Akhe screamed as the spiked whip dug once again into her already cut and scarred back. She swung her head around and her teeth snagged at the end of the whip. She yanked hard, but her grip wasn't tight enough and the man pulled it back. He whipped her again for her trouble, and, mentally sighing, Akhe started forwards.
Akhe was much stronger than a regular horse, but the load she was pulling was still too much. Her master, who was usually just a cabman, was hauling a wagon full of sandstone. The load would have been heavy for two horses, and as Akhe pulled, she imagined that someday soon she would collapse from exhaustion and die.
The heat wasn't helping. The sun was beating down on her silver coat and there was not a drop of water for the horse. Of course, her master, a small rat-like man named Ferich Lynkch, had a canteen full of cool water, but Akhe hadn't had a drink for four hours, much too long in this heat, and she was working harder than she ought to have been.
Ferich knew that Akhe was stronger than other horses, but he knew she wasn't invincible. The problem was, he didn't care. When this one died, he'd just buy another, that was how he lived.
As Akhe pulled the heavy cart through the crowded streets she saw a trough of water off to the side of the road.
She turned for it.
"Git back on course you worthless beast!" Ferich shouted, snapping his whip, but Akhe didn't yeild. She plodded towards the through and lowered her mouth to the water, drinking up the water as fast as she could. Ferich pulled on the reins and whipped her, but the horse stayed put.
Grumbling and swearing Ferich climbed from the wagon and walked up to Akhe. He was about to strike her face when out of the corner of his eye he sighted a tavern. He looked at the bar, then back at Akhe, then back at the bar, and back at Akhe. He swore at her and, after tying her reins to a post, walked into the tavern.
Akhe could't believe her luck! Rest and a drink for her! Despite the harness she managed to lay down on the road after drinking her fill.
