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“Lae, be careful now.”

Laesara ignored her mother, choosing to stare up, instead, at the monumental beast that was her mother's hastar. It's soft grey – over – gold coat glistened with the shine of health, outlining every one of the stallion's finely-toned muscles. His name was Copperbreak, and he was a proud beast.

He looks so soft... Laesara thought, But he will bite if I try to pet him.

And he would. His pride would allow no other but her mother to touch him, and he barely tolerated Laesara's presence so close to him. Barely, and only because she was his beloved rider's offspring. Still, Saaramos knew that to tame him would be good training for her daughter as a future wild tribeswoman, and she was there to supervise.

But he won't hurt me beyond that. He knows better. thought Laesara, confidently. One day, she would ride Break, or one of his children when Mama found a good Eowynian or Soldulan mare to breed to him. Why those hastars and not one of the hulking and muscular golden hastars Laesara had seen at a distance, Laesara didn't know. She assumed her mother had a good reason for it, one that the girl would ask her later.

Besides, I know how to tame him. I've heard the story a hundred times about how mama tamed him, and I know what he likes besides.

The little girl had several strategies in mind. Her first one: An apple. She held it up to the creatures nose, and was rewarded with a sniff, and then a huff as he refused the offering.

Ah well. she thought, setting the apple aside...