Yayy! A new chapter!

I'm sorry that this one isn't very exciting or anything, but I felt the need to add it in.

Chapter 9

The birds were singing their morning songs as Keira walked through the forest back to her camp. After she had escaped from the castle, she had gotten as far away as she could in the darkness of the night, and then waited until the sun rose to continue on. The early morning was fairly chilly, but she had her cloak on, so it did not bother her. The fresh air helped her regain her senses after being locked up in the stale dungeon. She was aware of all the sights and sounds around her as she made her way through the forest.

After walking for a little while, Keira came to the road the led out of the town of Wensley. Her camp was a little ways on the other side of the road, so, after making sure that there were no people in sight, she crossed onto the other side. Keira finally reached her former camp, and happily saw that it had remained untouched. Checking in the small hollow of the tree, she saw that all of her things including her sword were still in place.

Then she glanced around, looking for her horse. Keira looked around the whole clearing, but her horse was not to be found.

"Dammit," she cursed quietly. Her horse must have somehow frayed off the rope that had tied it to the tree. Perhaps it was for the better, as the horse had had no access to anything other than the grass while it had been tied up. However, without a horse, Keira would travel three times as slowly, and would be twice as tired.

Keira dared not go back to Wensley and steal a horse since the Rangers had most likely figured out that she had escaped by now, and were no doubt out looking for her. Perhaps I'll be able to steal one at the next town down the road, Keira thought to herself. That did mean walking for a few days, though, which made her a little frustrated. If she didn't get back to Celtica soon, then people would start wondering what had took her so long.

Sighing, she packed up all of her things into a travel bag, and set out. Keira stayed off the road, in case anyone who was looking for her rode by. Instead, she kept a fair distance off to the side of the road, walking through open forest. Every once in a while, she would turn back to the road to make sure that she had not strayed too far off course. She tried to keep her tracks hidden, although she knew that she was not quite as skilled as a Ranger, and she only hoped that it would hold them off for long enough if they go onto her trail.

The sun was near its peak when Keira finally decided to stop for a break. She sat down next to a cold stream and used the water to refresh herself. The stream was positioned right next to a vast stretch of open field with grassy hills that she would have to cross over next. Keira had considered skirting around it, but her pace was already too slow as it was.

She looked out at the grassy field, and, in the distance, she was able to make out a small speck of brown. However, even with straining her eyes to see, she couldn't make out what it was. Keira cautiously drew closer to it, all too aware that she was out in the open and anyone coming by would be able to see her.

Eventually, she was able to make out the distinct outline of a horse. Keira closed the remaining distance, and saw that it was a young white stallion with large brown and black patches. She couldn't really believe her luck; if she was able to capture and ride this horse, she would be able to travel much faster.

The stallion was grazing on the abundant grass in the field, seemingly unperturbed by her presence. Keira, who was still a few meters away from him, cautiously stepped forward, her arm outstretched. She wasn't really sure how she'd be able to catch him or ride him, as she had lost the saddle of her previous horse, and she had no rope or anything. She quickly dismissed the thoughts to the back of her mind, though, and promised to find a solution later. For now, all she had to do was make the horse comfortable with her.

When her hand was only a foot away, the stallion abruptly took a few steps back and then continued his grazing as if nothing had happened. Keira tried again, only to have the same result. She put her hands on her hips, frowning. She decided to try once more, moving towards the white stallion faster. This time, when she was only a few inches from touching the stallion, he pranced backwards, tossing his head and neighing.

Keira was beginning to get frustrated and again approached the horse, only to have him prance backwards and neigh again. It seemed to her almost as if the horse was laughing at her futile efforts. She huffed and crossed her arms, glaring at the horse. Their eyes were locked in a staring match for a few seconds before Keira broke it by looking away. The horse's eyes had held an intensity to them but also an seeming intelligence and a humorous twinkle.

The teenage girl decided to try once more to reach out and touch the stallion. Slowly, she inched her hand forwards, and came so close that she should almost feel the hairs on his head. However, as before, the stallion pranced backwards letting out a loud whinny.

This time, Keira was sure that the stallion was laughing at her. "Would you stop it! This isn't funny!" she said crossly. Her only answer was in another playful whinny from the horse.

Unable to stand it anymore, Keira gave up, and turned away towards the forest. She would just have to walk the rest of the way, she concluded.

After trekking through the forest for several minutes, she was startled by a soft nudge at her shoulder. Surprised, she spun around, ready to fight whoever was there. Keira blinked; confused as she saw that there, standing right behind her was the white stallion.

She was utterly confused, and the only words that seemed to escape her mouth were, "Uhh... Hello?"

The stallion snorted at her and then nudged her again, seeming to be apologizing for laughing at her before. Keira reached out and softly stroked his nose. The stallion shied away a little, but allowed her to continue.

"What am I going to do with you?" she murmed. She looked back at her trail and saw that the stallion's hoof prints had left fairly noticeable marks in the ground. "The Ranger's are going to have no trouble tracking me now. Perhaps it would be better if you didn't come along," she said. Upon hearing this, the stallion lowered his head and flicked his ears in her direction. Keira felt sad about having to leave the horse behind, but then straightened her resolve by promising that she would be able to steal another horse in the next village.

Once again, she turned away from the horse, and started to walk away. After a minute of walking, Keira began to miss the company of the intelligent horse, and looked back the way she had come to see that he was still there, looking dejectedly back at her.

Perhaps it was the look on the stallion's face, or maybe it was her need for companionship, Keira would never know. Whichever one it was, Keira soon found herself running back the way she had come, and this time starting out with the stallion walking beside her.

She wasn't entirely sure why, but this sense of companionship made her feel happy for the first time that day. All she had to do now was find a name for this horse.

Any ideas for names for the horse would be greatly appreciated! You can leave me a PM or a review with any possible suggestions that you have. Thanks!