Syri ran his hands down the uniform specifically made for stable staff. A pair of overalls covered the zeta's abdomen and legs. They were of soft, brown leather with excellent seams and fit. They were not of poor quality. A baker boy cap of the matching color of the overalls sat on the zeta's head while a light blue shirt lay beneath the leather overalls. A pair of matching brown boots clad the zeta's feet and came up to the lower portion of his shin.
A knock on the door sounded, which Syri promptly answered. "Ready?" Kip asked as he leaned against the frame of the door. The beta was dressed in the same outfit except his shirt was the color of light cream. Syri's brows furrowed as he looked at the beta's shirt and recalled Kip had worn a pale green shirt the day before.
"Do the colors mean something?" Syri inquired as he gestured to the two's shirts.
Kip gave a small chuckle as he bopped the lip of the zeta's cap with his thumb. "Naw, we use our own shirts. They gave you one since you came with just one set of clothes."
"Ah," Syri sounded in response. "That was kind of them."
"Mm," Kip sounded in agreement. "They take good care of us. This is one of the better places to work. The luna doesn't allow for us to be mistreated."
"The queen sounds like a good luna," Syri commented as he stepped out into the hallway.
"That she is. I've heard the one before her was a witch, and not the kind with magic," Kip said with a raise of his brows toward the end.
"I'm glad I was born in the current luna's reign."
"Me, too." Kip nodded his head in agreement before starting down the hallway. Some of the maids and castle workers on the morning shift were also leaving their rooms and making their way to begin their duties. "Ready to meet Ajax?" Kip asked as he turned his head to look at the zeta trailing behind him. "You will be a caretaker to the prince's vorst with Bevy and me. Calix and Ibbi are Tryst's caretakers."
Syri nodded in response. It would not be his first time meeting Ajax, and Syri was grateful at that moment that Ajax could not physically speak. "How often does the prince go to the stables to ride Ajax?" Syri inquired of the beta as the two reached the outdoors.
"Hmm...I'd say he comes once every two weeks. He used to come more often, but he's become busier the past few weeks," Kip explained as he and Syri crossed the southern courtyard. Syri nodded in acknowledgment of the beta's words as the two reached the stables. A smile came to the beta's face as he saw the final member of the party. "Heyyy, Calix!" Kip greeted as he approached the man.
Calix turned and quietly smiled at the grey-eyed werewolf as Kip neared him. Calix was a tall man with dark brown hair that fell to the tops of his shoulders in layers. The beta had dark green eyes the color of a forest at dawn and had a calming aura. He had caramel skin and was dressed like the others with the exception of forgoing the cap. Calix accepted Kip's quick embrace in greeting with a slap on the back and smiled at the soft brown-haired before turning to look at the pink-haired who stood at a short distance. The green-eyed bowed at the zeta before walking to the small male.
Syri looked up at the man and immediately relaxed under the beta's tranquil presence.
"You must be Syri," Calix greeted the zeta. His voice was incredibly soft and gentle.
"I am," Syri answered with a small smile. "You must be Calix."
"That I am," Calix returned softly. His gaze was soft as he looked at the zeta for a moment more before turning to Kip who was quietly watching the two's interaction. "Shall we begin?" The beta inquired of the grey-eyed, who nodded his head and started toward the stables.
"Morning!" Bevy called with a wave of her hand as she passed the zeta and beta and walked toward the stables. Ibbi bowed at his mentor before following the alpha.
Syri bowed to the beta before hurrying after his long-strided mentor. The zeta reached Kip's side as the grey-eyed entered the stable's awning. Calix soon followed to join the four in the entrance to the stables. The two betas were around the same height, Calix having the slight advantage over the grey-eyed. Their slight difference in height was splendidly displayed as the two males came to stand next to each other before turning to address their underlings. Ibbi, Bevy, and Syri stood silently as they waited for their mentors to give them orders.
"Kip and Bevy will lead the team; Ibbi and Syri will flank, and I will take the rear," Calix began before turning to the zeta. "Syri, link with Ibbi and follow his lead. He will take you step-by-step."
The zeta felt his throat tighten as he heard the beta's words. "Umm..." Syri began, catching the two betas' attention. The zeta swallowed before lowering his head ashamedly and explaining, "I can't link other wolves."