Magic's Promise by Mercedes Lackey Page B

mentioned Withen's proposition on that first visit to breed her to the best of his palfrey-studs, or he'd have been using his magic to repair the gaping holes in the stable, instead of adding a door.
    This time, at least, Withen had learned enough through repetition that the loose box had been vacated, scoured and bleached, and then filled with straw. But he still had left the outer door latched and double-locked.
    Vanyel just sighed, magicked the locks in the open position, and pulled the top half of the door wide. He moved the latchstring for the lower half back through the hole to where Yfandes could get at it, then rummaged through his own packs for a longer bit of string so that she could pull it closed if she chose. Needless to say, the strap he'd attached there last time was gone.
    “ How hungry are you? ” he asked her, stripping her tack and hanging it over the edge of the stall for the stablehands to clean, then beginning to rub her down. Straw dust tickled his nose and made him want to sneeze.
    :Very,: she replied, testing the depth of the straw with a forehoof and nodding approval. Just take the sweat off and get the knots out of my tail; I'm going to roll when I get out, and maybe swim in the pond.:
    He heard Withen's footsteps on the path to the stable, and switched to Mindspeech. :Fine, love, just have your swim when nobody's watching or they'II send half the stablehands to pull you out. Now watch; I will bet you money that Father says, “Are you sure you should leave her that much food so soon after a long ride? She might founder.“: He finished currying her, took the bucket off its hook, and went after grain for her.
    “ Are you sure you should leave her that much food so soon after a long ride? ” Withen said dubiously from the stable - door proper, his square bulk blocking nearly all the light. “ She might founder. ”
    “ Father, she isn't a horse; she knows better than to stuff herself silly. She told me she's very hungry. It's been a hard tour of duty for both of us, and both of us need to get back a little weight. ” Vanyel hung the bucket of mixed grains where Yfandes could get at it easily. :Now he'll say, “I suppose you know best, son, but-”:
    “ I suppose you know best, son, but- ” Withen moved cautiously up to the loose box as Vanyel forked in hay.
    “ Father, would you stuff yourself sick after a long day at the harvest? ” At harvest - time Withen made it a point of spending one day with each of his tenants and several days with his own fieldhands, working beside them. It was one of the many things he did that endeared him to his people.
    “ Well - ” Withen's heavy brows creased, and for once he looked uncertain. “ - no. ”
    “ So, neither will she. ” He rinsed her water-bucket until it squeaked, filled it with absolutely clear, cold water, and hung it beside the grain bucket. Withen stepped forward as if he couldn't help himself.
    “ Son, she'll foul the water. ”
    “ Would Mother drop food into the wine in her goblet? ” Vanyel sighed.
    “ Well - no. ”
    “ So, Yfandes wouldn't. ” Since she has better manners than Mother.
    He Mindtouched Yfandes gently. :All set, ladylove?:
    :Quite, beloved.: Yfandes' mind-voice was yellow and effervescent with amusement. :Does he do that to you every time we come?:
    Vanyel rubbed her forehead between her eyes and she closed them with pleasure. :Just about. Normally he doesn't follow me into the stable, but I get it when he hears from the stablehands what I did with you. Watch out for that so - called “ Shin'a'in stallion;” I think he's sometimes allowed to run loose in this field. He might try and bully you; he might decide you’re one of his mares and give you a little excitement.:
    She bared her front teeth delicately. :I'd rather like to see him try anything on me. I could use a good fight.:
    He nearly choked. :Now, love, you 'II scare him impotent, and how will I explain that to Meke?:
    :Cleverly, of course. Go on