Solo Baths for All

[Jade Laken]

50th of Summer 516 A.V.

Jade stretched out as Dina climbed on to her pallet while snickering. Smiling gently the blond wrapped her arms around the child quickly locking the girl into place. Dina giggled loudly and tried to get free of the limbs that kept her held down. Finally releasing the girl, the young drykas sat up watching her run to her room. Shaking her head, the girl stood up and began to get dressed and prepared for the day. Work at the stables would not be nearly as difficult as it had been. There was nothing no hooves to work with or any pregnant mares at the moment. So it would just be a nice routine bath day for all of them. Respective buyers would start coming in soon to find a horse that would suite their needs. Be that a mount for a knight, a strong work horse for the outpost farmers, carriage pullers for traveling merchants, or even just a personal horse that could be used for hunting or fun.

“Hurry along, Dina! We don't want to be late,” Jade said with a smile.

“Yes ma'am!” Dina called and came out of her room.

Jade turned to look and held back a laugh seeing the child's shirt on backwards. Shaking her head some the woman knelt down and helped the girl turn the garment around so that it looked right. Once everything had been fixed the pair headed out. The blond locked up and walked out of the apartment building. Her boots clicked against the stone road as her head swiveled around at a leisurely pace. She was in no hurry to get to work yet as it was still earlier, than she had originally thought. Taking a deep breath, the woman knew to just relax and watch the new world she called home. Many seasons had passed since the young girl found her way into the city with little money on her. It was a cold night that had brought her to the stone garden to sleep, then during the day she had met a charming young man. He had invited her into his life, and both of them had changed for the better in her opinion. Of course him blushing all the time amused the young blond to no end.

“We are here!” Dina called getting her attention.

Shaking her head the woman finally noticed that they had indeed arrived at the building. Jade took a deep breath and smiled walking over to the doors of the stables and opened them. There was a low buzz as the crowds and businesses began to stir and prep for the day. Not unlike the Drykas herself, she went into the building happy. Being with the horses, Jade found an unknown peace. No matter what craziness was going on outside the doors of the stables; the blond found a happy calm and serene place within. She hugged several of the horses while heading towards the back of the long stretch.

[Jade Laken]

Dina ran into Serena's legs while laughing causing the blond to walk over. Kneeling down Jade checked the young child for any injuries before allowing her too to play. Apologizing for the young girl the woman got her brushes and soap for the horses. One of the other hands was going to worry with cleaning the stalls as Jade washed the beautiful beasts. Grabbing a lead rope the blond got ready to get the first mare out of her stall. Making sure her halter is on properly the girl attached the lead before opening the door and taking her out back. The stables had a certain area that they washed the horses to keep any extra dirt from kicking up.

“Okay sweet girl. You're up first,” Jade stated with a smile.

The mare walked onto the area as the woman tied the lead to a post. Securing the rope would ensure that no matter what the horse could not get away and hurt anyone. Grabbing the bucket she walked over to a pump and began to work the lever. Water slowly began pouring into the container to the girl's delight. Once it was full she walked over and used a rag to get the horse wet without using all the water in one place. After about five chimes, she switched sides and watered down the opposite side. Nodding the girl grabbed a second rag getting it wet and rubbing it on the soap. When the rag was ready she began to wash the mare's side. Leaning her head down the horse grazed as the woman went about her job. Soft, tiny foot steps caught Jade's attention causing her to look up. Spotting the small child, she raised up and turned to face her fully.

“Whats wrong Dina?” Jade asked worried she had gotten hurt.

“Nothing..... Can I help?” Dina asked in a quiet shy voice.

“Of course you can,” Jade replied with a smile.

Dina's face broke out into one of the most beautiful smiles the blond had ever seen in years. Running over the girl took the waiting rag from the adult and began working on the legs. Which was the only part she could reach at the very moment. Jade lathered the other one up and began working on getting the rump and back washed up. The small girl slipped under the mare and began washing her stomach making it easier on the older woman. Looking under her, the blond smiled and leaned back up continuing on. Slowly moving up the her side, the woman began cleaning her neck next. Dina's head popped out of under the mare looking up at the blond.

“Rawr fear me! I am the bubble monster!” Dina cried and almost fell over.

Laughing at her, Jade took her hand and helped her stand up before popping some of the bubbles on her nose. It was nice having the little girl around to lighten the mood and keep everything from becoming boring and mundane.

[Jade Laken]

DATE, YEAR, LOCATION

Jade smiled and took a gentle, playful swipe at the child's nose knocking off some of the bubbles. Dina gasped and skittered back under the horse laughing. Shaking her head the blond continued working figuring that the girl had run off to play under the tree near by. The woman had often wondered what it would be like to be surrounded by trees instead of tall grass. It turned out that she found it much more relaxing than what she had originally thought. There was not the constant fear of something jumping out and attacking her or those close to her. A small huff made the woman look over to the child seeing a pouting face. Confused she wiped off her hand with a dry rag and knelt down.

“Whats wrong dear?” Jade asked concerned.

“Why weren't you listening? You looked like you were off somewhere else,” Dina stated before walking over and taking her hands.

“Oh I'm sorry dear. I didn't mean to worry you. I was thinking of my home city and how different it is compared to Syliras,” Jade explained with a smile.

“Will you tell me about where you are from?” Dina asked with big eyes.

“Sure, but first let's finish up and get home sweetie,” Jade said with a soft laugh.

Dina smiled brightly and hurried over to the horse once more. The woman walked over and grabbed the empty water bucket. Walking over to the pump, she used both hands to work the lever as water began to pour out at a steady controlled pace. Stopping the woman shook out her arms and picked up the pale walking over. She raised it up and started a slow pour, so that the soap would come out of the hair on the horse. Patting the horse's side before continuing the blond woman finished about half way up the creatures back. When that bucket was empty the girl walked back to the pump. Once she finished working out another round of water; she hoped that would be the last one before changing horses. Sighing gently the blonde picked up the bucket and trudged back to the mare. Dina helped the young Drykas rinse off the horse happy. Wiping away the sweat that had formed she told the little one to wait there while she changed out the horses.

“Yes, ma'am,” Dina said with a smile watching Jade take the horse back inside.

Making sure the hay on the floor was fresh the woman let the mare off the lead as she walked into the stall. Stepping back the girl closed the door locking it before moving to the next mare in line. Serena had been meticulous in keeping the stallions in one row and the mares in the opposite row. Jade was not completely sure the reasoning behind the idea, but she was not one to argue with her superior.

[Jade Laken]

Smiling the blonde held the child up and let her clip the lead on the mare's halter. Putting her down the girl opened the stall door and watched as Dina kept a confident stride walking her out. Following her the woman did not interfere while the pair walked to the bathing area. Once the young child had gotten the mare in place; the elder took over. Taking the lead rope, Jade calmed the horse before tying it securely to the post.

“What about this one?” Dina asked looking up at her.

“I need to do a little more than just giving her a bath. Why don't you go play for a bit and I will call you when its time,” the mother spoke gently.

The child agreed and ran back inside of the building climbing up to the loft. She got settled and began to color singing. The young blonde smiled and began to remove all the mud and rocks from the mare's hooves. Pushing on the pad, the woman tried to see if there was a painful area that would need to be attended to. Once content that the horse was not in any pain, the blonde grabbed the file and began the long arduous task of cleaning the nail. Small beads of sweat slowly began to pop up on the woman's brow. Snorting the mare turned her head and nuzzled the blonde's back. Laughing, she wiped the sweat away patting her side while putting her leg down.

“That feel good sweet girl?” Jade asked while checking her over.

The drykas first started with the mare's knees. If anything happened to the beasts legs, there was nothing else that could be done. Kneeling done, she scrubbed as the mare snorted and bent down to mess with Dina. The little girl giggled and hugged the muzzle of the horse before yawning. Jade excused the child to go play if she wished to with a soft look. Standing up, she moved to the other side and knelt down again at each leg cleaning it easier. Popping the rag, the woman was very happy to see each of the legs clear. Standing up the woman walked over to the pump and wrenched a full bucket of clean water out. Grabbing the bucket and returning back to the mare, the girl raised up the bucket before washing off all the suds on each appendage. Snorting the horse shifted feeling the cold water coming down its legs. Patting her chest gently, the girl backed up and looked at the legs and was very happy to see them clean. Nodding the woman walked over to the bench just within the door and grabbed a big towel to dry her off with. It did not take long for the woman to get the horse cleaned off.

“There we go beautiful. It's time to go back inside and see if your stall is ready,” Jade stated with a smile.

"The Ways of the Drykas."

[Jade Laken]

The blonde walked back inside of the stables while humming. She had to clean the stall out before getting the horse put back into place. Humming, the girl got the pitch fork and wheel barrow moving it into place just in front of the stall. Grabbing the broom, she started to sweep the floor getting any loose clean hay in a pile. Using a shovel, the girl dumped the clean stuff into the bottom first to make an extra layer between the wood and the actual poop. Popping her neck, the blonde then switched from the broom to the pitch fork and scooped up the first pile of brown hay. Making a face, she had always hated cleaning up the waste of the beautiful creatures. Though living in Endrykas, her mother had often collected the pieces of dried dung to start the evening fires with. Nothing could possibly smell worse than burning crap.

“Ugh, burning or not this stuff still stinks,” Jade whispered crinkling her nose.

A light giggle could be heard from above making the woman smile. Her daughter had climbed back up top where the hay was kept and was watching her mother. Jade was glad that the child had adjusted to being in her and Ferrin's care in such a short period of time. The girl had talked with the owner of the orphanage about bringing her horse up there and allowing the children to ride. Most had just stared amazed seeing her windmarks that graced her arm. The blonde had sat down and gotten all the little ones to gather around as she told the story of her bonding with her strider. She had gotten a kick out of watching their reactions to her tale as some did not believe her while others wanted to hear more of the story.

“Don't you be laughing up there or you will be down here helping,” Jade chided gently.

Dina giggling and ran off to play with her dolls farther into the loft away from the edge. Shaking her head, Jade moved on to the next pile of dirty hay. It took about five chimes to get all the hay raked out and the floor swept of what was left loose. Popping her neck, the girl took the wagon out first to dump it then returned grabbing the rake and shovel. She walked over to where the pump was and began to clean the instruments. It could be deadly if the woman cleaned another horse's stall with the tools already dirty. Her boss had instructed her of such issues early on when training her. After another half bell, the blonde was happy to see fresh hay in the feeder, straw on the floor, and clean water in the trough. Walking back outside one last time, the girl took the lead for the mare and brought her back inside. Taking the lead off, she patted the mare's side as the female walked in to her home relaxed and began to eat the hay that was in the holder.

“Come Dina, it is time to go,” Jade called to her child with a smile. Soon after the pair left for the day to see if Ferrin had made it in yet or see if the girl had time to cook.

NaNo Count549

"The Ways of the Drykas."