Abbigail  nodded, "I will be gentle and be glad your wounds are closed. Fore one thing, you get a reprieve from being a target. Grown men think they are so tough picking on younger. Humph! They get away with it. Don't  be sore.  I know this because I have brothers under Lord Territing. If you ask me they are all bruits. Even little sisters have to put up with them. I learned magic to make them leave me alone. My brothers taught me some sword moves. You allow me to wield your blade, tell me if I am any good. I will share my spells and how to use plants to stay alive. I can't see why a girl can't learn how to wield a blade."<br/><br/>A curious mare trotted to her and sniffed the carrot in her hand. She lead the horse towards the stable. She waved her hand over the stable latch and closed  her eyes, "Latch open."<br/><br/>With a squeak and click the metal lock opened, Abbigale removed the iron padlock and slowly opened the stall. There were stalls full of hey and hanging on the wall beside them was bridals, block and tackle, whips, and leads. Two, plain, brown leather, travel saddles with red and green, plaid, saddle blankets, were sitting over ornately carved oak logs with wooden legs. "Is like they are ready for us."<br/><br/>The mare pushed the stable door open with her muzzle and entered the stable. She  found a bucket of oats and proceed to eat. Not wasting any time she hefted the blanked and saddle to the horse, chinched the saddled to the underbelly of the mare. She eyeballed the length of the stirrups. "My grandfather was Sir Sterling's blacksmith, after being wounded in the War of Barren's.<br/><br/>Abbigail spied a milking stool and placed her left foot in the metal stirrup and swung herself to sit astride in the saddle. "What's the matter? William, I am no fancy Lady of court.  I hate riding side saddle."