"Charger pt. 2" by Michelle B. Lackey

The Rider

Maroon silk hung from the high ceiling, hugging the room in a gentle red fog. All about the central dais, pillows of every shade littered the floor and nearly hid the smooth surface. Marbled silver, gold, and amber ran up the elegant columns and polished walls, barely visible through the long trains of fabric. There were no windows, only a large skylight obscured by the hanging cloth. It rained sunlight on the golden woman below, but something else distracted her from the patterns it painted on the walls.

Sitting upon her throne, she considered the young man stretched out across her cushions. It had seemed so simple before when the plan had been formed to retrieve this man from the Humans. Since then, the situation had become far more delicate and was growing more desperate with every passing thought. She had sent someone into the realm of Humans that didn't know how close they were to being overrun, to retrieve a man who couldn't remember who was or the importance of the knowledge he carried, and had expected him to see and understand the moment he saw his rescuer. Even as she stared at him, watching the sunlight play on his face, she knew that such hope had been futile at its best. Now, all that amazing knowledge and wisdom was blocked behind the mental barrier that sat just in front of his subconscious.

Not only have we lost you, sir, but we have lost one of our greatest warriors to the effects of that mysterious magic, the woman thought, twirling a rich red lock about one finger, her mental hands running over the barrier in his mind. It was as intricate as the patterned walls about her, but she could still feel the familiar presence trapped behind it. Losing the mighty general only days ago was a blow you would have taken hard, but if you could understand the pain our greatest warrior has been forced to endure, you would weep with grief. You were so angry the last time you two met, but now… now you need each other more than ever before.

Suddenly, the man twitched, rising up as he blinked uncertainly in the bright light she preferred. For only a moment, his pupils were slitted before relaxing into the quiet circles that were normal for any Human. He didn't even try to change them back.

Oh yes, the situation is far more serious than any of us could have ever imagined. Rising from her throne, her golden dress gently brushed against the throne. The sound of wind chimes filled the air, startling the man into looking at her. Touching her dress, she brushed it again to make it still. Slowly, the sound died away.

"Where am I?" he asked, motioning to the pillow filled room while his gaze regarded her with the measuring look of a seasoned warrior. She smiled inwardly. Such confidence in her presence was a luxury only a few had managed to obtain.

"Do you not know?" she inquired, watching his face for any recognition.

"Last thing I remember, I-" he started, but his face went complete blank. She winced and reached out to his mind, only a single movement from her finger showed she did anything more than breathe, but the motion wasn't lost to him. Instantly, he righted himself on the less than stable pillows and turned to regard her. "Look," he tried to say forcefully even as he wobbled uncertainly, "I don't know what's going on, but I demand to know where Charger is right now."

"Charger?" the golden woman asked, arching an elegant eyebrow. "How do you demand something of me when I don't even know your name?"

"It's Steve," the man answered, clutching his forehead as she felt the mental barrier waver. On the other side, her mind's eye could see a creature of light struggling to break loose. It clawed at the translucent barrier, leaving long scratches in the glassy wall that had trapped it so well. Before sinking deep into Steve's unconsciousness once again, it roared in frustration, yellow eyes flaming with irritation and anger. Then, his mind was silent.

Perhaps all is not so lost as I had feared, she thought; glad to see that the creature still remembered whom it was even if the young man did not. "Very well, Steve," she said gently. "Sleep for a while. When you wake, you will be with Charger. Do as you have always done, my friend, and keep her safe."

"What have I-?" he started, but she silenced him with a wave of her hand.

"Do not worry. You have cared for her long since. Her very being is second nature to you. Just sleep and I will return you to her." He blinked stubbornly as the mentally induced sleep slowly overran him, gently pulling him back down into the pillows. He struggled to keep his eyes open even as she came to stand over him, backlit by the brilliant light above them. For a moment, he was successful in driving the sleep back, but then his eyes tried to convince him that he was outside staring up into interlocking tree limbs. The golden woman became a magnificent palomino carousel horse neighing in fear. Then, darkness swallowed the images as quickly as they had come.

When the sleep finally overcame him, the woman stood there for a time, looking down at him sadly. So much depended on this one man and there was so little room for error… She was startled when she saw a slight smile lift the corner of his lips even as he lay ignorantly before a woman of royal blood. Somehow he knew her-

-just as he knew Charger, she thought, understanding it for the first time. Ties such as these are impossible to break. No wonder she trusted him so many times. Sighing, she raised her decorated hand. The mighty ruby at the base of her finger glistened in the bright light as a single flash ran across its surface. Steve was gone. "Trust her, my friend," she whispered to the pillows as a tear ran down her cheek. "You recognized her so easily, trust her just one more time."

A gentle breeze rolled over his face, startling Steve from sleep. Holding his forehead, he tried to remember what had happened. There was a woman in his thoughts that he had never seen before. He struggled to think, to remember what had happened. The memories surrounding her wavered and faded into a mixture of gold and rubies as if it were a dream.

"I have seriously got to quit watching movies that late," he whispered to the air. Righting himself, he tried to remember how he had ended up in the forest. It had been just another normal day, cleaning the carousel horses and getting everything ready to close. All around him were towering trees and warm grass. How had he come to be here in the forest?

Suddenly, memory flashed across his eyes.

The draft running, winking between the trees…

He staggered, blinking as his thoughts calmed. Looking about more carefully, he nearly staggered again.

Leaping from the rock, landing easily on the back of a tornado…

Yes, that was it. He had managed to cut her off and jumped onto her back. Shaking his head to clear out a few more cobwebs, he staggered a little more.

Something snorted behind him. The sound was strong and powerful like distant thunder. Steve gasped and froze. Turning his eyes to the ground, he tried to distinguish the shadows from one another and figure out what stood behind him. As far as he could manage, he couldn't really tell what stood so quietly in wait, only that it was big. When nothing else happened, he looked over his shoulder hesitantly, afraid of what he might find there. Recognizing his watcher, he turned about slowly so as not to frighten her. Standing quietly, the black mare that he had watched over for so long regarded him with dark eyes alive with livid curiosity. Her ear flicked lazily when a gnat ventured too close. Another flash-

Racing through the woods, a flicked ear that says she listens…

Weaving uncertainly, Steve caught himself on a nearby tree, his eyes never leaving the dark mare. "You're not a carousel horse, are you?" he asked, thankful for the sound in the quiet woods. Both ears pricked forward now, head high and alert. Something within him relaxed as the mare watched him. For the first time he could remember, he felt perfectly safe.

Leaping into the air, black head stretching out as if in flight…

"Except for that part," he said quietly, reaching a hand out towards her. "Come here, pretty one." The draft stared back at him, eyes intense with an emotion he couldn't decipher. He came closer, keeping his hand stretched out in welcome, wary of any sign that she might charge. Her sheer size reminded him of the damage a horse could do with angry hooves. Moving carefully, he slowly approached her, murmuring the sweet nothings that so many horses seemed to enjoy. "Good thing I have some knowledge of horses, eh, Charger?"

The man approached her without fear unlike so many nameless shadows that ran about in her mind. Shadows rippled over him as he moved, but Charger couldn't help but stare at him in fascination. Who was this man that he cared so much for her without fear or request?

The need for friendship, the wish to be close…

The knowledge that it was dangerous, frightening to many…

She shook her head in frustration, making the still attached tack jingle in the forest silence. Broken memories weren't of any use when confronted with the here and now, she did know that. Faded promises, bits and pieces of some lost wisdom, it was all just a jumble in her mind too confusing to be mended.

:Maybe you can help me after all.:

:Charger, where are you?: asked a trembling voice in her mind. It was Sylvia. Still attached to the carousel, the little filly had been unable to follow her and her fear was plainly written through her voice.

:You can still hear me?: the dark draft asked in surprise. A disgruntled affirmative overran Sylvia's more subtle delight.

:Hear you?: Gunman's more irritated voice shot back. :You were screaming at us only a moment ago - some silly nonsense about a golden woman and cushions. Do you have any idea how much those two items are unrelated?:

:Where are you and how can we help?: Sylvia asked, pressing forward in the mental conversation. Without thinking, Charger deftly silenced the unruly minds, putting a slight barrier about her mind that their weaker mentalities would have no hope of breaking. She didn't stop to consider how she knew this. There was so much she didn't understand that one more mystery wasn't going to do any harm. As the others withdrew sulkily, she still sensed Sylvia on the other side. The younger filly was gently moving about, looking for any openings in the mighty wall. Somehow, Charger knew she wouldn't leave. When Sylvia mentally curled up next to the wall, sending out in waves that she had resolved not to be moved or dissuaded so easily, the black draft smiled.

"Good thing I have some knowledge of horses, eh, Charger?" Steve asked, his voice breaking through the mental silence that she had surrounded herself with. Startled, she pulled her head up high, focusing her eyes once more on the young man. Under her gaze, he tensed involuntarily. He didn't bolt as so many others would have, but his anxiety was making him sweat.

She didn't really know what to do. He had been a kind friend that had finally heard her and, now, he stood before her without really understanding what she was. There was no reason for him to be frightened, but how could she possibly comfort him? Remembering who she was… that was hard enough. That was when she noticed his hand. Fingers spread, it reminded her of a star. Keeping her eyes on his, she reached out and nudged his hand gently before setting her nose completely in the curve of his hand. Something within her relaxed as his cool hand warmed at her touch.

When the large mare finally surrendered into putting her nose in his hand, Steve went giddy with happiness. She was so large and uncontrollable, but she trusted him on some level to manage such close contact. It was enough to make a grown man cry - which he almost did. Pulling himself together, he reached gingerly for the reins. The mare hardly stirred, just watched. When he tugged on the rein, she pulled up her head, watching him with those all too intelligent eyes.

"Come along then," he whispered. "We'll get you back to the fair and then we'll come up with something to do with you." She nickered, stamping a forefoot in apparent agreement. "I'm taking that as a yes," he smiled, gently grasping the rein near the bit and starting forward again. This time, she followed without incident. For a moment, he brushed her hide and felt the tingle of emotion run up his arm.

The need to remember, the wish to protect…

The need to understand, knowing the danger…

Carefully, he moved his hand away from her hide, missing the sadness in her eyes as she followed along like a placid old plow horse.

Sitting quietly beneath the maroon curtains that hovered over her, the golden woman opened her eyes. Things were going better than expected. Steve and Charger were together again, an interesting combination since neither remembered their rather colorful history. When they finally did remember, things would most certainly spiral out of control. Taking a deep breath, she fingered the delicate spider's silver that decorated her hand.

Suddenly, a voice split the air that made her wince. "We're waiting, lana-tayla."

"I am trying," she whispered in return, abandoning the intricate bracelet. Knowing the volume of her voice didn't matter, she didn't bother with shouting as so many others of her kind did. "They are both stubborn and I must try harder than with the others."

"The others are still on the carousel," was the neutral answer. "They are unimportant. The draft is the one we are waiting for. You promised us that she would return and she has already come and gone."

That was Steve, you twits, she thought darkly. "I apologize, good lords, but those such as her cannot be rushed. She will come to you willingly, I promise."

"As you will, lana-tayla," was the gruff dismissal. The 'presence' that often followed the voice vanished. Her watchers were truly gone.

"I did promise that she would come willingly," she said to the cushions as she raised her hand and summoned another equine before her. It was another carousel horse in appearance, but its eyes sparkled with untouched knowledge and gentle humor. "Go Tunok, set the others free so that Charger can return to us." With a nod, the richly decorated white stallion vanished. She chuckled then, leaning back in her throne. "I just didn't promise that she would come happily."

The Stranger

Steve wasn't real certain what he expected upon returning to the fairgrounds. Leading Charger by the bit, he wouldn't have been surprised to see little fairies floating about, but everything was silent. Already dusk was closing in, lights flickering on as trash drifted about in the grass. Ahead of them, the carousel was silent and looked completely normal aside from the large gaping hole where Charger normally stood. Considering his present company, Steve shuddered involuntarily when looking at the other horses. They were so large, so strong in comparison to real horses, but yet they seemed to glare at the world outside of them with either hate or astonishment. None of them pleased to be there and only one of them looked halfway content. When he shuddered again, Charger bumped him with her nose.

"Sorry about that, miss," he said, self-consciously rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess today has been a little busy for all of us." He shrugged then, shaking his head as he recalled that he was, after all, talking to a horse. "Why don't we get you back up there for now? Then I'll see what I can do about this tack." Nodding her head in almost painfully obvious understanding, Charger followed him up to the carousel, but when he tried to get her to step on the wooden planking, she reared with a loud neigh.

"Easy, girl! Easy!" he called as the other members of E-14 protested loudly in her mind, nearly drowning him out. "Charger, calm down!" he shouted, pulling frantically on the reins until he got her head down to his level. "Look at me!" She did, her eyes wide with fright. "Whoa, now," he said soothingly once he had her complete attention. "There is no reason to worry. No one is going to hurt you. Shh, hush now." She whinnied again, retreating away from the carousel when he tried to coax her forward.

Unexpectedly, a new voice called out from the trees in answer to her frightened whinnies, but it was as different from her deep, rich sound as a snowflake from a thunderstorm. Startled, Steve whirled about at the sound only to gape at a new sight.

Standing there in full parade display only a few feet away was a magnificent white stallion. Standing quietly, the stallion could have been another carousel horse for all that he moved, but his beauty caused Steve to freeze. He was almost ethereal as he glowed in the fading twilight, white coat glistening like a polished diamond. Smaller than Charger, he seemed diminished in her presence somehow, but there was still a slight smile playing on his lips. The only explanation Steve could come up with was that this had to be how a unicorn looked after locating a particularly tasty patch of clover.

Suddenly, the strange horse chuckled. "Calm yourself, Steve," the white stallion said as easily as another human. "You aren't dreaming, aren't hallucinating, and I am by no means some upstart unicorn. I am here on request to see to the lady you are trying to lead and the Kigarra Suphe that stand quietly in place. Do calm down, that gaping hole in your head doesn't do you a bit of justice." Thoroughly surprised, Steve shut his mouth. Slight smile broadening, the stallion stepped forward.

The need to protect, to keep safe…

Instantly, Charger was between him and the carousel, rearing in anger and roaring with determination. She lashed out with dark forefeet for the pale hide that slid so easily away from her. The stallion called out something he couldn't distinguish, but the mare didn't falter for a moment. She bared her teeth and lashed out again, trappings flying wildly as she dove for the smaller stallion. Snorting with anger, the larger mare whirled about the pale horse, startling a neigh from him as a hoof struck his shoulder soundly.

Somehow, Steve found the scene familiar as he grasped the nearby gate for support as new images ran wildly through his mind. Some half-buried memory that he had long since given up on:

"She's coming, milord," a small woman in blue says from across the room. Before them stands a glowing pearl orb as it shows the nearby battle that rages on. In the orb, a black mare stands tall and proud on two legs, teeth bared in anger as she looks out over the desolate wastes of the once fertile land. Behind her, the mighty black and blue banner of her army waves in the breeze.

Charger whirls again as the stallion moves away, blue tack mixing with the darkness behind her.

"I know, my dear," he answers without feeling. "Take your family and flee. Don't take anything with you that would slow you down. Thank you for staying with me." He coughs.

"Sir, will you be ready when she arrives?"

"Yes, there is just one last thing to do now that she no longer trusts me." He reveals a small dagger in his hand. "She will listen to me when she sees this. She has always listened to me before."

That pale stallion shifts to move from her dangerous teeth, but his hooves falter and he stumbles as she closes in. He neighs in protest, but she is deaf to his calls.

"I hope you are right, my master, farewell." The girl leaves, but now his attention is on the angry mare. Her banner, held so proud only a moment ago, is trampled underfoot by the incoming invaders. Shrill whinnies and neighs of protest fill the chamber before the orb flickers and becomes silent.

"Run from me, my black draft, run and be safe," he whispers, hoping that she will somehow survive. Even before the words have died on his lips, the doors at the other end of the hall are thrown open and white rushes in. In the center is a bloody shadow holding a sword.

"No!" Steve shouted, running to stand between the white stallion and Charger's angry form. Startled, Charger circled back, keeping angry eyes fixated on his anxious face. "No, Charger, he is not the enemy." With an angry neigh, Charger reared, but he instinctively knew that she wanted an explanation for such behavior. "He… I… I don't know, but he isn't the one you should be fighting, my friend. He isn't the one that did… uh, something to you."

As her anger ebbed, Charger glared at him reproachfully for a moment before circling about to stand by his side, her dark eyes once more fixed on the stallion's pale hide. At that point, Steve fully believed that she was capable for searing a hole straight through him with nothing more than sheer will. When he turned to face the white stallion, he was startled.

"I cannot believe it," the stallion said quietly, wearing a face of complete confusion. "No one has ever managed to make her listen before except-" He shook his head dismissively. "You are a unique one indeed if you can make the Lady Death listen to you so easily."

"Lady Death?" Steve asked as Charger snorted insultingly.

"It is possible," the stallion said aloud, eyes searching Steve for any recognition of the mental presences that floated about him. There were so many strong minds behind him on the carousel, so many strong wills that were so close to breaking…

"Who are you talking to?" Steve asked, considering the stallion as if he were a lunatic.

The white horse froze. He cannot hear them. The lana-tayla will not be pleased. He is further gone than we thought. "The mare you defended me from so easily a moment ago. She is our Lady Death."

"You must be more than a little confused," Steve said shakily, but Charger seconded the motion firmly in the stallion's mind.

"Are you saying that she is a unicorn?"

:I am not an ignorant unicorn!: the black mare shouted, rearing and neighing in anger, but the stallion felt her mind spin curiously about that. She knew without understanding it. Steve darted forward, grasping her reins yet again, but this time she wasn't placated so easily. She reared again, pulling him high into the air as she roared with anger.

"Charger!" he shouted, holding tight to the halter and pulling himself about to look into her eyes. "You have to calm down or you're going to injure us both!"

The need to fight, to protect…

The wish to remain whole, to keep from pain…

Dropping to the ground heavily, Charger fastened her dark gaze on the white stallion. He wasn't frightened of her. Confusion ran wild in his eyes, but he was unafraid of the display he had just seen. It was unsettling, that look of complete confidence in the face of an unknown enemy.

The need to remain safe, the desire to bolt…

:Stay with us, Charger,: Sylvia begged, penetrating the shields. They had weakened since she was distracted. :Please, don't leave us. He wants to do something to us and we cannot fight back. Just don't leave…: Subtle agreement flowed from the other members of E-14 as the nightly sleep overwhelmed them. The stallion presented a danger and the others had to be protected. As suddenly as it had come, the desire to flee vanished. Pushing past Steve, she took up a protective stance between the white stallion and the carousel horses behind her. The man stood still for a moment, glancing between them nervously.

"You do remember something," the white horse continued, nodding. The little bells on his halter jingled in the stillness. Snorting, Charger pawed the ground with one foot, baring her teeth. She towered over him, a huge creature that seemed only larger in the darkness. "Do not worry, good lady, I am not here to harm your pretty carousel friends. I am here to set them free as the lana-tayla did you."

"Who or what is the lana-tayla?" Steve asked.

"You should know already," the white stallion answered, slyly smiling, "but amnesia appears to plague all of you. I will tell you if the Lady Death will allow me to free her friends." Turning his gaze to Charger, Steve was surprised to see the mare watching him intently. She was waiting for him to do something, but he was clueless.

"Let him by, Charger," he said, mentally kicking himself for something so cliché. Yes, Charger, let the unknown numbskull by so we can all be awed by his impressive knowledge of something we aren't even entirely sure exists. Great, perhaps I should try out for the village idiot tomorrow? But Charger moved aside, allowing the white stallion to pass even as she stared him down, waiting for the first hint of betrayal.

Ignoring both Steve and Charger now, the stallion approached the edge of the carousel flooring where the man had so recently tried to lead the black draft. Looking at all the horses he was about to free, he sighed. The lana-tayla had been right. There was more history and knowledge wrapped in these carousel horses than in any other living being in the universe.

Stepping up onto the wooden flooring, he heard Charger snort warningly behind him. Walking amongst them, he read all their nameplates. Gunman, Delilah, Rosie… and on down the rows, but then he paused by the smaller filly whose nameplate he could barely distinguish. 'Sylvia' it read. Looking around, the stallion realized that he didn't even know all the Kigarra Suphe present. There could easily be more wisdom and power wrapped in the plastic then he could comprehend. Worse, most of the names he didn't even recognize as being-

:Are you going to stand there gaping or do something?: Charger asked forcefully, drawing him back to the matter at hand. He didn't even bother to respond. Knowing her, she would simply become angry again and he couldn't count on Steve to save him from her fury again. Closing his eyes, he summoned the powers that his kind was known for.

"From the stars, light to chase away the shadows," he began, gently mumbling as he continued walking among the carousel horses. "From the moon, the strength to keep from falling into despair. From the trees, the courage to weather any storm. From the stars-" He continued on, his litany blurring together to anyone listening as the carousel horses began to move ever so slightly. First, a few ears shifted out of their places, then manes began to fall more like real hair. As his voice carried on, legs and tails twitched in surprise as new life came to the carved eyes. Instantly, they looked about in curiosity, asking each other what could possibly be happening.

:Get off the carousel!: Charger called, rearing and neighing to get their attention. :Pull yourselves free!: Doing as they were told without question, Gunman and the others bent over, pulling themselves free as easily as Charger had done the day before.

To Steve, who could not hear the mare's encouragement, the entire scene was more fairy tale than real. Any minute now, he expected the white stallion to vanish and awaken from where he had fallen against Charger as he was cleaning her. It was too impossible, too insane to be anything but a dream.

Yet, here he stood with fourteen perfectly tacked carousel horses pulling them from their poles, approaching him uncertainly, and standing beside him as if he were their only link to the outside world. Charger, towering a good six inches over the tallest of the newly released, nodded to each as they approached and gently nuzzled in welcome, but her eyes never left the white stallion as he continued his little chant. When he smiled truly and turned his sights over their heads into the forest, she bared her teeth in a warning that made the others shiver involuntarily.

Without acknowledging her distrust, the stallion stepped off the carousel with a gentle sigh, "From the night, lifeless lies given form to hide unforgiving truth."

Slowly, a fog swelled in the distant trees, sharpening the trees until they were in perfect silhouette. Then, it fell past the edge of the forest, gently flowing towards the waiting group. Rushing up their legs when it neared, it leapt from each carousel horse to their rightful place beneath the dim lights, writhing and twisting into shape. The mist before them grew denser and denser until they could no longer see the center of the merry-go-round, then… it fell.

With a sigh similar to relief, the mist simply stopped moving before sliding down to the floor and disappearing among the wooden planks, a fresh shine over it as if nothing had changed. As the strange fog slid away, new carousel horses brought to replace those who had be freed glared out into the night.

"They're different," Steve whispered, unconsciously grasping Charger's reins as the others backed up a step.

"Yes," the white stallion answered, his little smile returning. "They are not alive. Never have been and most likely never will be unless some poor soul decides to animate them into some atrociously dressed army." From among the others, there was a slight giggle.

"Who are you?" Steve asked, staring at him in shock.

"My name is Tunok," was off-handed reply. "It is a shame that none of you remember it, but I was warned that the Kigarra Suphe would not. You should have. Hmm… pity." Tunok turned to leave then, making his way towards the woods where he first emerged.

"What am I supposed to do now?" Steve asked, looking at his hand as if it were alien to him. The knuckles had turned white from the force through which he held the reins - the same reins that had been attached to a piece of plastic only moments ago.

"Good question," Tunok answered sardonically. "If you cannot remember who you are, where you're from, or the lady whose reins you are clutching like a forgotten toy, perhaps you should find out?" Charger snorted warningly. "Do calm down, Lady Death, you know you couldn't possibly defeat me as you are now and I won't fight you on that basis alone."

The need to fight, to make him pay…

Charger drew her head up tall, leveling a fiery stare at him.

The need for authority, the wish to punish…

"I know what you're thinking," Tunok pressed, turning to face the mare head on. "I wouldn't try it if I were you. I've been trained by the greatest warriors our kind has ever known and - in your present condition - you would be no match for me." Baring her teeth, Charger pawed the ground in anger.

:I don't care who the best is or what you can do,: she threw at him, pleased to see his surprise. :You have newly freed us and we have no memory of anything other than sleep. If you want us to find something, you're going to have to be a little more specific.:

:Then listen closely,: Tunok answered, making his voice audible to only her. :We are in a war, a big one. My kind is slowly being destroyed and so is yours. The golden lady, the one you remember in your dreams, is the only one that can make you whole again. If you don't find her, you will be stuck as you are now for the rest of your days.:

"You're talking, aren't you?" Steve asked suddenly, holding his forehead as if in pain. Charger turned her dark gaze to him, concern overrunning any retort she would have sent the stallion. The tall mare nodded. Studying Steve's every movement, she realized that he was frightened, startled out of his daily norm. All the crazy insanity that had followed him through the night was starting to take its toll. Taking the opportunity, her mind slipped in more of that unforeseen knowledge without explanation; knowledge that made her realize that, according to Steve, life was going to get a great deal weirder.

A wish to comfort, to help him forget…

"I can't hear it, not well anyway. It's like distant conversation muffled through a wall," he said shakily. He stopped as he registered what he was saying. "Am I going insane?"

"Only if you believe a figment of your imagination can answer you truthfully," Tunok responded shamelessly. "You're Steve, aren't you?" The man nodded cautiously. "Go into the forest. About half a mile in, there will be a creek. Wait there and a guide will appear. No, it won't be me, but it will be somebody I recommend."

"Do you honestly know how cliché and pathetic that sounds?" Steve asked, looping Charger's reins over her saddle. In his mind, an image of the golden woman suddenly appeared, staggering him as he leaned on Charger's dark shoulder.

"Yes, but those are the orders I was instructed to give you. Someone will be there, trust me." He whirled on his hooves then, laughing as he darted into the forest, "If they fail to appear, I'll have to come take care of you myself and I cannot tell you how boring that would be!"