The Deal - a Star Stable story
Mar 8, 2019 16:26:21 GMT 10
Drahoslava Serpentmother, leiladreamray, and 1 more like this
Post by meh meh on Mar 8, 2019 16:26:21 GMT 10
Sunlight streamed through the open barn windows, energizing the pale Fjord as he paced his stall. Once in a while he would pause, swivelling both ears to the doors, hoping to catch any sound.
Where was she? he wondered to himself as he began to prance in place. This was the third time this week she'd been late for their afternoon ride together. What could possibly be keeping her?
His ears suddenly pricked forward as far as they could go. Footsteps crunched against the gravel and then the barn doors groaned as they were rolled open. His blue eyes sparked as he watched the human girl lead a tall, brown stallion inside and to the empty stall next to his own.Where was she? he wondered to himself as he began to prance in place. This was the third time this week she'd been late for their afternoon ride together. What could possibly be keeping her?
“Molly, I have some ideas on what we could do today!” the Fjord spoke quickly in a melodious nicker. “We could some mountain climbing in the Valley—” he started while the girl, Molly, began to untack the other stallion, “—and how in Jorvik does Gavin keep forgetting his own duties? He could use more of our assistance. Oh!” he added as Molly pulled out a carrot from one pocket of her crimson shirt, slipping out of the first stall and into his own. “And I believe I overheard Maya talking about the next championship in—mmmff!” he tried saying through the treat now stuffed in his mouth.
“Thank you,” grumbled a black spotted pony across from them. “He wouldn't shut up or stop stomping around the entire time you were gone.”
The Fjord gobbled up the carrot as fast as he could and opened his jaws to speak again.
“Look, Flurry,” Molly said wearily, “I know we haven't had as much riding time together lately, but Lupin and I are exhausted. If you want, I can take you out to the pasture so you can stretch your legs.”
The white Fjord, Flurry, hid his disappointment with a soft nicker. “Oh, okay, sure. I mean, you two probably need your rest, that's more important, right?” Flurry said nothing more as the girl slipped a dark halter over his head and he was now being led from his stall through the barn. Soon they were out in the cool, late winter air, and Flurry's legs ached to run, though he forced himself to keep at a steady walk beside Molly as she turned him out into the vast paddock with several other horses. A light breeze ruffled his forelock as he gazed after her when she turned and trudged back to the stable.
“Missed your ride again, aye?” a deep whicker sounded near him, and a huge chestnut stallion walked up to Flurry, his short flaxen mane billowing in the breeze.
Flurry heaved a sigh. “She's never late for our rides...do you know what's been going on lately? I've never seen her look so tired, either.”
“I'm afraid I can't tell you,” the chestnut, Harold, said. “Only Molly can share with you when she's ready.”
But Flurry wanted Molly to tell him. He wanted nothing more than to help her in any way he could and make her happy. Sighing again, softly this time, he gave in and turned to graze with the others.
After Molly had entered the barn again, she strode back into Lupin's stall and leaned back against the wall, sliding to the floor, the straw rustling as she did so.
“How come he got his carrot first?” the stallion snorted. When his rider dug into her pocket and pulled out another carrot, Lupin snatched it from her flattened palm, crunching it in his mouth. “Thank you.”
“What are we going to do now?” Molly barely whispered, turning her grey-blue eyes up to look into Lupin's gold.
“There's nothing more we can do until we're needed again,” the stallion nickered. “You know that, too.”
“I still can't believe she's...gone.”
Lupin softened his gaze and he tucked his long legs underneath his great body, lying beside her. “She sacrificed herself to save you and Alex because she believed so strongly in the sisterhood. She didn't have any other choice. And didn't Darko get what he deserved for trying to get to Alex?” As he watched tears stream down the girl's face, he lowered his head to nudge her closer, and Molly buried her face into his sandy mane, wailing.
Later, that night, the sky had become a deep purple with a few solitary stars twinkling above. In the pasture, each horse dozed. Except for one.
Flurry's hooves beat the turf as he trotted along the rails. He didn't seem to hear the other horses' complaints as they tried to sleep, so he broke into a quick canter. The wind sang in his ears as he ran, its wild song filling his heart and pumping his legs.
“Flurry.”
The voice made him slide to a halt, and luckily he was far enough away from bumping into any other horse. As he'd been running, he hadn't noticed the cream mare now standing just outside the paddock until she'd spoken his name.
“Mother!” Flurry nickered jovially, trotting up to her and nuzzling her over the top rail. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see you again,” the creamy Fjord mare said, her amber eyes sparkling.
“You must have traveled far. Wouldn't it be faster to get on the ferry?”
“Humans do not allow horses to travel by ferry!” she snorted with amusement.
“Molly and I use the ferries all the time.”
“But a single horse? With no rider?”
“Oh. Right.”
“You still have much to learn,” she said gently. Then, casting swift glances around, and seeing nohorse else looking their way, she added, “Come with me.”
Flurry startled. “You mean...out of the pasture? Away from the Farm?”
“We won't be long. I wanted to show you something.”
Should he do this? Though Flurry missed his dam terribly, he could never imagine leaving Molly and the other horses, even if it were for only a short time. But he also knew he could never convince his mother, who'd been born and ran free her whole life, to join him in a stall or pasture, to live with humans.
“We'll be back before your girl misses you,” she told him.
Her voice was drawing him in, he couldn't deny, as it always had, since he was foaled. And he would always know the way back to his home again. Turning around, Flurry trotted away before heading back at a gallop, and he cleared the wooden rails easily, landing heavily beside his dam. She half-reared, then leading him away into the chilled night.
As they raced, Flurry spied the ring of tall stones looming in the distance. They galloped closer still, and he tried to keep up with his mother as she suddenly pulled ahead, soon leaving him behind.
How had she gotten so fast? Flurry couldn't recall when he ran free with her last, but he wasn't really this slow, was he?
Flurry ran harder when he saw her dart behind one of the stones just ahead, and he snorted with determination. Maybe she just wanted to play hide and seek!
“Ha!” he whinnied, coming up to the stone she'd hidden behind. “I found...” he trailed off, slowing to a trot around the rock as he swivelled his ears and tilted his head in confusion, “...you?” he asked nohorse.
She couldn't have just vanished, Flurry told himself. Her coat was nearly as pale as his own, how did he not see her?
His nostrils quivered and he lowered his head to the ground, but his heart began hammering in sudden panic.
He couldn't detect her scent, now, either.
You still have much to learn, her voice echoed in his mind, and Flurry forced his panic down. Maybe he was just out of practice and she wanted to test him. He could now see something in the ground, though...
Hoofprints!“Mother!” Flurry nickered jovially, trotting up to her and nuzzling her over the top rail. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see you again,” the creamy Fjord mare said, her amber eyes sparkling.
“You must have traveled far. Wouldn't it be faster to get on the ferry?”
“Humans do not allow horses to travel by ferry!” she snorted with amusement.
“Molly and I use the ferries all the time.”
“But a single horse? With no rider?”
“Oh. Right.”
“You still have much to learn,” she said gently. Then, casting swift glances around, and seeing nohorse else looking their way, she added, “Come with me.”
Flurry startled. “You mean...out of the pasture? Away from the Farm?”
“We won't be long. I wanted to show you something.”
Should he do this? Though Flurry missed his dam terribly, he could never imagine leaving Molly and the other horses, even if it were for only a short time. But he also knew he could never convince his mother, who'd been born and ran free her whole life, to join him in a stall or pasture, to live with humans.
“We'll be back before your girl misses you,” she told him.
Her voice was drawing him in, he couldn't deny, as it always had, since he was foaled. And he would always know the way back to his home again. Turning around, Flurry trotted away before heading back at a gallop, and he cleared the wooden rails easily, landing heavily beside his dam. She half-reared, then leading him away into the chilled night.
As they raced, Flurry spied the ring of tall stones looming in the distance. They galloped closer still, and he tried to keep up with his mother as she suddenly pulled ahead, soon leaving him behind.
How had she gotten so fast? Flurry couldn't recall when he ran free with her last, but he wasn't really this slow, was he?
Flurry ran harder when he saw her dart behind one of the stones just ahead, and he snorted with determination. Maybe she just wanted to play hide and seek!
“Ha!” he whinnied, coming up to the stone she'd hidden behind. “I found...” he trailed off, slowing to a trot around the rock as he swivelled his ears and tilted his head in confusion, “...you?” he asked nohorse.
She couldn't have just vanished, Flurry told himself. Her coat was nearly as pale as his own, how did he not see her?
His nostrils quivered and he lowered his head to the ground, but his heart began hammering in sudden panic.
He couldn't detect her scent, now, either.
You still have much to learn, her voice echoed in his mind, and Flurry forced his panic down. Maybe he was just out of practice and she wanted to test him. He could now see something in the ground, though...
He circled the stone again, following the trail of unshod prints in the dirt. The more he tracked, the larger and wider they seemed to grow.
That couldn't be right. Unless a bigger horse passed through here before they had? Flurry was also aware of the wild ponies that roamed the peninsula, but their own hooves were close to the size of his own. Maybe his mother had been walking along these tracks to mask hers.
He followed them still, around more stones, and underneath and leaping over the gnarled roots of the ancient tree, and still the prints grew. That's when he realized that he was leaving his own prints inside these ones, and seeing none that belonged to his dam. Wouldn't her hooves have left marks in them like his just did?
“I just wanted to see you again...”
Her voice stopped him, and Flurry cast wild glances all around, but he saw nohorse.
“I know, Mother,” Flurry said. “I've wanted to see you, too—”
“How could you have left me behind?”
Flurry felt a squeeze in his chest, and confusion clouded his voice. “I...I didn't leave you, I thought you understood how much Molly meant to me.”
“Oh, I do...”
“Then...”
“That's why I needed to see you...” her voice suddenly deepened, and a throaty chuckle bubbled all around him.It wasn't his mother.
It never was this whole night.
Flurry's heart thundered against his ribs in terror. Turning to gallop away—
—he slid to a sudden halt just in front of the huge, black mare who'd just appeared out of nowhere.
“Th-the Dark M-Mare,” Flurry stuttered, starting to back away.
“Oh now,” the black mare's deep nicker soothed as she stalked closer, “there's no need to be shy. I thought you'd be glad to see me with what you so desire in your soul.”
“Where's my dam?” Flurry knew it sounded foalish of him for saying so, but had the Dark Mare done something to hurt her? “Why are you here now? It's not—”
The big, black horse rolled her dark eyes. “Your mother is a spirited one. I hadn't enough magic nor speed to keep up with or track her, I only needed to change my form into hers so that I could come and help you,” she finished, her voice softening and stopping Flurry.
“Help me?” the pale Fjord echoed. “I don't—why would I need—” he struggled for words as the witch's gaze held his own. “I've heard all about you...what you and your rider did to all those people and their horses, stealing their lives and trapping them in your world!”
“Ah, then you've also heard that we're only capable of such deeds during a certain time of the year?”
Flurry halted. She was right. She couldn't hurt him or anyhorse else now, the time had already passed, and he hadn't spotted her rider, Galloper Thompson himself. And Flurry was in the presence of the ancient tree, the Dark Mare wouldn't dare use her magic on him here. Would she?
“I...” Flurry started, his voice shaking. “I have to get back, now, Molly—”
“Ohhh yes, the lovely girl you so fondly spoke of,” the huge mare cut in, moving to block his path as she towered over him. “You two must share quite the special bond.”
Flurry's heart quickened when he pictured Molly's beaming face as she readied to saddle and bridle him for their—
...no, not him, but Lupin.
“Why so glum, little gull?” the black mare wondered, feigning a pout when she noticed his expression changed.
“My...” Flurry started quietly, “my bond with Molly isn't as special as Lupin's bond with her. He's her soulhorse.”
“Now, who ever said that a rider could have only one soulhorse?” the Dark Mare asked, the corners of her mouth curling up.
Flurry tilted his head slightly. “What do you mean?”
“I can grant your wish.”
Her words made him freeze, and Flurry could only stare up at her in disbelief. Could she really? Was it possible? Or was she lying? But to be a rider's soulhorse...Molly's soulhorse...what must it feel like? Flurry had always envied and looked up to Lupin, though stubborn and arrogant as the brown stallion could be, he still cared deeply for Molly and the herd. He was their leadstallion.
But if Flurry were to become Molly's second soulhorse, what would that mean for Lupin? Would his bond with his soulrider be any different?
“I...I don't know,” Flurry began softly. “Lupin...he won't get hurt, will he?” he asked, his voice quaking. “He'll still be Molly's first soulhorse, right?”
“Of course, my dear,” the black mare said. “However, I must request that I remain in the stables as a member if your herd. I will be changing my form, of course, so nohorse will feel the need to panic.”
“You want to stay with us? Why?”
“It's nothing, really, just to ensure that your wish is just as you've dreamed.”
Flurry's heart raced. He was really going to become Molly's soulhorse! Well, second, but still!
“Have we got a deal?” the mare asked, leaning forward.
Flurry suddenly flicked one ear back, listening to the creaks and groans of the ancient tree behind him as the wind rushed through its roots and branches.
“I'll do it!” Flurry exclaimed. He then startled when the witch mare suddenly leaned down, pressing her wide forehead to his and her eyes began to glow a brilliant orange. He shut his own eyes tight when a bright flash swallowed them. When he opened his eyes again, no longer feeling her touch, Flurry flinched in surprise at what he now saw.
Her bulk had disappeared. The Dark Mare's once-upright mane was now long and wavy, as was her tail. Her thick, feathered legs now slender like the rest of her body, and her coarse head had become fine.
“No rider would resist turning away a beautiful Friesian, would they?” she nickered. Even her deep voice was now as silky as her new mane.
“Wow,” Flurry breathed, unsure what else to add as he stared at her as she pranced around him.
“Shall we head back to your soulrider?”
His soulrider! Whinnying, Flurry half-reared and galloped beside the black mare, back to the Farm.
They slowed to a canter before stopping a distance away from the large corral. Most horses still stood sleeping, though none seemed to notice their approach.
“Am I really Molly's new soulhorse?” Flurry asked her. “I don't feel any different.”
“You will feel the effect once she mounts you next,” she explained. “But,” she cautioned, “it must be within a single day, before the next nightfall.”
Flurry's mind reeled. He only had one day to get Molly to ride him...and only then would their souls be truly bonded.
He went to move again, then stopped to glance back up at the black mare. “Oh, I uh, hadn't thought about how everyhorse else might react to seeing you, even like this. I mean...Molly thinks Friesians are too...fancy,” he finished with a crooked smile.
“Hmm,” the Dark Mare hummed in thought. “Perhaps there is a way they will take me in...” she trailed off, flashing her teeth in a grin.
Flurry jerked awake, gasping. Sunlight streamed all over the Farm, and the horses in the paddock grazed and groomed one another peacefully. Two Icelandic horses, Sonny and Sunny, tolted after each other until they halted before Flurry.
“Flurry!” Sonny, a dark bay, exclaimed. “Why'd ya sleep in?” he asked, tilting his dark head one way.
“Yeah,” Sunny, a white-grey mare, added. “You're always the first one up.” She tilted her head the other way.
“Oh, I...” Flurry trailed off, his heart and mind still racing. How had he ended up back in the pasture? He couldn't recall jumping back in, and it was day already. And where was...
...had he just been dreaming? He cast wild glances to look around, but the black mare was nowhere in sight.
“I must've been dreaming and slept in,” he concluded softly.
“That must be some dream!” both Icelandics exclaimed in unison.
All of the horses suddenly grew quiet, their ears swivelling towards the rumbling of the truck and trailer at the edge of the Farm. They watched as a tall human girl jumped out of the truck and striding to the back of the trailer. Lowering the ramp, she began to lead a lean, black mare out.
Flurry's heart thundered in his chest again. It was her. It wasn't just a dream, was it?
He couldn't focus on what the other horses were nickering to each other, all he could do was stare at the dark Friesian.
She wasn't jet-black, like most Friesians. Dark speckles lightly dotted her back and sides, and subtle streaks of crimson shone in her mane and tail in the light of the sun. As the girl led her closer, the other horses could see that one of her hind legs had been bandaged up, and she walked with a slight limp.
Flurry's heart sank. It must have just been a dream, after all. The Dark Mare wouldn't find a way to injure herself just to stay with them. He wasn't really Molly's soulhorse.
Sonny and Sunny turned to look back at him. “It's okay, Flurry! Maybe Molly will still have time to ride you later,” Sunny reassured him.
“Are you kidding?” Sonny said, tossing his dark forelock. “She's gonna spend all day with a horse like—ow!” he squealed when Sunny nipped him.
“It's fine if she does,” Flurry said quietly, dipping his white head low, turning to walk away. He stopped, however, when he heard the barn doors squeal open, and his heart fluttered at the sight of...her.
Molly and Maya jogged over to the other girl as she led the Friesian mare closer. Flurry couldn't tell what any of them were saying, for they were too far for him to catch their words, but Molly spoke with an urgency as she tied back her tangled brown hair, and Maya was nodding to her and the other girl. Molly then turned around to run to the pasture, and the closer she came, Flurry noticed she was carrying a dark halter.
“Flurry,” she called, opening the gate and rushing inside.
Lowering his head, he stepped forward and stood quietly while Molly slipped the gear over his ears and face.
“Today's going to be a big day,” she told him, her eyes shining.
“I know,” Flurry whispered as he followed her out of the paddock.
“Why are you such a slow-poke this morning?” she teased him. “I thought you might be looking forward to this.”
“I just want you to be happy,” he whispered plaintively.
Molly led him into the stable and tied the lead rope to the bars of one of the stalls, and rushed to the tack room, soon darting back out with a black leather saddle with blue padding and a black bridle. Flurry's heart quickened when she placed the saddle onto his broad back.
“I'm sorry we couldn't go out riding yesterday,” Molly apologized as she tightened the girth around Flurry's round belly. “Lupin and I were talking last night and...well, I'm not going to be busy today, so I thought we could go out. How's that sound?” she asked, removing the halter and slipping on the bridle as he accepted the bit.
“Oh,” Flurry hushed, widening his pale blue eyes in surprise. “That's...that's okay! You don't have to be sorry,” he added, returning a smile. “And where did you have in mind?”
“Why don't you decide today?” Molly asked, stepping into the left stirrup and hoisting herself up onto his back.
Flurry froze as a sudden warmth spread all across his body, and he gasped lightly when it reached the core of his very being.
“Are you okay?” Molly wondered.
Did she not feel it? Is this what Lupin felt when Molly first rode him? And no...her name...her true name, her soulrider name...it was—
“Flurry?” she asked, snapping him out of his trance.
“Oh! Sorry, I was just thinking...” Flurry trailed off as he attempted to process what just happened. What he'd just felt...he never felt anything like it before when she rode him...did that mean...?
“Well?” Molly asked him again, gently nudging his sides with her legs.
“Are there any competitions coming up?” Flurry wondered quickly.
“Not until sometime this afternoon.”
“Where's the first one? Maybe we could practice the track before the race starts.”
“At Silverglade.”
“Oh, that's the easiest race!” Flurry tossed his forelock, nickering as he finally started walking out of the stable.
When Maya came forward, she was leading the Friesian mare inside as Flurry carried Molly out. When Flurry locked eyes with the black horse, she winked at him.
Flurry's heart beat faster and he cast her a beaming smile, his blue eyes shining. It worked. It wasn't just a dream. What he felt when Molly mounted him even proved it. He really was her soulhorse!
“So,” Molly began, “which way did you wanna taaAKE!” she finished, screaming as Flurry suddenly charged ahead. She gripped the reins and part of his spiked mane as he galloped on.
He carried her down the road that split the Farm, towards the ferry landing and making a sharp right turn. Flurry's hooves ate at the sand as he galloped along the beach, startling some gulls as they'd been trying to dine on their oysters and clams. The grey and white birds cried in protest as they launched themselves out of the way, and Flurry flicked his ears back to hear Molly's laughter.
His heart swelled at the joyous sound, and he ran faster, turning to the shallow water and sending a light spray of the sea up to shower his rider. Molly whooped, urging him on, and Flurry galloped around the rocks that lay in the sand and sea.
Molly closed her eyes against the wind, breathing in the salty air deeply as Flurry ran on...
—until she suddenly pulled back on the reins, making Flurry slide to a halt and sending a wave of sand ahead.
“What's wrong?” the Fjord asked her. “Why'd we stop? I thought you would've loved this.”
“I did...I do...I just—” Molly stuttered as they both caught their breaths. “This isn't exactly the way to Silverglade Village, is it?” she reminded him. “I thought we were going to practice the track before the race starts.”
“Right, right, we are,” Flurry said quickly. “I just thought it might be nice if we began our ride at the side of the sea.”
“Well, it was nice,” Molly answered with a small smile. “But...don't take off like that again without warning me first.”
Molly had lost count how many times they ran the track, but Flurry insisted they keep going. His turns were becoming sharper and more precise, and he sailed over each obstacle with ease, though she had to stop him so he could get his rest and some water before the competition began.
Flurry could barely contain his excitement as his legs trembled. When the countdown for the race signalled the start, he launched ahead of the other horses and their riders.
They came in fourth place. Flurry's mind raced as he and Molly breathed deeply, watching as three other girls were awarded their ribbons.
“We were so close to getting a ribbon,” Molly gasped lightly.
“It could've been our first together,” Flurry answered, his eyes shining as he puffed. “But wasn't that great? Running with the others and feeling that thrill?”
Molly cast her eyes down to meet his. “It was,” she said, smiling. “You really ran your heart out today.” She reached down with one hand to stroke his neck.
“So what are we going to do next—”
“Easy there, what we're going to do next is get you rested up and fed.”
Flurry dozed in the trailer as he dreamed about the day. Molly had looked so happy when she'd met up with some friends for their jumping lessons, when they debated over future plans at a picnic, and taking a relaxing trail ride through the Hollow Woods until it grew too dark.
When they finally reached the Farm again, Molly thanked the driver before leading Flurry out, and they walked slowly side by side down the path leading to the stable.
Flurry felt torn. Should he tell her? Did she already know? But she hadn't mentioned anything about it if she had felt their bond seal. And how would Lupin react if he told him?
He sucked in a deep breath. “M—Molly?”
“Yeah?”
“I...I really loved spending the day with you.”
“Me, too,” the girl beamed at him.
Flurry's heart quickened as he went on. “And when I'm with you, I feel like we could do anything together.”
“You certainly proved that at the race today,” Molly said, leading him into the barn. She greeted Maya, who was refilling the water buckets and hay nets for each stall. Molly removed his bridle and slipped the halter over his head, tying him to the bars and taking off the saddle.
“I wish we could do this every day,” Flurry whickered.
“Doesn't Maya take you out sometimes? She's a good rider too, isn't she?”
But Maya isn't a soulrider, Flurry wanted to say. “Yes, but I think I feel a strong connection with you when you ride me,” he blurted.
Molly paused on her way to the tack room as she carried the saddle and bridle back.
“Molly?”
She turned, a weird smile on her face. “Yeah?”
“Is something wrong? You—”
“I guess today just wore me out,” she said quickly. Molly turned to face Maya and asked her how the new mare was settling in, and Maya said that she'd just applied a new, clean bandage on the injured leg. “Looks like we'll be stuck with her for a while,” Molly joked half-heartedly. She looked back to Flurry and asked him, “Stall or pasture tonight?”
Craning his neck to glance behind him, Flurry didn't see Lupin in his stall, so he asked to be turned out in the pasture with the older stallion. Molly resumed her way to the tack room to put the gear away before heading back out, leading Flurry outside to the paddock. Suddenly, she stopped him before reaching the gate.
“Okay, what's going on?” she asked him, crossing her arms.
Flurry's heart thundered against his ribs. “Wh-what do you mean? Nothing's wrong or going on!”
“You didn't welcome the new mare like you always do with every...” Molly trailed off, raising one brow. “Ohhh I get it,” she added, narrowing her eyes.
Did she figure it out?! Flurry's mind raced with growing panic.
“I saw how you were staring at her before our ride earlier,” Molly accused him. “And now you're avoiding her.”
Flurry swallowed hard. “What are you talking about I was just excited about spending the whole day with my ffffavourite rider!”
“You're in love with her!” Molly teased, smiling.
Flurry hung his jaws open, stunned.
“C'mon, lover boy,” she snickered, leading him inside the paddock to the other horses. “Didn't wanna embarrass yourself in front of her yet? Was that why you took off in such a hurry?”
“Uhhh...”
“Maybe you'll get your chance to talk to her tomorrow, when she's gotten settled in.” Molly removed the halter and Flurry trotted stiffly away. When he turned to see her striding back to the barn, he heaved a sigh.
“In love with the new mare, eh?”
Flurry jumped. He hadn't heard Lupin sneak up beside him. The dark brown stallion grinned at him as his coat shone silver in the late-evening light.
“No,” Flurry insisted.
Lupin snorted. “Your secret's safe with me.” He turned to walk away to graze.
Flurry followed close behind. “Speaking of secrets, what kind would a horse share with his rider?” When Lupin raised his head high and gave him a look, Flurry took a step back. “Not that...I mean you and Molly, you don't have to...”
“What brought this up?” Lupin wondered, eyeing him curiously.
Flurry's heart fluttered as he recalled the day spent with his rider. “I just had such an amazing time today—”
“Shocking, like you always do?” Lupin snorted again, turning back to graze as Flurry rambled on.
“—and she's such a great rider, she was so happy, you should've been there to see her face when we finished the race, even though we didn't win...” Flurry trailed off, his jubilant voice turning softer, “she was still...happy...and she was...she was there...”
Lupin lifted his head slowly. The dark stallion now stared at Flurry with a bewildered expression. The older horse had never seen such utter despair in the Fjord's bright eyes, before.
“But she's not here anymore,” Flurry barely whispered.
“Flurry,” Lupin nickered cautiously, “what are you talking about? You saw her go back in the stable, didn't you?”
“She's not here,” the young horse choked. “I...I can't feel her anymore...”
Lupin's gold-brown eyes widened in horror. “What have you done?” he asked dangerously, laying his ears flat.
Flurry opened his jaws again to speak. Instead, he wailed.
“MY! MY! M—”
He was stopped when Lupin charged, baring his teeth and knocking Flurry to the ground, standing over him.
“Did she tell you her name?” Lupin snarled.
“No...”
“What's going on?!” frantic whinnies sounded as horses cantered closer.
“How do you know her soulrider name?” Lupin demanded.
Flurry's entire body trembled, and his eyes pleaded to Lupin's. “I need her...I'm...I'm her soulhorse...”
“That's impossible,” Lupin said, baring his teeth.
“Oh, my.”
The new voice caused everyhorse to turn their attentions to the dark mare standing just outside the corral. The Friesian horse watched them with amusement in her eyes while the others could only stare at her in disbelief.
“It seems as though our little Flurry's soul is aching to be with his rider,” the black mare said.
Lupin raised his head, arching his neck as he spied the mare. “What are you doing out here? With that bad leg, Molly should come looking for you.” He stepped away from Flurry, and the Fjord scrambled back to his hooves.
“As I expect her to,” the black horse chortled. She lightly kicked out her right hind leg, and the wrapping slid off easily, revealing no wounds. And every horse, excluding Flurry, gasped.
Lupin stomped a forehoof. “Who are you?” he demanded.
The black mare feigned a look of hurt. “Why, Lupin, I was so certain that you of all horses would recognize me,” she said, her brown eyes suddenly flashing bright orange. “Considering what you and your rider stole from me.” Her muscles then bulged as she suddenly grew taller, her mane shortened and stood upright, and she flashed her teeth in a wicked grin as Lupin's golden eyes widened with shock.
“She's back,” the stallion whispered hoarsely.
“HELGA!”
All the horses froze at the roaring neigh, and they all sidled out of the way as a huge chestnut stallion thundered towards them. His dark eyes flashed green as he slid to a halt in front of the Dark Mare. He laid his eared back and he reared, stomping both forehooves back to the ground.“It is no longer your time here!” he snorted in fury.
“Harold,” the black mare, Helga, nickered innocently, striding straight through the wooden rails of the pasture fence. “While that may be true, I'm not here to ferry the dead to my master's world. A horse and his rider have stolen something from us,” she added, stepping up to Lupin, towering over him, “and I intend to have them back.”
Lupin stood his ground as Helga leaned down, though his voice shook slightly. “We've stolen nothing from you—”
“The soul shards,” Helga cut in, her eyes boring into his own. “I know you still have two, and they belong to me.”
“What reason would they keep any of the shards from you?” Harold questioned her. “And haven't you collected more than enough already?”
“Why don't we ask her, then?” Helga suggested. “Call her.”
Before the brown stallion could speak, another voice broke the evening.
“My,” Flurry uttered the name desperately, and Helga's grin broadened when the girl burst from the stable, sprinting to the paddock.
Harold stomped one large forehoof, and all the other horses that had surrounded them before now vanished from sight, and the doors to the barn slammed shut, locking them inside.
“You two,” Harold tossed his head in frustration as Molly ducked through the paddock rails. “Are you not aware of the consequences of stealing from beings of magic?”
“The soul shards,” Helga repeated, staring into Molly's rounded eyes. “Give them to me.”
“I...” Molly stammered, “I don't have them.”
“Lying, are we?” the Dark Mare's smile stretched. “I thought you would've known better.”
“We gave them to the Druids,” Lupin said, his gaze and voice steadying as he moved to stand between Helga and his rider. “They're keeping the shards safe within the Stone Circle. You won't get them back.”
While Harold rolled his eyes and groaned, Helga stalked closer. “Is that so?” she wondered, then stepping up to Flurry, who cowered before her. Threads of flame flared from her locks, reaching for the Fjord until they entered his eyes, and he gasped, shivering.
“You are not to take his soul, now!” Harold snorted in warning.
“It's just as you said,” Helga began pleasantly, “there are consequences for those who steal from us. And it's not only his soul, my master is in need of loyal mounts. This one will be perfect for servitude.”
“Let him go!” Molly cried, rushing forward until Lupin blocked her path.
“No, My!” Flurry whinnied, stopping her.
“Wh...what did you call me?” she asked in disbelief. “How do you know...”
“Oh, hasn't he told you?” Helga beamed, releasing her magic on Flurry, who let out an explosive gasp. “This poor horse was so desperate to become your soulhorse that he and I struck a bargain.”
Lupin pawed the ground, laying his ears flat. Harold tossed an exasperated glance their way. Molly could only stare to Flurry and the Dark Mare.
“You did what?” the girl barely whispered, locking eyes with Flurry, who gazed back in longing.
“I didn't mean for it to turn out this way,” the pale Fjord hushed. “I just wanted for us to spend more time together...I wanted to share with you what you had with Lupin...don't you remember the fun we had today? Racing by the sea, and...My...your true name...it's My,” he added hopefully. “But...you didn't feel our bond seal, did you? When you first rode me this morning, our souls—”
“What are you talking about?” My choked. “You...you can't be my soulhorse.”
Her words made Flurry's heart stop, and his blue eyes rounded with shock.
“Oh dear,” Helga purred. “I forgot to mention the most important detail: only a Jorvik Warmblood can be a rider's true soulhorse, isn't that right?”
Flurry and My couldn't answer her, only looking to each other despairingly.
“And if you won't retrieve the soul shards for me,” the Dark Mare started, stepping to Flurry again, “then I will have this one.”
As she towered over him, Flurry tried to scream but his jaws were soon bound shut by ropes that had snaked out from behind Helga. A torn, ratted red blanket covered his back, followed by a dark, heavy saddle. The ropes then unwound from his muzzle, and a black bridle was forced over his head, the icy bit making him gasp as the cold seeped through his body.
He wanted to buck, but the weight was nearly unbearable, and he hung his head, drooping his ears. When Helga stalked closer, lowering her huge head to his, more flame-threads reached for Flurry's eyes. He tried to back away, but they trapped him once again, tugging him close.
“Stop!” My begged. “Please, don't hurt him. I'll take you to the shards if you let him go.”
“What are you doing, My?” Lupin snorted uneasily. “What if the Druids catch you?”
My didn't answer him, instead staring up to the black mare. “There won't be anyone there, now. No one will stop you from taking back the shards. I just want him back...please...”
“On one little condition,” Helga said, striding up to My. “That you ride me there...as my soulrider.” When the girl stared up to her in horror and Lupin snorted in rage, the Dark Mare added, “Oh don't you two fret, the bond will only last the ride there and back, until our return...” she trailed off, a deep chuckle rumbling in her throat, “and then I will return your own bonds...”
Lupin stomped a forhoof. “What do you mean, 'return our bonds'?”
“Exactly that.”
The brown stallion suddenly inhaled sharply, sinking to his knees as threads of light streamed from his golden eyes straight into Helga's.
“No!” Flurry whinnied in horror. He tried moving to Lupin, but the burden of the saddle and bridle made it impossible to move of his own will.
“Oh that reminds me,” Helga added, turning back to the Fjord, “you're still her soulhorse, too, aren't you? I'm going to take that back from you, as well, seeing as you won't be needing it anymore.”
“You can't do this to them...” Flurry choked before he, too, stumbled to his knees, and light trailed from his pale eyes to Helga's dark ones. His body trembled, and he no longer felt his connection with M...Molly.
His legs shook as he attempted to rise. Suddenly, the reins pulled him forward until they stopped him at the rails, and they tied around the top post.
“You'll be safe there until our return,” Helga smiled at him before facing the girl once again.
My looked up at her, glaring as tears cascaded down her face. “I hate you,” she growled to the mare, though she knew it sounded childish, she didn't care.
“Come, now,” Helga tutted, “is that any way to speak to your soulhorse?”
“You will never be any rider's soulhorse."
The Dark Mare's eyes flared orange, her smile becoming a deep scowl and she flattened her ears. My was then lifted from the ground and placed onto Helga's broad, bare back, and the big black horse let out an explosive snort before she charged, sailing over the paddock fence and galloping away into the night.
Flurry's heart ached as he watched them vanish, and his ears moved back to catch Lupin's laboured breathing.
The dark stallion struggled to stand. He cursed each time his legs gave out underneath him, and Harold strode up to him.
“Stay down,” the huge chestnut said. “You need your rest.”
“Oh now you're trying to help?” Lupin snapped.
“You know there was nothing I could have done,” Harold pointed out. “Especially considering the fact that you and your rider stole from her in the first place.”
“We didn't steal the shards. The portals to the Keep closed before we could trade them in, so we kept them.”
“Aye, by handing them over to the Druids?”
Lupin's vision swam before he could answer again, and he lay back down. “They wanted to know why Galloper was so intent on collecting the shards in the first place, so we offered the Druids the two we still possessed...aren't the shards fragments of bad memories left behind by the dead?” he asked Harold.
The big chestnut stallion heaved a sigh. “Yes, though even I do not know why Helga and her rider need them, so.”
You will never be any rider's soulhorse, Molly's words suddenly rang in Lupin's mind, and he cast a harsh glare at Flurry.
Harold caught the look. “You leave him be. He's been punished enough already—”
“My rider is gone because of him.”
“She will be returned to you, Lupin. Even the Dark Mare keeps her word.”
“You don't understand!” Lupin roared in fury. “You don't know what it's like being bonded with one rider for life, then having her taken away!”
Harold stomped both front hooves heavily. “And you've never felt the weight of Galloper's saddle nor the Dark Mare's magic on your soul. You will do nothing to Flurry.”
Lupin blew out a loud snort, but said nothing more. Harold ordered him again to get his rest, and the big horse walked over to where Flurry still stood tied.
“I'm sorry, Flurry,” Harold hushed. “I cannot remove the burden you now bear. Only Helga can, when she returns.”
Flurry hung his head, not meeting his gaze. “I deserve this...for what I did to them...”
“Nohorse deserves the agony of servitude to Galloper. And it wasn't your fault.”
“And Lupin and Molly didn't deserve to have their bond torn apart...it was all my fault...”
“Helga tricked you to get what she wanted.”
“But I still knew I should never have trusted her,” Flurry choked, his voice turning hoarse. Releasing a shaky sigh, he added, “And...” he started, turning his head slowly to look over to a spot on a nearby hill, “I can feel him calling me...”
Harold followed Flurry's gaze and shuddered. The young Fjord was staring to where one of the several portals to the Keep had been before they had closed, and the huge chestnut knew who 'him' was.
“Flurry, listen to me...look at me,” he commanded, turning the white horse's head away with his own. “Galloper will not have you. Helga will return soon and she will remove the saddle and bridle that bind you. You mustn't allow him to reach you.”
Flurry looked up into Harold's eyes in despair, then hung his head again.
“I know it's hard,” Harold nickered, “but you must ignore his calls.”
Such loyalty to your rider...
Flurry shivered violently, and his gaze was forced to look over to the hill once again, until Harold blocked his view.
...I could use another willing soul...
“No,” Flurry whispered, closing his eyes tight.
...though it's a shame you still have a streak of wildness in you...but that will be broken easily...
“Flurry.”
The Fjord's pale eyes shot open at the voice, and they now stared into familiar gold.
“Lupin,” Flurry croaked.
The brown stallion's legs shook slightly, but he stood tall and steady, holding Flurry's gaze with his own. “What have I told you about allowing strange horses into my herd?” he asked, raising one brow, the corners of his mouth curling up.
Flurry returned a small smile. “That it was your job.” He suddenly shivered again and shook his head, as if trying to clear the silent voice of Galloper pounding at his brain. “I'm scared,” he whimpered to Lupin. “I don't want to go...”
“Scared?” Lupin softly scoffed. “How could the bravest horse I know be scared?”
Flurry stared up to him now in disbelief. He, brave?
“Not many horses would stand up to the Dark Mare like that,” Lupin said. “Most would have the sense to run as soon as look at her.” When Flurry didn't respond, Lupin went on when the Fjord hung his head again. “What you did was foolish, and stupid. You not only endangered the bond that Molly and I shared, you also got yourself hurt, as well. And we wouldn't be the same herd without you.”
Lupin's words stunned Flurry. “But...there are plenty of other horses who would be better than me. You're right, I was a fool to trust her...”
“But then,” Lupin added holding Flurry's gaze again, “who else could Molly possibly ride after she's been working me too hard?” When Flurry remained silent, Lupin turned thoughtful. “Chip? The only racing that concerns him is to the last sugar cube. And Sonny and Sunny? Well, whenever Molly tries to call either of them it only gets confusing. Why do you think she always chooses you?”
When Flurry didn't know how to answer, Lupin responded for him.
“Because she knows that you'd do anything for her. Even competing against the best horses and riders when you know you have no chance at winning, you would still keep going for her. She loves you. She needs you.”
Flurry then released a soft, shaky sigh, as if in relief. “I love her so much, too,” he nickered plaintively. “And I couldn't ever bear to part with her, even though I'll never be a soulhorse.”
“Well, then I guess it looks like I'm going to have to share her,” Lupin finished with a hint of amusement in his whicker.
“Aren't you still angry?”
“Never mind that, now. It's done. All we can do now is wait.”
The trio stood anxiously and quietly, listening for any approaching hoofbeats. When Flurry shivered lightly against Lupin, the tall brown stallion hung his head over Flurry's, drawing the Fjord's pale head to his dark chest, and Flurry soon dozed to the steady beat of Lupin's heart.
Suddenly, Lupin's and Harold's ears pricked forward, and their eyes hardened as they heard thunderous hooves pounding towards them. The Dark Mare burst into view and cleared the rails of the paddock, landing heavily as the girl on her back gripped her short mane tightly. Flurry's heart lurched as he move his ears back, and Lupin moved to stand between him and Helga as Molly slid off of the black mare's back. Helga eyed the two horses with a smirk.
“You have your soul shards. Release Flurry,” Lupin demanded, “and return the bond that bind Molly and I.”
“With pleasure,” Helga purred, and at that instant, the saddle and bridle dissolved off of Flurry, and the Fjord gasped as he sucked in deep breaths, feeling the weight leave his being. Lupin staggered slightly as a trail of light streamed back into his eyes as well as My's.
“I look forward to our next meeting,” Helga said to her. “You were quite the little apprentice back at the Keep. He was most impressed with your work,” the huge mare chuckled, before vanishing in a cloud of black smoke.
Lupin rushed to the girl and embraced her tenderly. “Did anyone see you? Was there anyone guarding the shards?”
My lifted her head slowly to peer into his golden eyes. “Yes,” she whispered.
Lupin sighed. “We can explain why we had to—”
“It wasn't me,” she said hoarsely.
Lupin could only stare down to her. “What do you mean?”
“It was...I was...him...”
“You listen to me, okay?” the stallion snorted. “You're not like him. You will never be like Galloper. What you felt wasn't real, it was just Helga and her tricks.” He paused when My shut her eyes tight, squeezing out tears, and he pulled her close with his muzzle. “I'm not taking you back there again.”
My sniffled. “But what about the ghosts trapped there? We have to help them and free them.”
Lupin blew out another sigh. “We'll see.”
Flurry gazed after them with longing and uncertainty. He started to back up until he caught Harold's eyes piercing his own, and the young Fjord heaved a sigh, walking quietly up to Lupin and his rider. When their attentions turned to him, Flurry halted and struggled for words as he hung his head. He then startled when My rushed to him, her arms outstretched and she wrapped them around his neck.
“What were you thinking?” My sobbed. “I thought I was going to lose you...” she trailed off, stroking his back where the saddle had been. “Did it hurt? Did she hurt you?”
Flurry shook his head. “No, I'm fine now,” he nickered hoarsely. “I'm sorry I caused this...I shouldn't have tried to come between you and Lupin...what you two share is special, and I had no right to interfere.” He tried to back away again, but My hugged him tighter, stopping him.
“My bond with you is special, too, Flurry,” she said softly. “Just in different ways. I will always love and care for you, soulhorse or not.”
Flurry remained silent a few moments more, before hanging his head over her shoulder. “And I will always love and care for you...soulrider or not.”
Lupin's ears twitched and he lightly stomped a forehoof. “Okay, break it up,” he snorted quietly. “Forget what I said about sharing. She's mine.”
“Lou,” My warned him gently with a smile curling up, and she dried the last of her tears.
The brown stallion rolled his eyes before looking back to Harold. “Before we forget, what should we tell the other horses about tonight's...eventful evening?”
Harold tossed his forelock. “They won't remember the Dark Mare after tonight.”
My turned back to face Flurry again. “So, what did you want to do tomorrow?”
Flurry froze. “Actually...I think I'm going to sleep in my stall,” he said, his body sagging wearily.
~
Caroline Dovelock
Saga Darksparrow
Crystal Colding
Holly Fastward
Special thanks to Irene Grayheart for naming Helga XD
Also credits to the Star Stable team for any mention of NPCs and locations in the game.
I apologize if this looks messy x,D I'm still in the process of editing and will get to adding screenshots hopefully soon. Also also please try to ignore anything in brackets, Idk how to fix it, I keep trying but then something shows up as [/ div ] :/