Lei'lira was more than a little overwhelmed by trying to keep track of what so many people were saying. A woman introduced herself as Violet Warrick, and Lady Warrick, further explaining that she was Victor Warrick's daughter. The woman looked every bit the lady she was, and Lei'lira couldn't help but feel horribly out of place in her presence.
"Yes, it is a shame." Lei'lira murmured softly.
When Violet asked what she wanted to breed horses for, the question gave Lei'lira pause. It wasn't something she had ever really considered before. But...combat? No. The thought of putting innocent horses into danger in a war horrified her. Although...it was true that there was a need for such things. And breeding a fast, intelligent horse that could be used as a mount for a scout might not be so bad. A mount like that would be ideal for a courier as well. As for racing...that was more of a nobles' sport, and Lei'lira wasn't sure what she thought of it. On the one hand...some horses simply loved to run. A horse like that would thrive as a race horse as long as it was treated well. But how many race horses were pushed too far, too fast? How many of them were injured when their owners demanded more of them than they could give?
"Maybe." Lei'lira said at last.
"But I was thinking more of breeding riding horses. Some that are beautiful, with smooth, easy gaits to please even the pickiest noble. Others capable of running for long distances, ideal for a courier's mount. Or even for those who simply need a way to travel from one place to another. I like the idea of being able to provide a wide variety of horses so that everyone can find something they both want, and can afford."
The man...Vaughn? Yes, Vaughn. Why did he seem so familiar...? Wait. Could he be that Vaughn? Her friend from when she had been an awkward teenager who had been far more interested in animals, and books than anything else? A memory came to her of meeting a man during the Great Hunt when she'd been sixteen. She'd dreaded the thought of going hunting with him because she knew that her idea of "hunting" was a far cry from what others would call hunting. At the time, she had been certain that he would mock her when he realized that she enjoyed hunting for the secrets to be found in the forest surrounding her farm rather than taking down game. But he hadn't mocked her, and the "hunt" they'd had had been more fun than she ever imagined it would be.
Lei'lira thought they might be the same person, but enough time had passed, and enough things had happened since then, that she couldn't be sure. And she was quickly distracted by what he was saying about his horses.
"It's still a farm for now." she corrected softly.
"But I hope to turn it into a ranch, and a breeding farm some day."
It was her biggest dream, though she didn't say as much. Instead, she pictured how it would be in her mind's eye. Land sprawling as far as the eye could see, all belonging to her, fenced in and filled with good grazing land for horses. She allowed herself to daydream for a few ticks, before Vaughn caught her attention once more with the word "Andalusian." Her eyes lit up with intense interest, as she listened carefully, happy to hear just about anything in regards to such a beautiful breed of horses.
"Andalusians are a beautiful breed. You are lucky to own them."
She really didn't know much about warhorses, but it did seem to her that while fierceness might be an asset because it would allow them to fight for their rider, it was more important for the horse to be willing to obey commands. Wouldn't it be dangerous to have to rely on a horse who was more likely to lash out at you than carry you without a fight when you were headed into a battle? An untameable horse was a dangerous one, and certainly not something Lei'lira would want to depend on for her life.
"It is Ashan, which is breeding season for horses. If you're interested, and can come out to Warrick this season, you could try breeding Malcom's Pride to one of my mares?" she offered shyly.
But something seemed to anger Vaughn, as he deposited the puppy he had been holding on their host's lap without responding. Lei'lira wasn't even certain he had hear her offer. She wondered if she should try to find him after dinner, and make her offer again. But before she could give it much thought, Malcom addressed the group, and told them about a center for children who had been orphaned during the war. When he asked for donations, Lei'lira gathered her courage, and stood slowly.
"I'd like to donate fifty gold nels." she said quietly, before sitting down quickly.
Then she busied herself with the task of filling plates of food for Teirue, and Eri before getting something for herself.