A.N: as before, nothing except non-Balinorian things and events that aren't mentioned in the books belong to me.
Gentle breezes played among the flowers in the cool green grass as I watched the grey foals dance. One brave colt named Devi was so determined to prove himself to the older greys he continued on even when his eyelids were drooping with exhaustion. The elder mare called him commandingly as he stumbled again. Grudgingly the young one collapsed at her feet and was instantly asleep. A smile touched the mare's eyes and her jewel glowed with pride.
"My name is Archer." Said a tall grey that had come quietly through the grass.
"I'm Zanna as you probably know." I replied smiling at the filly. "Shouldn't you be with the others?" She shook her head, the forelock that barely touched her horn flicked to one side.
"My coat's starting to change, see?" She held up her foreleg proudly. There was green tinging the pastern and fetlock. I looked closer and realised that it was grass stains. I rubbed her fetlock and the colour came off.
"Hey, that's my coat on your fingers!" Archer exclaimed.
"It was just grass stains from romping in the fields. It looked very convincing too." The filly sadly rubbed her face on her legs, transferring the green to her face. "You never know," I continued, "you might very well end up being green when you do grow into your adult coat."
"And I thought is was my colour too. My dam is a pretty pastel yellow and my sire is the deepest blue for a long time. I wanted to be green because that way I could be like both my parents. Besides Myra's dam is a green and she's beautiful."
*Look at her tail Lady, that one may be green yet.*
"Never believe you're not beautiful Archer," I reached out and rubbed the patches off her face. "Look inside to find beauty, that's where it counts." She gazed at me with a wondering expression.
"Is it normal to have a diamond around your jewel?" I asked her, she shook her head. "I think you may have a white diamond, we call it a star marking, around your horn. Here, to here, to here and then back again." I traced the edges of the white hairs and felt magic racing up my arm.
*She will have traces of Dalidonian magic and your protection forever now Lady, she had it already, knowledge of things even Dreamspeaker cannot know."
"What did the Winged One say?" Archer pushed her muzzle into my shoulder.
"That he thinks you'll be special no matter what colour you are, even if you stay grey like Diego. He won't forget his curious Flitter Archer." She laughed brightly and reared slightly. Quickly she said farewell and raced off to join her herd mates. From behind there were real streaks of green in her tail.
"Your stories have been well received and keep the young ones occupied while Numinor and I prepare the herd for possible battle." Atalanta sighed. It was only days away from the Shifter's moon and the herd was getting restless. Rayel had told tales from her area, from her childhood and the exciting adventures that she and Gem Master had had while we were still in Dalidon. I shared stories of the forests and clearings and caves. We had both told the happy memories of times before Darkness threatened our people and the boys had saved us. It was strange, when we had demonstrated fighting manuveers on our Dawnwings there was a sense of excitement in the air. They had later approached Diego and Gem to help patrol, which they had naturally agreed to.
"Believe me, we have enjoyed yours as much. I could see Rayel really get into the Old Mare ideas. I hope you didn't find her request to learn from you too rude." The mare shook her head, smiling, "Diego and Gem are rapt that they can learn new moves from Ash, it was very kind of him to agree to teach them." She smiled laughingly as we sat quietly for a time. She had shown me the group we had been looking for. The girl with bronze hair carried the magic of royalty while her mount was so powerful and yet he could not harness that power. The other girl was not endowered with a Gift yet she played an important part and the dog was so familiar that I could almost place him, but it slipped if I tried too hard.
"The Princess Arianna is strong and bold, the Sunchaser is brave, Lincoln is loyal to the core and Lori will create and nurture the strength of tolerance among all she meets. So far they have not stretched themselves too far, until they see the end of their abilities they will be well. It may be when others become involved that things become difficult. Rayel and I will not disturb them, only help in ways that you are not able to if you wish that of us." Atalanta nodded as she came to another conclusion.
"Your friend is unwell, suffering too much. Her heart is pained but she will not allow help and there is but one that could heal her. There is a cloud that makes finding her in the Watching Pool difficult unless she is with the Bright One." She was referring to Gem, he had been practising with Ash and had tried to use his own magic, and it had created a shine to his coat that reflected attacks.
"Rayel has been given much protection from the Gem Master, a part of his Gift instilled in her. She has also the duty of prophet for the Guild, she goes glassy-eyed and rambles before coming to us with a riddle. It is then my job to decipher it. She needs contact with magic or she becomes weak. It has been with her since she was saved." The mare nodded. Quietly we left the clearing and began our separate duties. That night I slept well, no dreams from over the Ridge, or Gap as they called it. It was the first time I had a dreamless night since we had arrived.
The patrols had not come in when I awoke. Rayel sat smiling at the herd as they walked up the banks of the Imperial River. The colts and fillies were dancing in the early morning light and Nana kept a watchful eye on them even though she joined the rainbow. One of the foals, noticing that the Caretaker wasn't watching, charged up to Rayel happily. It was bold little Devi.
#The Singer will help the Dreamspeaker and that young one may well help keep my Rider clearer.# The big bay sighed. #I miss our home Lady. We need to get back.#
"Has Diego come back yet?" I asked as his patrol group raised their voice in song. Gem shook his head. Devi skipped off and Rayel called her Bonded. Gem danced happily as Rayel mounted and set him in flight. Something niggled in my brain but refused to take hold. I would have to wait until the Dreamspeaker could help me see into the Watching Pool.
It was much later when the Dreamspeaker could see me.
"What has happened to Diego?" I asked as we walked the path to the Watching Pool. She shrugged and continued on. There was a pain beginning in my temples as I drew closer to the Pool, my lungs were growning tighter and the air was not enough. I could almost taste the feeling but it was still elusive. Atalanta called on the waters to show Diego. There he was, racing across the green forest grass at the farthest edge of the Balinorian area. Black shadows appeared in a group, steel grey horns and firey red eyes blazing. The leader screamed in triumph as my grey stumbled and fell. Use your wings Diego! I cried helplessly. It was then I saw the bloodied slashes across his sides, the main muscles had been torn to tatters.
"Diego!" I couldn't help it, I screamed to him. The blacks sped up and swallowed my Sttromcloud in a clatter of hooves on flesh and bone.
*Fight on Lady, I will be wating in Dalidon for you.* There was a cry of fright as the great bulk of my Dawnwing vanished from the forest floor. As clichéd as it was I sank to my knees and cried. The pain in my temples was astonishing, tearing my mind and body apart. Diego was gone forever.