Disclaimer: this is the part of the show where I say I own nothing (which is basically true) if its new I will gladly take credit for it, (unless you don't like it (in which case I blame… ummmm the freshman yeah, blame everything on frosh) ) the familiar stuff probably belongs to Mercedes Lackey.

A/N okay the fourth chap of the snow day, And this my friends is from Caedmon's POV

            I did not enjoy the sensation of being bumped around in the back of the trailer, as they called it, in the least.  It was small, dark and all around the opposite of my favored mode of travel, although it did grant that it was fast and easy.

            We stopped for a prolonged period of time and then continued up the bumpy path.  Again we stopped but this time Rachel's father led me off of the trailer and handed me over to a new groom.  He left and I followed the groom into a barn where he led me to a ring and tied me to wait.

            I wanted to spend the wait pitying myself.  I would have thrown myself a glorious pity party but I was yanked from my wallowing by a sudden sensation that my chosen was nearby.  I contemplated breaking free and chasing after the boy, but I figured that if he was this close Rachel would be better able to bring him to me.

            :Rachel?: I asked.

            :Huh?: Rachel replied, clearly startled nearly out of her wits, :I'm in the middle of the course, you nearly scared me right off of it though…what's up?:

            :I think he's here.:

            :Your chosen?:

            :Yes are you guys coming up here?:

            :Yeah, we're going on a trail ride,  if you are going to chose him now I would wait until you can get him away from a crowd.  I doubt they would understand.:

            :Okay, sure.:

            That settled I jumped to concentrating on memorizing every minute detail I had about my chosen.  Before I knew it the group was there.  Rachel came over to me.

            :I told you that you could mind speak.:  I pointed out as she brushed me.

            "Don't count on it," she muttered under her breath.

            I was silent while she tacked me up.  Pretty soon the entire group was ready to go and I fell into pace with them.  Rachel was on my back, her friends had all done the appropriate oohing and ahhing over what a fine horse she had, I of course had preened for their praise and now I was busily maneuvering among the other horses to find the one who bore my chosen.

            We were well onto the trail by the time I saw the boy on an ill-tempered pinto.

            :Who is that,:  I asked Rachel showing her a mental picture of the horse.

            :Him?  That's Isaac, Gary invited him, he's bad news Caedmon.:

            :That's him though… Isaac,: it seemed like the sweetest name I had ever heard.  I followed directly behind the pinto, as close as I dared without risking being kicked.

            The trail ride lasted nearly an hour before we stopped at a picnic spot.  One of the youth group vans was there with food for everyone.  The horses were all tied to a picketed and I stood by them, but had Rachel leave me loose.  She did so reluctantly and joined the others with the food.

            I waited most of the meal for Isaac to go off by himself.  My patience was finally repaid when he wandered by and sat on a hillock out of sight of most of the others.  I swooped in to talk to him.

            :Hello, Isaac, my name is Caedmon and I chose you.:

            Isaac turned to look at where the voice came from he seemed disappointed to see me, :You're a horse, how can you talk to me?  I bet I'm imagining this…:

            :I am not a horse, I am a companion,: I sent him the sort of condensed definition that was only possible in mind speech.

            :Look I know I'm crazy, my counselor says so; now why don't you dumb old voices leave me alone.  You know like everyone else?:

            :I'll never leave you alone Isaac, I really am talking to you.  You aren't crazy.:

            :That's not what they say at home.:

            :Really, what do they say?:

            :That they wish my parents had never sent me there, I live in an orphanage.  The kids at school don't like me either.  Even if you don't believe me, they know I'm insane.  I hear voices, sane people don't do that.:

            :Come with me then Isaac, what is there here for you?  If you are crazy then they will find you off in the woods with a horse, if you aren't I could help you.:

            He looked at me uncertainly, I stopped right by him.  He stood up and touched my neck.

            :I don't know, Gary has been nice to me.  Things might be better with a friend…:

            :I'll take care of you Isaac, come with me.:

            Isaac didn't say anything but he got on my back and let me have my head.  In a flash I was off.  No one even seemed to notice until we were nearly out of ear-shot and then everyone yelled that Isaac, ever the bad news kid, was stealing me.  Anger welled up in me at that but I focused on running, there was no way they would catch us, now I just had to try to make a gate home.

            While running the task would be nearly impossible.

A/N this would be a cliffhanger if I weren't about the write the next chap.