THE JORVEGIAN TERRIER - an extract from The Kennel Club website
"Affectionately known as Jorvies, the Jorvegian Terrier is a small but resilient dog breed developed on Jorvik in the mid 19th century. Though their exact origins are unknown, some dogs have ancestry traceable back to imported Swedish Vallhunds, and also to the same founding dogs that were simultaneously developing the Yorkshire Terrier breed in England. They were developed by the -at the time- Lord Silverglade as a riding companion, mouser, and all-round multipurpose breed.
Jorvies come in a wide range of colours, and indeed none are excluded from breed standards with the exception of double merle, which can lead to health issues in these small dogs as with other dog breeds. Blue eyes are not out of standard, and are in fact more common than brown.
Judges of this particular breed look for a dished face with a small, straight muzzle; upright ears; alert, well-set eyes; a deep strong chest; and a plumed tail carried in line or lower than the back.
Though small, the Jorvegian Terrier is an energetic breed, and requires significant exercise. Luckily, they are easily trainable and very praise-motivated. They are good-natured around large animals owing to their development as a riding companion, and are a boon to any mouse-infested haybarn. With their thick coats, Jorvies are comfortable sleeping in an outdoor shelter and in fact often prefer it, becoming destructive or mischievous if cooped up indoors for too long."
This is a made-up extract from the Kennel Club website. I was bored and watching that terrier wander around Starshine Ranch.
AKA ah FUCK i had a terrible idea and got invested.
Alternate title - The MC (Kate in this instance) said Fuck It and embraces godhood.
Sabine suffers, Garnok's an ass, Kate finds out she can make deals, Khaan's about to have a very rude awakening.
Also chock full of Headcannons
13K Words of Sabine regretting everything under the cut + A little explanation
This was originally spurred on by the idea of how Weirded Out the Dark Riders would be if/when they find out the MC is connected to Aideen, and then it took off into this.
I love writing characters who fully embrace their powers and just go apeshit, and i think the MC would be a really fun character for this, especially with the way we're able to interact with the Dark Riders. I know personally i play like i'll offend them if i say something rude, so whenever i'm given the choice, ill always try to go the 'Talk it Out' route, which, in the context of this little fic, translated to Kate being terrible at Godhood. She's simply too nice and if i ever expand on this, it'll be fun to see how the rest of the Dark Riders interact with her.
Please come scream at me about your thoughts and headcannons! I have so many stupid little scenes that branch off this idea that i've already written
⚞☼⚟
“Sabine”, the General relaxed under the fingers running over her shoulders as Kate softly pushed the ebony hair out of the way. “I found the problem”, her voice betrayed her calm demeanour, strained and shaky.
“What is it?”, she turned to the Druid, scared lip scowling as the blond focused on the magic coursing through the Dark Riders body.
It was quiet for a moment, Kate intent on rooting out the problem before Sabine’s patience ran out. “There’s a tether between you and Garnok”, she started, and the General raised a brow. “Every time your magic grows-”, brilliant white light pulsed through her veins, and Sabine stiffened under the warmth, so different from the fire coursing through her body, but similar all the same, “-every time you use your power, Garnok eats away a piece of you”
“What are you saying?”
“Garnok is killing you to survive”, Blue met Amber, and Kate froze at the horrified look in the woman's eyes, “Pandoria won’t hold him for long”
“We’re dying?”, Her voice was quiet, far away, eyes unfocused as she stared at nothing.
“Garnok’s using you, and the other Dark Riders, to sustain himself while he's trapped”, the light pulling at her veins pulsed brighter, filling the room with a soft glow. “He’s killing you all just to keep himself alive”
“I guess that's why no Generals survive for long”, the Rider hummed darkly.
The air was heavy, as the two sat, stagnant silence between them. Sabine stared at her boots as Kate shifted behind her. “I might be able to help”
“How?”, her voice was low, arms resting on her knees as she leant back. “We made a pact with a God. I don't think there's any coming back from that one”, her eyes were closed, lips pulled into a thin line.
“I’m-”, Kate started, but the words caught in her throat. “The Keepers and the Druids really wish I wasn't, I know Avalon hates it especially”, She shifted, stretching her legs out along the couch, muscles strained from the uncomfortable way she had sat. “Sometimes I wish I had stayed away too, but then I guess I wouldn't have had this much fun”
“Spit it out”, Sabine growled, arm thrown over her eyes.
“I’m Aideen”, Kate draped herself over the arm of the couch as Sabine turned to her with the speed of a whip.
“What!”, she roared, bent over the Druid, amber eyes bright and fiery.
“Well technically I'm her reincarnation, but-”, Kate stammered, lips twisting into an awkward smile as she shuffled back. “-I can use a lot of her abilities, her light. I'm kind of like a boost for the other circles-”
“Your Aideen!?”
“Aideen’s Reincarnation, yes-”
“Your a god!”
“Not officially!”, She managed to squirrel her way out of the Rider’s shadow, “But if Garnok can make deals, maybe I can too”
“Your-”, Sabine eyed her warily, but a faint sparkle of hope burned in her eyes. “You want me to make a deal with you?”
“Yes”, the Druid leapt to her feet, staring up at Sabine with hope. “I'll be honest, I don't really know how it works, But I’m like 76% sure I can make deals too”
“That-”, Sabine turned away for a moment, arms crossed and foot tapping, “-Doesn't fill me with confidence”
Kate leant over the couch, resting her chin on her arms as the Dark Rider paced. “If it doesn't work, then it doesn't work, but if it does…”
“If it works, what happens to Khaan?”, Kate turned to the wide window, and the barn sitting quiet, warm glow spilling from between the slats. “He’s bonded with General Malumi, not…me”
“He might be corrupted, but he’s still a Starbreed, both of you are still bonded, I can tell”, Sabine had stopped pacing, arms still crossed, but she followed the Druid’s gaze to the barn, face neutral, but eyes betraying the sadness she felt at the thought of her loyal beast in pain. “Besides, I’m Aideen, if I can help you, I can help him”
“I thought you were just her reincarnation”
“Potato Tomato”, Kate smiled up at the woman, hand outstretched and smiling wide. “What do you say? Care to make a deal with God?”
Sabine eyed the hand warily, “What do you want in return?”
“Oh, uhh”, The offered hand lowered, arm hanging limp as she hummed. It was quiet for a moment, and then Kate turned to her with a hard-set look in her eyes. “You and I know that the Keepers will destroy Jorvik if it means killing Garnok”, the resourceful diplomat had returned, and Sabine wondered just how frightening this woman could be when she was determined. “They’ll justify it as a necessary sin, they don't care what happens to the people as long as Garnok is eradicated”, for a woman laying limply over the back of a couch, Sabine was amazed at how frightening she could look. “I won’t let them, I can’t. Not when the people of this island have no say in it. I’ve made my life here, and I’ve grown attached, and I won’t let Dark Core or the Keepers destroy the world just so the other doesn’t get their way”, Sabine eyed her curiously, starting to piece together what Kate would ask. “Help me stop Garnok, and whatever power he’s given you, whatever he's taken from you, I promise it's all yours”, Sabine eyed the woman, something curious shining in her eyes. “And I'll help Khaan. Those are my terms”
“You would have helped Khaan regardless”, The Dark Rider raised a brow, and Kate smiled.
“I would have. Mortifa and Acerbus and Jay and Katja too, if they'll let me. But now it's written in stone”, She held out her hand again, veins burning white hot as she smiled a deceptively sweet smile, as if she wasn't a God about to tie herself to her enemies most trusted General, as if Sabine wasn't about to gamble her own life for the second time.
The General took the God's hand, and the world exploded in white hot stars. It burned, like flames eating at her skin, her bone. Fire had never bothered Sabine, not when she was its master, but this, it felt like dying. A bone deep pain that ripped through everything she was, flaying her very nerves and sending blinding bolts of light through her. The point where her calloused palms met Kate’s, that hurt the most, like pure electricity racing between their palms.
Sabine screamed. Agony was barely enough to describe what she was feeling. If this was dying, she didn’t want it.
And then it stopped. Just as quick as it had started. The pain simply vanished and Sabine was left kneeling on the floor, wood biting into her palms and jaw locked shut as she struggled to breath. Faintly, she could hear someone calling her name.
“Sabine!”, the Druid was kneeling next to her, deft fingers running down her spine as the woman shook. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t know it would hurt!”
The General turned to her weakly, head resting on the floor as static danced between the two. “I’m fine”, she knew the Druid didn’t believe her, if she focused enough on the little silvery thread coiled between them, she could tell that Kate was frowning, eyebrows pinched as Sabine lay still. But she couldn’t look at her, simply because she wasn’t corporal. She was hazy around the edges, eyes glowing and veins burning white, and if Sabine looked too hard, a headache would slowly start breaking her skull in two.
Briefly, as she rolled onto her back, she remembered the pain that laced through her for weeks after she had sold her soul to Garnok. There was none of that stabbing agony here, not when the fire burning through her had died down to a warm ember. It was nice, she thought, and for the first time since Garnok, Sabine found that the wildfire that lived in her veins had calmed. It didn't eat at her skin anymore, it just…burned, like a campfire content to its bed of warm coals.
She could hear the Druid calling her name, but ignored it in favor of the sleep that came easily now.
This is somewhat of a mix between in-game canon, book lore, deleted content and my own theories. There are a bunch of sources to pull from here and a lot of them are contradictory, so I’ll do my best to cite where the info comes from. I’m not including everything that ever happened, but most things that are relevant to the main story should be here!
I’ve mentioned it before, but my theory is that the main story takes place in 2025. Elizabeth has been stated to be 47 in previous quests. If she’s the same age as Catherine, then that would make her 19 in 1997, and thus 47 in 2025. This will be my reference for the “present day”, but obviously this could all be retconned by sso.
Spoiler warning before you proceed! I’m referencing the entire game and the sso books, including the ones not available in english. If you don’t want any spoilers for those, don’t read this post.
Creation of Jorvik: We don’t know when the whole “Aideen brings life to Jorvik” myth takes place, but there are cave drawings mentioned by Linda that dates it back to 23 000 BC.
The first known humans on Jorvik: The kallters supposedly come to Jorvik around 6 000 BC.
Jon Jarl colonises Jorvik: The 10 year anniversary-quizzes state that Jon Jarl arrived 1218 AD.
Rosalinda dies due to suspected witchcraft and Mr Sands gets recruited by Garnok: Mr Sands diary in The Legend Awakens confirms that this took place in 1798.
Miscellaneous soul rider antics: We know almost nothing about older sisterhoods, but we know that there was one in ~1940, with one member named Beatrice. She is mentioned as an old lady in Ghost Stories From Jorvik. In Aideens Gift Pi is also revealed to have once been a soul rider before she became a witch, although she is most likely from a more recent sisterhood, seeing as both she and her husband are still alive.
Mr Sands and the baroness get married and have Thomas: Older quests mention them getting married in 1964. The baroness says she hasn’t seen Mr. Sands in 45 years, meaning they likely got divorced ~1980.
The old sisterhood with Elizabeth, Eva, Caroline, Sigry and Catherine is created and falls apart: Catherine mentions graduating in 1997 in her journal, so the sisterhood could exist around 1993 – 1998. Caroline disappears shortly after Catherine leaves the soul riders, and the sisterhood completely breaks apart not long after.
Catherine dies after Justins birth: Justin is 20 in present day, which would make this take place in 2005.
Alex, Linda, Lisa and Anne discover their powers for the first time when Lisa moves to Jorvik, aka the first book trilogy: This is two years before the main story, in 2023.
Present day: 2025.
If you have any other confirmed years for Jorvik history, please share and I’ll add them!
Just a story with my sso oc and her horse, I might continue this but no promises
The sun rose over the tall trees of Mistfall, warming the dewkissed grass and mossy stones. Songbirds slowly broke the early morning silence with a ballad for a new day, and soon again the woods were full of life. I had always loved mornings like this, when I could just sit in silence until the world caught up to us again.
The kettle let out an angry wheeze, signaling the water was ready for coffee. A brief stretch later I got up again and took the kettle off the campfire, then put my frying pan on the grill. "Now.. What to make for breakfast", I muttered to myself, trying to remember what I had remaining from last week. "There's a few eggs left, perfect."
I had just finished my breakfast when the static of my radio hissed on.
"Sparrowhawk. Sparrowhawk, do you copy?" I fumbled a little trying to get the walkie-talkie off my belt, "This is Sparrowhawk, loud and clear sir. Over."
"We have a report of a lost rider and horse somewhere in the deeper Wildwoods. Can you help us on the search? Over", I grabbed Quicksilver's neck rope and my bags while he was talking.
"Copy that, where were they last seen? Over", I respond.
"According to the source, they left Firgrove yesterday afternoon in order to cross the Northern Gorge before nightfall. They were headed to a town east of Wildwoods but she has since lost contact with them. Over." My heart dropped when I heard that. I hesitated a little before responding.
"Copy that. Sparrowhawk, over and out."
Two long and two short whistles, our emergency call. Hopefully Quicksilver would show up soon, but while I still had time it was best to restock my saddlebags. My gut told me this was gonna be a long ride.
After packing extra rations I heard the sound of familiar hoofsteps approaching. Quicksilver rustled out of the bushes just as I turned to greet him.
"I came as soon as I could", my friend said. It was obvious he was a bit out of breath from galloping here on such a short notice.
"Thank you", I pat him on the neck and offer him an apple, "Sorry to wake you, the rangers called me. It's serious".
Quicksilver perked his ears at me, busy chewing on his apple.
"Someone's lost in the woods, they might be at the Northern Gorge."
I could see him stiffen as I said that.
"You're kidding, right?" Quicksilver whispered and finished his treat as quickly as possible. Meanwhile I fetched his tack from the fence and laid the saddle on his back
"No, we need to leave right now", I muttered while tightening the girths. Once I was done Quicksilver walked over to the rocks to wait while I put my jacket on, and I wasted no time getting on.
"They left from Firgrove, let's see if you can find their tracks."
"On it, boss!" he snorted, and we took off.
part 2
Sidenote for anyone who read this far, I am open to critique about my writing but please keep it civil. This is also the first time in a long time I have written anything that isn't either Warriors rp or Hetalia fanfiction so I have no idea what I'm doing.
there was no thought process behind this other than da kids go camping
i hope you enjoy if you read :)
Walking on clouds became more and more plausible as the ground fell away from sight, the path ahead declining steeply and disappearing over the ridge. There is nothing like rising over the crest of a hill and seeing the entire landscape splayed out before you like a drawn map come to life. Windmills and farms dotted the countryside, hazy specks against lush pale fields. Over distant Epona -- a rocky splotch against the ocean -- sunset was just fading, casting a rosey shadow over the island of Jorvik.
Evergreen branches of pine trees laden with snow were packed thickly on either side of the trail, casting long shadows against the light. The first flowers of spring were just beginning to sprout on either verge: snowdrops and daffodils and witch hazels amongst the snow.
Lukas pointed into the trees. "There's a clearing through there. Campsite?"
Judging her map, Lily gave her affirmative. Without much need for prompting, the two horses turned away from the ridge and plodded off the path, heads low to avoid hanging branches. Lukas and Lily ducked under those same branches and let the horses pick their way through the shrubbery.
Emerging into the clearing was like taking a breath of fresh air; sharp in the ice of shade, pine filled Lukas' lungs. The open space was perfectly sized for a campfire and a collection of tents. Young saplings had been planted in the previous places of felled trees now used for seating. The only sign of the campsite being used recently was the ring of grass devoid of snow around the firepit.
Lily stretched luxuriously in the saddle, arms over her head. "This feels like a good place to make camp." She yawned in sync with Milkbread.
Lukas nodded and slipped off Moose's back. Dismounting from the tall Andalusian was no easy feat; the distance to the ground was almost equal to that of Lukas' own height. Only horse riders can truly appreciate the feeling of sitting astride a beast at a point where your eyeline, when stood upright on the ground, would barely graze. It opened so much of the world to your sight. It was jarring to re-adjust to his usual view.
Ankles aching upon impact with packed snow on top of frozen earth after hours spent suspended, Lukas steadied themself by gripping the seat of his saddle. Despite thick boots and thicker socks, the ice beneath their feet was biting. They'd ridden for much of the day to get up here before nightfall; setting out at dawn, riding through a snowstorm and stopping only to rest the horses at thawed streams. Even for a pair of Druids, this was not something they had time to make a habit out of.
Moose snorted and shook like a dog after Lukas stepped away, and Lukas couldn't blame him. Confident that the horse whose thoughts he could hear wouldn't wander off, he untacked Moose entirely then threw on his rug. In expression of his gratefulness, Moose nuzzled their shoulder. Telepathy or not, sometimes words were unnecessary.
Unpacking saddlebags, the two riders found a suitably firm patch of grass on which to pitch their tent, clearing snow while the horses identified the sweetest patch of grass. Some hellish time later, the damned tent was as stable as they could hope for. Lukas was warmer for the activity, at least. Lily rolled out her sleeping bag and nodded appreciatively.
When Lukas yawned, she poked them playfully. "No falling asleep yet. We have traditions in which to undertake!" She took his arm and lead them out to the clearing, where the dormant firepit awaited them.
"We should really get some sleep. Our mission isn't done yet."
"No exceptions," Lily said, and rolled up the sleeves of her thick winter coat to strike a match. The appeal of a warm fire and warm food dissolved any protest in Lukas' mind.
Shadows layered on moon-shadow, surrounding sentinel trees were distorted dark shapes looming at the border of the clearing. Distinction between ground and sky blurred, firelight only deepening cloying darkness beyond its reach. Anything could be lurking just outside the light, drawn by the appetising smells of their cooking... Lukas shuffled closer to Lily on the felled log they shared; she didn't seem to mind as leaves rustled behind them like a thing possessed.
"How about a ghost story?"
Lily shuddered. "I really don't need to be any more creeped out right now."
Lukas tilted their head. "Where's that loyalty to your traditions?"
She glared at them. "There's a time and a place and a mood. This is not it." Lukas shrugged and blew on his burning marshmallow to extinguish the flame.
Soon after filling up on s'mores, they doused the fire and retreated inside the tent out of the cold, leaving the horses in their rugs to stand guard. Moose wickered softly and stepped closer to Milkbread as they were left with only the wind for company.
Before stars had faded from the Jorvegian sky, the rising sun just beginning to warm the island, both riders were in hurriedly buckled saddles. Lighter for the lack of ridiculous quantities of marshmallows, the horses stepped eagerly as they navigated a slim path along the ridge that would lead them down to moonlit Valedale.
Thank Aideen for civilisation, Lukas thought, watching thin tendrils of smoke curl into the frigid air from cheery chimneys below.
(I got a Jorvik Wild Horse today finally, and I love her so much she inspired me to write a lil story about how her and Kit met.)
Word Count: 1.5k
Warnings: None
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I couldn’t help but let out a laugh as Novamoon pranced around Athena, who was snorting and shaking her head in playful frustration.
“How do you guys always win? I was practicing smashing those pots all night!”
Rocco snorted. “Yeah and we’re gonna run out of pots soon if you keep going at that rate.”
Athena threw her head back. “Yeah, well I’m sure Kit can make some more. She knows how to do everything.”
My eyes widened a little as both horses turned to look at me. “I wouldn’t say I can do everything…” I tilted my head, thinking for a moment. “Ya know, I do know a place or two where I might be able to find some fairly smashable things that people don’t need anymore…”
“See! Everything!” Athena said, stamping the ground.
Novamoon shook her head and I could practically feel her teasing me. “Shush Nova,” I grumbled, rubbing her behind her ear. She nickered at me, but leaned into the touch anyways.
I turned to look at Rocco, about to ask him a question about what smashable items they might need, when I noticed Gary approaching from over the hill. I twisted a bit further to see him, and Nova turned her head as well to see what I was looking at.
“Gary!” Athena cried out happily, galloping over to him.
Gary laughed as Athena did a lap around him before skidding to a halt in front of him. “Hello little one. My, have you gotten bigger since I last visited?”
Athena straightened up, trying to stand as tall as she could. “I have. I’m definitely big enough to go to the Gray World now, I think.”
Rocco nudged Athena with his head. “Didn’t we agree you needed to beat Kit in the smashing contest first?”
“But I was so close this time,” Athena whined, twisting her head to look back at Rocco. “That’s gotta count for something, right?”
Gary smiled patiently at Athena. “How about we wait just a little bit longer? I promise I will take you when I feel the time is right. I just want to make sure you find exactly the right person at the right moment.”
Athena sighed. “Okaayy.”
“Speaking of the time being right,” Gary started, looking back at me again. “Kit, you were just the person I was hoping to see today.”
“I was?” I asked, furrowing my eyebrows in confusion.
A relaxed smile spread across Gary’s face. “Indeed you were. Come along,” he turned around, gesturing to follow. “I have something to talk to you about.”
I hesitated for only a moment before nudging Nova forward, keeping up with Gary’s casual pace as he led us back to where he’d parked his cart. As we crested the hill, I noticed something move behind Gary’s covered wagon. I leaned to the side, off of Nova, trying to get a glimpse at what was back there.
I heard a laugh in front of me, and I quickly righted myself. Too quickly, actually. I tightened my grip on the reins a bit, my legs clenching tighter to Nova. She snorted, stomping her feet as I tried to find my balance again.
Gary laughed again, covering his mouth with his hand for a moment as he tried to compose himself. “I see you spotted her.”
“Her?” I glanced back, trying to see the movement again.
Gary came to a stop and let out a short whistle. I woahed Nova as I saw a head peer out from behind his wagon.
“You can come out if you’d like Daychaser, this is the one I was telling you about.”
I found myself sliding off of Nova’s saddle before I realized it as a horse, Daychaser, took a few slow steps out from her hiding spot. I took a step forward as well, looking her over as she came further into view.
She was a soft buckskin with black markings on her, stripes covering her rump and hind legs. She had white and yellow flowers woven into her braided mane. She had light white swirls painted under her left eye and her hair waved softly in the light breeze.
“Hi, my name is Kit,” I said, offering a hand out.
Daychaser took a few more steps forward. “My name is Daychaser, I’m a Forester.” Her tail swished, an ear twitching, showcasing her anxiety. She stretched her neck forward and sniffed my hand for a moment before pulling back.
I lowered my hand gently. “I like the flowers in your mane. They’re very pretty.”
Daychaser straightened up just slightly, turning her head from side to side to show off the flowers better. “Thank you,” she nickered, swishing her head, making her mane ruffle. “Juniper helped me put these in, making sure they stay fresh.”
I smiled. “My horse, Dreamweaver, also loves flowers and braids. And Nova here really loves feathers, so I’m definitely familiar with that.”
Nova huffed behind me. I glanced back and saw her turning her head to also show off her mane, revealing the maroon and black feathers I had woven in there a few days ago.
I glanced back at Daychaser just as she looked away from Nova and back at me. “How many horses are you befriended to?”
“Well, this is Nova, and at my stable I have Echo, Dreamweaver, Darkfrost, Twilight, and Ghostrunner.” I said, counting on my fingers as I went.
“You must be kind then, to have so many trust you.”
I smiled, cheeks pinkening as I glanced away for a moment. “I… I think I am, kind that is. I try my best to be. Honestly, having their trust is an honor to me.”
Daychaser looked over my shoulder, and I turned my head to look as well as Gary stepped closer.
“Well, Kit, you might have guessed this already but Daychaser here has been hoping to go into the Gray World. She’s been looking for the right person for a few weeks now, and after thinking about it, I thought you would be the right choice.”
My eyes widened. “Really?” I whipped my head back to look at Daychaser, who had taken a step closer to me. I beamed and reached over to rub her nose, which made her close her eyes and push into my touch.
“Would you really like to come with me?” I asked, voice a bit quieter.
Daychaser opened her eyes and pulled back slightly. “I like what I see in you, even though I’ve seen so little, and I’d like to see more in the future, if you’ll accept me as well.”
I nodded before she finished her thought. “Yes, of course. I’m so…” I took in a small breath, not able to find the right words before I just nodded some more. “I actually always carry a spare lead with me, cause you never know what will happen. Are you wanting to leave today? Or should I come back tomorrow or some other time even?”
Her head tilted when I mentioned a lead, but she didn’t ask about it. “I would like to say one last goodbye to some horses, but they already knew today might be my day so a lot of goodbyes were said earlier as well.”
“Would you like me to wait here, or come with you?”
“I wouldn’t mind if you joined. Then my herd will get to see that I will be in good hands, and they know I will return someday as well.”
She glanced at me, and I nodded rapidly again. “Of course you’ll return someday. I love coming here. Besides, Athena still hasn’t beaten me at pot smashing.”
Daychaser laughed, shaking her head and I couldn’t help but giggle as well.
“Well,” Gary said, interrupting our merth, “it seems like everything is settled here. Daychaser, you couldn’t be in better hands. I am glad you found a match in Kit.”
“Thank you for helping me,” Daychaser said, dipping her head down.
“And thank you for trusting me,” I said as well, voice a bit softer.
Gary placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed gently. “You have a wonderful spark in you, Kit, don’t let that ever die out.”
“I won’t.” I promised.
Gary smiled and took a step back. “Well, unfortunately I must go back to the Gray World, now that my work here for the moment is done. May our paths cross again soon.”
As he walked back to his wagon, I turned back to Daychaser. “Are you ready?”
Daychaser nodded.
I beamed, grabbing onto Nova’s saddle as I jumped back onto her. “Great, I know the way, so would you like to trot back together?”
“I would like that.”
“Cool! On the way, you should show me where you got those flowers, so we know where to find them next time.”
I glanced to the side and saw Daychaser’s eyes twinkle. “Happily.”
Even though the rains from last night had left the undergrowth damp, it had not washed away the traveler's hoofprints. The path away from Firgrove only got more wooded and twisted the further we got away, but the tracks remained clear. I could hear Quicksilver sniff the air every now and then just to make sure, as we trotted along with haste. The woods around us slowly got more sparse the higher up we got. I could sense we were getting closer.
"Whoa!"
Suddenly I was jolted forward when Quicksilver slipped over some rocks. He got up right away but barely avoided a bigger tumble.
"You ok there?" I asked him. He took a couple steps back.
"Yeah, just remembering why I don't like this place", he said, visibly nervous. For the first time in a while I took a proper look around. We were just about a horse's length away from the cliff, and far below us the rapids of the river roared their haunting song. Over in the distance, the volcano of Ashland loomed ominously. This place always made me feel uneasy, no matter how beautiful it was.
"Look!" Quicksilver called out. I turned my head and saw a lone saddlebag by the bushline. I steered Quicksilver further from the edge and got off.
"Wait here", I whispered. I got closer and picked it up. The side had a huge gash and there was barely anything left inside, it had probably been ripped off violently.
A howling in the distance broke the silence, and I felt shivers in my spine. Quicksilver hopped over to me.
"You ready and fight some wolves or are we going to skidaddle?" he said, shaking.
"What if they're there," I asked rhetorically. In the corner of my eye I could see Quicksilver stomping the ground.
"Calm down you drama queen", I yipped at him in frustration, "You have a thousand pounds' worth of muscle and spite in you, it's the wolves that should be afraid!"
I turned to face him and he put in his best effort to look as defeated as possible.
"… I'm sorry", I sighed. I put my hand over his cheeck and pressed my forehead onto his.
"I just, I don't want any more people to die out here."
Quicksilver took a deep breath, then stepped away.
"We better go then, I suppose", he said, worried.
The ground up here was barely safe for cantering, let alone a gallop, but we were booking it past the shrubs. He knew it as well as I did, if it really was wolves every minute was precious. There was faint growling in the distance, and I thought I could hear a distressed horse whinnying from the same direction. Quicksilver hopped over a bushes in one foul swoop, and I saw them. A mealy bay mare surrounded by three wolves, and behind her an injured girl. She was backed against some rocks with her horse trying her best to keep the wolves at bay. There was no time to think. I braced myself as Quicksilver charged the wolves, all of his prior hesitation was gone. The wolves skittered out of the way, growling and barking at us. One of them tried to nip at Quicksilver's front legs only to immediately regret it as it almost got it's skull kicked in. Realizing they were now against more than they bargained for, they backed off, and fled downhill into the woods.
After catching my breath again, we walked over to the stranger, who was clutching her right arm. Her horse had returned to her side. I tucked my ears away before approaching her
"Are you hurt?" I asked the girl. She looked at me silently, shivering and tears in her eyes. The poor thing was covered in mud and blood. She slowly nodded and pulled up her sleeve, uncovering a gnarly bite wound. It hurt to even look at it. I rushed to grab a first aid kit from my saddlebag, and did my best to flush the wounds, then put a temporary bandage to keep it from bleeding.
"What's your name?" I asked her. She seemed to have recovered from the shock enough to speak.
"T-tonie", she answered with a a shaky voice, "my name is Tonie Axemoor, and this is Jello", she pat her horse, who had come to nuzzle her. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet, we need to get you back to Firgrove", I said firmly.
I was glad she was conscious. Jello didn't look as scratched up as she was, but I doubted her arm was good enough to ride.
"Can you walk?" I asked, more concerned. Tonie took a moment to gather herself, and while she managed to get up while leaning on the boulder, I could see her wince from the pain in her arm. I was surprised to see she was less than a couple inches shorter than me.
"Will she follow us if you ride with me?" I asked Tonie and pointed at Jello, who was cautiously sniffing out Quicksilver.
"She should, she doesn't wanna go anywhere without me", Tonie replied with a surprisingly chipper tone.
"Okay, good", I sighed in relief, and hopped onto Quicksilver's back. "Come on now", I said and offered my hand. She grabbed it, and climbed on behind me. Jello was already a couple steps ahead of us, looking behind impatiently.
"Hold on tight, we'll be in town before you know it", I tried to reassure Tonie, while she wrapped her arms around my waist for extra security. A little snort, and Quicksilver took off once again.
Another oc story with Alexei & Quicksilver, this one's unrelated to the multi-parter I have going, happening a few months after those events. I might connect these someday if I ever get that far
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"Quizzy?"
The young stallion perked his ears.
"You're a Warrior right? I don't think I've ever seen you with them though," I continued. He didn't seem too pleased with that question, simply kept silent. I didn't push it, he seemed tired after today's hike.
We had come back home to Dundull in order to round up supplies and run some errands before winter. I could smell the salty sea air seeping in through the stable doors, a nostalgic smell. The owner of this place was an old friend of my mother, and let us stay in the stable if we happened to be in town. Having contacts pays off in the long run, and at least on a dry day it was better to sleep here with Quicksilver than to go home.
"I suppose I am", my friend groaned, bringing me back from my thoughts, "Not that any of them would call me that". I was about to ask what he meant but he kept talking:
"I was raised there, on the plains in the mountains. My mother was the quiet sort, and while she was with the herd in order to teach me their ways, once I was old enough she went back to the marshes I was born in and hasn't been with the Warriors since. And I never knew my father at all", he had a strange longing in his voice, pausing a while after every sentence.
"I was smaller than all the other foals, even those months younger than me. Never got to hear the end of that", Quicksilver sighed and chuckled a little, "But no matter how hard I trained they never took me seriously. Most of them are shallow like that. So I ran away and not long after, I found you".
"You mean I found you", I smirked at him.
"hmm no, I clearly remember you crying about getting lost in the woods", he snapped back smugly.
I simply laughed.
He was right, when we met I had gone exploring further than I should have been. It was a misty evening and the woods had seemed extra mysterious, and I was a little rascal with no sense of danger and a heart set on adventure. It wasn't long past the ranger outpost until I couldn't find my way back anymore. As the night started falling and panic finally kicked in, I suddenly found myself crouched against a boulder with a curious yearling sniffing my face. I still remembered the utter shock when I realized I could understand him perfectly, something I had only heard in old druid tales. I had been around horses my entire life but I had never seen anything like him before, so wildly curious and clever. I don't think Quicksilver had ever seen a human before that, he didn't spook at all, simply inspected me. He hadn't learned to be afraid. Even when I reached for him he only sniffed my hand before leaning into it. Teary eyed, I told him I was lost and scared.
After that, the memories get hazy. He led me out of the woods and back home safely, and my mom was surprised and a little displeased that I had come home so late, not to mention bringing a strange horse back from the woods. After somehow convincing her that I didn't steal Quicksilver, she miraculously let him sleep in the paddock.
"Now your turn, why do you never go back home?" Quizzy inquired, bringing me back to earth.
I sighed deeply, it was a tough question.
"Well, I guess it doesn't really feel like home, more like a cage. My mom never really understood me or why I wanted to be out all the time", I finally answered. I looked out of the window, the moon casting it's pale glow through the dusty glass.
"I do miss Apollo and Jam from time to time", I sighed.
"We should go see them some day", Quicksilver mumbled into the straw, "They're better company than the boneheads for sure."
"Maybe tomorrow", I said and yawned, "Goodnight buddy."
Quicksilver looked comfortable laying in the soft straw. I have him a couple pets on the shoulder, then got up and climbed onto the hayloft.
