The Law of Dreams by Peter Behrens

Author:Peter Behrens
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: FIC000000, Historical
ISBN: 9781841959351
Publisher: Steerforth
Published: 2006-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

HE WATCHED a blue gelding moving restlessly up and down the fence line, tossing his ugly head. The horse was deeply galled, but there was good action there. A bit of spring left in his haunches. The galling meant a cart horse, but he could have been a saddle horse in his younger days, even a hunter — he was tall and thick enough.

He showed more spirit than any of the other ghosts, flaring and whinnying, then trotting away when Fergus tried to approach.

“Ain’t going to harm you.” He followed the horse patiently, giving him room, holding out a fistful of hay.

Perhaps it was true, that any horse chosen for the tip was doomed. But at least the animals that were worked were fed a little oats, while the rest were left to starve in the barren pasture.

“Why have I come here?” he said to the horse.

No longer sure why. Only knowing you couldn’t go backward.

“I’m after wages. Want them gold clinkers, man — sovereigns. But I shall care for you regular, I promise. I’ll try to be favorable.”

The horse, gradually cornered, finally extended his neck, pulling his lips back and reaching for the hay Fergus held out. Knotting his fingers into the mane, Fergus started leading him to the stable. The galls stank of rotting fish.

The horse suddenly bit him on the arm.

“Ow!”

The horse ignored him, ambling peacefully now. The pain was shrill. Rubbing his arm, Fergus caught up and took another handful of the mane, wary this time.

“Don’t waste that gumption on me. Save it for yourself.”

He watered the horse, fed him a pan of oats, then got ointment from the farrier and rubbed it in the galls. As Fergus scraped mud from the thick legs, the horse suddenly lashed out with a kick that would have broken bone had it connected.

He couldn’t help admiring the animal’s spirit.

Anger gave you strength.

Disquiet kept you going.

* * *

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