voice coming from the east. He placed his before turning, and received the one X'y had been hauling to place it in the next hole, leaving a scant dozen left to fill. All dangerous objects otherwise occupied he turned to also greet the visitors, a generally friendly expression on his face and his black tipped tail wagging broadly behind him.
The first newcomer was introduced to him indirectly as Jiva, a young man with light brown fur and a reddish mane which stuck up in a line from forehead to the back of his head. The man was shorter than he by a fair amount, and Asgeir's first reaction was to dismiss him till the man's claim that he could do "anything". Given the way Jiva's eyes took in the skeleton of the barn Asgeir assumed he meant building, and took some amount more interest. His eyes traveled to the young lady standing next to Jiva, who was introduced by the same as Palaydrian. She was a gorgeous cream wolfess, much as his Karina had been, but with darker points. He offered Jiva a curt nod, extended into a half bow for the lady, and began to answer Palaydrian's query of where he wanted them to work when X'yrin spoke up again, stating intention to call for a break -- then her statement broke off as the small voice of Zeus piped up.
Palaydrian reacted first, crouching to speak to Zeus and then X'y followed, scooping the youngling up to ensure he was alright and chide him for venturing so far from the caves unattended. She concluded her thought to break for lunch and to discuss the project, and Asgeir cleared his throat. I'll ride back to the dens and fetch back some food. Zeus can come with me, if he likes; he can be my big helper. I'll take good care of him, he adopted the solemn tones of the lad, I promise. He whistled once and within a few moments, the white-dappled bay hide of Speck appeared behind him. He swung himself aboard, then led the horse to a rock for ease of mounting by X'y, offering a hand to her for better balance with the sandy pup seated on Speck's withers in front of him. When she was aboard he handed Zeus to her, and allowed a moment for them to get settled to ride before nudging the stallion.
The horse set off at some pace slightly smoother than a trot but not as fluid or as fast as a gallop. He did not wish to startle or scare Zeus, and so talked to him and X'yrin the entire time, til they got to the caves. He assembled some food, leaving X'y atop his steed. It was perhaps not a feast but enough to sate the ones gathered. Asgeir slung the bag over Speck's ample hindquarters, and carefully remounted the stallion. The return journey was as smooth as the departure had been, and took next to no time. When they arrived, he slid from the horse and set the sack down, then assisted his Alphess off the horse's back so she could distribute food.
You just wish the trip was through
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