Adoption Claim - 11243

Adrian stood regarding the grey stallion in front of him. It was another Loshenka, which he certainly appreciated. They were reliable horses, sturdy and strong. This one was of even more note as it was a gift from Gwendolyn, and she wouldn’t have sent something like a horse to him if she didn’t think it was worth doing so. 

He was a taller horse, about seventeen hands if Adrian had to guess. The slate grey coat was topped in the hind end by a large patch of white. He did have a fondness for snowcap appaloosa, though that alone wouldn’t have been enough for Gwen to send him the creature. 

He reached out to stroke the stallion’s nose, the delicate white marking leaving a streak of pink on the otherwise black tipped nose. The stallion took the touch well, not fighting or pulling away, merely sniffing at Adrian’s hand with a mild curiosity and eventually lipping at his fingers in search of treats. 

“Well, you are handsome. I’ll give you that.” Adrian looked at the young man who had delivered the horse, one of the workers he’d sent to help with construction. “Did she tell you why she sent him?” 

“No, Commander. She just said he showed up at her house a few days ago and she thought he’d be a better fit for you. I asked her to send a letter at least, but she wouldn’t. Said it would be more fun this way.” The young man shook his head, giving Adrian a resigned shrug. 

“Of course she said it would be more fun…” Adrian shook his head, laughing. “Alright then. Why don’t you head in and get some food and take some time to visit? You can head back whenever you’re ready.” 

“Yes, sir.” The young man passed the reins to Adrian and headed into the keep, humming happily as he went. 

Adrian regarded the horse, the stallion's yellow eyes meeting his calmly but with an undeniable curiosity. Finally the horse reached out its nose and tried to nibble on Adrian’s pointed ears, not maliciously but more out of interest. 

“Hey now!” Adrian gently pushed the horse’s nose away, patting it reassuringly as the stallion’s ears flattened back in concern for a moment. “Please don’t chew on my ears.” 

The stallion’s tail flicked, the grey shade just a bit lighter than its body. The long, curly hairs nearly clipped Adrian as they swished. 

“Well, let’s get you to the stables and find some tack that fits you, shall we?” Adrian started to lead the stallion in, the horse’s ears once again up and flicking about curiously as it took in the busy courtyard without any sign of fear or concern. 

It didn’t take long to find tack for the slate stallion, and he didn’t fight or even puff himself up to make the saddle looser. If anything he seemed excited to be getting ready for riding. 

“Is this the one we heard Gwendolyn sent you?” The stablemaster asked as he brought Adrian the last of the gear. 

“Word travels fast, doesn’t it?” Adrian laughed as he made sure everything was cinched correctly, the stallion still standing still and watching the yard curiously. 

“Only when it's of interest.” The man smiled and regarded the horse. “Fine looking animal, at least. You’ll have to tell me how he rides.” 

“I’ll let you know.” Adrian smiled as he led the horse back out of the gates and into the fields around Silver Fist. The farmland stretched out in front of him, with a good sized village just visible beyond the cornfields. 

“Okay, let’s see why Gwendolyn sent you up here.” Adrian mounted the tall stallion with little trouble, the reason why Gwendolyn sent him almost immediately apparent. 

Gone was the curious demeanor and instead the horse’s muscles tensed, not in fear but rather in anticipation of a job to be done. They pawed at the ground, his short white stocking on his front legs already marked with dirt he’d kicked up through sheer strength. 

“Well, alright, let's go then.” Adrian nudged the horse into motion, the powerful creatures surging into motion without hesitation as he took off towards the open fields and roads. 

The long legs of the stallion ate up the distance quickly, his pace steady and full of a power and a drive Adrian knew to be that of a horse born to work. There was no urging, no pressure needed to keep the stallion to his pace, though he responded easily to any command Adrian had given him. 

After a little bit on the roads and open fields, Adrian turned him onto a wooded path he knew contained a few jumps along it. Nothing major, but enough to get a feel for how the stallion handled both the jumps and the difference of being in the woods where the lighting was inconsistent and there were sounds and such that might be more startling or unexpected. 

The slate grey stallion didn’t so much as hesitate a beat on the first jump, clearing it with an ease that only came from considerable training and Adrian found himself smiling. He was used to well trained horses, and he was beginning to see why Gwendolyn had sent the stallion to Silver Fist. He figured it was because she already had her hands full and didn’t want to see a horse with the skill this one clearly did wasted on her farm. Adrian had an entire garrison to man and patrol, so the stallion’s skills would likely be better served here. And the horse would probably be happier with having a true job, unless he missed his guess. 

The rest of the ride went smoothly, the slate snowcap stallion taking to the trail, the jumps, and even the water with a practiced ease. By the time Adrian had slowed the stallion to a walk to cool off he’d resolved to keep the stallion. The horse was easy enough of a ride to serve as an intermediate training horse for those in Silver Fist, or one of the horses used on patrol around the grounds. He’d send it further afield, but he was already seriously considering the possibility of the horse as a breeding stallion for a few of the mares. He’d love to have a chance at a few more horses of this caliber around. 

As they got close to the keep, Adrian dismounted to walk the stallion the last of the way in. He’d have to thank Gwendolyn for the stallion later. Maybe once he’d settled on a name. He had no doubt she’d love to hear it. 

“I don’t suppose you have any ideas?” Adrian asked the stallion, offering the horse a part of a carrot before handing him off to the stable hands. 

The golden eyed horse simply regarded him before headbutting him firmly but gently and allowing himself to be led into the stables to have his tack removed and a bath. His ease at the activity was much the same as it had been with everything else.

“No, I didn’t think it would be that easy.” Adrian chuckled and headed inside to clean up himself.