All the Pretty Horses

1207, Summer

Over the first few meals with other magi, he told them some of where he had been and what he had been doing. Mostly he had just been wandering, spending nearly the entire season as his heartbeast. He had flown north of Grenoble and as far south as Aix-en-Provence. Most of his time, though, had been nearer to home. He had spent a few days with Tonio at the ruins, for instance, and flown over the high ridge where the Faerie regio was located.

The magi for their part told him of their activities over the spring and when the subject of horses came up, he told them of several herds of wild horses he had seen on his flights. "Magnificent," he said, "to see them from a thousand feet in the air, running along the slopes. There were more of them than I expected and one herd where I would think no herd should be. It struck me only slightly odd at the time, for I was hunting, but later I realized that there was no way a herd of horses should be in that valley. The approaches were too steep. When I went back to look, they were gone."

"It seems another mystery is fallen in our laps," said Lilia. "Do you have any thoughts on its solution?"

"None," said Osprey, "although I didn't investigate closely."

Leporidaes nibbled on a carrot, as he did often and turned to Frederic. "Like the demon's mount? It too maneuvered the steepest of hills as if on level ground."

Frederic responded, "True, and it is that time of the year again. And if it's an entire herd this time, we have great troubles. I would offer my services to investigate this... herd." Frederic searched about for a response.

Leporidaes looked around the assembled magi, "I too would like to see the horses."

Osprey shrugged, "I can show you where I found them. If it is a demonic herd ..."

Lilia smacked herself in the forehead, saying, "Of course! I forgot all about the demon horses with all the other adventures and trials."

An extensive party left on foot, or in Osprey's case, on the wing, to see what could be learned about the strange herd of horses. Osprey led the way, circling overhead and leading the party by quick paths that would have been impassable by horse. His aerial survey let them avoid dead ends and difficult terrain. By noon of their second day of travel, they were in a high alpine valley, more of a bowl high on the mountainside. As the others puffed and toiled their way over the crest Osprey landed and resumed his human form, sublimely indifferent to his nakedness until the chill prompted him to cast his spell Garbing Adam and cover himself in furs.

When they had all assembled, Osprey showed them the tracks of the horses' feet around a pool at the center of the bowl, and they examined their surroundings and agreed that no herd of horses could attain this ledge, nor could they leave it if somehow brought here.

"This could be a trap," Frederick warned.

Frederic fumbled through his pack of various tools that others might call junk. He retrieved a wooden bowl, that was dirty enough that the next travel would only use when hunger was prevolent. A magical incantation was started as he held the bowl just under his line of sight.

Frederic's spell revealed no lurking dangers and as he kept watch Tanya tried to make sense of the tracks. There was a jumble of tracks near the water, and among them Tanya found, with some surprise, what looked like the print of a naked human foot.

Tanya could not tell whence came the horses to the pool, but the tracks leading away were fairly easy for her to follow. They led toward one edge of the little plateau, and it was clear to see that they were running and following the lead of the herd stallion. She followed them toward the edge but then came up short. Some thirty feet from the edge, the tracks simply stopped. One moment there was every indication that a small herd of horses was thundering at top speed toward the drop-off, and then there was smooth and unbroken ground.

Leporideas looked to Osprey, "Could they have flown? or traveled through some portal?"

"Many things are possible," said Osprey somewhat unhelpfully. "If I can fly by my arts," he gestured casually and a wind whipped gently at his garments to indicate what he meant, "then I see no reason why they could not at well. And if they are demonic, who knows what powers they might have been gifted by Hell?"

Frederic grunted at the thought. "Elusive, what ever they are."

Frederic thought for a moment. "Perhaps we can once again locate them from the air," he hinted to Osprey.

Using his spell, Frederic looked in the direction the horses had been running and saw a mile or so away a ridge that looked much more amenable to supporting a herd of horses. He thought he saw a flicker of motion as well, and it required little imagination to think it had been a horse.

"I think I saw one," Frederic said excitedly as he pointed. "If you could fly there and remain above them, perhaps we could close in more efficiently," Frederic suggested to Osprey.

Osprey nodded. His clothes vanished and he assumed the form of the large bird. After a few minutes, he returned and spoke, the voice sounding odd coming from the bird's throat. "There is a pack of horses there. They do no seem to be running at the moment, just grazing. I think I saw a human figure among them as well. A small one, a child or young person."

"No demons? Unless she is one." "Shall we follow Osprey then," Frederic asked. Frederic became worried. He remembered what the demons are capable of and how deceptive they can be. "The child could be another captive," he said worriedly, "ready to be cleaved in two when we draw near. Or it could be a demon in disguise, attepting to lure us in."

They worked their way back down the slope and across toward the area where Osprey circled. Within an hour or two they had achieved the crossing, although they were hot and sweaty. From where they stood they could see the horses below and with the aid of Frederic's spell he could see the figure in the herd, it appeared to be a young girl, naked and filthy. She ran fearlessly among the herd, sometimes swinging aboard the stallion who was obviously master of the herd.

"But how are we to approach this skittish herd?" asked Conrad.

Frederic looked on at the herd. He pondered Conrad's question, but seemed unable to formulate a plan. "Maybe they want us to approach," Frederic stated suspiciously.

"Always be suspicious of eager demons," said Lilia. "That said, sometimes we must simply go forward with the task at handl. I have no better idea than to approach at the ready. Does anyone else?"

"I'm afraid I do not," Frederic responded.

Osprey took again to the air as Frederic cast both a Veil of Invisibility and then attempted a spontaneous spell to help him move quietly. As he began to move towards the herd of horses, Osprey suddenly swooped down near the woman and resumed his human shape. The guards jumped back startled, but the woman didn't seem surprised. A moment later, as he spoke with the woman, Osprey remembered to clothe himself.

Frederic stopped in mid-field, just as startled as the guards. He remained where he was, remembering the horses might not take too kindly to his presence.

After a moment or two, Osprey waved back to where Leporideas, Lilia, Tanya, Conrad and Rico stood, gesturing them to come on in. In the midst of the herd, the girl, forgotten by all, hid among the horses.

Frederic, still invisible, moved in as the others also approached more visibly. When they arrived, Osprey indicated the woman and said, "This is Mariana of Flambeau, from Bremmeren. Mariana, these are my sodales Leporidias of Bjornaer and Lilia of Jerbiton. This is Xavier, Tanya, Rico and Conrad. Mariana is also interested in this herd of horses."

"If she is friend," Frederic quietly whispered into Lilia's ear, "please let her know I am here and not visible. I do not wish to startle her."

"Mariana," said Lilia, "we don't know you well. What is your business here? Wh at do you know of these strange horses?"

"These horses are my business," she snapped to the junior maga. "And they should remain my business. As I was telling Osprey," her tone moderated slightly when speaking of the more senior magus, "your presence here is unwelcome. Whatever is here is rightfully the property of Bremmeren."

Etienne, not liking her tone, calmed himself before speaking. "Have you lost any of your horses?" he said shortly.

Marianna looked at coldly, "I do not see it is any of your concern."

Osprey cut in, "This man is a consors of our Covenant." He made it sound like a mild rebuke. "And his point is valid."

After a moment, Marianna spoke, directing her answer to Osprey. "We have not lost any, but seek to acquire some."

"And we do not mean to hinder you. We have encountered these horses before and have an interest in learning about them. They may even have cost our village. If you could even tell us why this is Bremmeren property, it might help us."

"It is Bremmeren because of seniority, I was here first and have the prior claim," she said.

During all this, Frederic remained invisible nearby, and the herd of horses, and the strange wild-girl who ran among them, moved a few paces further off.

Considering the course the conversation had taken, Frederic remained still and silent, with one had ready to quickly draw sword if needed.

"Have you sold such a mount to a demon who slays children?" asked Etienne growing impatient with the mage.

"What?" asked the woman, clearly astonished. "Why do you speak of demons?"

"Twas many months ago we fought a demon who rode such a horse that could gallop where others could not. It slew a child and taunted us before leaving," Etienne answered.

"We have no such mounts," said the woman. "You think perhaps these beasts are infernally tainted?"

The memory of the slain child and her heartbroken parents ran through Lilia's mind. "We have reason to track them here and find out," she said, unaccustomedly grim.

Marianna looked at the horses and the girl hiding among them and seemed to reach a decision. "I had heard rumours of magical horses, such things would be useful to us. But if they are demonic then 'twere best to simply destroy them all."

Frederic put his invisible hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw, quite ready to kill some demon horses. He eagerly awaited for that word to come.

Leporideas hopped around and resumed his human form, protesting. "Wait! should we not determine if they are demonic or just tools of demons?" His nakedness seemed unimportant, as he tried to plead for the horses.

Lilia jumped a little, startled. "How? I am not versed in the Occult. Is anyone?"

No one stepped forth with a response, but Etienne shook his head as if stung. The former brigand turned fisherman spoke up. "No, the herd is not of demons and neither is the girl." He subconsciously fingered his cloak pin and continued, "There is no taint here, she and they are something to be learned about and not destroyed."

"I am relieved," said Lilia. She turned to Marianna. "You feel you have claim to the horses. Will you allow us to capture and observe the creatures? You could join us -- if two heads are better than one, so much the better five or six heads, yes?"

"You trust this man's claim?" asked Marinna. On receiving assent, she shrugged. "There is no harm in capturing the beasts and seeing what we have, as long as you understand I have the prior claim."

"The prior, perhaps," said Osprey, "but not clearly the better."

They stared at each other for a moment then Marianna nodded, "Let us see if there is something here worth disputing over."

"Agreed."

"What do you know of the horses, Marianna? Do they think like mundane beasts? Shall we bring our stable boys? You were going to capture them for yourself, so how were you going to do it?"

"I thought merely to use Intelligo to study them in situ and Rego should it be necessary to capture them. Rego Animal was sufficient to call the stallion to me some minutes ago," she said.

"I can assist," offered Leporideas before calling upon magic to temporarily clothe him. In his excitement, he spent less care on the spell than he should and the clothes, though serviceable, were of an awkward cut. Looking down, he shrugged and smiled boyishly, for he had worn worse in his life.

Lilia smiled. "We rarely come upon a task this simple."

Frederic waited, invisibly, with his hand still on the hilt. He wondered if he should speak, but decided not to. He thought the troupe would instruct him if needed. And his own arts were quite lacking in this area.

Lilia stood aside and indicated those with the skills should proceed to Int and then Reg the horses. "If I can be of assistance, please tell me so," she said.

Leporideas suggested that Rego Animal might be the best way to gather the herd for closer inspection, and Osprey and Marianna concurred. The three began to work, each choosing an animal on which to work. Though none seemed to have spectacular skill with their spells, they did manage to gather the herd close together and roughly pen them against the edge of the plateau. They managed this feat without tiring themselves, since each seemed to think that they might need their strength later.

The strange wild child went with the beasts, refusing to be parted from them and staying always close to the large stallion who seemed the leader of the herd.

"If we approach them as skittish, strange normal horses -- slowly, talking soothingly, hand outstretched below nose level -- perhaps we can get close to them (touch them, even), and start to understand what they are," said Lilia.

As an afterthought, "Handling the girl the same way might be a good idea."

"I am less capable of dealing with the girl," stated Leporideas speaking on a magical and social level. Intellego was not his strong suit, but hoped that he could use it to discern something of the horses' origin or purpose.

Frederic remained where he was. He remembered even normal horses can be skiddish around him.

"I can try to speak to the girl," said Lilia. "Leporideas, you can do what you can with the horses. Frederic, it would be good to have someone at our back in case of disaster. Marianna, we know little of your skills or inclinations. What role do you wish to take?"

Marianna indicated that she would attempt to learn something about the horses, and Osprey would do so as well.

Knowing the girlchild might not be exactly what she seemed, Lilia approached cautionsly, a smile on her face, her hand outstretched.

Her eyes followed Lilia closely as the maga crouched and spoke gently to her. There was no comprehenson in the girl's eyes at any of words Lilia spoke in any of the languages that Lilia knew.

As Lilia spoke, and the child divided her attention between Lilia and the herd, the others began their Intelligo investigations. Since they were not hurting the beasts, although all save the stallion shied away from Marianna, the girl didn't react too wildly. She did move toward the animals and made a whinnying sound which attracted their attention, but Lilia prevented her from interfering too much with the process.

The three other magi were visibly tiring fast as they worked their spells and then one by one, first Leporideas, then Marianna and last Osprey the stepped away. Each sought support against a rock or companion.

Osprey spoke first, "I cannot be sure, but I find no taint of evil or even of magic in these beasts, saving only the stallion. There is in him traces of power, but I do not think it infernal."

Through gasps, Leporideas confirmed Osprey's assessment.

Marianna nodded as well, adding, "But demons are adept at hiding their traces. Still ..." she waved at the herd, "Normal horses except the stallion, I think."

Lilia remained crouched, but turned her head toward the other magi. Not wanting to scare the girl any more than she already was, she only raised her voice slightly, keeping the tone gentle.

"The girl doesn't seem to understand anything I say. She's frightened for herself and the horses. I wonder if it isn't she who lends the magical abilities to the beasts."

Marianna noded, "It is possible. Perhaps we should examine the girl."

Lilia nodded in agreement. "You three should rest and try to gather yourselves to read the girl. I'll try to gain some trust -- or at least calm her -- in the meantime."

Lilia again crouched near the girl and held a hand out, gesturing gently for the girl to come closer. She hummed a little, then said to the girl, "My mother used to sing me this lullaby when I was frightened in the dark. Listen closely; I always found it very comforting." She began to sing.

Lilia sang her song gently and the girl jumped away at the sudden sound, hiding behind a horse. A moment later, she peeked out and moved a bit closer. The human song seemed quite foreign to her, but seemed to spark some curiosity. The girl began to hum herself, a cracked annd ragged sound, as if she was using her voice in this fashion for the first time.

When Lilia's song ended, the girl moved quickly back into the herd. She made soft whinnying sounds and patted the animals' flanks as she made her way toward the stallion.

"How are you feeling?" Lilia asked softly of her exhausted compatriots. "She was interested in the song for a moment..." The maga never took her eyes off the girl as she talked to the horses.

Leporideas shuffled forward taking care to not make any sudden movements to frighten the herd. "The girl, she is closely tied to the herd as if she is not human at all. Could she have been one of them before and is now stuck in this form?" he asked of Osprey.

"Such things are not unheard of," said Osprey. Turning to Lilia he added, "I will need more than just a few minutes of rest before I shall be ready to essay another investigation." The other fatigued magi nodded in agreement.

"If she had been witness to the demon, I would suspect her to be fearful of us, " added Etienne. "Unless she can understand our nature."

"We will do what we can to learn of the girl when you are ready, then. I will do my best to with her until you give me a signal to stop." said Lilia. She began another song.

The girl raised her head at the song, then shook it firmly and swung onto the stallion's back, gripping his mane. The magnificent animal reared slightly and then began to move, leading the herd away from the magi.

Without thinking, Etienne ran to the fore and tried to corral them back toward the group.

Lilia stopped singing.

Without magic, there was nothing to prevent the horses from following the stallion and they were trying to move away from humans and the edge where they had been drawn. Lilia's singing or lack thereof seemed to have no effect. Etinne had some experience with horses and managed to deflect the movement of the herd, so that they were now moving along more parallel to the steep drop. They were picking up speed now, and the stallion was moving to the front of the herd.

The herd was runnning now, with the stallion leading. They began to curve around the edge of the plateau away from a sheer drop. Then, at the last moment, the stallion veered back and raced off the drop. Rather than falling, he galloped on in the air. Behind him, the herd followed him, fearlessly racing into space behind him in a beautiful curve. Runnning hard the stallion led his herd toward a ridge a mile or so distant and soon touched ground, continued his run and within another minute or two the last of the herd had passed over the ridge.

Etienne ran a couple of steps before coming to a depressed stop. He sighed and walked back amazed at what he had just witnessed. "If they can do that, I am not sure I wish to ride them." "We can now be sure that *something* is magic," added Marianna drily.

Frederic was amazed, but remained silent.

"Indeed," said Lilia. She turned to Marianna. "May I ask, without prying, how you learned of these horses?"

Lilia listened to Marianna's tale, then added their own, choking over the death of the child in their village.

"There are many questions. Is the girlchild we saw today just a manifestation of the same evil we saw before? While it didn't feel like it to me, perhaps that was the object of the game. If they were two different entities mingling with the fantastic horses, how did the horses change possession? Or do the horses possess those around them? Many questions..."

"Yes," said Marianna. "But none that are well served by standing on this cold plateau." She looked at the Lakehomers, then shrugged. "Our camp is over there," she pointed. "There is room nearby if you wish to join us. Come," the last commment was to her guards as she turned to begin her trek back to her camp.

When Mariana was far enough away, Frederic whispered into Osprey's ear, "Shall I return to the covenant and inform the rest of what has happened?"

"Inform who?" asked Osprey. "And it was two day's travel for you. I could fly it in considerably less time, should it prove neccessary."

"I dont wish to startle them by becoming visible in the middle of their camp as the sun sets," Frederic replied. "Mariana should be informed of my presence.

"A good thought, Frederic. Let us follow and we will sort it out before you reappear." Lilia turned to follow Marianna.

The company started down the slope after their erstwhile host, and it proved easy to mention another companion who would join them later and to leave one of the grogs "to meet him."

The camp of the Bremmeren contingent proved to be centered on an a shepherd's hut in a high meadow. Marianna had clearly claimed the hut and showed no inclination to share it, but there was plenty of level ground nearby and her companions had gathered enough wood to make a fire. Another grog and a servant had been at the camp all day, and a meal was nearly ready. Marianna did not prove so ungracious as to refuse them a share.

Lilia thanked Mariana and her grogs lavishly for the meal, convinced that a steady good nature could improve the oddly strained relations.

"It was, for us, fortuitous to meet you here. We none of us know much about the horses, but your expertise is undoubtedly greater than ours. I admit that I am at a loss now as to what to do about them... if anything. Our last encounter with them, as we mentioned, ended badly, but there was an altogether different rider... human... influence..." she shrugged. "My inclination is to think the horse we saw last time might have been simply a mount and not demonic or evil in itself.

"With all that, I feel we are no closer to understanding these beasts." She looked into the fire, hoping this indirect noodling would draw Mariana into a more contemplative discussion and soothe her snappishness.

"I know nothing more than you," said Marianna. "But I am inclined now to give up the pursiut as a bad job. Perhaps," she mused, "with a bit better preparation it might prove fruitful, but chasing a herd of flying horses across the Alps on foot is a fool's errand."

"Let them come to us," Frederic responded, "if they have ill intent."

"Yes," said Marianna. "Or ... a more targetted spell, one suited to the task at hand ..."

At a loss for how to proceed, the company ate their dinner and spent the night with Marianna. In the morning, the Bremerren maga's companions struck campe as the Lakehomers gathered their equipment. Their parting was brusque but civil.

Several days later, the company arrived at Lakehome and returned to their usual tasks and occupations.