Chapter Five: The High Priest of the Icewinds

It did not take Eartha long to get to the edge of the island, where Hersuticus summoned Ambu to ride the seas to the southern land of ice. Ambu ran quickly over the oceans, and in one day, had reached the frozen southern lands. Hersuticus discovered that the children had been right in that the land was freezing. The sun was setting and that he had plenty of time to get across the icelands to his destination. He hoped that Aedus knew the way. Dressing as warmly as he could Hersuticus summoned Aedus and mounted the horse. The fire of its body warmed him as he set off south towards a shining light in the distance.

It took many hours to travel across the frozen lands, and Hersuticus didn't feel the cold, but he knew that when day came, he would be on his own if he did not reach the location he saught.

Finally, in the distance, he could see a large castle of stone and ice, and knew he was close to his destination. It was this castle that was creating the lights in the sky as any light that shone onto the castle, even a starlight, created a light in the ice. As he got closer, Aedus began to slow until finally, not too far from the castle, it stopped completely.

"This must be it," Hersuticus said. As he looked towards the east, he saw the sun rising, and decided now was a better time than ever to send Aedus away. Doing so, he instantly felt the cold, but Hersuticus moved as quickly as he could towards the castle. He soon reached the door and found that, unlike the other locations he had been to, this castle was well built and spectacular in appearence.

Approaching the door, Hersuticus knocked with a giant knocker and waited. A few moments past and the door opened. Inside, it was surprisingly warm, but the heat did not cause the ice to melt. The halls were made of ice with floors of stone. There were few decorations to add any color, but Hersuticus didn't mind that, he had seen places even more boring that here.

Knowing the last element was air, he decided to travel upstairs to find the throne, dais or alter he needed. He spent many an hour wandering around the castle, it was that large, until finally he looked out a window into the inner courtyard. What a surprise he got when he saw that it was not full of snow and ice like he thought it would be, but was almost clear of any signs of the frozen lands that surrounded the castle. And sure enough, an alter, a throne and dais were there. Heading back downstairs, Hersuticus found his way outside and approached the alter. Placing the ring and then kneeling before it, Hersuticus bowed and waited.

"Greetings Hersuticus, bravest of all men to have come here these many centuries and master of three wild horses," a voice called, echoing off the ice and stone walls of the courtyard. "You have come in search of the last wild horse and seek my aid in doing so. Well I see no problem with that," the voice continued. There was a gust of wind leaves from the treees and bushes in the courtyard blew around, before cycloning into the throne and forming the shape of a man. "I am the High Priest of Icewinds Palace. Welcome to my home," he said, gesturing with his hand.

"Greetings Hig Priest, and thank you for recieving me," Hersuticus said.

"I think we had better have a word before I let you go after the last horse," the High Priest said. "What I must tell you is the trick that has been played upon you and your parents."

"Trick?" Hersuticus replied.

"Indeed. Caraboose saught the four horses many times, for if she could control them, she would gain great power, power that is not hers to have." The High Priest looked at Hersuticus with a raised eyebrow. "Capturing the last horse will draw her attention, and she will battle you nail, tooth and claw to gain power of your ring."

"I understand. Can I defeat her with the power of the horses?" Hersuticus asked.

"Indeed you can. She will never die at the power of the horses, but you can certainly put her in her place so she will not come after you."

"I am prepared to take this risk," hersuticus answered.

"Very well. The last horse, Aries, needs the least amount of care, in comparison to the other horses. He can fly over great distances as well as ride swiftly. Be sure to ride him in the outdoors every day, or be sure that someone walks the horse outside. This simple task rpevents him from losing his abilities. Good luck, Hersuticus." The High Priest sat back in his throne and raised his right hand in a symbolic movement. The throne seemed to fade and disappear along with the High Priest, leaving a doorway there. Hersuticus left some silver and gold coins upon the alter and stepped through the door. A strong wind picked up and Hersuticus saw that not only was he in a realm where there were many clouds, but little earth. The thin ground seemed to be crumbling beneath him with his weight. Moving carfully across the thin bars of ground, he presently heard the sound of hooves and saw, coming through the clouds, the last wild horse. It didn't seem to notice Hersuticus but continued its journey. The horse was indeed the most beautiful of them all. It's mane and tail floated freely with sky blue hairs, shining like the sun itself was caught within each strand. It's body was of the darkest blue, with millions of stars across it. Upon its forehead was the symbol of a cresent moon.

Hersuticus kept moving across the thin land after the horse as it miandered through the air. Hersuticus, seeing his chance, jumped and landed perfectly on the horses back. It reared in fright and took of, Hersuticus holding onto its neck. The speed in which they travelled was faster than any horse could ever run, the force pushing Hersuticus backwards slowly but surely. Doing his best to keep his grip, Hersuticus wrapped some of the horses mane around his wrists and kept on clinging. Their course began to disend, and Hersuticus saw that they were headed out of the very clouds of the sky towards the earth. He knew perfectly well, the horse could not go through the earth like Eartha, but he guessed this would be another test. The horse kicked off from the ground and travelled at great speed in an arc around the world, rising slowly but surely until they had travelled so far, the day had turned to night by the speed of their travels. Hersuticus took a deep breath as he saw their path go even higher, breaking the clouds again. But they did not return to the realm of air as they had been in before, but surfaced on the clouds where the air was very thin. Hersuticus took a few shallow breaths, calmed his mind so as not to panic and looked aorund. The view was spectacular, the moon and the stars shining upon the cloud surface. They rode this path for quite some time and very slowly. Hersuticus, while feeling light headed, remained calm at the lack of air here. Finally, the horse dipped through the clouds again and came down to earth a lot more gently to land, right outside the house of the Fairy Lily.

"Well, will you look at that," Lily said as Hersuticus dismounted. "Hersuticus has returned victorious."

"And I owe it all to you, my Lady," Hersuticus said as he bowed to her.

"Yes, there is some truth in that," Lily answered, "but you did all the work, I simply..." Her comments were interupted by a loud crack of thunder and a burst of lightening. This blast rang loudly and travelled around the globe, like one long chain of energy.

"There are a few things we need to discuss," Hersuticus said.

A/N: This chapter has been inspired by the 'High Priest/Hirophant' tarot card. Guardian of spiritual knowledge and the one who is saught most for his wisdom, I hope he presented this way to you through my writings.