OLT - Portrait

Portrait picture for #HARPG-Outlaw-Trail

Colour Version:

Horse: FLS Summer Sonnet
Rider: Adam Granger
Group: Outlaw
Number: 93

Story

Previously: [link]
<sub>Adam pulled on the large, heavy duster jacket, the final touch to his whole outfit. In the trailer the coat felt hot and unnecessary, but he was grateful of it as soon as he stepped outside. The wind was kicking up dust in waves that stung any skin he had showing. Adam knew this wasn't as windy as it got, and he dreaded being out in the middle of nowhere in high winds. He tugged his neck scarf up over his mouth and nose and moved around to the side of the trailer where Sonnet was tied. The mare had her rump to the wind and looked completely unamused by this hot but turbulent weather. Adam grinned and patted her on the shoulder. “I know girl, would rather be stood in the rain, mm?” He ruffled her mane and picked up the blanket that was hung on a rail on the side of the trailer. He placed it on her back and smoothed it out before placing the saddle on top of it. She was tied loosely by her reins to a piece of twine on the side of the trailer, and when he was finished with the saddle he untied her. “Shall we get moving? They want us all gathered somewhere,” he muttered as he rummaged in his pocket for his phone. He had been informed he was allowed to carry a phone, as long as it was turned off and concealed. He was glad, he didn't think he could go so long without talking to his family. He led Sonnet towards the area where they were all gathering. Calling internationally would be a hefty bill, but Adam almost held his breath as the tone rang once... twice...
“Hello?”
“Hey, Aithne, it's me,” the relief and joy of hearing her voice washed over him, and he smiled as he walked with Sonnet. “I just thought I'd let you know I got here okay.”
“Did Sonnet travel okay?” Typical Aithne to wonder about the horse first. Adam laughed and nodded.
“Yes, she did. She had a good rest last night too.” Sonnet had slept in the trailer which was designed to adjust into a rather spacious, portable stable. She had risen with Adam first thing that morning, and the man had grabbed what breakfast he could while pulling on his costume and getting the mare ready for their journey. “How's Aiden doing?”
“He's missing you,” Aithne chuckled. “But he knows that daddy's gone to fight the bad guys.”
“I might be a bad guy yet,” he laughed, lifting his hat with one hand and ruffling his hair before plonking the hat back down. “Although I'm not too sure who the bad guys are.” He had heard the stories and all the background, and he had to say it could turn out to be a rather interesting event.
“He wants to speak to you,” Aithne said before being cut off, the phone being grabbed by small toddler hands.
“Dad! Daddy!” Adam grinned as he heard the child's voice.
“Hey there, monster. Are you behaving yourself?” He heard the child giggle and could almost imagine Aithne rolling her eyes.
“Yes,” he said in a very slow, untruthful tone.
“Of course you have,” he laughed. “I need to go now,” he said as he spotted the rider for Fallen Angel Stables trotting up the trail. “I love you, Aiden. Put mummy back on the phone.” There were a few moments of fumbling noises before Aithne came back onto the phone.
“Hey,” she breathed, and he felt his heart jolt again at the sound of her voice. So long together, he probably shouldn't have still felt the same every time he saw her, or heard her voice. “So I'll let you get off. But you be careful, yeah?”
“Yeah, I will be.” He fiddled with Sonnet's reins in one hand as he walked with her. “I'll see you soon.”
“Yeah. Love you,” she muttered.
“Love you too.”

The silence that followed the phone call was almost unbearable, so Adam shoved the phone deep into his pocket and swung himself up onto Sonnet's strong back. He nudged the mare forward as soon as he was settled, and they followed Seth and Survivor down the old battered trail. Sonnet was sure footed and forward going as usual, putting her head down and picking her way along the stony path with ease. Sonnet had been doing endurance rides for a long time, and she had become quite the pro and moving along at a steady pace. Lee had done some good training with her, Adam had to say. A few other riders were on the trail, all heading the same direction towards the gathering point in a back pasture. It seemed quite a way out, but eventually they arrived. There were a lot of horses. Sonnet's ears snapped back as soon as she saw the crowd, and she mardily made her way through the horses towards horses and riders that were more familiar. Adam smiled a greeting to Somesmera's rider, and bumped into (literally) a few other riders he recognised. Sitting in the crowd he was suddenly very aware that he didn't know many people. This was Aithne's area, she would probably know half the people that were there, but he only recognised the odd few. He settled down near a group he didn't particularly know very well, but also relatively close to Kyoya from Somesmera. Sonnet wasn't happy about the crowd, and Adam would be glad when things got underway and he maybe wouldn't have to be in such crowds.

As a man started speaking, the crowd fell into silence. Adam watched with the rest of them as the interaction took place between the man and another rider. It was all very puzzling, but Adam tried to keep up. He could feel the tension rising, people starting to choose where their allegiances lay. Adam had to say he was starting to feel sorry for the outlaw everyone wanted to hang. Adam was deep in thought as everyone started to move after the man on the bay mare. He became aware of his situation as Sonnet squealed at a nearby stallion and bunny hopped away from him. “Easy, girl,” he murmured, smiling an apology to the rider and easing his mare away from any potential threats. He soon found himself on the edge of the group, wandering towards the location of the photographer.

Adam dismounted when they reached the area they would have their photographs taken, deciding it would be a good idea to wander around and stretch his legs for a while. He had no idea what would happen during this western adventure, but he got the feeling he'd be spending a lot of time in the saddle. He ran his hand over the small gun he had holstered on his leg, the one he had been issued when he had arrived and registered with Sonnet. He had been informed it was loaded with wax bullets, but had also been informed it wasn't a good idea to shoot anyone with it unless he actually meant to damage someone. The atmosphere was becoming more and more tense as people decided who they supported, but Adam had to say he was mainly there for the experience. It was like any childhood dream, and everyone looked like they had just walked out of a western movie. Despite all this, he had to say he supported the outlaws, but whether they were the bad guys or not he really couldn't tell.</sub>

Image © =mapal
Ref for Sonnet: [link]