Disclaimer: see previous chapters
Author's Note: Sorry for the year of not posting…well…11 months anyways…there is no good excuse for it, I was just being lazy. Don't hurt me, I still have to finish the story! And if you're good and give me lots of reviews, I might even write a sequel…or post faster, at any rate…
Riding Lessons
Thud.
For at least the tenth time that morning, Sarah felt her side connect with yet another pointed, malignant rock. "Stupid horse." she muttered under her breath as she dragged herself up once more, glaring at the offending beast. The horse merely stared back at her with large, indifferent eyes, which showed none of the guilt it should be feeling for so unkindly tossing her onto the ground. It was a strong rust-colored male horse named Lucky. However, Sarah was having very little luck learning to ride it under Adrienne's determined tutelage. The horse seemed set on dumping her onto the ground, rather than allowing her to stay on its back for more than a few seconds.
"All right, up you go again." called Adrienne cheerfully from the other side of the open area that served as their training grounds.
"Adrienne, I'm never going to ride this horse. Can't we just accept that and go inside for a while? I think I have more bruises from this than from guard." Sarah complained with a groan.
Adrienne laughed. "You didn't see me learning. Trust me, I fell many more times than you have. You can and will ride this horse. Are you going to try and run alongside everybody else for this whole journey? Now, get up there!"
Sarah glared back at her and put her left foot in the stirrup, pushing herself off the ground. Just as she was about to swing her right leg over his back, Lucky took off running. Sarah's foot twisted out of the stirrup, and she flipped through the air before landing hard on the cold, unyielding ground once again. She decided not to move this time, instead just laying there on the ground where she had fallen. Adrienne, concerned for her, raced across the training grounds to her side. "Are you all right, Sarah?" she asked worriedly.
Sarah looked incredulously at her. "I've lost track of the times I've been thrown to the ground by that stupid animal! I'm not even going to try and count all the different places on me that have turned black and blue. Other than that, I'm fine." she remarked sarcastically.
Adrienne glanced at the other side of the clearing, where Lucky watched indifferently. Then she said, "You've got to earn his trust. You'll only be able to ride if he lets you. You've got to give him treats, feed him, brush him, and show him he can trust you."
Sarah groaned. "What do you mean I have to earn his trust? I'll only be able to ride if he lets me? 'He' is a dumb, mindless animal whose sole purpose in life is to carry people around and work in the fields! I am not going to work to earn the trust of an animal!" she exclaimed indignantly.
Adrienne looked hard at her. "Horses are not as dumb as you think. They can choose to bear you or not. If they don't want to let you ride, there is no way you will ever be able to." She offered Sarah a hand, and pulled the girl to her feet, adding, "Now, why don't you go and get something to eat. I'll be there in a while. I've got to take care of Lucky." Sarah nodded and turned, walking quickly back towards the dining hall.
Adrienne strode across the dirt-covered area to Lucky. She came up to him, and took his bridle in one hand, speaking soothing words to him. Placing her left foot in the stirrup, she swung herself onto his back, settling comfortably into the saddle. The horse shifted nervously under her, uncertain what to make of this new rider. Making a chirruping noise, Adrienne tried to prompt Lucky into a walk, but he refused to move, so she pressed her lower legs against his flanks. This encouraged him into a walk, and she led him slowly around the training grounds. After a couple of minutes she increased the speed, moving into a canter, then finally into a gallop. The horse seemed to be more comfortable beneath her now, and she pulled back on the reins, bringing Lucky to a halt. She dismounted easily, and led Lucky to the stables, where she made certain he was fed and cared for. So, she thought to herself as she made her way towards the dining hall, he can be ridden. I'll just have to work with Sarah and Lucky and get them to trust each other. After all, I think it is a problem for both of them.
* * *
Allanon watched from the window of Erin's room as Adrienne attempted to teach Sarah to ride a horse. It was extremely amusing, and the Druid could not help but chuckle as the horse inevitably threw Sarah time after time. After the two friends left for breakfast, Allanon turned from the window and once again studied the girl lying in the bed before him. She was still alive, and there was something to be said for that, but her overall condition had not improved either. She still had not awakened, and that worried him slightly. But then, there were several things that worried him about Erin.
From the moment he had stepped out of the shadows to confront Erin yesterday morning, he had realized there was something extraordinary about her. He had not really searched her mind that day, just enough to realize that she knew of him, for she had been thinking about him and the others who had accompanied him on his travels in the Four Lands. He had not questioned at the time how she knew this, or even why he had been drawn to her as the one person who could aid him in protecting Elissa and Amanda. His impulse, as he had termed it in his thoughts, had been all too correct, but it unnerved him that such a thing should happen. His courses of action had always been well-reasoned and sure, not mere whim.
And Erin was not the only one who knew of him. Adrienne also seemed to have heard of him somehow. And of the enemy that threatened them. How many people in this world knew about what was happening? Probably not very many, he thought. After all, while many may have heard of him and the Four Lands, they still would have no reason to suspect that the Warlock Lord and his followers were present in their own world. Or could even exist, for that matter. For as Allanon was discovering, the people of this world did not practice or even believe in magic.
The previous night Allanon and Adrienne had discussed at length the different technologies this world had developed that the Four Lands had not. They were numerous and complicated, and seemed magical to him, though Adrienne assured him they were not. He had learned of televisions, and stereos, and automobiles, and airplanes, to name a few. The more he discovered of it, the more this world resembled, in his mind, the Old World of the Four Lands. He would be sad indeed if this world met the same fate as the Old World.
At dawn Adrienne had left to wake Sarah and begin their riding lessons. Allanon had stayed in Erin's room, awaiting the moment when the girl would wake. He found, to his relief, that he did not have to wait much longer. Shortly after Adrienne and Sarah went to breakfast, Allanon was startled out of his musings by a movement in the bed. Erin groaned in pain as she began to regain consciousness. She hadn't opened her eyes, and Allanon decided she must still be asleep, merely dreaming. Then she began to thrash, her lips moving as she murmured challenges to an unknown adversary. Most likely that Skull Bearer she was fighting right before she lost consciousness, thought the Druid as he moved to her side. Too much movement, and she could destroy any healing work that the Stoors had been able to accomplish. He gently grasped her shoulders, holding her still against the pillow, and called her name, trying to bring her out of this nightmare she was experiencing.
Finally his efforts were rewarded. Erin's thrashings stilled, and she slowly opened her eyes. The bright daylight slashed through her consciousness…and her headache. She let out another small groan of pain at this intrusion, then suddenly noticed the dark form standing over her. With a start she attempted to wrestle with it, believing it to be another Skull Bearer. The dark form grabbed her arms and pinned them to the bed, saying urgently to her, "Erin! Erin! It is Allanon! I am Allanon!" Erin finally understood, and sank back against the sheets, her breathing raspy and labored, her gaze trained on the door to her right. Allanon let go of her and sat back in his chair near the window.
"I am sorry." Erin said eventually in a soft, hoarse voice. "I thought you were a…a…"
"Skull Bearer." Allanon finished for her. "It is all right now. The Skull Bearers, at least the two that you met on your way out of the school yesterday, are destroyed. You needn't worry any more about them." he said comfortingly, his deep voice holding a strength that reassured Erin immediately. "All the others are safe as well: Sarah, Adrienne, and the twins. They are all here in Storlock with you. The Stoors live here, a peaceful gnome community who have dedicated their lives to healing."
Erin nodded. "Yes, I know about them. I am definitely grateful for their healing now, though." She laughed a little. However, Allanon did not join in. His brow knit in puzzlement at her words.
"How do you know of them? They are a part of my world, and you have never met them. How do people in your world know anything of the Four Lands?" he asked quickly, leaning forward a little.
Erin paused before answering, considering her words. "A man named Terry Brooks has written a series of fantasy novels on the Four Lands. I have read them all. That is how I know so much. They describe the events of the First and Second Wars of the Races, the destruction of Brona at the hands of Shea Ohmsford, and many other conflicts after the fall of the Warlock Lord."
"After the fall of the Warlock Lord?" Allanon sputtered in bewilderment. "Nothing of import has happened since then in the Four Lands!" Suddenly a remarkable idea occurred to him. "Is it possible that this Terry Brooks can foretell the future?"
Like a lightning bolt, the realization hit Erin that Allanon had not lived in his world past the time of Shea Ohmsford and the Warlock Lord. He won't know any of the events from the Elfstones of Shannara forward, she thought. I'll have to be careful about what I say. She considered her next words, wondering how best to answer his question. "I do not know, Allanon." she finally said with a sigh. "You see, people in our world, for the most part, do not believe in destiny and foretelling the future. Terry Brooks, as far as I know, believes he has created all of this in his own mind, not influenced by anything but his own creativity. It could be that, in creating it within his mind, it became reality…I don't know. No one can really say, I suppose."
They both fell silent, contemplating their discussion, when a faint rumbling sound made itself apparent. Allanon jumped to his feet and moved quickly to the window, sharp eyes scouring the shadows for the enemy. Behind him, Erin burst out laughing, and he whirled in anger to quiet her. However, before he could say anything, she giggled "It's my stomach! I haven't eaten for almost a whole day, and it's just hungry!" Allanon chuckled as well at the sheer hilariousness of the situation. A Druid, one of the wisest men in the world, mistaking a rumbling stomach for an enemy!
After their laughter had quieted down, Allanon stood. "If you would like, I believe breakfast is being served right now, and I could try to secure a plate of food for you." he said with a smile.
"Sounds good to me. Thank you, Allanon." Erin replied, then turned her attention to the window as the door closed behind him.
* * *
Allanon entered the dining hall just as breakfast was ending. It was not an overly large room, not compared to some of the rooms the Druid had seen in Erin's school. The numerous tables were organized in rows and lined with benches. Several of these tables were now completely filled. Glancing around the hall, Allanon noticed Adrienne and Sarah sitting and eating together. There was no sign of the twins. Perhaps they were merely sleeping late, he decided.
The Druid strode quickly to a nearby Stoor and asked the gnome if he might be able to get a snack for an injured comrade. The healer disappeared through a nearby door, presumably into the kitchens, and swiftly returned bearing a plate of eggs and a roll. Allanon carefully avoided Adrienne and Sarah as he made his way through the maze of tables towards the door, not wanting to discuss anything at the moment. He had much to think over, and did not feel like talking.
Soon he was back in Erin's room, where she gratefully accepted the food. Allanon sat down once more, quickly losing himself to deep thought. Neither spoke as Erin consumed her breakfast, which tasted extremely good after nearly a full day of nothing. She had just finished it, laying the plate on a table to her right, when the door creaked open to admit Adrienne. "Erin! You're awake! Are you feeling better?" she exclaimed gleefully as she knelt beside the bed.
"I don't know. How was I feeling before?" Erin asked in mock confusion.
Adrienne laughed, the joyful sound welcome after the solemn silence. "As long as you're in one piece and conscious, it's an improvement." she returned. Then suddenly she grew sober, her earnest brown eyes revealing her intense relief. "We have all been very worried about you, Erin. We didn't know if we'd ever get to talk to you again, tell you what a great friend you've been. I think I speak for everyone when I say that. I don't want to miss this opportunity." She took a deep breath, taking Erin's hand in hers, which Erin squeezed reassuringly. "I love you like a sister, Erin. I don't ever want to go through that again, that agony of not knowing whether you'd ever open your eyes again. I can't tell you how glad I am to see that you are awake. Last night Allanon came to us and told us that…that you might not live through the night. That was the worst night of my life. I sat here waiting and hoping that you'd make it, but I didn't know." By now Erin had tears in her eyes, for she knew Adrienne meant every word. Seeing this, Adrienne's tone turned teasing once again. She shook her finger at Erin as if she were a child who had misbehaved. "Now, young lady, don't you ever do that again! I'm not kidding when I say I'll come all the way to heaven to kill you if you die on me!"
They shared another laugh. Erin replied solemnly, "Thank you, Adrienne. I don't know what I would have done had it been you in my place. It's good to know I have such wonderful friends with me."
Suddenly, Allanon broke into their conversation. "Adrienne, you may want to come and see this."
* * *
Sarah had watched from behind a building as Adrienne mounted and rode Lucky earlier that morning. As she made her way towards the dining hall, she thought over what she had seen. Apparently, Lucky could be ridden. But why was Adrienne able to ride Lucky so easily, while I can't even mount the stupid horse? Sarah thought in frustration, her myriad of sore muscles and bruises a constant reminder of her numerous failures. However, a nice, warm breakfast soon cured her aggravation, and by the time she was finished, Sarah's determination had hardened into a rock wall. She was going to ride that horse, no matter what. Nothing could get in her way now. Well…except the horse itself, she thought with a small mental sigh. As she walked past a bowl of fruit, she pilfered an apple as a small present for Lucky. After all, she thought, I'd like to avoid any more bruises, if possible.
A few minutes later Sarah entered the stables, where she found Lucky consuming his own breakfast of hay and water. She slipped into the stall, failing to notice Lucky's aversion to this idea in the light of her own misgivings. However, when she produced the apple, that aversion quickly disappeared, and the horse greedily gobbled up the fruit, core and all. Despite the fact that Adrienne had spent several minutes drilling the procedure of placing tack on a horse into her head, Sarah remembered very little, so she found the Stoor who was in charge of the stables and enlisted his help. Soon she was leading Lucky from his stall to the training grounds Adrienne had selected, mentally running through all the pointers her friend had given her.
Sarah gave Lucky a few pats and comforting words, then placed her left foot carefully in the stirrup and swung herself up. She clung tightly to the reins for a moment, determined to stay in the saddle this time even if Lucky decided he didn't like her there. The horse allowed her to remain mounted, but he began to shift under her in a nervous fashion. Sarah took a couple of deep breaths, rubbing the horse's neck and cooing to him to calm him down. Then she adjusted the grip of the reins in her left hand, and administered a soft kick to Lucky's sides.
The horse moved ahead at a comfortable walk, the sudden movement causing Sarah to tighten her grip on the reins. Unlike the ponies she remembered riding when she was young, this saddle had nothing to hold on to. Apparently, the Stoors hadn't discovered saddle horns yet. For the first minute Sarah was rather uneasy, getting used to the rolling muscles beneath her legs and the rhythm of the horse's gait. Then gradually she even began to enjoy the ride, the lazy cadence of Lucky's hooves calming and soothing her.
She was brought to alertness by the sound of applause from somewhere nearby, which she suddenly realized was Erin's window. Adrienne stood there clapping in delight as she watched Sarah ride in slow circles around the training grounds. Sarah even thought she saw a glimpse of Allanon's face peering out at her. She felt pride grow within her as a smile spread across her face. She'd done it! She was riding a horse! Sarah arbitrarily wondered what her parents would say if they saw her now, but quickly discarded that thought as Adrienne came rushing out of the cabin towards her.
"Oh, look at you Sarah! You're riding! I told you you could do it!" her friend exclaimed with a huge grin. Sarah's laughter drifted back to Adrienne as she rode past. Adrienne gave her a sly look as she came around again. "So, think you're up for a trot?"