Chapter 13: A Poor Choice

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Hint: An error or fault resulting from defective judgment, deficient knowledge, or carelessness.

His horse had slowed down for the second time since midnight. It was exhausted and was ready to throw him off its back had he not dismounted it in time. He gathered the reins with both hands, stroked it gently between the eyes and spent some time observing the weary beast. The horse was displaying clear signs of fatigue. He counted its breaths. He then pushed its face away from him and pressed his ear on its neck to listen to and count its heartbeats. He could feel the heat radiate from its body and when he pressed his thumb into the horse's gum, he could tell it was severely dehydrated. He grunted and kicked the earth in frustration. He knew he could not push his luck any longer. He couldn't strain the beast despite the urgency of having to reach the school in time. And so, he dragged it in the direction of a large tree that stood a few feet ahead of him.

The horse was too tired to stay upright and laid down underneath the tree almost as soon as he had finished tying its reins. He slapped his forehead and cursed himself for having made a poor selection with this particular horse, but the truth was that he wasn't spoilt for choice either. It was the least unhealthy one compared to the other horses at the blind man's stable at the last town he had stopped at. It was cheap and the blind man didn't ask too many questions as he traded it for his previous horse – an instruction by his superior that he had diligently carried out. He cursed himself some more for riding without ration and burdening an already fatigued horse. Where could he find it some water in the mountains? Every inch of land was new to him. This journey was new to him. This mission was new to him. His life as a soldier was new to him.

The horse snorted and huffed as it lay on the dew-covered carpet of wild grass and flowers growing at the base of the tree. He was feeling sorry for the poor dear. It had endured him for most parts of the night and had stopped only once, until now. It had brought him far enough without asking much of him and now it was exhausted, and he was angry with himself for causing it. He had always been great with animals. Dogs, cats, cows, calves, goats, anything on four legs would just wander into his arms and have him pet them like he was their old friend. His father did not know him too well, but he was pleased with the fact that his son bonded easily with every living being. It was this delightful trait of his that had led his father to enlist him as Prince Devdutt's personal guard 4 years back. Back then, his placement was an unofficial one and for a noticeably short duration. And like every other thing that he had petted, fed, and loved, Devdutt had bonded with him instantly and had become his favourite from the moment he had laid eyes on him.

The forest was waking up just as the sky was getting lighter. Bird calls were growing louder and echoed throughout the hills. His bare feet were now muddy and a little cold. A line of ants was marching around his feet as he had stepped into their trail. He had taken off his sandals the last time he dismounted the horse and had tied them to the saddle. He had not been an early riser, a habit that scorned and shamed his father among his peers. But his days had completely transformed him in the last six months ever since his enlistment as a guard in the royal army upon his father's insistence.

His father was a disciplined man and did not believe in coddling his only child. He would wake him up as crudely as possible – whatever it took to get the boy out of bed. He would shake and swat him awake as early as four a.m. for the first few weeks. On some mornings, he would sprinkle cold water on his face or let their pet goat loose on him. The goat would lick him wet and make him smell as much as itself. And soon enough, rising early became a habit to his father's relief. He was given a strict morning schedule to adhere to. He was to complete his ablutions, exercises, prayers and breakfast and he had started meeting each one of them like a model soldier. His father did not intend to let him slack off, keeping him on his toes all through the day. As per official orders, he had but one important job, just one. He was to guard Prince Devdutt at all times. He would ride with his father to the palace every morning and watch the sun come up over the hills. Every morning, he would ride quietly behind his father and savour his time with him. He had begun to appreciate the beauty and peace of the early morning hours that were spent in the company of a silent, stern and perhaps the only guardian he had.

He witnessed the sun come up in the horizon. The view was spectacular and stirred his resolve to complete his mission without any more stoppages. As the sky grew lighter, he wrestled with the thought of abandoning the horse and travelling on foot till he found himself another, healthier beast. All he needed was a sturdy horse and he would be reaching the school in no time. He knew he was on the right path. The blind man had told him that the school was a night's journey away. He had even offered him a place for the night, had he wished to take rest and leave by daybreak. But he had politely refused the offer, thanked him for the horse and charged away in a mad rush.

He walked over to the tired horse and untied his sandals. He stroked and patted the horse with all the love and apology he could muster. He then put both his hands together and said a short prayer for the health and safety of the sickly horse. He also prayed for himself and Devdutt and set off on foot to look for help.