Sable cast a lazy glance at Spencer, not showing a hint of remorse for what he had just done. With a snort, the dappled mare turned back to her hay and munched on it as if nothing had happened. Meanwhile, Spencer lay sprawled on the stable walkway, rump sore from its sudden contact with Sable’s hoof. Spencer’s brow furrowed and his jaw muscles clenched tightly. Why did the creature do this to him? He had fed her, groomed her, started cleaning her hooves…and then she had kicked him, as if he were an annoying flea. Just as he was pushing himself off the ground, Zeth walked in. Just the person I need, Spencer thought sourly. He didn’t have to look in his friend’s direction to see the grin plastered on his narrow face.
“I see you’ve become acquainted with Sable’s rear hoof,” Zeth said after a long moment of amused silence.
Spencer, now standing, turned towards the wall and rubbed his sore tailbone. “Don’t you have work to do somewhere?” he asked with an exasperated huff.
Zeth slipped his hands into his pockets and shook his head. “That’s why I came here. Brand told me you were on stable duty today. Speaking of Brand, did you hear what he did?”
Well, at least he isn’t going to keep ribbing me about what happened, Spencer thought, relieved. “No.”
Zeth’s eyes lit up with that mischievous gleam that could only mean he had stumbled across something which was probably not meant for him to know.