The Wind's Call (The Broken Lands #4) - T.A. White Page 0,7

of what would come out of it.

Why had Hardwick given her the worst of the bunch? Something told her Quinn or Delia wouldn't have been nearly so hard on her nerves.

"Are we done yet?" Jason whined.

Eva gave him a disbelieving look. They were barely halfway through their morning chores.

"I'm hungry. When is the midday meal?"

"Not for a while yet." Eva ran her hands along the mare's legs, picking up one hoof and checking the frog for rocks before moving to the next.

Jason let out an angry exhale, his frustration and unhappiness as loud as a shout. "How much longer are we going to be doing this? These horses haven't been ridden for weeks. Why are we checking them for injuries?"

"Any horse from this herd needs to be ready to ride out at a moment's notice. By making sure they're healthy every day, we can catch things before they become a bigger issue." Patience wasn't Eva's strong suit, especially when the answer should be obvious.

There was a grumble from behind her that she ignored as she straightened and patted the pretty piebald mare's neck. The mare moved off, ducking her head to tear out a clump of grass.

"Hardwick is in charge of the horses for those warriors directly under the warlord's command." Which meant they were some of the best horses among the Trateri. Warriors would give their left arm for a horse trained by Hardwick. His herd was the most prized, his horses legendary. "We take care of those horses whose riders have returned to camp so the warriors can focus on their duties. We also train the new mounts for the warriors."

"I'm Trateri. I know all this." Jason folded his arms over his chest.

A small whicker interrupted the sharp retort Eva had planned as a mare raced across the rolling hills of the valley. A dappled gray mare slowed and pranced toward Eva, her tail raised and her ears pricked forward.

"Hello, my love," Eva crooned, reaching up to pat the mare's neck as the horse lipped at Eva's hair in greeting.

Caia snuffled, breathing in her scent before snorting a great explosion of air at her, a silent recrimination for Eva's abandonment to tend to the pregnant mare overnight.

"I missed you too," Eva assured her. The mare could be a tad jealous when she felt like she wasn't getting enough attention. Best to nip such behavior in the bud before Caia acted out. Last time Caia had felt neglected, she'd upended the cook's tent before dragging it halfway across camp. The warriors thought it was hilarious. Hardwick had not.

Lucky for her, Hardwick had a soft spot for the contrary beast. It had only taken a week’s duty at the worst chores to get him to forgive Eva for the debacle.

"Woah, who's horse is this?" Jason asked in awe as he walked toward Caia.

"I wouldn't get too close," Eva advised.

Jason ignored her, stepping closer as he lifted his hand.

Caia stood still, waiting until the other man was close before she lifted a foot and stomped down. Jason yelped, barely avoiding having his foot crushed.

"I did warn you.” Eva fought to conceal her smile.

Caia's tail flicked back and forth as she stood there with an innocent expression on her face.

Jason scowled and reached for the mare again. This time Caia nipped his arm. Eva knew from experience the bite would hurt like hell and bruise. At least Caia hadn't broken skin this time.

Jason drew back, his face flushing. "That horse is crazy."

"She's not crazy; she's temperamental,” Eva defended. “There's a difference."

Caia reached out, trying to nip the man again. Jason danced out of the way just in time, cradling the offended appendage as he glared at the mare.

"Hardwick said we had to be nice," Eva scolded gently, setting a hand on her friend's shoulder. Not that Eva blamed Caia. After the morning she'd had, she would have liked to take a nip or two out of Jason herself.

Caia wheeled, frolicking in a circle as Eva moved onto the next clump of horses where they grazed.

"You know what nettle bright is?" Eva asked, moving her hands down a horse's leg.

"Of course I know what that is. My last herd master wasn't an idiot," he muttered.

Eva controlled her weary frustration at his defensive statement. He was new. They'd learn each other's rhythm soon enough.

"Humor me," she said.

She could practically feel him rolling his eyes behind her. "It’s silverish in color and has three leaves that look like spikes. In bloom it has a purple