HOME | DD

Description
“Ahh…” Asdevaer smacked her cheek for the millionth time as a fly buzzed at her skin. Groaning slightly and wiping her hand on her skirt, she looked around. Trees and trees, and more trees. The pack of provisions was cutting into her shoulders and her hand holding the staff that was given to her was sweaty, making the wood sticky. She rolled her shoulders, trying to get rid of the discomfort of this journey. How tedious. She rather be out there in the plains, jotting down new species of animal or plants, or heading over to the Iukan base where she made a few friends. But no, her parents said it was time so she agreed. Not like she had a choice.

She picked up her feet, moving on. No point in complaining. She’d ride back on a fine new horse, all discomfort forgotten as she and her new impressive partner went back to the Aweien camp. And finally, she’d be free to leave the forest without permission. Granted she was supposedly not allowed to wander off the roads connecting the elven cities but, no one need know about any midnight adventures. Feeling elated, she quickened her steps, anxious to get her partner.

Her good mood was dashed as her cloak snagged on a bush. Cursing her cumbersome outfit, she yanked the cloak free, berating herself for being so vicious as there was now an obvious tear. She looked around, trying to spot one of the mages or shamans that would be watching her path. No one there. She sighed, feeling self-conscious now, knowing someone was watching.

A twig snapping made her swing around, the staff held protectively in front of her. Nothing. She stood motionless, sensing something was off. She backed up a step, the dense forest suddenly silent. Not good, she knew. She turned and ran, her shirt and cloak held in her free hand to avoid getting caught. She dodged behind tree and bush, ducked under branches and leaped over small streams, but the farther she ran, the more the odd feeling of being followed intensified. She felt panic as if something was reaching out to crap her with taloned hands. She yelled and her foot caught on a rock, sending her falling to the ground.

She covered her face with her arms, waiting for the presence to capture her. To attack her, to do something. She realized the normal noise of the forest was back, tentative at first, then back completely, as if nothing had happened. She raised her head slightly, then propping herself on her elbows looked around. Nothing amiss. The presence was gone, whatever it was. She stood, thinking herself foolish, then uttered yet another curse as mud caked the entire front of her skirt.

Snatching up her staff, she trudged on, hoping beyond hope that no one was witnessing this. As the day stretched on, she began to think nothing extraordinary would happen during this trial, and was glad, but also slightly disappointed. She wouldn’t have any interesting stories to tell, besides the one where she scared herself into thinking she was being followed.

A crash was heard and she whirled around to come face to face with a charging centaur. Frozen in place, she watched the male raise a large axe over his dark hair, his tanned face shifted into a snarl. She could feel the hate emanating from him, could feel his black eyes fixed on her, could feel he wanted her death, no matter that she was just a young elf, barely out of childhood.

Confusion erupted as a bolt of lightning struck the centaur clean in the chest. The axe fell with a thud and a moment later the forest was filled with rearing centaurs, charging at the attacking Aweiens who rode their trusted steeds, powerful magic blossoming from their fingertips. Asdevaer stood there stupefied, wanting to tear her eyes from the scene but to fascinated to look away. One elf set a centaur on fire, it’s horse-like body covered in flames. The burning creature crashed into one of its fellows who, before being engulfed by the flames, shot an arrow straight into the elf’s head between the eyes.

The panic was back as she watched the elf crumple to the ground, its horse screaming its anguish, stomping its hooves into a centaur’s chest, its eyes clouded in berserker frenzy. “Asdevaer, go!” Her eyes snapped to the speaker who sat on top his horse, a bloodied sword in his hand. She recognized him from the village, but had never spoken to him till now. “Go, hurry and finish the trial!” Without waiting to see if she listened, he charged into the battle, his sword held high. Asdevaer turned and ran.

She ran for as far and as long as her legs would carry her. The light was disappearing as the sun began sinking behind the trees. “No!” She said to the sun, wishing it not to disappear, chasing after it so she would have its light. But to no avail, as her legs began to weaken, the last of the light disappeared, leaving her in the forest darkness. Stumbling to a stop, she fought back the panic, tears welling up in her eyes. What was this trial supposed to prove? That they were good at running? She stumbled on, weariness taking over her. She lurched out into a clearing, looked around once, found a likely place, and curled up under an overhanging bush, wrapping her filthy cloak around her. Her eyes wide, jolting at every noise in the night, it took her hours to finally give in to sleep.

--

“Mhmm… stop…” She mumbled, swatting away another fly. She suddenly jerked awake, the tug on her hair becoming painful. “Oww!” She held her breath as she stared at the most beautiful horse she had ever seen. It blinked lazily at her, its silvery mane draped over its eyes. It swung its massive head away and turned back towards its herd, it’s silver-blue cloak dazzling in the sun. Asdevaer slowly picked herself up, staring open mouthed at the Unicorn’s herd.

Every horse was beautiful, every horse was different. A laugh bubbled out of her chest, and she walked into the sunlight, among the horses. They would glance at her as she passed, letting her pet their beautiful coats. One horse butted its head against her chest and she laughed as it nudged at her sack. “Hungry?” She asked, taking off the pack and pulling out some bread. The horse gave her a look, and trotted away. It was only when she watched it’s swishing tail did she realize how hungry she was. That horse was just reminding her to eat!

Plopping down where she stood, she devoured the bread, and then the cheese, and then downed the watered wine. Leaning back contently as her stomach was satisfied. She watched the horses. Some would stop near her so she could pet them, but none that she touched felt any different than the last.

As time went on, she felt her mood deflating once again. She sat next to her now empty sack, her arms folded around her knees that she brought up against her chest. She couldn’t wait all day, she just finished eating all of her food. She watched the surrounding horses, but none came any closer to her. When they started moving away, one by one, she lowered her head onto her knees, cursing them for not picking her.

She sat that that for however long. Till the light started turning orange, and the air began getting a bit colder. She shivered slightly, completely sunk in self-pity. First there was that presence, then the centaurs, and now none of these horses were coming up to her. What did she do wrong? She was good with the little magic she was taught, certainly a good scholar, she could even draw well. What was wrong with her then? Why weren’t any of these horses coming to get her, to bring her home?

A thought suddenly came upon her. Why don’t you go to the horse? Feeling strange, she picked herself up. Standing in the same spot, she slowly turned in a circle. The horse were grazing now, some casting a glance in her direction. There. She didn’t know how, but she felt a tug in that direction, towards the waterfall over there. She waded through the horses, some moving to let her pass. The tug became more insistent as she neared the water, and her steps quickened. Feeling excitement in her chest, she began to run, heedless of the mess her clothes were in.

She came to a stop at the water. The waterfall fell into a serene lake, a couple horses at its bank drinking. She frowned as she inspected each on, but she didn’t feel the tug from either. Actually, she didn’t feel the tug at all. Frowning in confusion, she turned back to look at the horses she had passed. Did she miss them? She turned in the circle again, but could feel no pull. What was going on? She rubbed her forehead, feeling tear pushing at her eyelids again. No, she wouldn’t cry. Even though she was hungry, and exhausted, she wouldn’t cry. What would that help? She wiped the tears away and took a breath. She just had to keep searching.

She heard thumping from the side, and turned, letting out a gasp. A large, slightly bulky horse was coming her way, its mouth open in whinny. She could sense the happiness in its gait, the swing of its tail. It came to a halt, butted its head against her chest and face, almost knocking her over. “Wha-” she stammered, putting her hands on its face to calm it down. It stilled at her touch, its unblinking stare locked on her eyes.

She took in the grizzled mane, the slightly dull coat, the huge gullible eyes staring at her. Gullible? She blinked, knowing this horse wasn’t one of the brightest, but not knowing how she knew. It- he tossed his head a bit, insisting on something. She felt the tug again, this time in her temple. What did he want? Open your mind. She knew that was part of the ritual, but was suddenly afraid. This horse wasn’t what she expected. He was a bit weird shaped, even for a horse, his mane and tail looked a bit scruffy and tangled. His face looked like he was about to break into a grin, his tongue hanging out in a dog-like pant. He didn’t do that though, just looked at her with quizzical eyes, and she felt a slight sadness from him. She furrowed her brows, feeling his disappointment, the feeling of once again being rejected. “Wait…” She muttered, as his head began to slip through her fingers. She closed her eyes.

“Ah! Thought you didn’t understand!” Relief washed over her as he tossed his head again, his happiness becoming contagious.

“I… so you and I-”

“Yes! Isn’t that wonderful?” He turned, skipping in a circle and had to laugh as his showing off just made him look ridiculous. And she told him so.

--

Asdevaer opened her eyes as Filindaer came to a halt. He legs were saddle sore, her back aching from leaning over his back as he took her home, promising her he’d get them there, she could trust him on that. She slept, and he was true to his word.

“Finally made it!” Filindaer hooted, his laugh echoing in her head. One thing for certain she learned on this trial was horses could laugh.

“Yes… thank you, Filindaer,” she murmured. He turned his head to regard her with those huge eyes. She could tell he was worried. She smiled. “Nothing to worry about, my friend.” She patted his neck and he whinnied. She let out a laugh as he galloped towards the camp, knowing that this elation she was feeling wouldn’t be going away anytime soon.

Description
“Ahh…” Asdevaer smacked her cheek for the millionth time as a fly buzzed at her skin. Groaning slightly and wiping her hand on her skirt, she looked around. Trees and trees, and more trees. The pack of provisions was cutting into her shoulders and her hand holding the staff that was given to her was sweaty, making the wood sticky. She rolled her shoulders, trying to get rid of the discomfort of this journey. How tedious. She rather be out there in the plains, jotting down new species of animal or plants, or heading over to the Iukan base where she made a few friends. But no, her parents said it was time so she agreed. Not like she had a choice.

She picked up her feet, moving on. No point in complaining. She’d ride back on a fine new horse, all discomfort forgotten as she and her new impressive partner went back to the Aweien camp. And finally, she’d be free to leave the forest without permission. Granted she was supposedly not allowed to wander off the roads connecting the elven cities but, no one need know about any midnight adventures. Feeling elated, she quickened her steps, anxious to get her partner.

Her good mood was dashed as her cloak snagged on a bush. Cursing her cumbersome outfit, she yanked the cloak free, berating herself for being so vicious as there was now an obvious tear. She looked around, trying to spot one of the mages or shamans that would be watching her path. No one there. She sighed, feeling self-conscious now, knowing someone was watching.

A twig snapping made her swing around, the staff held protectively in front of her. Nothing. She stood motionless, sensing something was off. She backed up a step, the dense forest suddenly silent. Not good, she knew. She turned and ran, her shirt and cloak held in her free hand to avoid getting caught. She dodged behind tree and bush, ducked under branches and leaped over small streams, but the farther she ran, the more the odd feeling of being followed intensified. She felt panic as if something was reaching out to crap her with taloned hands. She yelled and her foot caught on a rock, sending her falling to the ground.

She covered her face with her arms, waiting for the presence to capture her. To attack her, to do something. She realized the normal noise of the forest was back, tentative at first, then back completely, as if nothing had happened. She raised her head slightly, then propping herself on her elbows looked around. Nothing amiss. The presence was gone, whatever it was. She stood, thinking herself foolish, then uttered yet another curse as mud caked the entire front of her skirt.

Snatching up her staff, she trudged on, hoping beyond hope that no one was witnessing this. As the day stretched on, she began to think nothing extraordinary would happen during this trial, and was glad, but also slightly disappointed. She wouldn’t have any interesting stories to tell, besides the one where she scared herself into thinking she was being followed.

A crash was heard and she whirled around to come face to face with a charging centaur. Frozen in place, she watched the male raise a large axe over his dark hair, his tanned face shifted into a snarl. She could feel the hate emanating from him, could feel his black eyes fixed on her, could feel he wanted her death, no matter that she was just a young elf, barely out of childhood.

Confusion erupted as a bolt of lightning struck the centaur clean in the chest. The axe fell with a thud and a moment later the forest was filled with rearing centaurs, charging at the attacking Aweiens who rode their trusted steeds, powerful magic blossoming from their fingertips. Asdevaer stood there stupefied, wanting to tear her eyes from the scene but to fascinated to look away. One elf set a centaur on fire, it’s horse-like body covered in flames. The burning creature crashed into one of its fellows who, before being engulfed by the flames, shot an arrow straight into the elf’s head between the eyes.

The panic was back as she watched the elf crumple to the ground, its horse screaming its anguish, stomping its hooves into a centaur’s chest, its eyes clouded in berserker frenzy. “Asdevaer, go!” Her eyes snapped to the speaker who sat on top his horse, a bloodied sword in his hand. She recognized him from the village, but had never spoken to him till now. “Go, hurry and finish the trial!” Without waiting to see if she listened, he charged into the battle, his sword held high. Asdevaer turned and ran.

She ran for as far and as long as her legs would carry her. The light was disappearing as the sun began sinking behind the trees. “No!” She said to the sun, wishing it not to disappear, chasing after it so she would have its light. But to no avail, as her legs began to weaken, the last of the light disappeared, leaving her in the forest darkness. Stumbling to a stop, she fought back the panic, tears welling up in her eyes. What was this trial supposed to prove? That they were good at running? She stumbled on, weariness taking over her. She lurched out into a clearing, looked around once, found a likely place, and curled up under an overhanging bush, wrapping her filthy cloak around her. Her eyes wide, jolting at every noise in the night, it took her hours to finally give in to sleep.

--

“Mhmm… stop…” She mumbled, swatting away another fly. She suddenly jerked awake, the tug on her hair becoming painful. “Oww!” She held her breath as she stared at the most beautiful horse she had ever seen. It blinked lazily at her, its silvery mane draped over its eyes. It swung its massive head away and turned back towards its herd, it’s silver-blue cloak dazzling in the sun. Asdevaer slowly picked herself up, staring open mouthed at the Unicorn’s herd.

Every horse was beautiful, every horse was different. A laugh bubbled out of her chest, and she walked into the sunlight, among the horses. They would glance at her as she passed, letting her pet their beautiful coats. One horse butted its head against her chest and she laughed as it nudged at her sack. “Hungry?” She asked, taking off the pack and pulling out some bread. The horse gave her a look, and trotted away. It was only when she watched it’s swishing tail did she realize how hungry she was. That horse was just reminding her to eat!

Plopping down where she stood, she devoured the bread, and then the cheese, and then downed the watered wine. Leaning back contently as her stomach was satisfied. She watched the horses. Some would stop near her so she could pet them, but none that she touched felt any different than the last.

As time went on, she felt her mood deflating once again. She sat next to her now empty sack, her arms folded around her knees that she brought up against her chest. She couldn’t wait all day, she just finished eating all of her food. She watched the surrounding horses, but none came any closer to her. When they started moving away, one by one, she lowered her head onto her knees, cursing them for not picking her.

She sat that that for however long. Till the light started turning orange, and the air began getting a bit colder. She shivered slightly, completely sunk in self-pity. First there was that presence, then the centaurs, and now none of these horses were coming up to her. What did she do wrong? She was good with the little magic she was taught, certainly a good scholar, she could even draw well. What was wrong with her then? Why weren’t any of these horses coming to get her, to bring her home?

A thought suddenly came upon her. Why don’t you go to the horse? Feeling strange, she picked herself up. Standing in the same spot, she slowly turned in a circle. The horse were grazing now, some casting a glance in her direction. There. She didn’t know how, but she felt a tug in that direction, towards the waterfall over there. She waded through the horses, some moving to let her pass. The tug became more insistent as she neared the water, and her steps quickened. Feeling excitement in her chest, she began to run, heedless of the mess her clothes were in.

She came to a stop at the water. The waterfall fell into a serene lake, a couple horses at its bank drinking. She frowned as she inspected each on, but she didn’t feel the tug from either. Actually, she didn’t feel the tug at all. Frowning in confusion, she turned back to look at the horses she had passed. Did she miss them? She turned in the circle again, but could feel no pull. What was going on? She rubbed her forehead, feeling tear pushing at her eyelids again. No, she wouldn’t cry. Even though she was hungry, and exhausted, she wouldn’t cry. What would that help? She wiped the tears away and took a breath. She just had to keep searching.

She heard thumping from the side, and turned, letting out a gasp. A large, slightly bulky horse was coming her way, its mouth open in whinny. She could sense the happiness in its gait, the swing of its tail. It came to a halt, butted its head against her chest and face, almost knocking her over. “Wha-” she stammered, putting her hands on its face to calm it down. It stilled at her touch, its unblinking stare locked on her eyes.

She took in the grizzled mane, the slightly dull coat, the huge gullible eyes staring at her. Gullible? She blinked, knowing this horse wasn’t one of the brightest, but not knowing how she knew. It- he tossed his head a bit, insisting on something. She felt the tug again, this time in her temple. What did he want? Open your mind. She knew that was part of the ritual, but was suddenly afraid. This horse wasn’t what she expected. He was a bit weird shaped, even for a horse, his mane and tail looked a bit scruffy and tangled. His face looked like he was about to break into a grin, his tongue hanging out in a dog-like pant. He didn’t do that though, just looked at her with quizzical eyes, and she felt a slight sadness from him. She furrowed her brows, feeling his disappointment, the feeling of once again being rejected. “Wait…” She muttered, as his head began to slip through her fingers. She closed her eyes.

“Ah! Thought you didn’t understand!” Relief washed over her as he tossed his head again, his happiness becoming contagious.

“I… so you and I-”

“Yes! Isn’t that wonderful?” He turned, skipping in a circle and had to laugh as his showing off just made him look ridiculous. And she told him so.

--

Asdevaer opened her eyes as Filindaer came to a halt. He legs were saddle sore, her back aching from leaning over his back as he took her home, promising her he’d get them there, she could trust him on that. She slept, and he was true to his word.

“Finally made it!” Filindaer hooted, his laugh echoing in her head. One thing for certain she learned on this trial was horses could laugh.

“Yes… thank you, Filindaer,” she murmured. He turned his head to regard her with those huge eyes. She could tell he was worried. She smiled. “Nothing to worry about, my friend.” She patted his neck and he whinnied. She let out a laugh as he galloped towards the camp, knowing that this elation she was feeling wouldn’t be going away anytime soon.