Chapter 18

The voyage seemed to be shorter returning home, but maybe it was my continued feeling of euphoria from Halt's praise. The new horses were restless and Ishea was in a constant state of worry over them. I reflected that I was lucky to have a mentor to be there with me, my friend was on her own. I did my best to help her keep the horses calm. The wolfships bellow-deck was very cramped with all the horses, and they were not happy about it. When land was sighted a very ragged and sleep deprived Ishea stumbled onto the deck to see our homeland for the first time in weeks. She smiled and turned to give me a hug, "We did it," she said, "we did it and we made it home."

I smiled before replying, "Yes we did, " then we ran over to the middle of the ship so we could be the first onto shore. We ran down the ramp, laughing for joy at being home. Only then did I look at our welcoming party and it took all of my self-control not to let my jaw drop. I felt Ishea bump into my side and we stared at princess Cassandra in her royal robe, on Horace's arm. She looked positively regal and Horace looked every part the handsome knight he was. Will and Halt descended from the ship along with Gundar. Halt greeted Cassandra before moving on to a man wearing ranger's cloak that I didn't recognize. "Crowley," Halt said, "I will give you our report personally, and I have an item that will interest you and the King."

"Welcome back", Crowley said warmly, "I think the report can wait until after the feast."

Horace's stomach growled, "Food," he said hopefully.

Will laughed saying, "Lets hurry up and unload the ship and then go feed Horace before he starts consuming everyone around him. Your crew are of course invited Gundar."

"Well be glad to be there," the Skandian replied.

It took half the afternoon to unload all the horses; the new ones particularly hated the crane we used to hoist them off the deck. Ishea was running around trying to calm them all at once with Horace, the rangers, and I assisting. Finally all the horses were all back on solid ground before we moved off to Redmont.

The feast that night contained some of the best food I had ever eaten. Jenny and Master Chub created a feast completely made out of pies. There were meat pies of many kinds as well as cream pies, and fruit pies. My favorite was the chocolate cream pie, Ishea liked the fruit pies and ate so much that she nearly turned green and exploded. Halt was quietly sharing a pie with lady Pauline who seemed very happy to have her husband back safely. Alyss was talking to Will who were sharing a cherry pie with lots of whipped cream. Cassandra and Horace were very happily sampling different pies and there were many other noblemen of the court eating different kinds of pie.

Late that night when we were all going home from the delightful feast, I rode alongside Ishea and helped herd all the new horses back to Old Bob's house. Ishea was happily describing the plans she had for breeding and raising the new colts. Some of the horses would be given to the horse-master at Redmont, but most would stay with the rangers. The sky was clear, the moon was full, and the insects were singing their interesting songs. We herded the horses into the fenced field before I dismounted and hugged my new friend fiercely. "We won't see each other as much now, " I said.

"It will be ok," Ishea said, "we have a lifetime to be together and we'll be busy; I wouldn't want it any other way.

I just hugged my friend as words failed me and Ishea stroked my hair giving me the comfort I desperately needed. "Go," she said, " Become a ranger, earn your oak leaf and I will be the there to celebrate your rightful earning of the bronze oak leaf."

"Thank you," I said, the words were so inadequate for my feelings but Ishea nodded and she understood. "Good luck to you as well, enjoy the new colts."

Ishea smiled and said, "I'll see you soon."

Then I mounted my horse and rode off turning around in the saddle to watch Ishea grow smaller. I waved goodbye one last time before clapping my heels to Coconuts flanks and racing home, back to my mentor and my training, with the promise in my heart to see my best friend soon.

Several months later

I rode home from the gathering side by side with Will. I had passed my first year trials with flying colors and I had the comfortable weight of the bronze oak leaf resting around my neck. I smiled and turned to Will saying challengingly, "I'll race you the last few kilometers to the cabin."

Will tossed back, "Your on" and we took off, it was a long race, close to 10 kilometers, but ranger horses were bred for distances. We stayed close until we both caught sight of our home and we urged our horses to their fastest. Coconut and I sailed past the cabin half a pace before Tug and Will did. I dismounted laughing and heard another musical laugh I knew so well.

"Ishea," I cried, "you're here." We laughed and talked about everything that had happened since we saw each other last. I smiled as I looked around my new home; all was well.

finis

Hay the story is done. OMG this has spanned a year of my life. I'm rereading the beginning of my story to make sure I wrapped everything up and I realize I've changed so much since I started my story. Thank you everyone who has reviewed and stayed with me through periods of no updates. Thank you guest for your review; I will take your critiques into consideration when writing my next story. Anyone like star wars? My oneshot continuation of this story featuring Halt will be up soon, hopefully next Friday. Thank you so much everyone who has read this story and I appreciate you guys so much.

Wolfdragonz