Lord have mercy.
There was nothing unusual about the palace taking on a new boy. Considering this particular boy was headed for the stables, there was nothing unusual about Murray being the one to walk him through his duties. Chances are, the boy would spend a lot of his hours from here on out polishing horse brasses for the never ending cycle of public occasions, but any that were left over could go towards looking after the neat little bay She favoured for riding...and that would put him within spitting distance of Geisler's own favoured mount.
Enabling Geisler's riding habits had been part of Murray's duties since the day Bernard first laid eyes on the raw, crossgrained old chestnut brute he liked now. There was overlap there. It stood to reason Murray should walk him through.
...but he couldn't help thinking, this boyo here was the most unwieldy looking feller he'd ever clapped eyes on in all his born days. Hair spraying out in every direction. So thin he'd look to disappear if he ever turned sideways. Enormous, beaky nose practically dragging the rest of his looks along behind it, and so many layers of clothes he looked like he was bundled up in a sack.
He must have been built out of sticks and string!
He didn't talk much either. Not so far, anyroad. He didn't even look at anyone, shambling along staring at his feet and pressing himself into corners like he wanted to melt into the walls.
"Righto. You - Gaelin, is that right? - came in with a good reputation when it comes to beasts, so you're going in the stables for now. I've put you under me until you find your feet, looking after Lady Geisler's favourite..."
