Ch 4: Ability Score

Of course, Ivellios had a horse. The pixie had mentioned he'd been thrown from one. Damn, in all the excitement Gabe had forgotten.

Looking around he found no indication the equine was anywhere nearby. It must've wandered off while the elf's body had ripened. I can't exactly ride what I don't have. Not sure what to do with the revelation Gabe looked a question at the Pixie. His companion smirked before placing two fingers in her mouth and whistling. The tune was short, barely ten notes, but it echoed throughout the forest. Despite its pitch, Gabe's ears didn't ring. Another spell perhaps?

The forest was silent. Because it wandered off, Gabe had to question the horse's loyalty to the elf, but the pixie seemed unconcerned. After a few minutes, she repeated the tune. The silence persisted, then somewhere in the distance, he heard leaves and twigs cracking. Eventually from the shadows emerged a brown and black mass.

Wow… Come hither ye nags! If it wasn't so annoying Gabe might've found the magic of Faerun fascinating. As it stood, he had no idea what it was, how it worked, or what its limits were. But it could be the thing to send me home.

Gabe had seen his fair share of horse flesh growing up in and around farms. The beast before him made the various hobby horses and show ponies look emaciated. It stood at an intimidating fourteen hands high, with strong lines and powerful legs. A trimmed black main and well-shod hooves meant it'd received more recent care than Ive's equipment. It bore high-quality tack scuffed by nature but reasonably maintained. It stared at him with large intelligent eyes, ears forward.

After a subtle glance, Gabe asked, "What's her name?"

"Ive never got around to naming her," the pixie answered, "He just called her horse."

How creative. Then again Gabe had named his first three dog's 'Max' so originality may not have been something to judge others on. Well, at least now I won't have to walk the entire way. Granted its been the better part of a decade since he was in the saddle, but…

Gabe inched forward slowly, making sure not to look the animal in the eye. The mare didn't budge. It just eyed him wearily as he drew closer. Horses tended to be sensitive to people's emotions. He didn't want his current anxiety to make their first meeting more interesting than it already was. He wondered if, like the pixie, she could sense the change in its master.

Damn, she's even bigger up close! This was no draft animal. She was bred for speed and power. And here I am, haven't ridden since middle school! Not since his dad's horse had kicked him in the chest and thrown him one to many times. Sundance had been a hobby horse and very grumpy. The mare was an altogether different breed, quarter horse if he recalled. Hopefully, it possessed a softer disposition.

He got to within arm's reach before the animal sidestepped away. Must be nervous. Sighing he stepped closer only for the equine to trot away again. "Easy there," he said in as calm a voice as he could muster. This time he reached the critter's shoulder without it trying to evade him. "Just gonna hop up here," Gabe added grabbing the saddle horn. "No need to be anxious."

To easy. Just like riding a bike. Accept this bike had a mind of its own. No sooner had he placed his foot in the stirrup that the horse moved. The toe of his boot was caught forcing Gabe to hop on one foot. Shit! The mare suddenly bolted forward causing Gabe to lose his grip on the saddle. SHIT! Pitching forward, his legs splayed in opposite directions.

Pupils crossed beneath clenched eyelids; Gabe rolled on the ground clutching at his strained…pride. He clenched his jaw to stem the flow of obscenities. The Sergeant was starting to recall why he didn't like horses anymore. Their dangerous at both ends and tricky in the middle. When the pain eased, he became aware of two things: the pixie's laughter and the horse bobbing its head and whinnying.

Fucker is making fun of me!? Growling he got to his feet. With determination, Gabe began to approach the animal again. This time the horse didn't let him get close before snapping at his outstretched fingers. Swearing, Gabe leaped backward. The horse bayed angrily shaking its head.

Dad's horse, Sundance, had been an excellent trail rider. Perfect for riding fence lines and the occasional leisurely trot. But the critter had possessed an annoying character flaw. Tack agitated him and he hated being relegated to the barnyard; Barn-sour they called it. He'd thrown Gabe several times for that reason. Ive's horse was clearly a different breed, but that sour personality was unmistakable.

Glaring at the obstinate animal Gabe came to a decision. "I'm gonna call you Sunny."

"Sunny?" the pixie questioned once she'd regained control of herself.

"Matches his-her personality perfectly," he said bitterly. Though a few more colorful names came to mind. Given how she leisurely nibbled on some green chutes, the mare looked as if she could care less what he called her.

Fine. If 'Sunny' wasn't going to let him ride, then Gabe was back to using the tools God gave him - or re-gave him. Fuck…that's getting annoying. Turning, he resettled his pack and began walking. Still giggling the pixie fluttered to catch up. Since the horse wouldn't let him ride, she saw no point in pressing the issue.

A few yards into the forest, Gabe looked back to see the mare was trudging along behind. The horse paused the moment they made eye-contact. She snorted in his direction before pawing at the ground. Gabe walked a few more yards, turned, and found the animal still followed.

"Too stubborn to let me ride," he growled in frustration, "But too dumb to find your own way." Sunny neighed angrily in rebuke before digging around for more green chutes to chew on. It was as if she were saying 'not following you. We're just going in the same way.' Gritting his teeth Gabe turned and plunged back into the forest.

The pixie mentioned the horse never behaved like that with Ive. It was little consolation. It only served to reinforce his earlier hypothesis that the beast could sense the change. He wondered if others might as well. "So, why'd the horse throw him?'

The pixie's incessant laughter faded to an uncomfortable chuckle. "Well, you weren't thrown…so much as you…fell?"

Gabe was starting to get used to the mix of nouns and pronouns when referring to himself and Ive. They were interchangeable at this point. "Fell?" he repeated curiously, "Aren't elves like cats; always landing on their feet?" Wait… Did that racial stereotype even exist in this world? Am I being racist again?

Fluttering alongside him the pixie didn't seem to care if he was. Shrugging she said, "Not when their sozzled they don't."

Sozzled? Wait… "Ive was drunk?" he asked taken by surprise. He'd never heard of an elf being drunk…ever. They were always the stereotypical bubbly-happy or serious-ethereal character.

"Yep. Has been for some time now." She perched on his pack once more. The lack of weight still surprised him. "When he's not working, he hates being sober." She sighed looking depressed, "And he hasn't had a job in a while."

That explained the lack of currency in the pack. Gabe was almost too worried to ask, but he needed to know. "He spent it all on alcohol?" The pixie sighed again before nodding. She explained he even sold some of his equipment to fund the habit. That made Gabe flinch. What other treasures had he possessed that he'd just sell-off for a drink?

"Why?" Gabe asked, confused, "Wasn't he some kind of hero?" It was a leap but given the number of magical items the elf possessed he had to be a person of some renown.

The pixie rolled her eyes. "Pfft… maybe a while ago." She ran a hand along Gabe's ears making him flinch at the sensation. He noticed she didn't laugh at his reaction. "He's been a mercenary for the last few years." Her tone may have been sardonic, but it was clear there was hurt there. "At least he's been drinking like one." Gabe turned his head to look at the pixie. Maybe she cared more then she let on. Even if they weren't friends it must've been hard watching her traveling companion sink into alcoholism.

It reminds me of Grimes. He did his job well but never with a sober gaze. We tried so hard to help him, but… One Drunk and Disorderly later and he got to embrace his vice full time…without a uniform to slow him down. It was unfortunate that cases like Grimes and Ives were not unique to either world.

Despite his sympathy, Gabe was now thoroughly lost. How does one go from an elven hero to falling drunk off a horse in the middle of nowhere? At the same time, what does one have to do to obtain such righteous gear and then get desperate enough to pawn it off?

Who were you, Ivellios?

A break in the trees distracted Gabe long enough to realize they'd made it to the road. 'Road' might've been a generous term. It was more like a wide well-used trail. Judging by the time it took to traverse the woods, Gabe had to assume they walked a good 400 meters.

Looking left and right he asked, "So, which way do we go…?" his voice trailed off when he realized he had no idea how to refer to the Pixie. She'd never given her name, and he couldn't very well call her 'Pixie.' Not if they were going to travel together.

"What is your name?" he asked.

The pixie shrugged. "Don't have one." He blinked in surprise. "Well I do," she quickly explained, "It's just not in a way anyone other than the Fey can understand." …Of course. God, this world makes no sense!

"How long were ya'll traveling together?" The pixie thought for a moment before holding up four fingers. Four years! She confirmed with a nod. "And he never once called you by a name?" She shook her head, but it didn't seem like it bothered her. Well, it bothers me. I'd feel like a dick just calling her Pixie. So what to call her? He gave the fey creature a considering glance. His gaze traveled up her slender legs to the mass of red curls to her wings. They were beautiful, he had to admit. Smiling she pushed out her chest and fluttered her eyelashes. If it weren't for your pretentious personality, I might've called you cute.

A malicious thought crossed his mind. Ought to call you Tinkerbell. That would've given Gabe no end of amusement and knocked the pixie down a few pegs. But she wouldn't get the reference, which robbed the jab of its power. Besides a name was important and he didn't want to feel like a jackass every time he called her by it.

Thinking back on their brief relationship, he wondered about the appropriate moniker. He recalled the sounds she made when creating the magical pixie dust and how it felt sprinkling across the air. That's it! "How's Misty sound?"

"Misty?" She asked pirouetting in the air to float in front of him.

"You're, dust," he said wiggling his fingers over his head. "It felt like mist, so Misty." The pixie thought on it for a moment before nodding. She didn't smile but something about the way her wings twitched indicated she like the name. "Okay Misty, which way to the nearest town."

"Err," her demeanor shifted to apprehension. She glances up and down the road looking concerned. "Janan's closest…" she said hesitantly. Gabe nodded and looked at her expectantly. He held up his hands as if to say, Which way? "Oh, but you don't want to go there," she exclaimed, shaking her head.

Gabe's brow scrunched in confusion. He was eager to get going but Misty was withholding information. "Why the hell not?" he asked in frustration.

She wrung her hands looking everywhere but at the Sergeant. "Ive kind of…" she groaned inwardly before saying, "He didn't leave it on the best of terms."

Gabe's earlier respect for the elf was quickly morphing into disdain. Ive didn't name his horse, was broke, had a drinking problem, and now somehow irritated an entire town. What the hell is up with this guy? Unfortunately, Gabe didn't have many options. He needed a place to get his bearings, and a town with other people was the perfect place. Whatever Ive did he could only hope the residence had short memories.

"Which way?"

Sighing and with heavy reluctance, Misty pointed. "Don't say I didn't warn you." Gabe rolled his eyes but nodded his thanks. He appreciated her help but at that point, his need for intel outweighed her concern. I need to learn as much as I can; people, books, maps, anything. The more he learned the sooner he could figure out a way back home.

Turning he took the first steps to begin his journey. There was still a wide world out there, but at least he had a destination and road to travel. Issuing another sigh of exasperation Misty fluttered after him. Behind her Sunny plodded along with a derisive whinny.

"Nobody asked you!" Gabe called back. Sonny bobbed her head with an amused snort.