Speaking soft and sweet, Freya led her new horse back home, home to the Woodland Farm. Seeing that the other horses would need time to get used to Freckles, the girl walked her mare around back to a corral that adjoined the main one where the other horses were kept. It was close so that they could get used to her smell, but far enough so that they could not hurt each other until they learned to get along.

As she led Freckles inside, she gave a soft tug to stop her, putting a firm hand on the horse's chest to encourage her to remain still,at the same time giving a soft word. Lerna. Stay. This would begin Freckles' teaching in obedience. As Freckles stood, she removed the lead rein, and let her go, turning to fill the food and water troughs. Finally, she said, Kapo.Go ahead. This command released Freckles to go her way as she wished.

Shantii watched silently.

Freckles followed willingly, surveying her surroundings. She stopped when Freya tugged the rope. But the word confused her. It appeared as if this word was the same as harus or stay. So she listened, trying to get used to Freya's funny way of talking. Then came the next word. Since the girl said this word when she released the horse, it probably meant astua or go. So she did go, and began eating the food.

Freya smiled softly without teeth, and reached a tentative hand to stroke her horse, soft voice flowing. Tretha, khenemset. Good girl. It would take longer to teach Freckles if Freya used her native tongue, but then it would be easier for her to command the horse should she ever need something done quickly.

She stayed as Freckles ate, petting her side gently and letting the horse get used to her smell and presence. Waiting until she was through, Freya called Shantii forward.

Shantii came and sat tamely by her mistress, within reach of Freckles but away enough that it was clearly an introduction. Freya's soft voice came again, teaching in the tone. Prashantii. Shantii. And she stroked the dog's head, murmuring the name over and over so that Freckles would know Shantii's name, in case she ever need the horse to fetch her dog.

And, once more, she tapped her chest repeatedly, saying, ,b>Freya, Freya with each thump. Now the important persons in the horse's life were named, and she could know them if Freya ever needed her to. With a deft hand, she dug out a sugar cube and held it out, flat-palmed, for Cinnamon Stick. Tretha, khenemset.

Freckles nickered and watched Freya's lesson. This was all so much for her to remember, but she was a quick learner. Then Freya offered the treat, and the mare walked forward. If there was one thing she loved most it was sugar cubes. She gratefully ate the treat, then looked at the girl as if to say what next?

She smiled as the horse seemed to understand, and decided to take the teaching a step further today, since Freckles seemed to be enjoying herself. A silent gesture sent Shantii a few feet away, and she pulled an ample supply of the sugar cubes out of her pouch. Shantii. KeralShantii. Get Shantii. Everytime the horse got it right, she'd get a sugar cube. Kind of a game, but it would ensure that the horse always remembered the names. When Conan, Aralyn, Sanuye, and the other animals got back, she'd go through the same routine.