Here we go again with Six Sentence Sunday, a weekly event where up to 200 authors share six sentences of their work, published, unpublished, self-published and experimental works in progress.
I don’t actually have many coherent bits of A Fierce Reaping left to share unless I write some more. As you may have guessed from last weeks post, the wood gathering expedition didn’t end well and to work off his troop’s energy, Cynon decreed that they should take another little trip.
~~~
They rode on through claggy moorland but made good time. Once the deep snow had gone and the ground underfoot was wet the ponies did better than the horses. Their small hooves bit deeper into the mud so they kept their feet better and their strength and stubborn minds kept them going when the higher bred beasts faltered.
Cynfal chatted to Aeddan, pleased to see him gradually recovering his good humour once the snow had gone and he could lead the other lads in planning increasingly ridiculous scenarios where they would take over the troop and make Cynon clean all their boots. Cynfal kept cavy while they grumbled, not eager for Cynon to hear what amounted to mutiny, but knowing that while men grumbled they were working off steam. Far more dangerous was the kind of sullen resentment he had seen a time or two in Tudfwlch’s troop.
Elin Gregory 
Ah yes-the sure footed ponies always do better. A bit like the old VW beetle in cold weather. Always more reliable than a BMW or similar. 😀
Great six again, Elin.
What does ‘cavy’ mean?
Morning sweetie.
‘Cavy’ comes from the Latin ‘cave’ which means ‘beware’ – as in cave canem as in this mosaic from the house of the Tragic Poet in Pompeii.
My ratty old Renault Kangoo is far better in snow than Paul’s posh car. Sometimes ponies have their advantages, even if your toes do skim the grass.
Ponies are so underrated! Cynfal is a smart man and understands the way of troops. Nice six this week!
I like your distinction between ponies and horses. ‘claggy’ was the word that made me pause, but I pick up the meaning through context. I also like that you make distinctions between letting off steam and the kind of low-key resentment that can boil up into serious trouble. For me that helps make your characters 3D, because real people have degrees of behavior like that.
Thus, I do hope you write and post more of this story! 😀
A fantastic snippet to give us a look into the current dynamics of this group of men. I certainly hope it remains painless grumbling instead of snowballing into something else. And I certainly hope you write more! 😀
Wonderful description of the ride, and the atmosphere. 🙂
That Cynfal is a smart one! Love this world, I’m looking forward to more. 🙂
venting so much better than quiet resentment. I admire your writing so precise
Excellent insight while deepening your world building. Well done!
Makes me wish I could be riding with them. Great six Elin!
Enjoyed Cynfal’s wise reflections here!
If you can convince them to work with you, there’s not much tougher than a pony. Great six!
Cynfal is a wise man. That would be a hard group of men to handle if they decide enough is enough.
Ponies are lighter, tougher, and stronger for their size.
You really do an amazing job setting the mood, describing every action, and bringing the scene to life. I love it! 🙂
Great six. Feeling their frustration.
Wonderfully life-like! Great 6, Elin!
Ponies are always more sensible than horses.
My favorite part is the plot to have him clean the boots. Love this story!