Something chimed in his ear. One of his bridle’s clanking, as Kassel unhooked it from the wall. Pembroke watched as Kassel carried it over. It was one of his with blinders. Meant to teach focus and discipline, and concentration solely on the coordinates spinning in one’s head.
Pembroke looked up at Kassel, grinning sheepishly. “Wait…Kassel…what are you doing?”
Kassel draped the headpiece of buckles across the top of Pembroke’s skull. His reply came as thumbs pressed the cushioned blinder pads against Pembroke’s eye sockets.
His stall blinked out.
The stag had brought Pembroke to darkness.
“Kassel!” he exclaimed, more excited than afraid.
“Shhhh…” Kassel crooned, Pembroke felt buckles lace across the sides of his skull, a leather bit suddenly pushing past his trembling lips, forcing h
