The first hint off Tristan’s arrival was the dead silence that filled the air. The yard was usually busy and everyone who could had found an excuse to be out there today. The crowd had been louder than normal since it was more full than normal, so the silence was both welcome and odd. Alistair chewed the inside of his lip in anticipation for his friend. In his experience, injured people were different than normal people. Him being one, he shouldn’t have judged, but he did. Maybe Tris, being royal, was not one of these people. In the times he had met the Prince he had been very good to Alistair. He had, after all, pretty much bailed him out of a punishment. All the same, the young man was on his toes. Perhaps he should have thought it through a little bit more before betting a week’s worth of mucking on Tristan’s good mood with Sam.
Alistair blinked his eyes as a good deal more light shone into the block when Tristan opened the door. As the boy advanced towards Hal’s stall Alistair tried - unsuccessfully - to act casual by looking up at the ceiling and pretended to inspect the rafters. He heard the Prince stop a mere few feet in front of the stall and the young man turned to look at him. “I don’t need a babysitter, or a guard, or company, or whatever other reason they’ve cooked up to put you here. I just need my horse.” The Prince was definitely less than pleased. In fact, he seemed somewhat irritated. Alistair narrowed his eyes slightly. He slide in front of the door and crossed his arms.
“You think I want to be doing this? Trust me, I don’t get paid enough to watch children, royal or not.” He said as politely as he could. The irritation was implied. He followed Tristan’s gaze to the hook that Hal’s bridle usually hung on and grinned slightly. “ What’s the problem, Your Royal Highness?” He feigned as much innocence as he could.
“Where’s his tack?” Did Alistair sense a hint of frustration in Tristan’s voice? He shrugged. The Prince grinned at him and leaned forward. Alistair did the same and the Prince whispered to him, “If you tell me and leave me too it, you can have the rest of the afternoon off.” Alistair raised a brow. It was an enticing offer. But Alistair was not so easily swayed.
“Hmmmm, sorry Tristan, as nice as that sounds I am loyal to my boss. And I don’t think your dad would be too pleased if I left you alone. Besides, where would the fun be in my leaving? I don’t plan on going back to chores. As for that tack.... That’s for me to know and you to find out now isn’t it?” He grinned at the Prince. Some of the others had already tacked up Arion for the ride (he had to be exercised again anyway) so that would be what he was doing later, but the younger boy did not need to know that. Alistair had also been informed of the limitations laid down by the doctor, which Tristan undoubtedly wanted to break. He probably didn’t expect Alistair to let him break them, hence his attempts to get rid of him. “Tell you what; you let me supervise and ride out with you and in exchange I will let you do whatever you want on the ride. That way, we’re both happy. Agreed?” Honestly, Alistair didn’t care either way, but it would put him out of favor if the royal stable master found out.
“Now, why don’t we go find that tack?” He began walking towards the location of the tack, not bothering to see if Tristan was following. He assumed he would. Alistair led the trek to the feed room, where he had stored the saddle and bridle. He deftly grabbed them and led the way back to Hal’s stall and swung the saddle over the door and hung up the bridle. “Knock yourself out.” he bowed awkwardly and rushed to get his own horse. Alistair found the bay pawing in his stall, unbridled. Good for nothing slintheads. He bridled the equine as quickly as he could and led Arion back over to where Tristan and Hal would be. He looked into the stall. “Ready?”
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