Not even half an hour passed but Lu Yan's mood has gone down drastically, it is not that he was tired nor something bad happened, he was just frustrated no scratch that he was extremely frustrated! Why? Because currently he is ridding a miniature horse, is that bad? No, not exactly it is just this so called miniature horses are small equines whose height didn't even reach the 35 inches mark, this fluffy pony also has stout legs and a round belly.

He was not complaining about the speed because despite being short this horse is quite fast and versatile, really suitable as a riding mount for small children. Yes, small children! This is what frustrates him, it was already bad enough that he regress in age and shorten in height but to slap that very fact on his face by riding along side this tall quarter horses. Now that is just pulling on to his achilles' heel.

Reason as to why Lu Yan was gloomy despite having such an intelligent, trainable and obedient pony not to forget how cute and fluffy it is, is that he felt that riding this horse emphasizes the height he was so stubbornly forgetting, he even stand far from his brothers so as not to be compared but alas being a 7 years old his height only reaches 121 cm, while Rion and Regan was at 150 cm and 143 cm respectively, that is quite a difference. While his two older siblings only thought that their younger brother was recluse well the original Raghnall really was after his mother's death but the current Lu Yan only distance himself because of the difference in height.

In the past others often asks him about this obsession in height, but truth be told it is not his obsession more like his insecurity, back in the day his friends often laugh at him about this. The reason as to why this slight flaw of the Great General existed dated back to when he was a kid, the time when was often bullied because he was small and short, and as bad as it already is that he was bullied everyday his puberty even comes late thus despite being in the same age he remains the sore thumb among the youths.

Thus, his father worried about his already gloomy and recluse child would forever lock himself inside his room, travelled far to kneel and beg one of the wushu masters of that time to teach his child. His master touched by the love and care he seen from Lu Yan's father at that time agreed, and even promised that he'll do it for free.

Of course, who wouldn't agree with his father being a General at that time, brought a platoon together with him just to kneel and beg a recluse wushu master to teach his child, just the sight of those tall and bulky men kneeling at his doorsteps frightened the old man thus he agreed right away, for he doesn't have a need for an additional headache knocking on his doors.

But alas, before Lu Yan can even make his father proud of him, his beloved father died in the midst of war, following his mother who died giving birth to him with the two of them gone Lu Yan was left alone. But he was thankful as his old master didn't leave him but instead took him with him to the mountains where Lu Yan strive hard to reach the peak and then go back to claim what is rightfully his and bring back the glory of the Lu family.

Since Lu Yan has no other choice he can only sigh to himself, but seeing those quarter horses galloping along himself reminds him of his partner Xiao Hei. Xiao Hei is a black heihe breed of horse, he has large black glittery eyes, with long ears, his head was medium in size as well as the length of his neck, the ridge between his shoulder blades is wide, his limbs are strong coupled with long forearms, bent hock and a short cannons.

Xiao hei is said to be one of the powerful horses in the army, he can easily adapt to the cold during an overnight missions, he also has good endurance but most of all he was obedient but that being said he was the who feed, groomed and takes care of Xiao hei since it was a foal. When his father was still alive he gifted him the son of his very own horse, which he later named Xiao hei due to his color and size. It can be said that both had grown up together and even got more closer when his father died as he sees Xiao hei as the only remembrance his father left for him.

For a horse and a rider, Lu Yan and Xiao hei has more than just physical connection but as well as emotional, when riding a horse it's not just about mounting and galloping, it is more like communicating with your mount until both of you forms a bond of trust, reaching a sense of harmony, you let your horse feel that you trusted it and let your horse show you that your trust was reciprocated by its actions. A ride with Xiao hei let's Lu Yan understand and sense each movements of its legs and body. Taking good care of him allows Lu Yan to be accepted as his rider where he let's him mount and rein him during their travels. With his head aligned vertically to his shoulders, hips and heels, his weight wholly supported by Xiao hei down below, he took up his reins in his hands and enjoy the breeze passing his face at the heat of the sun above his head.

Such nostalgia, made Lu Yan's frustration flew aways only to be replace by melancholy. Unlike before where he still has his master and Xiao hei besides him now he really was completely alone in this unfamiliar world, where he in this place lives again under a different name, a different family, and a different environment. When he first opened his eyes to all this, he felt determined to live and not to be trampled once again, he even felt more invigorated to have another shot in life.

But alas, as the days passed his nostalgia also grows maybe that's what been keeping him from making more interaction from others, maybe it's because after all this days he still felt that he was not part of this world, maybe because he still felt that all of this was so surreal or maybne because he still can't let go of his past. That being said he can never let go of the past, as it was a part of him, and like a puzzle he will never be complete without those pieces of memories.

Unbeknownst to Lu Yan the changes of his expression was open viewed for the world to see, like these two brothers who was currently thinking what made their already gloomy younger brother sadder. Was he worried about the camp? Maybe because he is already feeling homesick as this was the first time he has gone out of the house? Or is he worried that he might get bullied? What nonsense who would dare bully the youngest of the Fitzgerald unless he wishes to see blood! But alas, these two can only exchange helpless look with each other as this cute brother of theirs seems to be afraid of them. They can't help but recount if they ever did something bad against Raghnall, but after some deep thinking they can't seem to find the cause.

A/N:

Miniature horse: Developed in Europe in the 1600s. The breed’s two registries have different height requirements, but the horses must fall under 34-38 inches, measured from the last hairs of the mane.

Quarter Horse: American breed is arguably the most popular breed in the United States, and the American Quarter Horse Association is the largest breed registry in the world. Known as the fastest breed of horse over short distances.

Heihe Horse: A breed of horse that originates from the Heilongjiang River (Amur river) basin in China. Name written as 黑河 which means black river.

Xiao Hei: written as 小xiǎo which means small, tiny or young. 黑hēi means black. Thus his name means little black.

Horseback Riding 101:

Girth. This adjustable leather strap goes around the horse’s belly and connects the saddle to the horse.

Bridle. This leather piece goes over the horse’s face.

Bit. This metal bar goes in the horse’s mouth and is connected to the bridle. Pressure on the bit is one way the horse receives your nonverbal communications.

Reins. The rider holds in their hands these leather straps, which are connected to the bit. Pulling on these is another to communicate nonverbally to the horse.

Hunter Posture. This posture comes from the English tradition of fox hunting while on horseback. Sit up straight in the saddle, and lean slightly forward. You’re riding in a posture with the possibility that you’ll eventually go over jumps. Hold a rein in each hand down by the saddle pad on each side of the front of the saddle.