Closed [Caern] In the Shadow of Stone

[Eleret]

Winter 32, 512 AV evening The caravan had halted this evening atop what seemed to be the tallest hill for miles, in the shadow of boulders so large Eleret couldn't imagine how they had been raised in the first place. They had traveled past sunset to reach this odd marker -- though, as short as the gray days had become, the travelers set off before dawn and stopped somewhat after dusk as a rule in any case. As a result, Eleret had quickly learned to manage her new tasks by firelight and feel. It still surprised the Konti how much work a horse required. She wondered sometimes if the same was true for other creatures -- even though their wild counterparts did just fine in the absence of people (or so she presumed, barring accidents and the like). Stepping up beside Skye's shoulder, Eleret patted her neck, then knelt down and tapped the little mare's nearest ankle. Though not an ankle on the near side, as Sybel had defined that term. Long-accustomed to this routine, from well before her latest owner, she obediently lifted up the foot in question and let the Konti take it in hand. Eleret ran three fingers of her other hand lightly over the surface, checking by feel for any mud and pebbles which might not be apparent by flickering firelight. The hoof pick, held out of the way until it was needed, was not very needed here; a little bit of mud, easily removed. She did just that, then released Skye's hoof and moved back by her rear leg to do the same thing all over again.