In the Hold with the Horses

That was one problem with the boy, Chase decided. He didn't know when to shut up. The topman didn't bother to reply and contented himself with petting the horse's nose, relieved that the beast didn't seem inclined to chomp on his fingers.

"Don't think you fancy t' French do you." He muttered under his breath, before he decided to drop the conversation. He understood that Terpsy fancied all the wrong things and so far had not been convinced too different.

The mare that Chase was petting looked relaxed with what he was doing and held her head in place, not moving it neither back, nor forth. Her lower lip relaxed, so that it looked as if her mouth was slightly agape. As relaxed as she could be, she seemed to take good to the voyage where she was left in such a small confined place. Of course the closeness of another mare helped with the nerves, and a light stroke on her nose, was a bonus. "See. .. 'told ye. They don't bite."