away. But he was intrigued and wanted to know more of this strange human who wasn’t afraid of him.
«I’ll share an apple with you tomorrow, if you let me touch you today.» Kara smiled, noticing Itsuki and a few other men frozen at the fence with their mouth open from shock.
She stopped, not reaching the fence, and let the stallion walk up to her. He first sniffed her back, then stepped a bit closer and sniffed her shoulder and head, brushing his nose against her cheek.
When he reached over her shoulder, glancing at her with curiosity, Kara slowly raised her hand and let him sniff it again, before gently touching his nose.
The stallion flinched for a second, snorting with surprise, but then approached again and let her touch him once more.
«There you go.» Kara smiled and turned slowly to face the stallion. «See?»
She caressed his forehead, while letting him sniff her clothes. She reached up to scratch under his mane and noticed a small red star-shaped scar on his forehead.
«Did someone hurt you? Is this why you’re so angry all the time?» the young woman asked, gently petting the horse.
The stallion shook his head and turned away, looking at the people watching them.
«It’s okay. Go. I’ll see you tomorrow.» Kara smiled and caressed the stallion’s neck.
He stepped away and calmly walked off, leaving Kara by herself. The young woman chuckled and went back to Itsuki. As soon as she jumped off the fence, he looked at her with awe.
«I have no idea what magic you used with that beast!» he said. «And I don’t even want to know.»
«You said I have to choose my horse.» Kara smiled. «I want him.»
«Akuma?! You want Akuma?» one of the men asked in shock.
«I don’t know how you tried to tame him, but he seems quite tame to me. Perhaps, you just don’t understand him?» Kara shrugged her shoulders. «Of course, I won’t be able to ride him straight away, but give me a little time and he will become a perfect friend for me.»
Itsuki exhaled, shaking his head.
«When will you ever stop surprising me, Nakano?» he whispered.
Kara shrugged her shoulders, feeling quite confident that Akuma can become a perfect horse.
«Oh, did I miss it already?» suddenly they heard Ayame’s voice. «I was told Akuma was killing our guest.»
«He didn’t even try, Ayame.» Kara replied with a smile.
«She’s a wonder! He tried scaring her and she didn’t even flinch!» Itsuki replied. «You should have seen it! He even allowed her to touch him!»
«Nakano, I hope you won’t mind if I join you some time to see what you have done to this demon of a horse?» Ayame glanced at Kara.
«You can join me tomorrow, when I’ll try and work with him trusting me a bit more…» Kara replied with a chuckle. «If I will be allowed to take him, of course.»
«I am sure Lord Ryuu will agree that there can be no other way, Nakano.»
«Meanwhile…» Itsuki said with a sigh. «I wanted to see how you do on a horse, not next to it.»
«We can offer a couple of training horses, Master Inei.» One of the men said. «But I’m not sure if Nakano would want to ride them.»
«Oh, I can ride any horse. I just love mine with an attitude just like mine.» Kara smiled.
«Saddle Sakura for her.» Ayame smiled. «I am sure she will suffice.»
«Yes, Spy Master.» The men bowed to Ayame and ran off.
«Take care of my mare, Nakano. She has a temper, but I am sure you will find a way to negotiate with her.»
«I will do my best, Spy Master Ayame.» Kara bowed slightly.
«And you…» Ayame turned to Itsuki. «Take care of Nakano. Lord Ryuu will be furious if our wounded hero will get hurt riding a horse.»
«Some why I doubt she will be the one hurt.» Itsuki chuckled.
«I’ll look after him, Ayame.» Kara winked at the woman.
Within minutes the horses were ready and Itsuki jumped into the saddle. He was riding a big stallion – black and with a very lush mane and tail. If Kara wouldn’t know better, she would have said this stallion was Akuma’s brother, no less.
Sakura, on the other hand, was a beautiful mare – long-legged and fair, she would be perfect for a queen. The mare’s coat was a rare cream colour, making her stand out from all the other horses in the castle.
Kara admired such beauty, as well as the strength of these wonderful creatures, and Sakura definitely seemed like a strong and resilient horse.
As soon as she got onto her back, Sakura tensed up and beat her front hoof on the ground – she was obviously looking forward to have a good time.
«Take care of her, alright?» Ayame caressed her horse on the neck.
Itsuki led Kara out of the castle and they set off through a picturesque road that curved through the forest.
Kara felt that Sakura could do better if she were to let go, and so she allowed the mare to quicken her pace and burst into an amazing gallop. Itsuki followed, knowing both horses better than Kara, and easily keeping up.
It was obvious that these horses knew each other well and worked perfectly in tandem – they ran in unison, turning and slowing when needed.
Feeling the freedom of galloping on a road again, Kara started smiling, happy to be on a horse.
* * *
Kara started her days with training – Itsuki was relentless when it came to her and it helped her return to her form after the wound she suffered in the battle. After her usual morning training sessions she went to the stables to spend some time with Akuma.
As the days passed, the stallion was becoming more and more susceptible to her. He stopped being angry and nervous all the time, turning out to be a very calm and confident horse. And with each new day he started waiting for her to come to his paddock and greeting her at the gate.
And it wasn’t because she had a couple of treats ready for him, he wanted to receive her gentle touch and feel her combing his mane and tail. Very soon she managed to put a special bridle she had made. It was different from the usual bridles that others used, and the leatherworker was surprised to make such a thing at Kara’s demand. But he dared not refuse – after all, Kara was favoured by Lord Ryuu, and the master leatherworker feared his wrath.
Akuma received the bitless bridle with ease, and the very same day allowed Kara to get up on his back. The young woman took a short ride, showing the stallion how to react to her subtle commands, and let him be. She didn’t want to rush him into anything, and proceeded with caution.
When she worked with Akuma in the paddock, others would sometimes come and watch. Ayame and Itsuki were the most frequent witnesses of her «magic’, but Lord Ryuu visited them as well. He never said anything, but whenever Kara noticed him among others – he was standing there, watching her closely with a very concentrated expression on his stern face.
By the time Kara felt confident that Akuma will be able to behave outside the paddock, she saddled him up and opened the gate.
The people who were watching scattered aside, fearing that the stallion would bolt through them, but Akuma stayed by Kara’s side – she wasn’t holding the reins, and yet the stallion was listening to her. All he did was look out with a curious gaze.
Kara finally took the reins and calmly walked out of the paddock with him.
Surprisingly, Akuma listened to her every move and