Sorry about the wait; I was away, and then I was trying to decide exactly what was in the package.

I shook out of my reverie.

"Miss," the stable hand looked apprehensive. "Would you like to choose a mount?"

I nodded, feeling distracted by my chat with the Stormwing.

The stable hand led me towards the stalls in front, but I was drawn to the back by a whinny. Two stable hands were trying to lead a horse towards a back door, but she was putting up a good fight. And what a horse! Her flanks shone with the light of the moon. Her hoofs screamed of speed and endurance. She was lean and wiry, and, on her forehead, stark white against her black head, was a many-pronged star.

I immediately rushed to the horse's side, ignoring the stable hand's cry of; "Miss, stop!"

I didn't see the man who motioned for them to stop, nor did I hear the voice that told the men holding the horse to let go. All I was aware of was me, the horse, and the space between us. As soon as I reached her, I mounted, not bothering, or maybe forgetting, of the cumbersome nuisance they call a saddle. But as I was petting the horse, complementing her beauty, I became aware enough to catch what the man was saying.

"Her name's Starshadow."

I blinked rapidly, and looked down at the man who had spoken. It was Stephan, the chief hostler. He was frowning.

"Look, sir, I can explain…"

I braced myself for a rebuke, but none came. On the contrary, when he looked at me, I saw his face lighten. Then he looked back at the three stable hands, and a cloud once again obscured his features.

"What did I tell you 'bout that horse?"

His voice sounded as if it wasn't used regularly enough, which reminded me faintly of my own.

The voice of the stable hand that dared answer his question was the opposite. In a high, whiney voice that was, in my opinion, used way too much, he pleaded his case.

"But sir, It can't be trained. We thought it best…"

Stephan made a shooing motion with his hands. As the men walked away, I heard him mutter, "Some things aren't meant to be broken."

As he handed me some reins, I couldn't have agreed more.

Ok, now that I'm back, I'll update more frequently, and you know I love reviews… Oh, this chapter may have been a bit off, since all I know about horses are what I've read in Tammy's books. The next chappy should be more interesting, at least.