Chapter 6
"The Black Stallion"
Just then, there was a knock on the door as it opened yet once again.
It was Master Grêth.
"Well now, Clavi, where is my young lady?"
"Master!" Arianna exclaimed as she stood up with a jump.
The old man entered with a big smile, which immediately dissipated as his cobalt blue eyes found Arianna and his breath stole away from his lips.
Standing in the open sunlight was not the girl he had dismissed just a few hours ago but instead stood this blossoming young maiden who looked as radiant as the dawn. The scarlet hair tumbling down her shoulders, the flushed face, the beaming smile and her erect posture were all alarmingly similar to…
No, but it can't be…
"Master, speak. Tell me in my own tongue what I appear. You are speechless. Am I that hideously looking? The coat is a bit snug but I love the slippers, don't you?" Arianna uttered in her Northern language breaking her Master's thoughts.
Clavetti looked startled, it was the first time she had heard Arianna speaking in her native tongue so rapidly and so forcefully.
The gray old man shook his head and laughed heartily, replying in Arianna's dialect, "Hideous? No! No! You are beautiful Arianna. Very beautiful."
Arianna heaved a relieved sigh, sat back down, and faced Clavetti, "I speak no more my tongue. Will speak Local Tongue now. Master teach. So I speak only Local Tongue."
Nodding absentmindedly, Clavetti replied, 'Yes, my girl."
"Now, my lady Arianna, would you like to see the castle?" The Master asked pleasantly.
"Clavi take me around castle tomorrow." Arianna said beamingly.
"Well then, I won't deprive you of such an honor, for no one knows Wrǖth castle better than Madam Clavetti. But I won't take you entirely everywhere, just maybe to the common spots so you won't wander amiss in the castle." Master Grêth said, more for Clavi's sake than Arianna's.
"I go, Master!" Arianna said excitedly as she bounded to her master's side.
"We take your leave, Clavi." Master Grêth said.
Clavi gave a small nod of acknowledgement and smiled after then when they had exited from Arianna's chamber.
Arianna then burst out in whatever way she could with the use of her limited knowledge of words to express what she saw, what she had heard, what she had eaten and how she felt about it all. The words just seemed to pour out as they walked the great hallway.
The old man merely listened in amusement and nodded when the moment called for and laughed along as well.
Suddenly just as they came to the middle of the hallway, an enormous and glamorous portrait hung there that caught Arianna's attention. It was the portrait of a tall, strongly built man dressed and armed for battle in his knightly armor, somewhere between his late 30's. He stood stiff and erect as any soldier would and a stern expression on his face. His dark russet colored air and beard were cleanly cut and his light copper eyes shone with a hidden fire that revealed great strength, erudition and audacity. On his right arm he held a great silver shield that bore the emblem of Criastus, the spirit of the black bear, standing on its hind legs in a threatening manner; sharp white teeth bared and claws unsheathed; poised to attack. His left hand rested on the handle of a long sword, sheathed in a brightly decorated scabbard that was tied to his belt on his waist. A silver helmet rested on his feet.
"Master?"
"Hmm?"
"Is that Lord Knight?"
The Master nodded, "Yes, it is."
"Why he look so…sad?"
"Sad?" asked Master Grêth as he looked up at the portrait of the domineering knight, "What aspect of this portrait of the Lord Knight makes you believe him to be sad?"
"I see in eyes, though cruel and brave… Inside, he sad as if missing something…"
"Yes…" Greth said softly as he peered closely at the portrait and nodded slowly, "I do believe you are right, Arianna. He is sad…"
The two remained silent for a while both occupied in their private thoughts.
"Will Lord Knight return?" Arianna asked breaking the silence.
"Perhaps. Only the gods know, Arianna."
"Will Lord Knight favor me?" Arianna asked hesitantly.
The Master looked at her thoughtfully, "What in the gods' name makes you think he wouldn't?"
Arianna smiled and said, "Will do best to do all right things."
"I know you will, my child. You have such a strong ambition that I'm sure will take you far in your life. I have not the slightest doubt you won't dazzle the Lord Knight when he returns."
"Can I still see you Master?"
"Yes, yes. You're very free and most welcome to see me Arianna. In fact, I might do a little teaching to you myself. You are, after all, my pupil and under my guardianship. Would you like me to do so?"
"Oh yes!" Arianna grinned, "Like very much!"
As the pair walked out of the hallway, they entered into an even more gigantic part of the castle where a wide staircase spiraled up into the topmost level of the castle. Sunlight glared through a glass dome on the ceiling and as Arianna gazed up, she saw at least two more levels above her. The steps on her left ascended to the next floor while the ones on her right descended to the second level.
"I know you might be thinking how you can possibly get around the castle as vast and as mammoth as this but don't always believe what your vision can see."
As he said this, the Master pushed open a small depression on the stonewall, Arianna had failed to notice and after he did, the wall beside them swung open revealing a narrow corridor lit by torches.
Smiling knowingly, the Master said, "Come. This is only one out of the many passages that are stealthy hidden. I will show you but a few, the ones essential to you of course. I trust with that vigorous spirit of yours, you'll discover the others on your own."
A fluttery sensation coursed through Arianna as the mere thought of exploring secret corridors and crannies awakened her audacious appetite. She followed her Master down the narrow way, noticing that it was slowly descending deeper and deeper. In about a few minutes, they came to a dead end, or so Arianna thought. When her Master tapped the side of the wall, the blockage before them opened up to reveal what was clearly the castle kitchen.
It was a rather large and roomy kitchen that could probably fill up around two dozen cooks. For now, the kitchen was deserted save for around two or three servants storing away utensils or else mopping up the floors and scrubbing stains on the counters. However, Arianna could still detect the most subtle aromas of the meals that had been prepared in this room. The wavering smells of broth, cooked vegetables, spices and roast meat tickled her very senses as she looked around this vast sized cooking place.
There were three gigantic wooden cabinets to the side, where Arianna suspected, was where the dining ware must be stored in and hanging on the ceilings were strings of greens, cuts of raw meat and various kinds of fruit. Woven baskets on the floor lined at the walls were full to the brim with similar rations such as cabbages, lettuce, potatoes, squash, beans and the like.
"I know you've already had your meal, but just in case you ever fell hungry in the future, Cook here will be all too willing to fulfill your every whim. Of course, I wouldn't recommend you strolling around the castle after dark but if your stomach calls, it must be answered, mustn't it?" said the Master leading her into the midst of the room.
She suddenly came face to face with a large beefy man who wearing an oversized soiled apron and smelled of smoke and garlic. He held a pot in one hand and a wooden spoon in the other. He smiled in acknowledgement and bowed his slightly.
"Good day to you, miss." He said in his a deep and low voice, "I pray you enjoyed your meal?"
Nodding, Arianna replied, "Yes, was very good."
"This is Miss Arianna, Cook. She will be, as you may call, a permanent guest in this castle."
Seeming undisturbed by Arianna's foreign accent, he said, "I hope ye finds pleasure in Wrǖth, Miss Arianna. If ye is in need of anything, please be at liberty to call for me here." Said the Cook humbly and then bowing again returned his attention to the stove.
"There's more I have to show you, Come Arianna." called the Master.
Once again, Arianna stared in amazement as her Master yet again went through another hidden door behind a hanging tapestry right next to the baskets of overflowing greens and legumes. She shook her head in disbelief then followed her Master inside. This time, the passage they walked through divided into four ways a little way into the middle of their passage.
One, her Master informed, led into the gardens, another to the stables, the right led to the main hall and another led up to the first level.
"Where would you want to go first, Arianna?"
"Oh… stables!" Arianna said excitedly, without hesitation.
"An excellent idea! I think the stable master, if I heard correctly, reported to me that he had just brought in three young mares yesterday. Would you like to see them? Well, it is a must, I should say, for you haven't a steed yet and every lady in Waldǖrth must have their own horse."
"Horse!" Arianna breathed out dreamily. It has been too long, she thought, since she had last ridden on a beast of her own. Arianna could recall the sensation of speeding along the fields with her hair flying behind her and the wind whistling in her ears. Then, she had a rather difficult time remembering who her horse was or how she even learned to ride one or even the last time she rode a horse on her own. Brushing the thoughts aside, Arianna followed her Master grinning excitedly.
They reached an old wooden with a metal bolt, Master Grêth slid the bolt to the side and pushed the door open with his strong arms. A bright stream of sunlight blinded Arianna's eyes as she stepped out into the open, leaving the dimly lit narrow corridor.
It was hotter and dustier outside the castle as Arianna shielded her eyes with her left hand from the intense glare of the noon sun. Surveying her surroundings, Arianna found herself in some sort of training field. Young lads and some casually dressed soldiers were amusing themselves with a sort of mock duel with one another. Arianna heard their loud cheers and raucous laughter as she and her Master passed them by.
"Good day to you my lord and… lady!"
"Master Grêth! Salutations! And to you, Miss!"
"Good day, Master!"
They each voiced out simultaneously. The old man merely gave a slight nod of his head in acknowledgement. Arianna blushed slightly but then turned her attentions to the field.
On the wide range of dusty ground settled archery targets and bull's eyes on sheets of thick wood. On another area, there lined big and broad wooden quintains in stationery attack positions. Many of which looked quite battered and chipped and needed new wooden parts or else new substitutes so they could be used instead for firewood.
On the outside wall of the castle beneath a covered shelter hung numerous weapons and battle equipments. Lengthy metal swords, razor-sharp axes, spiky maces, sturdy bows, quivers filled with red and black tipped arrows and long lances were just a few of the displayed weaponry. Shields of various material, color and sizes as well as body armor, helmets and chain mail were also found there.
Arianna gaped at them all, the silver gleam reflecting in her eyes as they flitted along the long swords. But it was the bow and arrow, which ensnared Arianna's attention as her fingers, tingled with the burning desire to grab hold of it.
"Ah, let us move on Arianna. These are not meant for your eyes yet." Said her Master gently as he steered her away from the glinting weapons and armory. "The stables are right over there Arianna."
Arianna tore her eyes away from the shiny weapons to stare ahead of her and she saw in a distance what seemed to be a rather large wooden lodge and immediately all thoughts of archery left her head. She barely took notice of the few young men staring after her as soon as they bowed respectfully to her and her Master.
When they reached the stable doors, the old man reached out to open them and as he did, a rancid pungent smell of the horses wandered out and to most young women it would be nothing worse than repulsive but for Arianna it was the smell of comfort and nostalgia.
The floor was littered with straws of hay and wheat and Arianna was careful with each step in case she might happen to accidentally fall. The sounds of muttered neighs and whinnies resounded from the stalls and Arianna couldn't help but smile as she peeked in every one. She found many strong and sturdily built steeds of every color and breed from chestnut browns to hay colored mares, copper, spotted or shaded beasts to ebony black or else pure white stallions.
As Arianna passed by each stall there seemed to follow an eerie yet reverent aura among the horses as they looked her straight in the eye and moved slightly backwards, shaking or else waving their head around in a bashful gesture.
Arianna gave her Master a questioning glance.
"Hmm… a strange sight. They are never this silent whenever anyone enters. You must have a unique way with animals, Arianna."
Then, cautiously, Arianna approached one stall and reached out her hand to a copper brown and white spotted old mare. The mare neighed nervously and moved even further from Arianna. Arianna gave a small neigh almost similar to the mare's and beckoned to her. Slowly and unsurely, the mare came to the girl as if wondering whether she should have herself petted or move away again. Subjecting herself to the former, the mare nuzzled under Arianna's hand.
Arianna laughed in relief, "Oh. She not hate me. She like me!"
"Indeed she does. She does."
Just then the stable creaked open and a young man just a year or two older than Arianna stepped in. His garments and appearance were both stained and grubby with soil and bits of straw as he entered carrying a heavy pail filled with water.
"Oh, Good day, Master! Wasn't expectin' ya to visit the stables today! Good day, Miss." The lad said bowing respectfully before emptying the pail into one of the stalls' water basin.
"Good day, Nimfold. Arianna this is Nimfold, the caretaker of the stable and of course the horses. Nimfold, this is Miss Arianna. She wanted to have a look at the horses; I hope you don't mind us intruding."
"Good day, Nimfold." Arianna greeted politely.
Smiling cheerfully, Nimfold set the pail down and wiped his hands on his breeches, "No trouble at all, Master Grêth. I bet you're here to have a look at the new fillies I've brought in as well, aren't ya?"
"Yes. We've heard you've three of them, Nimfold."
"Right you are there, Master. Right on the other side of the stable, they are. Bit o' trouble bringing them in. Waitin' for a couple more lads to lend a hand in bringing 'em in. But I think, it'll be alright for you to come and out and see 'em"
Suddenly, they heard some callings from the outside, "Hey, Nimfold lad! Where are ye? We got yer message!"
"Oh, there they are now! Follow me Master… Miss… the 'orses are just outside." Said Nimfold signaling them to follow him as he hurried out of the stables.
They were a mere step behind Nimfold as they walked out of the stables and turning the corner towards the opposite of the stables, there they found three different colored fillies nearly as large as adult horses. Prancing about nervously trying to struggle free from the nooses that held them bound to the fence post. One was of a pale yellow hue, another was grey with white markings and the last one, the most agitated of them all, was a mix of roan and caramel shades.
"Whoa! Whoa! A little help here, lads! I think these little ones won't back down without a fight!" .
The horses neighed and whinnied frantically as the four men gathered around them trying with their might to settle them. The beasts reared up on their hind legs, kicking their front hooves fiercely at their adversaries, clearly sending out the message that they certainly detested the very presence of the latter. The dust started to kick up as the fillies and the men struggled with each other, fighting for the better stand. The men, who were near the losing end, backed away from the threatening hooves and one of them instantly reached inside his vest.
Arianna caught the shiny black gleam of a whip and without even thinking about what she was doing, her protective instinct overcame her and she boldly raced forward standing between that man and the steeds.
"STOP!" she screamed.
"Miss, what do ya think yar doin'?" the man yelled with disbelief, winding the whip around his left hand, ready to strike.
"Arianna!" her Master called.
Shaking her head, Arianna held her hands up, "No hurt! I help! No hurt! Back! Back! I help! I know!"
Then, with astounding audacity, walked straight up to the rearing fillies and grabbed hold of the rope noosed around the roan horse. Pulling it down with mastered strength, she stared straight into its frenzied, terrified eyes and stroked her hand down its muzzle.
Crooning to it softly in her Northern tongue, "Hush there now, little one. These men aren't going to lay a hand on you or your kin until I allow them to. Just calm down now. There, there, that's, my girl. I'm going to make sure you'll be taken care of well. You'll be safe here, I promise you."
Just then, not only did the roan suddenly remain still and quiet but so did the other two, budging in to be rubbed by Arianna as well.
The men around her stood stunned and awed at what had just occurred and how quickly the beasts had responded to the girl's foreign language and calm demeanor.
"Well now, ain't that a sight to behold." Nimfold muttered with a half-smile.
Arianna assuring the horses would be calmer now, turned to face the men, "They scared. New. Need you to be soft…err… gentle."
"Arianna's right, my lads." Her Master interjected, breaking the tense silence around him, "They are but fillies and must feel quite uncomfortable in these new surroundings with the unfamiliar presence and smells of people such as ourselves."
"Yes." Arianna said nodding her head, relieved her Master had backed her up instantly.
"You may take them into the stable now, Nimfold." Said Master Grêth.
Nimfold nodded and obediently approached the horses, signaling the other men with a cock of his head to follow.
Approaching the motionless steeds cautiously, as if they might all rear up again at any moment, the men untied the ropes knotted to the post and to their amazement, the horses seemed composed and at ease as they allowed themselves to be led to the stables by their caretakers.
Arianna watched as they disappeared with the horses inside the stable doors.
"Well, that was certainly most… exhilarating, Arianna" Grêth chuckled amusedly.
Arianna looked at her Master and said matter-of-factly, "They see horses scared. But not do gentle. Horses scared. Must be slow."
"Yes, Arianna. I should have reprimanded them beforehand." Replied the Master, "But, we have forgone our reason for our visit. We are here to seek out your noble steed, are we not?"
"Yes! Horse! Mine!"
"So now, which of those shall it be then, Arianna? I doubt Nimfold would refuse you now seeing what you did with the horses just a moment ago."
"I think… I want… the…." Arianna said slowly, trying to decide. Then, coming to a decision, she was just about to utter the roan one when…
"Master Grêth! Master Grêth! Wild horse! A wild horse's running amok in the fields! It's stampeding across our picked crops! Hurry Master! This way!"
A man who looked rather shaken and terrified came sprinting towards them breathing heavily and pointing to the area behind him frantically. Gesturing them to follow him quickly as he whirled around and ran back the way he came.
Turning serious, the Master immediately set off after the hysterical man. Arianna was a step behind him, gathering the folds of her dress in her hand as she ran behind her Master.
Skirting around sheds and homes and pushing through screaming peasants fleeing the fields. They came upon, what Arianna saw, used to be their storage cache for grains and wheat, which was now nothing but a mess of scattered morsels and torn baskets on the dusty ground. A furious neigh drew their attention to the fields, where rearing high upon the tall stalks emerged the violent steed.
A few farmers ran around the beast, trying to prevent it from causing any more destruction and mayhem. Some carried long and pointed pitchforks while others flayed their arms around yelling to somehow distract it or perhaps scare it back into the forest.
"Stand back! All of you!" the old man shouted in a loud and deep commanding voice, "Let the beast face me."
Arianna gasped heavily for air as she kept behind Master Grêth. She was just about to stand beside him when suddenly a tremendous surge of power winded her and she stopped abruptly unable to breathe.
In her mind, she could hear the pounding of hooves, the rustling vegetation, the unfamiliar scents and the haunting odor of fear and loss. She felt the anger, pain and confusion. Then the power within, the mystical power of the ages streaming through her.
Arianna opened her eyes and she screamed, "No Master!"
But it seemed the old man had not heard her as he continued his approach towards the vicious wild animal, violently kicking and rearing. Foaming heavily at the mouth and a glint of frenzy shone in its eyes.
"Master! Me! Let me go!" she yelled grabbing hold of her Master's robes, tearing the seam in her franticness "No go! He mad! He angry! He—"
But she was forcefully brushed aside, "Move away Arianna. This is no longer a frightened young filly! This is a provoked and hot-blooded stallion. Keep away!"
"NO!" Arianna persisted and seeing as her Master had completely ignored her and a few men were edging closer to her in case they needed to brace her, she took a deep breath and ran as fast as she could towards the horse.
"ARIANNA! NO!"
She drew close enough to be stomped upon the great beast but she never wavered an instant. She felt the stallion's hot breath on her face as it snorted and neighed threateningly. Arianna knew not what she was doing but she felt it in her soul that it had to be done. As it was about to make a strike at her, Arianna lifted up her hands and bellowed in a strange voice,
"Äêðõêñÿ ùéâè Ŷőšįĺ Řœıį ńıĩċġ ĩžŷų! Ůťőńīħřś ċąĕĔĥś ĔśńŮ ċ!"
Silence. A strong wind blew and it seemed that a strange cloud passed. The stallion stumbled back on the ground and ceased its frenetic screams. The day grew dark and then light anew. After a second of eerie silence, the sounds of the birds and the humming insects sounded once again and it seemed as if nothing peculiar had come to pass.
The spectators were silent and the old Master's face grave.
Arianna moved toward the stallion and held it close, embracing it as one embraces a childhood friend, carefully stroking its smooth dark neck.
Then, in a bizarre moment, the peasants who had witnessed the entire incident, turned away whistling and chattering to each other as if they had just merely forgotten what had just occurred. A few tipped their hats to the Master as he looked around in bewilderment.
"Good day Master. Winds blowin' a bit heavy today, knocked our entire shed out, ya see? Pity, those were yesterday's crops too. By the gods, that's a huge beauty of a stallion the new little Miss has gotten there, ain't it Master?" said the peasant who had alarmed the Master and Arianna earlier. His face seemed calm and normal and the flustered look about him vanished.
Grêth watched in somber confusion as the peasant walked away, shouldering his hoe and calling out to another one of his companions. What had just happened?
Arianna giggled as the stallion nosed her under her jaw, "Stop! Ha ha ha!"
"A-Arianna?" the old man called out, his voice cracking as his tongue seemed to have grown half-numb.
"Yes, master!" Arianna replied.
"My mind seems to have left me…what… and tell me truthfully… had just went on about here a few moments ago?"
"Man there say he find horse. You bring me to horse and horse like me. I like horse. Big and strong. Better than small filly. Me want horse. Can I have?" Arianna said simply as she continued to caress the stallion.
The old man could hardly believe it, had everything that he saw pass turn out to be nothing but a vision or a spark of imagination? But it couldn't, it was too real, too vivid… he glanced at Arianna with a vague expression on his face.
Then, clearing his throat, he shook his head and then making a mental note to take down a soothing potion later, he approached Arianna.
"Oh, Master! Is not horse so beautiful and strong?" she said dreamily.
Leading the horse out from the tall stalks and into a part of the fields where the ground had been cleared, the Master could see what Arianna meant. It was certainly a most unusual animal bearing the most distinct of characteristics and appearances.
The stallion was large, sturdy and powerfully built. His entire posture and demeanor emitted a strong dexterous quality similar to those of a war horse. His coat was of a sleek oil-black shade that gleamed in the day sun. But, in contrast to his dark hide, the hair on his mane and tail were snowy white and on his lower limbs covering his hooves were long hoary hairs that looked to be like white snowshoes. But the strangest feature of all was neither it's humongous size nor it's atypical color but what was on it's forehead.
A silver marking shaped like a six pointed star.
"Yes… he's a remarkable animal…" said the Master in a small voice, gazing at the beast that he thought would instantly smite him dead moments ago.
Arianna looked at her Master curiously, something strange was happening… or had happened. Why was Master Grêth acting so distant all of a sudden? Did he not favor the stallion?
Shrugging her shoulders, she passed off the thought of it and concluded that her Master was exhausted and needed to rest.
"You go sit, Master. You look tired. I want to ride horse. Shall I have permission to ride, Master?" she asked eagerly.
Master Grêth caught unawares with the question, absentmindedly nodded his head, as his eyes held a faraway gaze.
Arianna grinned in delight and then immediately started to remove her outer and inner covers.
The Master then caught sight of her actions and inquired shockingly, "Arianna! What in the name of the gods do you think you're doing, child! Cease at once!"
But the girl said nothing as she continued stripping her clothes out in broad daylight and then turning to her Master she smiled, "Clothes too heavy."
Clad in only her cream colored undergarments which comprised of a flannel under shirt and shorts that reached below her knees, she strode towards her Master, "Hold for me, please, Master. I thank you." And handing him her discarded wear, she took a running start and skillfully jumped unto the black stallion's black.
The old Master could only gape at the exceptional ability and command of this Northern peasant girl over a full-grown stallion as she started to gallop around the fields. The comb that held her thick hair together came loose and fell off as she rode atop her stallion fast and hard and her scarlet hair streamed behind her as the strong wind blew against her face.
Arianna whooped in glorious glee as she held unto the stallion's snowy mane and her thighs gripped the horse's sides. The rush of energy and thrill filled her entire being and she adored every second of it.
"Master Grêth! Heard ye've spotted a new horse down here and— Mighty Criastus!" exclaimed Nimfold breathlessly as he jogged to Master Grêth's side and stopped abruptly when he caught sight of the girl, wearing nothing but her undergarments, riding a humongous beast across the fields in the middle of the day. With her bright scarlet hair flying violently in the wind, she looked similar to a wild spirit of the forest materialized.
Then, without the use of any saddle or reins, she steered her steed back to where her Master and the stable head stood. She leaped off the horse, patting his neck affectionately and turned to face her Master.
"I don't think I've ever seen anyone ride a horse that way, Miss. And a war horse by the looks of him!" babbled Nimfold in a strange squeaky voice.
"Thank you, Nimfold." Arianna said shyly, "Was a good ride. I feel so… happy. He is very… remarkable horse…"
Her master gave her back her clothes and Arianna donned them hurriedly, hardly bothering to check if it had been tugged in all the right places.
"Nimfold, " the old man addressed the young man, "prepare a stall for Miss Arianna's stallion. I think new effects for the steed are in order. Off to it now, my boy.'
Bowing respectfully, Nimfold replied, "Yes, my Master."
Then with a last look at Arianna and the stallion, Nimfold walked away to his duties.
"You ride well, Arianna." Said her Master in a calm tone, though he knew what he said was an obvious understatement.
Arianna smiled gratefully, "Thank you Master. I use to have horses, my own, in Vasdenin. Grandfather taught me."
"He taught you well." Remarked the old man.
A heavy feeling weighed on Arianna's heart and she couldn't bear to talk anymore about her previous life, it was still too raw and painful to think about.
Sensing Arianna's poignant disposition, he changed the subject.
"So, this new stallion of yours, a great beauty isn't he?'
Lighting up, Arianna said, "Yes! He is! I knew you'd think so too, Master!"
Laughing, her Master put in, "And a marvelous stallion such as he should have a name, is it not so Arianna?"
"Oh yes! A name!" Arianna said excitedly, then after a while she frowned, "What name I give to stallion, Master?"
Master Grêth pondered for a moment then looking at the stallion, he nodded knowingly, "You may call him Lastothai or Lastoth for short."
"Lastoth? What it mean, Master?" Arianna asked.
"It means 'O, stalwart companion' in the old Western dialect. It used to belong to our great King Romandur, who ruled Waldǖrth more than a hundred years ago." Her Master began, "In his last battle with the savage Hurogars of the far South forests, the Western men were outnumbered four brutes to one man. But the grace of the gods was on our side then. Victory was at hand but not before the King fell into a great ditch near the river side and the enemies seeing our leader trapped surrounded him. None of the Western man had noticed our leader had fallen and continued in the battle except for Lastoth, the great steed of the King. He had fallen into the ditch with his Master and though he bore neither shield, weapon or power, he tried his very best to at least shield the King from the piercing arrows that flew in… but it was to no avail. The West won over the barbarians that night but all celebration was still as their Master lay dying in the ditch with only his faithful Lastoth beside him. Both bore shafts of arrows deep in their breasts and the blood of man and beast mingled in the soil of war."
Arianna grew teary eyed at such a beautiful tale and looking at her stallion, she asked, "Will Lastoth do same for me?"
"With a name as noble as his, I assure you he will never fail you Arianna." replied her Master.
Arianna could do nothing else but smile as she held unto Lastoth, her new companion.
