Chapter 2 - Smart is an Understatement

"Why? Why can't we go? Isis said she could be trusted, and I doubt she would say that if she didn't believe it. I think we should go see what these creatures are. The Companions agree with me, you know they do."

Elspeth had been presenting reasons to go see the animals that Isis had mentioned ever since Selenay said they would just continue on to their destination without stopping. Talia sighed. She was just as interested as Elspeth, but did Elspeth really have to make such a big deal out of not going to see them?

Finally Selenay relented. "Fine. We'll go see the lady Isis mentioned. We'll spend the night in the village, but this is going to be the last interruption of our journey. Is that clear?" Elspeth nodded emphatically.

Talia sighed with relief that the argument was over. Rolan pranced a little with excitement. She smiled. Rolan was very eager to meet the "black mare" Isis had mentioned. When she asked why, Rolan only sent back a feeling of confused pleasure. Talia was under the impression that Rolan didn't know why he was excited. She found it amusing.

Upon arriving in the village Selenay spoke with the village headman. He seemed amazed that the group of Heralds would want to speak with the elderly Widow Harim, but told them that she lived in the outskirts of town.

Approaching the rather dilapidated looking shack, the Heralds exchanged worried looks. Was the lady healthy? Or even alive? Dismounting, Talia walked up to the door and knocked.

"Hello? Whose there?" an elderly voice called out.

"Just a group of Heralds, ma'am. Isis Silvertree suggested that we visit you." Talia replied.

"Oh! Well, how nice of the young lady. How nice of you, as well. Please, do come in. Your Companions can go around back. Justin and Morganna will take care of them."

The Heralds hesitated. The Companions simply walked around to the back, leaving their Heralds to either go inside or stand there like dopes.

The inside of the cottage was a stark contrast to the exterior. Neat and clean, it was quiet cozy. A warm fire crackled pleasantly in the fireplace. Sitting in an armchair in front of the fire was an elderly woman. She turned her head at the sound of the door opening, but she didn't actually look at them.

"Hello. Please, come in, come in. Make yourselves comfortable. Warm yourselves by the fire."

"Thank-you, ma'am." said Dirk as they all took seats around the fire. Selenay sat in the other armchair. The others each took one of the many cushions to sit upon.

"Oh, please. Just call me Sill." she said with a smile. There was a large, black lump at her feet. Suddenly, it lifted it's head. The huge cat blink its large green eyes at them. "Oh, and this is Darkmoon. Don't worry. He's very friendly."

"We were told to come see you about some creatures that you keep. Specifically a black mare." Elspeth stated.

Sill laughed. "Yes, I can see Isis sending you to me for that reason. Well, the 'creatures' you are referring to are merely draft horses. Huge draft horses, mind you , but still draft horses. The reason they would interest you, and the reason most of the town is terrified of me, is the fact that these horses are, well…let's just say that smart is an understatement.

"The story behind these horses is that my husband had a disease. It was causing his body to waste away and we knew that eventually he wouldn't be able to work the fields anymore. Also, due to my blindness, I could not take up the plow in his place. So we started using a combination of breeding and magic to get horses that could possibly match the Companions. We had no desire to be Heralds, but the traits of the Companions for strength, endurance, and, most importantly, intelligence, were what we wanted. We wanted these horses to be able to pretty much tend to the fields on their own.

"The black mare is my greatest success. Her name is Wind Dancer. Usually I just call her Wind. Her strength level is amazing, she is extremely intelligent, and she can go for hours.

"I think the reason that Isis mentioned Wind to you is probably because I mentioned to her how I would like to send her to the Heralds in the capital. However, I dare not send her alone, and I am too old for such ventures. I don't know how much Isis told you, but I believe that if Wind bred with a Companion, you could probably get an amazing result. Obviously, you don't have to.

"I would, however, greatly appreciate it if you took her with you. She loves to learn and I can only teach her what I remember. I cannot teach her to read, as I never learned how myself. The stories of the Heralds and their Companions was also something she never tired of. I believe that she could be of use to you.

"So the question is put before you. Will you take Wind with you?"

The group of Heralds looked at each other. They didn't really know what to make of the story. Intelligent horses? That weren't Companions? It sounded unrealistic.

Sill chuckled. "Obviously, you don't have to decide right this instant. Darkmoon, why don't you show our guests out to the barn, so that they can meet the horses, eh?" The cat grunted. "Thanks, deary. I'll make some tea."

The cat rose and they realized that it was much bigger than they had first believed it was. It's shoulder reached Talia's waist. Sill got up and made her way over to the kitchen. Darkmoon indicated that the Heralds were to follow him.

Following the cat out the back door they came to the rather huge barn. The Companions were gathered at the edge of the field, watching as a single horse dragged a massive plow behind it, tilling the fields. Their Heralds joined them, waiting for the horse to finish the last few rows.

Once it was finished, the horse backed up. This caused the massive blade to rear. The horse reached back with its hind leg and, hooking something, swung a cover down from the side and kicked it onto the blade itself. With the cover on, the blade was prevented from digging up the lawn as the horse dragged it back over to the barn.

It shook its head as it approached, attempting to get the sweaty forelock out of its eyes. Noticing them it stopped. Oh! Hello. Can I help you? The voice was broadcast to the entire group.

Before any of them reacted Darkmoon barked and then coughed. The horses head came up and its ears swiveled forward. Heralds? Really? The horse pranced a little and tossed its head. Oh goodie! Um, please do come in the barn out of the heat. I just need to put the plow away. Mom and Dad are inside and can help you get comfortable. Sill will probably be out shortly. The horse turned and continued on towards a shed a little ways away. The Heralds and Companions followed Darkmoon into the barn.

Okay, so barn wasn't really the right word. More like a giant living room with accessories designed to be used and abused by really large animals. Laying on a cushion, reading a paper was a large palomino colored horse, with a white mane and tail. It turned to look at them as they walked in. Blinking large blue eyes it announced two words. Guests, Justin.

From behind a wall, the head of another horse appeared. Buckskin is color, it had a black mane and tail as well as a black stripe running down its spine. Focusing brown eyes on them, it said, Guests. Good. Bath ready for Wind. Sill come out soon, yes?

The first horse, who by default had to be Morganna, said Yes. Sill bring tea soon. Wind done plowing soon, too. Please. Come in. Sit.

Darkmoon walked over to Morganna and butted his head up against hers. Morganna snorted. Hello Darkmoon. Darkmoon climbed onto one of the much abused cushions and laid down.

The Heralds all found seats on the many cushions, as did the Companions. At first none of them knew what to say. Talia broke the silence.

"It's nice to meet you, Justin, Morganna. My name is Talia. I am the Queen's Own Herald." She proceeded to introduce everyone to the two horses. Each nodded as they were introduced. The two horses paid acute attention, their ears pointed forward.

It is very nice to meet you all. Wind said as she emerged from behind the wall were they had first seen Justin. They all jumped. No one had seen her go by. Her mane and tail were rather wet and water beaded on her coat. She walked past them all to a cloth covered wall behind them. Rubbing up against it she dried off her sides, mane and tail. She then walked over to a switch and stomped on it. Two cloth covered rollers came out of the wall. One stood above her back and the other stood just beneath her chest. She stepped sideways so she was in between them. By rocking back and forth, she caused friction with the cloth, drying her back and stomach. Finally she picked up a towel with her teeth and dried off her chest by tucking her head in and rubbing the cloth over it.

Finished drying off, Wind came over to join her parents and their guests. As she laid down on a cushion they all heard Sill.

"Darkmoon? Can you come carry the tray, dear?" Darkmoon barked (?) and trotted out of the barn.

Wind looked at the visiting Heralds. What brings you here? She asked.

Elspeth answered her. "We actually just came from the neighboring town. We met Isis Silvertree there and she suggested that we come visit you."

Wind's ear pricked up at Isis' name. Isis? How is she? She has not visited recently.

"Isis was doing well when we left. She has an apprentice for healing now and moved into a grove of White Birch Trees, so villagers don't feel so disturbed by her presence." Selenay told Wind.

Sill walked in with Darkmoon then. Darkmoon had the tray gripped just so in his mouth. He set it down on the short square table that resided in the midst of the cushions. Sill and Darkmoon shared a cushion. "Please help yourselves." Sill said.

I do not understand why the villagers are disturbed by Isis. She is very kind once you get to know her. She certainly doesn't deserve the villagers cruel treatment. Wind had partially laid her ears back. The Heralds nodded in agreement.

"You are right Wind, she does not deserve their harsh treatment. However, her father was not human and that causes the villagers to feel uneasy. They do know that they cannot afford to get rid of her because she is all they have for a healer. I don't think Isis really wants to be there either, but she won't abandon the villagers." Talia said.

All three horses nodded. Remember Edith. Good person. Remember Santor (SAN - tour). Good … tree? Person? Not sure. Sure Santor good. Justin was confused about what to call Santor Silvertree. Morganna snorted in agreement.

Wind tilted her head to the side. I did not meet Mr. or Mrs. Silvertree. I have heard a lot about them though. They were both very kind and very generous. As I understand it, by staying with Edith, Santor was breaking the laws of the trees. For this reason he was cast out and shunned. Before he died though, he brought his daughter to the trees and begged them to accept her. She was not a pure White Birch Tree spirit, but her body functioned more like the tree than the human. When he was gone, if the trees did not accept her, she would have no guidance and be forever alone. The Elder Birch Trees agreed to accept Isis, and Santor was able to die in peace.

The Heralds found this interesting. It was getting late and they would have an early start tomorrow to make up for the lost time today. Darkmoon helped Sill back to the house and Justin shut the barn doors behind them. Morganna kicked up the fire and Wind pulled out some blankets and futons that the Heralds could sleep on.

The following morning, Sill gave the Heralds a sack of food for the road. They thanked her. Wind then spoke up. Where are you headed?

"We are headed north, to visit family." Elspeth said.

Wind's ears swiviled back and forth, thinking. Keisha and her mate came through this morning. They are eagles. They were returning from a hunting trip. Keisha said that the snows had started early. Will you be able to get through the high snow drifts?

The Heralds looked at each other. They hadn't expected the snows so soon so they hadn't planned on having to get through snow drifts. Rolan was the largest, but the Companion couldn't possibly shove all the snow aside. He was strong and had excellent endurance, but the Companions body build was not designed for jobs like that.

I could come with you, if you like. The Heralds looked at Wind. She ducked her head. I can keep up and find food for myself. I don't need anyone to groom me and I can push through the snow for you. She shuffled her forefeet, nervous and desperately wanting to go. Even if she ended up returning here on their way back to the capital, she could still learn during the time she could spend with them. I'll try not to be a bother to anyone.

Rolan nudged Talia's shoulder. He thought bringing her along was a good idea. Elspeth grinned at the slightly annoyed look that crossed her mothers face. Dirk laughed out loud. Talia looked at the queen. After a moment, Selenay nodded. Talia smiled.

"We would love to have you come with us, Wind Dancer."