A Bonded Mount

Felena and Cali traveled south along the main road toward the town of Vilnask, and continued through Crossergate into the Lost Hills. There she followed the stream south, after having cast a spell of invisibility to hasten her safely to her goal. It was almost mid-day as she entered the clearing she had remembered from her journey to MacRorie Castle the month previously, she located a peaceful spot partially hidden from the path by trees, but with a clear view of the treeline on the far side of the stream.

Taking Cali from her pocket, she placed him on the ground to romp and play while she spread her cloak on the ground and sat. She then rummaged through her pack, pulling out the cheese and bread she had brought with her, and found some tidbits for Cali. The kitten, having become curious at her rummaging, took his treats gratefully and settled in to eat his lunch. Felena watched the treeline as she ate, looking for a glimpse of the beautiful animal she remembered from her last journey through this area. She was determined to find him again, and she said a silent prayer as she waited.

Time passed slowly, and Felena had found a small twig to tease Cali with. The kitten leapt at it again and again, seeming tireless in his playing. She laughed at him as he tumbled head over heels, having missed his mark, and then pounced again as he found his feet. He wrestled with the twig, as Felena let it go, and reached for the skin of water. As she turned to reach for it, she saw a glint of silver from the edge of the woodline to her right. The sunlight shimmered off the expanse of muscles rippling across the stallion's silver grey chest. He stood just inside the trees, looking right at her, as though he knew why she had come. His mane and tail were snowy white, and he had white spots dappled across his rear. In the center of his chest was a white star shaped mark. He tossed his head, and his mane floated back into place, like a cloud settling onto a silver mist.

Felena had paused in mid reach when she noticed him there. Their eyes met, and she spoke into his mind, neither of them moving. "Ahhh. There you are," she cooed to him. "I have been waiting for you." The stallion tossed his mane again, and snorted in her direction. Felena reached slowly for her pack then, the water having been forgotten, and pulled a huge apple from within. Cali, having tired of his game, had curled onto the edge of the cloak, eyes squinting in contentment as he watched the scene before him. Felena got to her feet carefully, all the while speaking into the stallion's mind as she slowly moved toward him. The animal snorted again, tossing his mane, and pawed at the ground with his front hooves. The stream was shallow at this particular spot, and Felena had no trouble crossing it, stopping a mere 5 feet or so in front of the stallion.

She pulled her jewel handled dagger from its sheath at her waist then, and carefully cut a generous chunk from the apple. Slowly, she reached her hand toward the stallion, extended her fingers to balance the piece of apple in the palm of her hand, and spoke quietly to him. "Come on, now," she said, her words full of love and gentleness. "I brought it just for you." The animal tossed his head again, and took a tentative step in her direction.

"That's it," she said, smiling and looking into his eyes. She felt the bond falling into place as the animal seemed to relax and stepped slowly toward her. He reached his muzzle toward the apple then, with a gentleness surprising for such a massive animal, and gobbled the fruit from her hand. As he crunched it, she stroked his neck, and he whinnied in appreciation of both the treat, and the gentleness of her touch. The animal dwarfed Felena, who was a mere 5 feet 2 inches tall, her head coming just high enough to peer over his back. He nuzzled his head against her shoulder, having finished the fruit, and snorted as she caught herself. She giggled as she cut him another chunk of the apple, and the stallion took it from her again, as gently as before. They repeated the process until the apple was gone, and Felena gently reached her hand beneath the animal's head, leading him across the stream to where Cali waited. The kitten got up then, and stretched, and as Felena gathered their belongings back into her pack, Cali strolled over to the stallion, weaving in and out of the massive front legs, rubbing and purring. The stallion looked at the tiny kitten standing between his front hooves, and gently nuzzled him. Cali butted his head against the stallion's giant head, rubbing against him and purring loudly. Felena chuckled at the picture before her, Cali so tiny, and the stallion so imposing.

The bond was complete. She and the stallion were as one mind. She pulled the soft leather bridle from her pack and slipped it gently over the nose of the stallion, securing it behind the animal's ears. The animal stood patiently, as she placed Cali back into her pocket, shouldered her pack, and picked up her weapon and shield. Having spotted a stump nearby, Felena lead the stallion to stand next to it while she used it as a stepladder onto his back. He pranced nervously for a brief moment, not being used to having a rider aboard, and she cooed reassurance to him as they started back toward Camelot. Her seat was sure, even bare-back, and the stallion knew instantly she was unafraid. She continued speaking reassurance into the animal's mind, strengthening the bond they had established, as they neared Vilnask. Remembering the promise she had made to Jojo, Felena stopped at the general store there, and purchased the longest piece of licorice the shopkeeper had. She then remounted and they continued on to Camelot.

They paused on the hill that overlooked the pasture land leading into Camelot as the sun began to set. The sky was streaked with reds and oranges, and she smiled at the beauty of the colors reflected against the grey walls of the fortress. As she drank in the quiet splendor of the scene before her, a name appeared in her mind. "Silvermyst?" she queried aloud. The stallion tossed his mane again, as if nodding his head at her question, and she smiled as she turned him toward the pasture and the stables beyond.