by P. C. Cast
River motioned to her watching Herd, and April led them closer.
“I am happy to announce to Herd Magenti that our Herd stallion, Tulpar”—she enunciated his name carefully—“has Chosen his Rider. Her name is Dove, and she is the Seer of this Pack.” River nodded to Mari.
The Herd gasped and murmured in shock.
Mari made a slight gesture and her canine padded to her side. As soon as the Herd quieted she spoke in a strong, clear voice. “I am Mari, one of the two Moon Women who lead our Pack, and this is my Companion, Rigel.”
The Pack had reached the floor of the valley by then. They waited in a quiet group, several yards away. From that group another girl stepped out. She had a thick length of dark hair that was dressed with beads and feathers. River felt a jolt of surprise when she realized that the girl was carrying a bright-eyed puppy in a sling across her chest.
“I am Sora, Companion to Chloe, and the second Moon Woman who leads our Pack,” she said, bowing respectfully first to River and then to the watching Herd.
“Mari, Sora, do you seek safe passage through our territory?” River asked. She held her breath waiting for the answer, knowing that whatever the Moon Women said would impact her Herd dramatically.
“No, River. We seek a place to settle—to live peacefully and honestly. We have traveled from far in the west, up the Umbria River and through the Rock Mountains, with your plains as our destination. We would like to petition your Herd—your people—to allow us to settle here. We are more than willing to share our talents and experiences with you, that we all might be stronger and more prosperous.” Mari raised her voice so that it carried to the raptly listening Herd and Pack.
“Well, then, we have a lot to talk about in addition to Dove and her Tulpar.” River met her mother’s watchful gaze. Ever so slightly, Dawn nodded to her daughter, conveying confidence and agreement in one small movement. River drew a deep breath and turned to the Moon Women. “Mari, Sora, I would like to invite you and your Pack to be our guests. We were already planning to celebrate our victorious new Herd Stallion, Tulpar, and now we can add to the celebration the joyous fact that he has finally Chosen his Rider.”
“My Pack and I gratefully accept your invitation. It has been a very long journey and we, too, would like to celebrate the end of our travels,” Mari said.
“Is this all of your people?” River motioned to the waiting Pack.
“Yes, there are forty-two of us—and several canines, including many puppies,” Sora added.
“You are welcome to enter our camp. There is plenty of room for your Pack to rest comfortably with us while we discuss the future,” said River. “April, I am going to walk back to the campsite with Mari and Sora and their Pack. Please go ahead and begin having the quarters in the cavern prepared for our guests.”
“Yes, River!” April nodded before turning Deinos, and, with the rest of the Herd, she trotted back to the campsite.
“River, will our canines be a disruption to your camp?” Mari asked.
River looked down at the canine at the girl’s side. He was large, but still had the gangly look of a colt. Her gaze went from him to the small nose and shiny eyes that peered from the pouch slung across Sora’s chest. Then she met her mare’s intelligent gaze.
These canines are no threat. I sense no danger from them—only curiosity, spoke her mare in River’s mind.
“My Anjo doesn’t believe your canines pose any threat, so they should not be a disruption, either.”
“I assure you that they are no threat.” Mari raised her voice. “Nik, Antreas, please join us with Laru and Bast.”
Two men broke away from the Pack. One had a huge canine by his side and the other was obviously their guide as a Lynx accompanied him.
“River, this is my mate, Nik, and his Companion, Laru—who is also my Rigel’s father.” Nik bowed respectfully to River.
River returned the gesture before smiling at the other man. “I recognize you as a Lynx Companion and guide. Nearby Herds will be happy to hear there is a guide who has newly completed a journey. I know of several Riders who will be interested in your services.”
“I am Antreas. My Companion is Bast.” Antreas crossed his wrists over his heart and bowed in the Wind Rider salute. “Thank you for the kind offer of employment, but I am no longer a Lynx guide. I have joined this Pack and will remain with them—hopefully here on your beautiful plains.”
River’s curiosity was sparked. She’d never heard of a Lynx guide abandoning his solitary profession and joining any group. But there would be time to ask questions later. She was very aware of how badly Tulpar needed to be cooled, as well as how haggard she appeared and felt.
“I’ll look forward to getting to know your unusual Pack. This day keeps getting more and more interesting,” River said.
“It sure does,” said Dove happily. She was still leaning against Tulpar, only now it wasn’t because she needed the support, but because she wanted to be close to the stallion.
River had never seen Tulpar look so relaxed. He rested his muzzle on the girl’s shoulder, nuzzling her occasionally as Dove stroked his wide forehead.
Tulpar is finally content. He has Chosen his rider; his loneliness is gone, Anjo told her Rider.
Her mare’s words brought River great happiness, which she shared with Anjo.
“Dove, if you remount Tulpar you can ride him as we walk slowly back to camp. He has just been through a long, difficult race, and the walk will help him cool down,” River said to the beautiful, eyeless girl.
Dove’s smooth brow wrinkled in concentration. “Tulpar says he will need more than walking. Something about bathing him, caring for his muscles, and also he wants to eat a sweet, sticky mash. I—I do not know about any of those things.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll teach you everything you need to know.” River rested her hand comfortingly on the girl’s shoulder.
At her touch Dove jumped, as if River’s hand had been a hot brand.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you—only to reassure you that you need not worry,” River said.
Cheeks flushed, Dove smiled nervously. “Oh. Um. Thank you. And I wasn’t startled. I should remount Tulpar now, though. He says he is getting stiff.”
“Of course.”
Tulpar dropped to his knees and, once again, River helped the mysterious, eyeless girl mount.
When Dove was astride, she smiled. “It is such a miracle. I see through his eyes. Nik! I used to imagine you with a permanent frown on your face. I am glad to see that was only an imagining.”
“You really can see!” Nik blurted.
“I can—through my Tulpar’s eyes. Bast! You are even more beautiful than I imagined!”
The Lynx coughed delicately and purred as she groomed herself.
Deinos calls. The guest quarters are in order, Anjo said. And Tulpar is stiffening. He needs to be cared for properly.
“Mari, Sora, if you and your Pack would follow us, we really do need to get back to camp.” River tried to sound nonchalant, but it was important that Tulpar begin his reign as Herd Stallion healthy, and not lame from overuse.
“We’re ready,” Mari said. “And we’re eager to meet the rest of your Herd.”
River set the pace. Though she didn’t mount Anjo, she walked briskly beside her mare as she snuck glances at the Pack, which followed close behind. They didn’t look like the ragtag groups that staggered from the mountains looking for sanctuary. This Pack appeared to be in excellent health. They wore beautifully woven clothes decorated with intricate patterns. Women far outnumbered men, which made the group especially colorful, as they had dressed their hair in feathers and beads and shells. The people seemed strong, though they also had the look of weary travelers. The litters they dragged were filled with supplies. River was already intrigued by the plants that were sprouting, as healthy as the humans that tended them.
And the canines also intrigued her. River thought the big canines were magnificent, b
ut the puppies kept drawing her eye, especially the adorable black ones. Three of them were wrapped in slings, but as they’d begun walking to camp, their Companions let them down, and now River counted a total of five pups bounding around, though they stayed carefully away from Anjo’s and Tulpar’s hooves.
“They’re unexpectedly cute, aren’t they?”
River pulled her gaze from the frolicking pups to return Mari’s knowing smile. “They are.”
“Two of them—those two little girls over there by the black Terrier, Fala, who is their mother—haven’t Chosen their Companions yet. We’re all waiting a little breathlessly to see who they do Choose.”
“Do you not have a formal Presentation of Candidates for their Choosing?” River asked.
“No. Pups are allowed to Choose at their own pace, which usually happens between the time they are weaned and when they turn six months old—though there are exceptions,” Nik spoke up.
His gaze slid to Sora, who grinned and said, “My Chloe is one of the exceptions. She Chose me before she was weaned. Your horses all Choose together?”
“Yes. They are Presented to their Candidates for Choosing the spring they’re yearlings, newly weaned, though we have exceptions, too.” River was walking beside Anjo. Tulpar—with Dove on his back—was to her left, and she gave the stallion a pointed look. “Tulpar is three years old. No horse has ever waited that long to Choose a Rider.”
“Well, he had to wait for me to get here,” Dove said as she leaned forward to hug the golden stallion’s neck. Tulpar tossed his head and nickered softly. Dove giggled. “He says that I am worth the wait!”
River studied the eyeless girl. “Tulpar is wise. It makes sense that he waited for his Seer, and now the Herd will know exactly why he didn’t Choose a Rider as a weanling.”
Mari lowered her voice, speaking for River’s ears alone. “There really will be no problem with Dove being this stallion’s Companion?”
River met Mari’s gaze steadily. “I am Lead Mare Rider; I speak for my Herd. I give you my word there will be no problem with Dove being Tulpar’s Rider.”
* * *
Mari’s breath left her at her first sight of the full might and beauty of Herd Magenti. Their campsite was spectacular in itself. Set in the middle of a lush valley of green in a circle marked by huge standing stones, it was a marvel of purple tents surrounding an enormous opening in the earth. The Herd was busy. Mari saw people gathering firewood, tending cooking cauldrons that were sending out delectable aromas to spice the air, hanging colorful laundry, repairing traps, and so much, much more that Mari could barely comprehend all the activity, though as the group passed, many people paused to smile and fist their crossed wrists over their hearts and call a welcome.
The Herdmembers did stare at Dove on her Tulpar—a lot. But Mari could hardly hold that against them. She found it difficult not to stare at Dove and her stallion. The girl and the horse appeared to glow with happiness.
There were so many horses! As they entered camp Nik captured Mari’s hand, squeezing it with excitement.
“They’re more fantastic than I imagined—and I’ve been imagining them since I was a child,” Nik said.
River’s gaze went to Nik. “Your people have visited us in the past?”
Nik nodded. “My father traveled to your plains many years ago when he was a young man. He brought back stories that intrigued me. My mother was an artist. She used to carve horses for me, but they did not capture the beauty of real horses.” Nik paused, cleared his throat, and then asked. “May I touch your Anjo?”
River glanced up at her mare.
Of course. He seems very nice. I would like to meet his canine as well.
“Anjo says yes, you may. And she would like to meet your very large canine,” River said.
Nik’s eyes widened in happy surprise. “That would be great! Laru, ready to meet your first horse?”
At his side the big Shepherd’s ears pricked at he studied the mare, and then his tail wagged enthusiastically.
“That’s a yes,” Nik said.
“I think I got that. The tail-wagging is a good thing, right?”
“Right,” Nik said.
They’d come to the wide entrance of the cavern, where long lengths of dyed purple curtains waved lazily in the breeze and the swallowtail standard of Herd Magenti flew above it, decorated with white horsehair thread. The Pack halted. Anjo moved from her spot beside River, making her way to stand in before Nik.
“Hello, Anjo. You are a great beauty,” Nik said, as he stroked the mare’s smooth neck.
Then Anjo lowered her muzzle to sniff at Laru, who lifted his to her as they greeted one another. At Mari’s side Rigel’s entire body wriggled with the wagging of his tail.
“Mari, would your Companion like to greet Anjo, too?” River asked.
“Rigel, want to meet Anjo?” Mari had barely spoken the words when Rigel barked and sent her an image of him touching his nose to the big golden stallion’s. “Um, he wants to say hello to Tulpar.”
“Tulpar would like that!” Dove exclaimed. “And so would I. Tulpar is going to like the canines. He says they smell interesting.”
Mari met River’s gaze, and the Lead Mare Rider nodded.
“Well, go ahead. It’s okay,” Mari told Rigel, who rushed over to the stallion, trailing five black puppies in his wake. “Oh, no! I’m sorry!” Mari hurried after the puppies as Jenna and Lily sprinted up.
“Dash, come back here! You’re not supposed to be running on that leg!” Lily called.
“Khan! Behave yourself and stay away from those hooves!” Jenna said as she jogged after her pup.
“Chloe! Come here, little girl!” Sora called. Her pup turned her head to look at Sora, whining pitifully. “I know the horses are interesting, but you’re very little—and they are very big.”
Dove giggled. “Oh, let them meet Tulpar. You do not need to worry! Tulpar says he will be careful. He would never harm a baby.”
The stallion had lowered his head and was sniffing at the puppies and Rigel, and all the canines were happily huffing and wagging, some even perched on their butts, sitting up so that they could get closer to the horse.
“They look really tiny compared to Tulpar,” Mari said.
“You do not need to worry. Tulpar will take care with them,” River told her softly.
Mari sighed in relief and decided to simply watch the fun as the pups and the stallion made friends.
“River, everything is ready within for our guests,” said the girl who looked so much like River whose name was April as she rejoined the group. “Wow, they’re really cute!”
“They are,” River agreed. “Mari, Sora, Nik, Antreas—and the rest of the Pack whose names I do not yet know—this is my sister, April, who is also my Second.”
Rose rushed up. At her side Fala was whining and shooting concerned looks at her litter. Both human and canine made a wide circle around Tulpar and Anjo as they approached the puppies.
“I am so sorry! I should have collected the pups as we got close to the camp,” Rose said.
River smiled at the woman, who was trying to corral the squirming babies. “Young ones are always welcome within the Herd. And these pups are in no danger.”
“River and April, this is Rose and her Fala, who is mother to this littler of puppies,” said Mari.
“Fala—she is a different kind of canine than your Rigel and Laru, isn’t she?” River asked.
“Yes, Fala and the puppies are Terriers. We have another Terrier with us named Cameron, but he’ll be back toward the rear of the Pack with his mate and their young litter. Rigel and Laru and the rest of the big canines are Shepherds,” Mari explained as the Terrier pups leaped around Tulpar, sniffing at and playing with the stallion.
“I’d like to touch one of the puppies, if that’s okay,” April said.
“Absolutely,” said Rose. “Puppies like to be petted and played with.”
April waded into the puppy pile and
was instantly bombarded by wriggling bodies vying for her attention.
“They’re very enthusiastic,” River said, obviously trying not to laugh.
“Puppies are born friendly,” said Rose.
“And precocious,” added Sora.
“Sounds a lot like foals,” said River.
By then there was a rather large group of Herdmembers gathered in a loose semicircle around the leaders of the Pack and the two horses, their attention riveted on the group of pups. Mari took the opportunity to study the Herd and was instantly impressed by how fit everyone looked. Like River and April, they were dressed predominately in purple, but each Herdmember was unique. Some wore long, flowing cloaks over tunics and others—men and women—wore form-fitting pants and tight, midriff-baring vests. They were a beautiful people with varying skin and hair color, though they all held themselves proudly. They stood tall and strong, with a sense of open curiosity as well as togetherness that Mari found very appealing.
Their horses were spectacular. Like canines, they seemed to be allowed to roam freely. Their coats were shiny with health, their eyes bright and intelligent. As she stared at them she understood Nik’s excitement. The horses and their Riders were incredible. Great Earth Mother, please let them see our value and accept us, Mari prayed silently.
“I think we’re causing a scene,” Nik said.
“Everyone’s just curious. Many of us have never seen a canine before—and I don’t think any of us have seen puppies,” said River. “I need to touch one, too. They look so fluffy!”
“Go ahead. They love the attention,” Rose said.
River was heading to the cluster of puppies when April exclaimed, “Ouch! Oooh! Their little teeth are really sharp!”
“I should have warned you about that,” Rose said. “But they know better than to bite, no matter how playfully. Just tell the pup no.”
“Oh, well then. No, little puppy. No biting!” April scolded the girl pup sitting on her feet.
Suddenly, Mari felt a jolt of shock as April’s expression completely changed. She dropped to her knees and took the puppy in her arms. “Oh, Cleo! No, I’m not mad at you! Of course I’m not. Your teeth are just really sharp, so you need to be careful.”
