When Scar stopped, he quickly dismounted, thankful they had arrived at the forests at the edge of his property and could seek shelter beneath one of the thick trees, leading Scar by the reins to the closest one he could find. A large one stood a few feet ahead, and he sighed in relief, swiftly leading them to rest beneath it, patting the horse’s nose and muttering.
“It’s all right… we will be returning home very soon. You have done well, as always.”
Scar sighed, and Silas smiled at him a little, stroking his mane gently, thankful that he was able to get the horse out from under the rain, as he did not want him to get hurt.
While Silas had several other horses, Scar remained his favorite and most prized horse because he was the first one he had gotten. Scar had been a birthday gift from Silas’ grandfather when he was thirteen years old, and he was the first horse Silas ever trained with. They had practically grown up together to an extent, both of them learning much from the other, forming a close bond that the Duke would not trade for anything.
Scar served as the last connection to Silas’ grandfather, one he intended to keep for as long as he possibly could and, to that effect, would protect with everything he had.
The rain had increased at some point and was starting to slow down, but Silas was prepared to wait it out completely, knowing he had to be careful riding Scar back to keep him from getting hurt. He was thankful that the horse had at least been able torest and hoped the weather would clear up quickly and allow him to return home.
He saw it before he heard it, the streak of lightning that flashed through the sky, lighting up the earth below. Before he could pray against what he felt was coming next, a clap of thunder resounded in his ears, making him wince. He reached out to steady Scar, but it was too late.
The horse fled, slipping away from him in a panicked daze and running towards the main road, leaving Silas no other choice than to follow.
Chapter Three
Silas ran after his horse as fast as he could, nearly slipping into a puddle but managing to steady himself and continue the chase.
In his heart, he hoped for things not to get worse, for him to be able to catch up to Scar somehow and retrieve him without any further problems. But it seemed as though God was not on his side because when he looked down the road, he spotted a carriage stopped right in the middle of it.
A woman was working at a well, apparently trying to free it from the mud beneath to no avail, very unaware that she was in the way of a very frightened horse.
Panic bubbled up in Silas’ chest, and he tried to increase his pace, waving his hands to get her attention.
“You! Get out of the damn way!”
She continued her work, making it apparent that she could not hear him, and he tried once more, screaming at the top of his lungs.
“Move out of the way! Miss!”
She still could not hear him, and Silas began to fear the worst as Scar drew closer and closer to where she stood. Then suddenly, she lifted her head, her attention claimed by the sound of hooves coming in her direction, and finally noticed the runaway horse heading in her direction.
To Silas’ utter horror, she stood in front of the carriage and held her hands out in front of her.
Was she crazy?!
He tried to wave her away, but he felt it was too late, wincing in preparation for the worst. But it never came.
Scar slowed down right before he could crash into the woman, and she took his reins, muttering soft words to him, holding a hand out still, waiting for the horse to sniff at her and gain his trust before petting him. Silas also reduced his pace, relieved that neither of them was hurt, pausing to catch his breath before heading to where they both were.
She was petting Scar’s neck by the time he arrived by their side, an action that irked him, and he reached out to snatch the reinsfrom her, only for her to hold it out of his reach with a defiant glare.
“Excuse me, Miss, he is mine,” Silas said through gritted teeth, feeling irritated.
She lifted her head and stared right back at him as she replied.
“You do not deserve to own a horse, Sir. What were you thinking – riding him out in this weather? He could have gotten hurt! Someone could have gotten really hurt!”
“It is hardly my fault that he was frightened by the thunder! And you seem to think you are completely blameless in this matter. Care to explain what you are doing – standing in the middle of the road?” he fired back, swiftly reaching out and retrieving the reins from her grip.
She gasped and folded her arms defiantly.
“Neither one has to do with the other! My being here does not take away from the fact that you are an irresponsible horse owner and rider. It is obvious that you do not care for this creature, and your less-than-wise actions could potentially harm him someday –”
“Watch your mouth, Miss,” Silas snapped angrily, stepping closer towards her. “You do not know me or how I treat my horse. I did not orchestrate this incident, and it was not my intention for him to run away and have me chase after him likea madman. You speak of responsibility as though a fragile thing like you knows the meaning of the word, and yet here you are, beneath the rain, on a main road at this hour, with no regard for your safety. You are a disturbance and a nuisance.”
Her eyes widened, and she ripped her hat off her head, whipping it at him. Silas did not know what surprised him more – the fact that she intended to ward him off with the thing or that she was actually able to land a hit. The blow felt weightless and light against his shoulder, and he stilled for a moment in shock.