Ocatvius sighed as he worked in the royal stables again. He had been assigned there once again by Captain Rillus as punishment for fighting. By now he was a expert stable-hand.The Official Groom's or stable-boys, stable-man, or stable-hands had started giving him his own horses to tend to. As far as the royal staff seemed to think, he was just another one of the stable-hands. None of them seemed to know he was a squire in training. The Groom was a title giving to those who cared and worked in the stables with the horses. It was a hard job some times but Octavius worked through it as he always did. The company wasn't bad as long as you didn't mind the occasional nudging for treats. He laughed suddenly as one of the new foals came up and nipped at him a bit wanting to play.

He couldn't help but laugh as he rolled his eyes putting down his broom. " Oh alright you win! You really are persuasive." He said to the young white foal. " Your going to make a fine horse one day for the Prince." He said as he picked up the royal bridal and waited as the foal gracefully trotted up to him. The young foal had only arrived a week or two ago from a foreign land. It was to be Prince Alistarr's present from his father. The young foal was pure white with bright sky blue eyes. It had a grace about it in everything that it did. The foal was fit for a king with it's majestic appearance. The foal for whatever reason seemed to be very found of Octavius something that the staff had taken note of. The young foal would let no other person bridle it or ride it. Something that was a bit of a problem since it needed to be broken by the Prince's birthday party. The party was quickly approaching and the stable staff had been really worried. However true to form poor Octavius had been sent back to them as punishment for fighting yet again.

The staff watched in silence as Octavius Bridled the young horse with ease. He even managed to put a saddle on the horse with no fuss. They knew that Octavius would make a fine soldier some day. He already had the fighting skills down to a art thanks to his adoptive father of shorts Sir. Rillus. Thanks to the horses he was learning the other important part, and that was how to care for others. The staff turned and went back to their own business knowing that Sir.Rillus would yell at them if he caught them helping Octavius out in the least. The Captain of the guards had made it clear that this was to be Octavius's punishment. He was to serve them and the horses. " Come on lets go for a walk." Octavius said to the young horse as he lead it out of the stables. He walked around the castle with the horse letting it get use to it's new home. After a while he mounted the horse and slowly started to guide it around. They explored the lands around the castle for hours. To Octavius surprise the young horse suddenly started to run. The horse seemed so happy as it glided through the air. His moments of bliss ended as he saw a large hedge suddenly appear knowing they where heading into the royal guardians. " NoooOOOO!" He yelled but it was to late the horse was already in mid air. The young horse landed a bit rough causing Octavius to be thrown forward into the lake.

Octavius quickly surfaced as he glared up at the young horse who looked apologetic. The horse walked over and held it's head down to him. He grabbed onto the bridal as he let the horse help him up out of the lake. He shook his head as he looked at himself. The horse seemed to be laughing from the fact that he had moss and Lilly pads all over him. "Oh so this is funny?" He snapped back at the horse who just laughed and suddenly bolted away in a playing manner. " Hey you get back here we aren't done talking about this!" He yelled as the horse ran off heading for a cluster of trees. Octavius quickly followed as he picked the moss and lilly pads off his face and arms. When he made it to where the horse had stopped he saw the reason for the suddenly excitement. "You threw me into a lake for apples?" He said as he quickly grabbed the reigns so the horse couldn't run off again. The horse looked shocked to see him and held a apple in its teeth as if trying to give him a peace offering. " I'll pass, go a head and enjoy yourself. It beats having to sweep the stables." He said as he smiled softly petting the horse.