You stand in the middle of a large group of boys. Nobody moved, or even breathed as you waited. The tension felt so thick you could slice it with a knife. Everyone knew why they were there, and nobody wanted to be the one to jinx it.
Finally, you hear the door to the stable being open, and you hold your breath as the stable master enters. He stands before the group, with a slight frown on his face. His hand reached up and ruffled his own hair, as he sighed.
“Alright lads! Hop to! I need this stable cleaned before any lessons can be done!” he shouted, startling you.
You glance about quickly to make sure you weren’t the only one. Thankfully, no one seemed to notice. The group split off into ten different directions, leaving you standing in the middle, all alone.
“Well?” the stable master raises an eyebrow, “Get to it, no dawdling now.” He points you toward a rake, and you double-time to it.
One stall after the other, you rake the hay out while other boys wheelbarrow it away. Pretty soon, your arms are tired because you aren’t used to this type of labor. You usually hang about in the kitchen or laundry room, doing odd jobs that needed to be done. Sweat runs down your back and you’re grateful that you put on old clothes this morning, for surely Mrs. Gavin would have had a fit.
“Get a move on boys, I haven’t got all day!” The master shouted. “Muster up now, in the front!”
You rush, putting your tool away and sprinting to the front. The master nods as he glances around at the group’s collective work.
“Could be better, could be better, but not bad boys, not bad at all.” He turns back to the group.
“Now, down to business. Horses aren’t toys to play with. They are real animals that, not handled properly, could seriously injure you. A hoof to the head could kill you. Stay out of way of their feet. I don’t need to hear the lord complaining about dead boys and broken toes. If a horse looks feisty, don’t go up to it and start petting its head, horses can bite. Lastly, do NOT ever try to ride a horse without my permission. Is that understood?”
Everyone nodded vigorously and their strangled yes.
“Alright then, there are ponies outside waiting for you. In the first ring. There are enough for the 9 of ya, get on with yourselves.”
No one needed a second word of command, everyone rushed out the stable door, knocking in to one another and crawling over the fallen ones in an excited manner. You stay behind, knowing that there was no way you could get first pick, being the youngest in the group.
The other boys already had a good year experience behind you, and you didn't even know how to get on a horse, let alone ride one.
The stable master sees you alone and motions you too him. You walk over, cautious in case it was a scolding.
"Don't know how to ride?" He asked you.
You Shake your head. "No sir."
"Alright, follow me then." He abruptly turned and went deeper into the stable. Even while cleaning it, you didn't know it was so big. He brings you through a hallway and a door, and you gasp in surprise.
It was an indoor corral, big enough for 3 large horses to excersise in.
But off to the side was a strange contraption. A barrel hung in midair suspended by many ropes, and had a saddle strapped to it. The ropes were attached to pulleys on the rafters of the roof and it all had a dangerous feeling to it. A giant pile of hay and straw bags sat below it.
The stable master jumped into the hay and motions to you again.
You warily jump in as well, and the master tugged on a rope that brought the barrel down.
"Get on now, try to hang on." He advised. "Aim for the hay if you do get to falling." He winked at you.
You struggle to get on, trying one leg after another. You jump and lay sideways on it, only to slide down.
Finally, the master must of got impatient, for you feel yourself slung on the barely. You redden in embarrassment.
But you don't have time to think about the moment, because the master tugs on another rope, and you are pulled high into the air. Higher and higher you go, until you are closer to the rafters then the floor. Your throat closes up so you cannot scream, no matter how much you want to. You grip the saddle tighter and squeeze it with your thighs. Your knuckles slowly turn white.
"How you doing up there?" The stable master's voice floats up to you. You try to look down but the whole barrel wobbles with that simple movement alone. You stay stock still, cursing whatever notion you had that wanted to learn to ride to begin with.
"Alright, well I'll be back by supper time, try to hang on now, it's a long way down." You hear the door slam as he leaves.
You panic. Supper time? It was sunup!! There was no way you could stay hanging on all morning! Aim for the hay? How was that even possible!? You chance to see the bottom and almost slip as the whole barrel jumped and dipped. You let out a squeak, and throw your length forward, instead of holding the horn alone. But instead of stabilizing you it only made the twisting and jumping worse. You sit upright quickly and grab the horn. The barrel righted itself instantly.. You let out a deep breath. If you stay in the right position, it wouldn't rock.
Time passed on and you slowly took in your surroundings. The room was very large and you realize it must connect with the barn. There was only one window and light shone through with a fury. You pass the time by watching particles hit the sunlight and float away. But that only entertains you for a while, and the passing of time becoming a burden for you. You slowly start to bounce, moving the barrel up and down. Being on it so long, you have faith it won't just flip. You sway from side to side as well, making it more entertaining.
Hours pass like this, and you become more daring. You make the barrel go crazy, laughing as you hold on and try to right it. Finnaly, you stand in the stirrups and raise your hands in the air. A boom of the stable door breaks the silence of your fun, and your arms windmill as you try to keep balance.
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