Arran mounted Equs, nudging it towards the starting gate. He no longer required Ermic’s help to guide Equs to the starting line. Equs, who had become a lot more trusting of Arran, complied to his urgings without resistance. He had also become a lot calmer now. He showed grace and presence where once he would have been nervous and jittery around the other horses. He would calmly gaze upon the other horses, as if assessing them. His eyes contained an intelligence that differentiated him from the other horses.

It was a big race. The prize money was huge, but the prestige gained was of much bigger importance to the nobles. There were many nobles who had come to Cyrium from other cities to either participate in, or witness this race. The horses to either side of him were some of the finest steeds in the Ororian empire. Lord Egon, never one to take risks, had enrolled another horse in the race along with Equs. It was Egon’s might. Arran knew it’s prowess, but he wasn't worried. Equs, as if following Arran’s gaze, sized up Egon’s might before snorting in a surprisingly accurate imitation of a human. Arran smiled, “Good boy, Good boy. Lets win this, shall we?” he asked rhetorically while patting Equs. Equs neighed, as if showing his pleasure at being patted.

The race had been easier than they had expected. Egon’s might and a few other horses proved to be tough opponents, but even they had to bow down to Equs’s might.

As Arran led Equs towards the stables provided by the track for the riders, Lord Egon approached him, his procession of servants and lackeys in tow. This was new. Lord Egon generally never came to the races, preferring to place his bets and leaving it up to his servants to collect the prize money as well as the betting winnings.

“Arran, That was a surprisingly easy win. I believe I must acknowledge Equs’s might for once, seeing how it galloped like the wind” he complimented, in a rare display of cheer. His euphoria of winning the race and gaining a huge boost in prestige, likely playing a major role in breaking down his mask of scorn and arrogance. There was a woman beside him, dressed in flowing robes of red and gold, she walked elegantly beside Egon. Her face was covered in a translucent veil, preventing Arran from discerning more than just the shape of her face.

There had been rumours recently, that Lord Egon had taken a new concubine. His uncharacteristic visit to the races as well as this mysterious lady only led Arran to believe the rumours.

Arran took care not to stare at either Lord Egon or the lady beside him, immediately bowing his head and kneeling down, as every slave was required to, in the presence of a noble.

“Will Equs let us touch him?” Egon questioned.

“No, my lord. He has not let anyone else in the stables handle him, only my groom, Ermic, was partially successful” Arran responded, training his eyes towards the ground. The filth wanted to pet Equs! as if he was just any other horse. Equs was far from it. Arran treated Equs like he would treat Ermic, like he would treat any other human.

“Doesn’t it listen to you?” Egon asked scornfully, “calm it down while my daughter pets it,” he said “she has taken a liking to it.”

His daughter? Arran was shocked. The gossip mongering slaves had assumed it was a concubine since she looked young and beautiful. If word got out about what rumours they had been spreading, Egon would surely whip them, or worse, put them to death.

“I shall try, my lord. But I would advise the lady that it could be dangerous, possibly fatal” Arran said carefully, trying not to sound like he was refusing Egon’s orders.

“Do you think I am a child, slave?” a domineering voice questioned him. It was Egon’s daughter. “I shall decide for myself if it is dangerous or not.”

“As you wish, my lady” Arran responded carefully, a hint of fear creeping into his voice. He did not wish to antagonise Egon’s daughter.

“Be careful Isan” Egon warned before stepping back.

Lady Isan then strode forward slowly, deliberately; so that Equs would not be startled. Arran looked on with apprehension, expecting Equs to chomp down on Lady Isan’s outstretched hand. Equs looked at the approaching Isan, bewildered at what she was trying to do. He looked like he couldn't decide how to react. He reared back suddenly, deciding that a show of aggression would deter the human trying to approach him.

Isan stopped then, her posture showing hints of doubt. Equs tried to back off and proceed towards the stables, but Arran was holding him; whispering words of comfort in his ear and patting his neck. Equs relaxed slightly, but not enough to let his guard down completely.

Isan hesitated for a second, seemingly unable to decide what to do next. She removed her veil then, looking Equs straight in the eyes. She approached Equs again.

Arran was mesmerised, he had not seen a woman more beautiful than Isan. She could be no older than fifteen summers, yet she possessed the elegance and maturity of someone far beyond her age. Her face, pale skinned and lovely; her full lips, painted a dark red; she looked beautiful. He was at a loss, how could someone so beautiful exist?

Her eyes however, were what captured his attention the most. They seemed to look into your very soul. They were captivating, her forest green irises, a perfect contrast to her auburn locks. She looked at Equs, trying to convey that she meant well, that she only wanted to befriend the horse. Even Arran could feel her sincerity and will. She was the only other being apart from Equs who could talk with her eyes, convey the depth of her feelings with just a look.

He was instantly smitten….He knew he was doomed.

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