Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter two of "To the Sea." This chapter introduces Bow, Adora, Spirit, Arrow, and Kowl. There is some Bow/Adora as well. Stay tuned for chapter three.
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Chapter 2: In the Stable
A gray rat ran across the garden. It ducked under a bush to shield itself from the rain. It was slightly smaller than a brown rat. It was gray all over with the exception of its paws being white. It happened to not have as many whiskers as its Earth cousin did. Its tail was pink and completely devoid of fur, except for the base of it.
The rat raced to the stable and went underneath the door. It had twelve stalls on either side of the center aisle. Eight horses were on the right while six horses were on the left. Each stall had upper and lower doors that could be opened separately as well as food dishes and water pails. Plastic containers holding grain and feed supplements were stored in the back.
Spirit watched the rat pass him from the eighth stall on the left. He glanced at Arrow, who was in the ninth stall on the same side. Their ears perked up at the sound of the rain pounding on the roof. Lightning flashed, followed by a loud clap of thunder. Another thunderclap came, this one being quieter. Arrow turned toward his water pail and started drinking.
Spirit shifted his attention toward the floor in the center aisle. He remembered all the times he listened to storms rage outside the stable in the Whispering Woods and here. He had never been fond of the rain pounding on the roof or the wind blowing it inside. He was fortunate he never had to listen the window doors bang against the sides due to the wind because they would be locked down tight.
His thoughts shifted to the palace residents. He hoped they were getting some sleep, despite the storm. This was especially true for Apollo and Lisa as they needed to get as much as possible due to their young ages. He remembered when both children slept for many hours as newborn babies. He loved watching them in their cribs.
Spirit heard a bang. He turned to see Bow, Adora, and Kowl approach the stable door while wearing cloaks. Kowl was flying next to the rebel leader. Bow unlocked it and opened it, its hinges squeaking slightly. They went inside, and he closed it with a loud slam. He locked it. They threw off their hoods and looked at the rain. Kowl touched the top of his head with both hands.
"Damn. That storm is just crazy!" Kowl shouted in amazement.
"There have been worse storms than this on Etheria, Kowl," Bow responded truthfully.
"Remember that cyclone that hit the cove bordering the Whispering Woods last year?" Adora asked, glancing at him.
"Boy, do I remember that one! The wind was so strong that a number of trees fell over. The rain caused some of the rivers to flood," Kowl admitted, shuddering badly.
"One of the trees landed on the stable's roof. It settled on that thing without falling through it," Adora added.
"This stable's roof is made of metal. There are no trees surrounding it," Kowl pointed out.
"That won't prevent debris from blowing inside," Bow commented and placed his hands on his sides. "No way, no how."
Bow, Adora, and Kowl glanced at Spirit and Arrow. The stallions whinnied as their owners went to the them and petted them. They swiveled their ears, his tail swinging from side to side.
"Hello, Spirit, Arrow," Adora greeted very sweetly.
"Hello yourself, Adora," Spirit responded and raised his head somewhat. "Can't sleep?"
"No. A loud thunderclap woke Apollo up. He started crying, causing us to wake up. The same happened to Lisa. Sea Hawk, Mina, Madame Razz, Broom, and Kowl were already awake. Kowl came with us to check on you while the others stayed inside to watch the kids," Bow explained.
Spirit whickered. "I see."
"I bet you are having a hard time sleeping yourselves," Kowl suggested.
"Unfortunately, we are," Spirit admitted in annoyance. "We can't stand the rain pounding on the roof. The fact it is metal makes it worse."
Bow shrugged. "We didn't build this stable."
Kowl raised his eyebrows. "By the way, Adora, Arrow seems to enjoy nibbling on your sleeve."
Adora looked down to see Arrow nibbling on her sleeve. She took it out of his mouth and narrowed her eyes at him. He looked at her innocently and nuzzled her neck. She flicked one of his ears before moving her hand toward his neck to scratch it.
"You know, it doesn't seem so long ago when Arrow would snap at me every time that I came near him. He didn't trust me," Adora said.
"Yeah, but look at him now. He trusts you completely, and it's because you showed him kindness and love," Bow pointed out.
"We've all seen our fair share of horses that were ruined because of their cruel owners," Kowl said sadly while shaking his head in disbelief.
"It's terrible anyone would treat horses like they were nothing. They're beautiful, intelligent creatures. They remember things for a very long time. They deserve to be treated with respect, not cruelty," Adora whispered, letting out a frustrated sigh.
"Some of the horses we rescued from appalling conditions carry scars of their ordeal. The most amazing thing is they trust us, despite their pasts," Bow said.
"Animals are the most forgiving beings ever," Kowl said with a small smile. He blinked three times. "They'll trust people, even after being beaten, shot at, or having stuff thrown at them. For some, it takes time to gain their trust, but it does happen."
Kowl flew over to Arrow's nose and sat on it. Arrow felt his feathers tickle it and sneezed, sending him crashing into the wall. Kowl began to climb onto the lower door, but he fell down midway up it. He tried again and managed to get there.
"Remind me to never get on a horse's nose again," Kowl muttered with a nervous chuckle.
"We will unless you want to see birds on your head!" Bow joked and ruffled his best friend's feathers. "Oh, yes."
Kowl blew a raspberry at Bow, who retaliated by smacking him in the back of his head. Adora stifled a giggle or two, causing Bow to look at her.
"Adora, I was wondering. Would you like to go for a ride with me in the Evergreen Forest tomorrow?" Bow asked.
"I'd love to, Bow. It is supposed to be sunny tomorrow," Adora replied, smiling lightly.
"You'd better watch the trees. They could come to life and grab you two!" Kowl joked and imitated a tree's branches coming to life and trying to grab whatever was in its reach.
"Maybe one of those trees could pick up a few rocks and start juggling them. You could join in on the juggling, Bow," Spirit said and smirked.
"You wish, Spirit," Bow retorted and scoffed. "You wish."
Arrow whinnied softly and nibbled on Adora's hair. She laughed lightly as she pulled it out of his mouth and scratched his chin.
"I've got something for you, Arrow," Adora said, reaching into her pocket to pull out a carrot. She waved it in the air. "Look."
Arrow whinnied in much excitement. Adora took it away when he tried to grab it. She chuckled and tossed it into the air. He caught it easily and chewed it up, swallowing with a loud gulp. She petted him between the ears, getting a gentle nudge in the chest from him. Spirit smiled at the two of them.
"You two look really sweet together," Spirit burred.
"Thanks, Spirit. I hope you aren't getting jealous," Adora giggled.
Spirit shook his head. "No way. I could never be jealous of the other horses. You have a right to hang around them whenever you want. Of course, I can't count the number of times you've gotten a kick in the pants by one of the other horses."
Adora rolled her eyes. She didn't like it when Spirit reminded her of all the times she was kicked in the pants by a horse. Still, she understood that horses were entitled to have a bad day every now and then. In turn, she did her best to give them their space. Sometimes, it wasn't enough. She'd still be kicked.
"The nakakikos are likely out this time of night on Etheria," Kowl commented.
"It is interesting that critter looks a lot like a panda. It has the extra wristbone to help it grab food," Adora explained.
"With the nakakiko being a nocturnal species, it is rare to see them foraging," Bow added. "The only time they forage during the day is if they are very hungry. Other than that, they just sleep with the exception of cubs and their mothers playing together."
"I'd love to be a nakakiko. There's nothing more I'd love to do than lounge around and do nothing," Adora said.
"Me too," Bow agreed.
"Maybe Madame Razz could turn you into nakakikos. Then you can experience life as one!" Kowl joked.
"Then she can turn you into one!" Bow smirked and poked the owl's beak with his finger.
"She'll have to catch me first!" Kowl shouted and flew above the archer's head.
"She can with a freezing spell," Bow retorted and laughed. "Then Broom and the Twiggets can tie you to a tree, so you can't get away!"
Kowl put his fingers in his ears and stuck his tongue out at Bow. He moved his head back and forth, making funny noises. Bow tried to grab at him, but the owl moved aside, laughing loudly. Adora put her hand over her mouth, stifling a giggle.
"I swear, you two are the biggest goofballs I have ever seen," Adora said and slapped her hand against her leg.
"Thanks, Adora. Of course, Bow is a bigger goofball than I am," Kowl chuckled.
"I am not," Bow replied.
"You are too," Kowl smirked.
Bow growled. "I am not."
Kowl blew a raspberry. "You are too."
Bow smacked Kowl in the back of his head, only to get one to his cheek in retaliation. He pretended to punch him in the stomach before giving him a noogie. Kowl ruffled his hair.
"It doesn't feel like eighteen months since Apollo was born. It feels like only yesterday," Adora said, warmth showing in her voice.
"I feel that way too, darling," Bow said, taking her hands into his. "He is growing up so fast. He will be riding horses before we know it."
"Once he is of driving age, he will learn to drive vehicles here," Kowl added as he pointed his finger at the ground.
"I have little doubt we will be living here permanently by then," Adora said, sighing contently. "I am looking forward to that day."
Bow smiled. "I am too. Eternia will have two more warriors to join the fight against Skeletor and his minions."
"I am so glad we had a period of quiet that allowed us to come here. I miss being here so much," Adora commented.
"Who doesn't?" Spirit asked with a whicker. "I miss seeing my family on Unicorn Island. However, I am seeing them after this little vacation is over."
Kowl frowned a bit. "Unfortunately, peaceful moments can be quite rare in times of war. It was hard dealing with Etherians who are reluctant to join our fight for freedom in the beginning."
"It was harder for me because many Etherians didn't trust me," Adora said, a heavy sigh leaving her mouth.
"It isn't easy for oppressed people to trust anyone, especially when they've been mistreated for so long," Bow pointed out.
Adora sniffled. "Their distrust hurt me so much. I kept wishing for them to realize it."
Bow took his wife into his arms as she let out a soft sob. She wrapped hers around her husband's waist. He rocked her from side to side. He whispered inaudible words to her.
"You do the best you can to gain people's trust. That is the only thing required of you, Adora," Bow whispered lovingly as he pushed her back to look her in the eye.
"I know," Adora agreed. "It can be hard sometimes."
"Anything can. We must take each day as it comes," Spirit pointed out matter-of-factly.
"Spirit is right," Kowl agreed. "When you have a bad day, there is always tomorrow to have—"
"A better one," Adora finished.
"You really shouldn't finish my sentences, Adora," Kowl responded in mock anger.
"Sorry. I can't help it," Adora said with a giggle. She started talking about the time Spirit got spooked by a snake.