Radovan

"Sonic?"

The blue hedgehog looked up from twirling his new sword's hilt in his hands. Its silver blade sparkled brightly as the gloved fingers traced over the dragons wound around the blue and gold gems. "What is it, my lord?" He only said "my lord" because Inferna, the orange burning phoenix, sat in her throne beside Tails, while he sat on the marble steps beneath, a belt now wrapped around his middle and a cotton cloak with a brown outside and emerald silk within draped around his shoulders, fastened with a golden jewel at his neck.

"I think it's time for you to have a horse." Tails arose from his throne. Inferna put a burning hand on his shoulder.

"My lord, I am more than capable of such a small task. Let me pick the horse." Inferna's brown eyes burned with intensity and some other emotion that Tails couldn't recognize and Sonic refused to see: love.

But Tails pushed her arm off his shoulder. "Inferna, it is a small task to pick a horse for a knight. Please allow me. Come, sir knight." The fox stepped down the marble steps. Sonic waited a few seconds before following ten paces behind, as he knew was respectful to any ruling monarch. He would've simply lifted Tails into his arms and ran to the stables, but of course, Inferna was watching, her eyes burning a hole in his back.

The castle was massive, Sonic couldn't help noticing, covered with royal purple carpets and oriental rugs and flags that stood out against the stone walls. He was still amazed to find that everything here represented old-world charm and he sighed with pleasure. "Never have I seen so much of the color purple," he mused teasingly, too close to Tails' ear for the sake of the secret they were trying to keep here.

"Easy, Sonic. We don't know if Inferna…"

"Relax, babe," Sonic soothed. "It's so quiet, even my soft voice is echoing. I know where the stables are, and I'm tired of walking. Get on my back and we'll run there."

"Are you sure you can carry me anymore, Sonic?" Tails asked, his face flushed. "I might've gained some weight while here."

Sonic pondered this for a moment, his chin resting on Tails' shoulder. Then, with an action too fast for Tails, he had the little fox on his back. "Hmmm," the blue hedgie bounced Tails into place, smoothing him against the curves of his body for maximum balance. "What's one or two pounds? Now, on to the stables!"

Tails laughed as they took off, the wind whistling through his large ears.

~ST~ST~ST~

Sonic set Tails down and the prince traced his fingers down the rows of wooden pens where the noisy horses stuck their heads out at his passing. Sonic, quite at home with all manner of animals, proceeded to stroke some of the majestic creatures on their noses. Despite his natural easiness towards them, he found many too rough for his liking. That is, until Tails brought him his horse.

The inky black stallion with a mane and tail so pale black it was almost silver with a strange marking wound around his muzzle and a long, fluffy tail that trailed behind him like the train of a wedding gown stepped forward, led by Tails. The beautiful stallion had silky hair attached to the area above his hooves and his eyes were a piercing blue, surprisingly. He whinnied softly upon seeing Sonic, and the hedgehog stepped forward slowly before throwing his arms around the stallion's neck.

Why was this? Because Sonic could communicate with all manner of animals, of course! He had gained the trait many years before, but had forgotten it until now, when he heard the horse's voice in his head.

I live to serve you, Master. The stallion had said.

Sonic nuzzled his neck and pulled away to press his face against the muzzle. Call me Sonic. Everyone does.

Sonic, then. The stallion's mental voice was deep and cool like a wintery wind, but soft and affectionate as well. Sonic loved the horse.

"Tails, he's beautiful," Sonic murmured, his forehead still resting against the black muzzle. "What's his name?"

"Radovan." Tails answered, stroking the horse as well. "I thought he might suit you. Nothing phases him. He's one of our best, fastest, and most beloved horses. His gentleness is matchless, except maybe compared to yours. Maybe." The little fox grinned at his hint.

"Oh shut up," Sonic grumbled. Then, his tail wagging under his cloak, he looked lovingly at the fox. "I don't deserve such a horse, Tails."

Yes, you do. Radovan answered.

"Of course you do," Tails kissed Sonic gently on the cheek. "And what's best is that my own horse, Seine, and Radovan are best friends. They'll be able to find each other anywhere. So, we'll never have to be apart, so long as our horses can travel the distance between us." The fox nuzzled him.

Sonic answered with a nuzzle and even Radovan got in on the action. Thank you, my lord, for giving me to Sonic.

I'll take care of you, big guy. Sonic stroked the horse absently.

I know you will, Sonic. I know you will.

XD a horse that can talk??? Oooh, the exciting adventures! Sorry I haven't written in so long! Hope you guys didn't miss me too much!