Troubled Waters: Day 11

Word Count: 66,033

Summary of Events:

Hallbjörn decided to go back to the basics like Bergljót had suggested, and to that end went into Haldabænum to get a whip that he had to convince the rope maker to make on the promise he'd give a demonstration that Nótt was rideable to the town. Bergljót went up into the tree to watch the cellar door for any signs of the theif, puzzled by why Hallbjörn wasn't in the barn working with Nótt — and, admittedly, slightly disappointed she wouldn't be able to see if he made any progress. Hallbjörn, having gotten the whip, went to work with Nótt, and was actually somewhat able to lunge him — except that Nótt chose to go at a full gallop, which winded Hallbjörn, who paused to get a drink of water from Nótt's water bucket . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

Once Hallbjörn at least felt like his mouth would stay moist for a few minutes he got up and started back toward Nótt.

As he got Nótt restarted, Hallbjörn held the whip so it was more in front of Nótt’s chest and made like he would’ve tapped Nótt’s chest, had he actually been close enough to touch the stallion, repeating the calm, monotone command for Nótt to be easy, which was the cue to slow down.

Nótt, however, wasn’t inclined to listen, and kept tearing around the perimeter at a gallop, and Hallbjörn was hard-pressed to not scream it at him, but that was counter to what he wanted, so he forced himself to remain calm and level as he repeated the command.

Finally — and Hallbjörn was sure it was more from fatigue than from obedience, as Nótt’s coat was quite darkened with sweat — Nótt slowed down to a canter.

“Easy Nótt,” Hallbjörn said. “You’re the one wearing yourself out. I don’t want you to go this fast. Easy.”

After a couple more commands Nótt slowed down to a trot, and it was possible that Nótt had done so more out of obedience than fatigue, but Hallbjörn couldn’t be sure. He released the pressure, but kept Nótt moving.

He let Nótt trot around a few more times before asking him to slow down again. It took two commands before Nótt slowed to a walk. Immediately Hallbjörn released pressure, but kept Nótt moving at the much easier to follow walk.

“See?” Hallbjörn said. “That’s what I wanted.”

As they walked around the perimeter of the barn Hallbjörn wondered if he should keep going all the way to stopping Nótt, or if he should try picking him back up to a trot and seeing if he could bring Nótt back down again, to be sure Nótt was responding to him.

If he asked Nótt to speed up and Nótt went straight into a gallop, though, Hallbjörn didn’t know that he had the energy to bring Nótt back down all the way from there; he honestly felt quite exhausted, it might be best to stop at a good place.

“Whoa Nótt,” Hallbjörn said. “Whoa.”

Nótt stopped, he looked like he’d gotten his breath back some — as Hallbjörn had — but he still looked worn out. It wasn’t likely he would take off at a gallop; Hallbjörn was sorely tempted.

No, he didn’t want to run Nótt into the ground either. The fact that he’d been able to get Nótt to turn when he commanded was progress enough. He walked over to the ladder and sat down on a low rung.

Producing a carrot from the pail, he managed to throw it in Nótt’s direction in spite of his tiredness. He waited until Nótt ambled over and ate it before tossing another carrot and climbing up the ladder with heavy limbs. He was going to be very sore come the morning.