Hooves and Hassling

[Puzzles]

Nosdyn

It was the beginning of another beautiful day on the Wilder Ranch a modest and cozy horse farm settled in the country side just a day’s ride east of Radasanth. The sun had just started to peak its head up over the sprawling hills the dotted the horizon. The many farm hands under the employ of Mr. Wilder had already been up for hours putting in their hard day’s work. It was the fifth day of Kollis, The Barragon Festival of spring, and the beginning of the Wilder Ranch’s season. If the weather for the next few weeks would continue to hold out then this would prove to be a very lucrative year for Mr. Wilder.

William Wilder, the owner of Wilder Ranch, was an honest man who enjoyed the fruits of his labor. He isn’t above waking up before daylight like those who worked for him and normally is the first out in the fields moving his steed from place to place. On this morning Mr. Wilder had begun by saddling up Kannan and riding his beautiful Hallowmane towards the northern most pasture driving the yearlings towards the feeding fields. This was typical and by now became like second nature for both he and his steed. They had such a bond that even without words or nudges Kannan knew what William wanted of her and by now the smaller yearlings knew what’s what and never put up a fight.

“Alright now!” Mrs. Wilder called out as the last of the yearlings ran past her and into the feeding fields. Mrs. Wilder was a young woman much smaller in stature than her husband. William and his wife had lived together on Wilder Ranch for the last six years and she had taken up to the life fondly standing second to none as the best trainer on the farm. As the last hoof of these massive young horses crested past the large gate she slammed it shut, locking it tightly with a loose chain that dangled off the fence post. “We got em’, y’all go on now.” She said as she waved her rugged cowboy hat in the air shooing the horses to go find their feed.

“Thank you my darling,” William said as he rode in, leaning down on the side of his mount and placing a smooch on the side of his wife’s face. “I’m going to make preparations for our guests, we are supposed to be entertaining a group of nobles today.” He said as he continued past Mrs. Wilder heading to the large barn in the center of his ranch. Mrs. Wilder smiled as she headed off on foot ushering the straggling ponies to their feed troths. There was much to get done here with the yearlings but nothing until they had plenty of energy for their long day of training.

As the day went on and the sun now sitting high in the sky William went about getting his farm hand into position. Making sure that he had his most well training geldings stationing in front of the main lodging building so that they are the first animals his guests are to see as they arrive. Stationed near the large barn were the studs and breeding mares that any equestrian breeder would be here to most interested in. In the rear feeding field the yearlings were fast at work each with their individual partner learning the ropes. William expected a variety of guest and was ready to meet any obstacle in order to make a sale. Though his most prized horses were the trained gelding goliaths, offspring of Kannan herself, and possibly the most sought after steeds in all of Corone.

“Sir,” Daddle yelled hanging out the large open doors of the barns second level. She pointed towards the west at the faint outlines of incoming carriages. “Looks like the first guests of the season are here.” She finished as she swung her way back inside the barn to finish storing the hay. William stood proudly in front of a fine row of powerful warhorses waiting to see the excited faces of this seasons new clientele.

As a side note, Im new at this format and by no means an accomplished writer. Feedback and constructive criticism is happily welcomed.