Where are you going with your fetlocks flowing? Attn Horsey

[Winter Mist]

~Dilora~

 

It was nice to get away from it all once in a while. Dilora had left Altie hitched with the wagon in a clearing not far from the road where it wouldn’t impede any travellers making their steady progress into Caemlyn. The rest of her companions could keep themselves company while she had some time to herself to gather flowers. No one would go near her prized mobile home; the walls painted with fancy designs so as to appear more of a red and gold Tuatha’an caravan rather than a peddler’s wagon. People had left well alone before because they did not want to have anything stolen, as they believed, by Tinkers that would corrupt their young in exchange for a few mended pots. Those more in the know realised that Dilora’s wagon was nothing to do with the Travelling People: most recognised her wagon as she trundled past without a care in the world and those that did not could not fail to miss the telltale rabbits hung on the outside or the arrows and her bow on the seat alongside her. Altie would bite anyone that got too close to the wagon, although she was generally a good-tempered mare; more than one unwary soul now wore the teeth marks of an angry and possessive horse with a good bit of her mistress’ temper when the wagon was in danger.

 

The late afternoon sun wheeled its broad disk down in the sky, sinking slowly down the tree-lined horizon and highlighting the branches in shades more suited to autumn than the summer they were enjoying. Dilora did enjoy it though. A few pale lopsided blooms caught her eye and a few stems found their way into her belt pouch for the petals to be tucked into her clothes to scent them with scents of beautiful things, and the stems to be used on the fire. Spying some wild roses just off the beaten track, Dilora wandered off to find them and made the mistake of looking up to the sky to follow the path of a bird flying overhead. She wondered what kind of bird it was, because it looked larger than most. Probably some sort of carrion eater that meant some unfortunate animal had fallen foul of a predator or a hunter had been lax in collecting his kill. Dilora carried on walking while she was looking skyward, her eyes tracing the bird towards the sunset and knowing she had better not be too long before she turned and headed back to camp for the evening meal. As she lowered her eyes back to where she was going, Dilora tried to find the roses she had been looking for in the first place and couldn’t see them anywhere at all.

 

“Light… I’m lost, aren’t I?â€

 

“Oh, blood and bloody ashes!â€

 

Dilora tried to retrace her steps for a few paces, but could not find her way. Sitting down to try and get he bearing once more, she whistled. Just an odd little tune, but it stopped her from worrying somewhat. Dilora thought of her companions back with her wagon and whether they’d come to look for her, but just decided to sit and enjoy the sunset, whistling.

[Guest Kaile]

The grass just got greener and greener. Every field was a more vibrant shade of health than the one before. In every stream flowed water more refreshing than Horsey had ever seen.

 

But still, Horsey was starting to feel a little depressed. He had been searching for the best grazing for over a year now. And It seemed like everytime he seemingly found it, he discovered greener grass over the next hill. Would he ever find a place of rest? Or would he be forced to wander from oasis to oasis? Forever caught in a heavenly limbo?

 

These were the thoughts that plagued Horsey's every waking moment. And sometimes turned his dreams into nightmares. These were the deep things that the troubled stallion considered as he devoured evergreen grass in Andor. For that was where his search had led him, almost all the way to the great city of Caemlyn. Of course Horsey had no use for cities, but it was good to see humans once in a while.

 

He cut a fine figure of a horse. Three years old now, and entering his prime. His black coat gleamed in the morning sun and his crest was proudly displayed. Yes, there was not a horse anywhere who wouldn't wish for flanks like Horsey's. But even so, looks aren't everything, most things yes, but not everything. Horsey was lonely, he hadn't seen another horse his own age for a long time. And he was starting to think the bachelor life wasn't all it was made out to be. Settling down somewhere held a certain appeal that the free ranging life didn't have.

 

Pricking his ears Horsey snorted, a whistle, very faint, had just filled the air. Trying to ignore it Horsey went back to his meal, but the sing song tone tugged on him, until he couldn't even enjoy this fairly green meadow. Suddenly he couldn't control the urge anymore. Rearing Horsey took off at a gallop towards the noise. Jumping hedgerows and fences alike he sped towards the wooded area from whence the haunting tune came. Slowing slightly as he reached the treeline he made his way into the woods, jumping logs and dodging tree roots. The whistle was louder now, and it urged Horsey on. Finally Horsey reached the source, his body lathered in sweat and his chest heaving. Leaping into the clearing Horsey reared majestically, the sun shining down through the trees to outline the glorious visage.

 

Looking around Horsey spotting the being the noise had originated from. It was a human, smaller than usual. It seemed calm enough, sitting on a log whistling that beautiful tune. Approaching slowly Horsey stuck his nose out and nudged, hoping for some food, or at least a rub down for his troubles.

 

~Horsey~

Emo Stallion

Saviour of Little Lost Girls

[Winter Mist]

~Dilora~

 

Thunder? There was barely a single cloud in the sky, so what was that strange rumbling noise? The log that Dilora had chosen to sit down was vibrating strangely, as if an army were approaching, she imagined. They wouldn’t have a problem with a single woman out for a walk, would they? It occurred to her then that she was a single woman away from civilisation and with no one to protect her. It also occurred to her that if that were the case, they were likely men that had not seen a woman up close for so long that she might be in danger. Gratefully though, the sensation faded and turned into something different … a horse? Was it a horse she could see outlined in the fading golden and red rays of sunlight? Yes, a horse, a magnificent stallion rearing in front of the disappearing sun, before slowing down to canter towards her. Slower now, he approached her, for it surely couldn’t be a mare with that look of power about him, and not to mention his size. He was a lot bigger than most horses Dilora had seen; certainly larger than Altie, her beloved mare, and powerfully muscled as he walked towards her, extending his proud nose expectantly. This one had an attitude, so he did!

 

Smiling with relief that it wasn’t an army bent on having some fun, Dilora reached out and patted the soft nose. She marvelled at the soft fur that she found, stroking it, and reaching into her belt pouch, she pulled out the apple that had been saved from the last lot of windfalls she had come across, the one she had been saving for a special occasion.

 

“Here.â€

 

Extending the apple, Dilora watched the stallion take the delicious looking red and green fruit with strong teeth. She moved around to his side and grabbed a handful of a dry looking grass that grew nearby and started rubbing him down the way Altie liked to be rubbed at the end of a long day pulling the wagon. Long, powerful downward strokes to get away the dirt and sweat, and pressing motions to make sure the muscles were massaged in the process.

 

“You’re a long way from home friend.†And I’m lost… “Where are you going?â€

[Winter Mist]

~Dilora and Horsey~

 

The straw in her hand shone the animal’s coat and it gleamed in the late afternoon sun. All around her smells of heat and horse mingled in the air with the flowers in her basket that she had collected, a strange scent, but not entirely unpleasant. This was a truly magnificent horse, one she had never seen the like of before! Altie would be jealous of her if the mare could see her now.

 

The girl's rub down was by far the best Horsey had ever had, of course considering he hadn't exactly been around humans a lot since he had been a foal, he had never really had a proper rub down. Nuzzling into the girls neck Horsey spotted the basket of flowers. Now if there was one thing Horsey craved it was flowers, magnificent multi-hued flowers. And even if these weren't connected to the ground anymore, they still looked and smelled fresh. Gently nudging the nice human away Horsey stuck his mouth into the basket and gorged on the beautiful floral arrangement.

 

Taking a step backward, Dilora realized that the beast had his face in her supply of petals! She was going to turn those into perfume, by putting some in her rain-barrel and some of them would get folded into her drawers to be used to scent her clothes. And here was this lumbering slab-footed nag eating up her profits! A look into those expressive deep, dark eyes, and Dilora could not help herself. Instead of watching the magnificent creature, fully restored in her eyes as being wonderful, eat her supply of flowers and foliage, Dilora pulled an apple from her belt pouch – the kind that Altie loved, and offered it to the stallion.

 

The little girl moved up Horsey, and after gazing into the deep abyss of his eyes, she pulled a red spherical object out and held it out towards him. The flowers were completely gone now, just an empty woven basket left on the ground. But what was she trying to give him? The obvious thing would be food. But Horsey had only ever eaten things that were green, and of course flowers.

 

Red food seemed a little risky, even dangerous. Suddenly the little being withdrew the object and bit into it! She was biting into Horsey's food! Whether or not he had been going to eat it was beside the point! It was Horsey's! Advancing Horsey snatched the pitiful remnants of the once glorious red thing and bit down. Glorious food! It was magnificent - flowers were nothing in comparison.

 

The juicy treat could only be called heavenly.

 

Ouch! His teeth had nearly taken her fingers off, so quickly had he gone for it. Shaking her head ruefully, Dilora smiled. And still the sun continued to sink into the red-gold expanse of the sky. True, her flowers were gone now, but she could always get more on the way back … if she could find her way back. Resting her head against the horse’s shoulder, noises of contented munching coming from deep within it somewhere, Dilora puzzled over how to get back to Altie, and her wagon.

 

“If it were possible that you understood what I was saying, I’d ask you to take me back to the nearest horse you can find.” It would have to be Altie, in this small expanse of woods. There was not likely another horse for miles, and he’d probably smell a mare. She sighed, taking her head away and picking up the empty basket from the ground. Looping it on her arm, she plucked a few more blooms from the surrounding area and hummed the bit of music again.

 

After finishing the treat Horsey started to feel the first stirrings of guilt, for he had surely eaten all the kindly girls food. She was leaning against his haunches with a faraway look in her eye, and tinge of worry too. Well there must be something Horsey could to cheer her up, and thank her for the feast as well. The girl started speaking, of course Horsey didn't really understand it, but it sounded wistful and a little regretful. Well maybe the girl would like a ride? After all what would be better than sitting atop Horsey, riding into the glorious sunset with the wind whipping through her hair. In fact Horsey could not think of one single thing that would be better, not even a whole basket of those shiny red treats. It was decided, Horsey would take the girl somewhere.

 

A muzzle nuzzled her. The horse made a strange noise, an exhalation of some sort, pressed warm wind into her side where an equine head snuffled against her, urging her onto his back. Dilora was not the tallest thing on the planet, so she climbed onto the log she had been sat on and pulled herself up, firmly planting herself bareback although she knew she would be feeling the pull in her … seat … for days to come. Bareback was never the same as riding in an old, well-conditioned saddle. Or a wagon seat, come to think of it, one with a nice cushion…

 

And the world started to move. The horse was turning with incredible agility – Dilora had to twine her fingers in his mane and hope she didn’t pull his head too hard. The basket bobbed on her arm and she was grateful for it only having a few petals left in it, else they would have long been scattered to the wind. One question remained though – where was she going?

 

The small girl had a spot of trouble getting atop Horsey. But once she was up she seemed confident enough. Now where to go, probably back to the meadow, there was a nice spot where Horsey could sleep...but what was that? Another horse! And if Horsey was correct it was a girl at that. Oh how this day just kept improving, first flowers, then apples, and now maybe some decent company too.

 

Completely forgetting about the girl Horsey executed a lightening about face and galloped towards the mare. Winding his way through the brush with lightening speed and super agility Horsey ran faster than ever before.

 

Oh, Light, her rear was going to hurt in the morning! Each bump seemed to be magnified tenfold, but what a ride! Oh, this was fantastic! A huge grin split Dilora’s face like the morning sun rising. The countryside rattled passed at speeds she had never experienced before, and she laughed. This was definitely going to be written about in her journal. Maybe even have a song made up about it…

 

The miles go by, the leaves do fly,

The day will soon be done.

A rapid pace of thundering hooves –

We ride to the setting sun.

 

So pleased with her little rhyme, Dilora did not see that the wonderful horse had veered off towards the forest again, and an overhanging branch nearly knocked her out of her saddle. She twisted, and tumbled off the stallion’s back, straight into an icy river. She shrieked, and then the only noise was a splash and the noise of teeth chattering together as Dilora shivered in the water. Her clothes were plastered to her, and she felt like cursing, but all she could do was laugh.

[Guest Kaile]

~Horsey and Dilora~

 

Horsey did not even feel the little human fall off, so focused on the mare he was. Exiting the trees he found himself standing in front of an extremely guady and in some ways beautiful wagon. But what stood next to the wagon far outshone it in terms of beauty. The brown mare regarding him warily was undoubtedly the most gorgeous thing he had ever seen. Her sleek frame and brown coat were perfect. And her exquisite eyes were amazing to behold. Unfortunately he had no time to behold them properly as the mare promply attacked him. Horsey retreated swiftly barely missing more than one nip of those immaculate teeth.

 

As they circled the mare questioned Horsey. Communicating through a mix of horse like noises and flicks of the tail the interrogation began.

 

“I can smell Dilly on you, where is she!”

 

Horsey had forgotten all about her, last he remembered she had been on top of him. She must have fallen off.......and if she belonged to this mare then Horsey was in trouble. A lot of it.

 

“It's ok I know where she is, picking flowers in the forest”

 

A little white lie had never hurt anybody had it?

 

“I must stay here, but if you go bring her back I shall be in your debt. It is late and she would not last the night on her own.”

 

Females, all the same, you speed through a forest to reach them, and then they send you away again. Of course maybe Horsey should have taken more care of the girl, anyway he should go back for her. The girl had given her some nice food. And maybe there would be supper?

 

“I will return with the girl soon”

 

Turning from the glorious mare Horsey reared so as to show off his muscle advantageously and galloped back into the wood.

 

Dilora sat in the stream, shivering as the water rolled over her. Soaked to the skin, she pushed herself to her feet and snatched at the basket before it floated downstream. Luckily it had snagged on some reeds, so she was able to retain something that would have cost her a little to replace. Time to get some more flowers to sell before the night descended even further.The sun was sinking down into the sky rapidly now, casting the lopsided blooms in a golden light, making them seem uncommonly yellow. The colour of freshly churned butter.

 

Oh, to have a hunk of freshly baked bread with some butter, and cheese! Some sharp cheese with home made pickles and cured meats ... her stomach rumbled loudly. Grumbling to herself she started picking flowers left, right and centre, whistling as she did so.

 

Retreading his footsteps Horsey arrived at a small river he had passed, to find the girl picking flowers again. Only this time she was soaking wet. How odd, why would anyone want to jump in a river at this time of the day? Huffing loudly he moved closer and nudged the girl. It took great restraint for him not to eat the flowers she was picking, but he managed it. It wouldn't be right, she would need something to eat after all. Horsey waited for the girl to mount again. Maybe he should go just a bit slower this time.

 

It was hard work getting back onto the horse's back. To tell the truth she was surprised to see him at all, thinking the wild stallion had gone back to nature, or some flowerbed somewhere, but bedraggled and sodden, Dilly climbed up and latched her fingers into his mane. He was making snorting noises fit to burst, but slowly he started trotting away, as though he knew where he was going. Where would she end up though?

 

The girl climbed back on, and Horsey trotted off, going slow and making sure the foolish little girl didn't fall off again. It took a fair bit longer to get to where the mare was this time, and it was fully night by the time they arrived. The mare let out a whinny of relief and tugged on her restraints

 

Almost falling off the horse's back, Dilora patted his neck and offered another apple from her belt pouch. A rapidly dwindling supply, and Altie would not like it probably. They could always get more from the forests as they journeyed though. Making sure the flower petals were all intact, Dilora kissed the horse on the bridge of the nose and walked back towards her wagon.