"No need to sugarcoat your words with me," smiled Alistar, who doubted that he would ever be a match for his riding instructor's masterful control and instinctual affinity with the equine beasts that he loved so dearly. He brushed some amber hair from his eyes, having grown it out to about a hand's length in recent months.
"I speak in all honesty." Taking Star's reins in one hand and those of his own steed in the other, Stason nodded toward the manor house with a smile. "I'll see these two back to their stalls. You plan to visit Enquin today, right? Hurry and wash yourself so that you don't stink of sweat when you get to his place."
"Okay." Turning to leave, he paused after a single step and said in an appreciative voice, "Stason, thank you for your words earlier. I feel that they've lifted my mood some."
"Of course, lad."
