Note: Mindspeech is offset with colons :like so:
The Queen's Own's Companion approached the stallion contemplating the river.
:Rolan,: he acknowledged.
:Josiah,: the other answered. :You know why I am here.:
Josiah bowed his head. :I know.: For a time, the two Companions stared at the swiftly flowing river and the looming shape of the Palace beyond. Finally he turned to Rolan. :What have you Seen?:
:Shouldn't I be asking you that?:
The Companion snorted and moved closer to the river's edge. :I See... many things. Like the Torilee, the future is ever moving.:
Rolan whuffled in rueful agreement. :That is the nature of things.:
They stood for a long while watching the light creep over the Palace complex with the dawn, silence thick between them. Finally, Rolan broke it. :What do you See, Josiah?:
The Companion was staring at the Palace. :I See a lonely boy.: The words were barely a whisper in his mind. :One who needs a Companion.: Unspoken, but not unfelt, was shame.
Rolan touched a soft nose to his friend's shoulder. :You have mourned your loss all these years,: he murmured comfortingly.
Josiah turned away, pacing the riverbank restlessly. :Yes.:
The affirmation held a wealth of pain. Rolan looked on in sympathy. He knew--none better!--how painful it was to set aside the loss of a Chosen, but Josiah had spent no time with his Chosen. He had been travelling south to pick up Hannah and bring her to the Collegium when a Tedrel raiding party slipped past the Border and razed Brightmeadows to the ground.
As was their fashion, the boys were taken, and every other person put to the sword. By the time Josiah arrived, the little village was a smoking ruin, and his presumptive-Chosen was no more.
:You have honored your Chosen, bonded or not.: Rolan told him firmly. :But you have another Choice now. In your own Sight, he needs you.:
Josiah fixed a bright blue eye on his friend. He would not deny that his heart quickened at thethought of his Chosen.:I do thank you for your patience with this old Companion, though I am surprised you did not take the time to knock me into the river before now!:
Rolan reared up playfully. :I can still do that now, if you think it will help make up your mind!:
He dodged the strike, laughing. :Have a care, brother! I am still bigger than you.:
:Will you go to him then?: Rolan advanced, hooves flailing wickedly.
:Aye,: he answered quietly. :I will. And I thank you for your forbearance once more.:
Rolan settled gracefully and nuzzled the Companion once more. :You were in pain, and it was your right. You will not be alone now.:
:Indeed.: Josiah gathered himself and trotted away. :Look to your laurels, Rolan. My Chosen and I shall break the equitation course record soon enough.:
The other shook his head and whuffled a laugh. :Don't bet on it, you sway-backed mule.:
:No bet, Queen's Own Companion. It's a sure thing!:
note: Ezra's Choosing will be another chapter...