[Gift] 1.3 Under the Gallow - Alistair and Satin

Their arrival in Lexington was thankfully quite smooth sailing. The horses were unloaded and brought to the stalls rented at the event center. Alistair couldn’t help but gawk the entire way at the various sights. The last time he had been here was over a year ago now and he had been wrapped up in the rush of Harry’s event and bringing Satin home. Now however, despite the thudding of his heart at the approach of his upcoming show he felt safer to take in the sights. He and Harry were currently riding down one of the main streets on the far side of the city. Satin seemed as curious as he was to take in the sights, sounds and smells. Her ears swiveled each and every which way and at times the doctor found himself trying to figure out what had grabbed her attention.

Normally he’d be concerned she wasn’t paying attention to him but with Harry riding ahead he let her focus drift as she followed Daemon instinctively. The street wasn’t too busy thanks to arriving a few days early. They had planned specifically to take in the sights and for Harry to conduct business after all. Alistair had to admit he was rather shocked at how large this place was. This was their first real ride about after settling in and he had never gotten a proper look beyond the event center before. He called out ahead to Harry to hold up as they approached an old plaque outside a massive structure on their route. The larger man moved off the street and onto the grass, Alistair dismounted and led Satin closer to the historical marker, pulling her head back up as she attempted to nibble at some nearby grass.

“What does it say?” Harry spoke up, brows raised. He was more familiar with the area, Alistair figured he probably already knew about this place. But he had promised that Alistair could enjoy some casual riding with Satin and even pause and look around as he pleased today. 

Adjusting his glasses the doctor read the text aloud. “Fort Horsted was constructed in 1754 as a key location for defending the territory against the northern threats of the time. The location grew to become a major center for cavalry training and stationing. Once the Northern War concluded, a town quickly grew up around it, starting from the families of military members settling down closer to the still active station. In time several horse farms were founded outside the budding town to produce the highest quality stock for the cavalry stationed at the fort.” 

Alistair glanced over at Harry. “I think I read once about a battle that caused the official foundation of this town. Let me see…” he slid his finger down along the various lines. “Oh here it is, Fort Horsted became an integral part in the official integration of the unnamed town into the kingdom. In 1798 the final battle broke out between several non-united city states and the still loyal fort town. The cavalry was forced to impose martial law for a brief period until the conflict was resolved. After the battle ended, the town of Lexington was officially founded and recognized by the monarchy. Growing from its status as part of the unclaimed outskirts of the kingdom, it became a town of new law as many of the high ranking officers of the calvary took up positions of leadership.”

Alistair stepped back, craning his neck to look up at the tall walls of the fort before them. Harry rubbed his chin before motioning for Alistair to mount back up and to return to their route. The doctor followed, clicking for Satin to move off the grass and back onto the stone street. “It sounds a bit… simple don’t you think?” He said after a moment of just the horses’ hooves clopping against the road filling the air between them. “Martial law from what I’ve seen can be quite… dangerous for the average person. I might research more about this place when we return home.”

Harry hummed in thought before nodding. “I must admit I’ve only heard about its history from word of mouth. Everyone always refers to it as a city born from its horse mounted military force. That plaque certainly makes it sound like the calvary was instrumental to its founding. Though I agree, something doesn’t sit right with me either. Lexington for as long as I knew it, at least before the darkness, has always been a place dedicated to the excellence of horsemanship.”

“I think it still is but something I’m noticing now that we’re back is just how present the mounted forces are here. I think I had heard rumors years ago, long before I met you that they had fallen back on that ‘martial law’ situation again. The military personnel had taken over the town to maintain order. I hadn’t ever thought about it until now though, that sign just jogged my memory.”

“I suppose it makes sense though, from what you told me of the early nights it was quite dangerous and chaotic. I must admit when we first came here to pick up Satin I hadn’t really expected it to be so… intact.”

“What do you mean?” Alistair cocked his head, urging Satin to trot until they were side by side with Harry. “Most of the cities had better defenses and while I’m sure they lost quite a few people and horses to the curses and creatures, I think they were probably one of the most well prepared cities compared to the rest of us.”

“Well, you saw on the train ride here that huge swaths of this area are just fields and farms. Everything to support their main source of business, horses. However fields were not lit up back then or even remotely guarded like we have to do now. Though it had grown almost bigger than Lowestoft before the darkness, it was designed to accommodate horses more than anywhere else. That meant a lot of open space, resources dedicated to the animals…”

“Ah, all of that could have gotten cut off in the aftermath. Also no one really needed horses immediately after either. I see.” Alistair let their conversation lapse into silence as his thoughts returned to wandering. Satin let out a huff and he reached forward to gently pet her neck. Being back in Lexington made him realize how little he knew about her. Harry had been responsible for everything when they took her in. He knew she was under his name on her papers but now that he thought about it, where had she come from?

The mare had an issue with biting and stealing but she was in good shape when they got her. At least compared to many of the other rescued horses which had ranged from emaciated to well cared for but with the strangest behavioral cases Alistair had ever heard of. None of the horses at least displayed signs of being impacted by the night’s curse. But still he had no idea where Satin had picked up her horrible habits.

His eyes drifted back to the walls of the fort they were passing. He needed to do more research on her breed and where they had come from. It had piqued his curiosity and he doubted it would be that hard to learn more. Part of him vaguely wondered if she may have been a cavalry horse at one point. She was strong willed though, maybe she hadn’t worked out? Humming softly he scratched along her neck and watched as the mare shook it after. It brought a smile to his lips as they finally left the fort behind.

Alistair let Satin slow down as they approached a large hill on the outskirts of town. Unlike the majority of the area it wasn’t lit up at all and was difficult to see in the darkness. “Can you make out what’s up there?” He squinted, there was some sort of huge hulking shape at the top but against the dense and dark clouds it was hard to make out.

Harry brought Daemon to a stop at the path up, Alistair following suit and pausing beside him. “Hmmm… it looks like a… platform? Do you see it?” The smaller man nodded. “It looks rather old though, falling apart. Is there a plaque near this as well?”

Alistair looked around, spotting a rotting wooden sign covered in ivy. He reached over from atop Satin, brushing aside the plant matter and squinting to make out the faded letters. “Fort Horsted… Gallows.” He swallowed, glancing over at Harry.

“Gallows?” The other man raised his brows, looking surprised. “I thought they stopped using gallows a century ago. Shouldn’t this have been torn down?”

The doctor shrugged and squinted back at the sign. “Do not approach the gallows on this hill, the site is unstable and has been left in memory of… the lives lost in the founding battle of Lexington.” He went through a list of various people, men and women alike. Below it a fresh piece of wood had been nailed on, listing more names. The paint was worn and chipped from the weather but it was an obvious addition. After he read them all aloud, he fell silent and his eyes slowly drifted back up to the ominous form sitting above. Just barely he could now make out the various wooden grave markers dotting the grass leading up, all overgrown but not nearly as rotted as the original sign. Finally he turned Satin to go, leading them back towards the stable. His sense of adventure had now been drained as realization hit him like a kick to the stomach. Silence reigned the entire way back.

When they finally dismounted and led the horses into their stalls, Harry gently laid a hand on Alistair’s own. It was a moment of vulnerable and risky affection being out in public. “This town has changed my love, I know what you saw will leave you feeling ill but please do not let it cloud the rest of our stay. We are here for you, to give you a chance to grow and flourish outside of your lab and library. Alright?”

Finally Alistair met his partner’s gaze before sucking in a breath and releasing it. He gave Harry a small weary smile. “You’re right, it’s horrible what happened but we’re in the here and now. I wanted to practice everything you’ve taught me, I can’t really do that if I’m all doom and gloom can I?” He tried to chuckle but it was half hearted. Both of them knew he would need a bit of time to process but perhaps after a good dinner and some time alone together he would be right as rain.

He remained in the stall as Harry put their tack away, focusing on Satin and the motions of brushing her soft coat. The mare let out a soft nicker and nudged her head against him. It barely made his lips twitch back up in a smile as he moved his free hand to pet her nose. She pushed against his palm, snorting softly into it and the doctor moved to wrap his arms around her. They stayed like that for a moment, Alistair taking in deep calming breaths filled with the smell of hay and horse.

Finally Harry returned and they finished up with both horses. Alistair gave the mare a quick kiss before wishing her goodnight and returning to their inn. How he wished he could hold Harry’s hand on the way back as a dark cloud followed him the whole way.