Playing in the Dirt

[Taske]

Allaire stomped happily in her bear feet, kicking up dust and tossing stones. She had not been out of her home cave in over a week. Her body crashed right after Black Star left to go see the dragon over lord and she had not seen the outside since waving good bye to her. The little girl had hope that her role model would be back to see her get back on her feet after this episode, but it was not meant to be, and now Allaire was playing alone again in the dirt. But what was new? All the kids in the settlement left the little sickly girl alone, never giving little Allaire the time of day, only Black Star gave the sickly girl any mind, and that was why she looked up to her. Black Star was everything in her world, and being a orphan only amplified that.

Even though Allaire was weak in body every now and than, she still was strong in sprite and will, she wanted to be like other kids, she wanted to train to be a warrior to go on missions, so that Allaire too could help Black Star. But no matter how hard she tried her body never wanted to do as she asked, it was always failing, and always putting her more behind the other children.

She kicked harder at the dirt, taking her frustrations out on it, and not the ones who angered her, she was not one to harm others, no matter how much she wanted to help Black Star, Allaire had never thought that she could take a life in any way. But she knew since she was small she could help her in some way, if not in killing. Besides, what type of killer would she be anyway? She could hardly run around the camp let alone pull any assassination off.

The sickly girl sat down hard, her breath coming out in huffs, she was never as strong as she liked after her sick episodes, it always took her an extra week to get her full strength back, and no one but Black Star could make that time go by fast. The girl heaved a large sigh, placing her arms around her knees. She missed Black Star, it was always the same after she left, lonely.

[Desperanza]

The stag was wandering, making his way along the stone. She had told him to wander but he would of course stay close. The only time that he could not remain close to the princess was when she was within the castle. He was not a palace horse and yet somehow, the dream like stallion was hers, solely and completely. However, as he wandered, his mind set was driven with curiosity. The grey landscape before himself was uninteresting and yet he would linger, surely Alexa would need him again soon and though no one happened to know where he went when he was not with the princess, now he was aware of the people that lingered, tucked away within the village not far off. His ears flitted forward briefly and he gazed across the rocky landscape, oddly drawn to the town. A ways of, the outlaw queen and the princess were making their way towards the village themselves and the stallion began to make his way forward, picking his way across the rocks with ease, his andalusian like body floating about the landscape with ease as he made his way along the edge of the town before finally, he had climbed to the highest point of the town along the edge, poised briefly at the top edge of the stone as he gazed downward where the people of Black Star lingered. His white tassles danced along his forehead and neck lightly with a slight breeze and his dark eyes peered down the incline inquisitively, his eyes instantly glued to the small form of a young girl as Allaire sat alone. He huffed softly, his kind heart drawing him forward as he began to lower himself along the incline, sliding slightly before he made his way forward once again, his carriers finally hitting solid ground once again before he paused, alert once more as he glanced about before stepping forward once more. His pace was slow yet easy, almost cautious, expecting that something unknown would happen. His hide quivered briefly but he relaxed the closer he came to the young girl. As he drew close, his nose lowered towards the ground, a small cloud of dust lifting into the air as a brief snort escaped his nostrils, catching her scent as he slowly drifted forward. Mythical looking and enticing, the white horse drifted closer, his nose now drifting to lip gently at her hair instead, his own white tresses drifting forward to mix with her own black for a moment as he worked to charm a smile from the young girl now, tuned into her emotions serenely as he nibbled gently at her hair still, his dark eyes piercing as he eyed her thoughtfully.

[Taske]

Allaire looked at her dirty ripped pants. She was so tiered, tiered of her weak body, tiered or being that sick girl to the other children, and tiered of being a child. She hated having no way to help Black Star, she hated that she was relying on her kindness to give her food and shelter and the health care when an episode happens. She wants to go on missions with her and be able to help supply this settlement with the things they need, instead of burden there leader.

She was about to get to her feet, so that she could rest within her cave, but a fuzzy nose went into her line of sight, Pushing her head and nibbling her hair. The little girl giggled, putting her hands up, petting the horses jaws. She had always loved horses, they where strong and able to pull almost twice there size, something Allaire wished she could do.

The sickly girl got to her feet under the horse, she reached up under him and rapped her arms around his strong neck, pressing her face into his strong chest. "Mister horse, did you come to comfort me?" She heaved a small sigh into his neck and clutched his mane with her small hands.

When Allaire started feeling a bit better, she dropped her hands from his neck and stepped back. When she was a few inches from his face, she put up her hands a wiped snot from her running nose. She looked him over. She had never saw a pure white hose like him in her entire life, he seemed to be a ghost almost to her eyes.She looked him in the eyes, he was a lord among horses.

Allaire held out his hand to him, wanting to pet him more, "Mr horse, I have never seen you before, who do you belong to?"

[Desperanza]

Zephyr's ears flitted forward as he peered curiously at the small soul, his dark eyes intelligent and seeking as he inspected her distraught features. He waited patiently as she hugged herself to his neck, offering a patient sigh as he nuzzled her back gently before he glanced around thoughtfully yet patiently until she had detached herself once more and his nose drifted downwards to touch her cheek briefly before his head lifted once more, his white body shifting as he glanced about, detecting a change in Alexa's mood but she had yet to call for him and he felt that this young child needed him just as much then. He huffed softly as her hands stretched out and his nose lowered to press against her palms, lipping her fingers gently for a moment as he peered into her vibrant emerald eyes, blinking at the sight of her dazzling gemstone eyes, taking another small step forward as he drifted closer to her once more and blew a warm breath against her fingers, his eyes inquisitive as he waited patiently, feeling like answering but only silence and the sound of his large breaths remained for now as he watched the small girl thoughtfully, his gaze gentle towards the small soul as his ears flitted forward to listen to her words.

[Taske]

Her emerald eyes looked hopeful again. She was still weak yes, but she was seemingly regaining her strength, she wanted to play now, with him, her new friend, s horse that was godly, a lord of his kind, oh the games they could play, and Black Star! They could play with Black Star when she was able, the three of them playing mission, and getting jewels, and fighting the Dragon Lord!

The little girl looked the horse in the eye, a small smile playing on her lips. "You are a good horsey." She petted his nose once more ans started to walk way. She looked back at him and smile. "I will be right back, then we can play!" She trotted to the near by cave, her bare feet slapping the stone as she padded to her room. In the corner was her wooden sword that Black Star gave her this year for her birthday. She scooped it up, and swung it on her back, she was not going to play without it. She smiled at the feel of it on her back and then raced back outside to the horse.

She pointed to a nearby woods that she always played in, "This way Mr. Horse." She started to make her way down to the edge of the woods, hoping the horse would fallow.

Allaire was not sure exactly what she wanted to play but she did know that he would be a good addition to her game. He could be her partner in the game mission, or he could race to save her from the fearsome Dragon Lord. Anything could happen in her imagination!

She looked back at him at the edge of the wood, a large grin on her face,the change in her seemed magical, almost unreal, from a sickly girl to this girl that was cheerful and hopeful for the future.

[Desperanza]

Zephyr smiled, his dark eyes peering after the girl with a flicker of curiosity as she disappeared to fetch her sword before returning once more as she returned this time with her wooden sword at her back. His head lifted from the ground once more as the mythical stallion cast his tail in a brief flick, gazing towards the woods thoughtfully for a moment but there was nothing of worry here and nor would he allow her there if he knew of something that would harm the small girl. His eyes twinkled briefly in amusement as she made her way towards the edge of the trees and he jogged forward slowly after her, his white tassles streaming behind with the movement. His nose drifted downward once more to nudge her back gently with a teasing bob of his muzzle, playfully urging her faster as he jogged behind her before drawing alongside, his pace adjusting so that he did not leave her behind. He paused, glancing back at Allaire thoughtfully for a moment just a few steps from the girl as the stallion paused, poised as he gazed around himself thoughtfully, ears swiveling. He sent a glance skyward but the sun was casting cheerful rays down upon them and as he turned his gaze back to the girl, her black hair shimmered with an indigo hue which made her all that much more charming as he stepped forward towards her once more, his muzzle lowering over her shoulder with a soft huff as he rested his muzzle against her cheek briefly before he spoke to her, What are we playing, little one? he inquired and as he spoke to her, his mouth did not move. He knew that she would hear him but he hoped that she would not be frightened, one dark eye shifting to watch her thoughtfully. He had spoken with his mind, aiming his words for her mind now as he gazed at her with a kind stare. This was his connection with the princess. When she had found him as a foal it had taken them years to perfect their magical skill for the princess herself was not magical, she was human but he spoke with anyone he pleased for with his power, he simply encouraged those that he spoke with to either speak with their mouth, or think it and he would hear them as he still could now and he waited, pausing with a slight tremor of tense emotion gliding through his muscles in case she panicked.

[Taske]

Allaire was giggling as the horse and girl raced down to the woods, the sword slapping her back lightly and the horses slow trot footfalls sounding on the ground. Her body still wanted to give out on her, still wanted to give out on her, but she ignored it, she would not let anything stop her fun just yet. She stopped when he did, a brilliant smile on her face. She watched him look around them, her eyes shinning.

She watched him come close to her, her mind racing, what could her and her new friend play. Idea after idea floated into her head. She was so excited for what ever game they would end up playing, that she almost missed him move forward, she had almost missed the faint voice within her head.

The voice seemed to be that of a man around the age of 20, in his prime, but it still seemed to echo, as if it was bouncing off walls with in a cave. She looked up at him, her eyes large. Her already large grin widened. She just could not believe her own mind.

She had heard that some animals where able to communicate with who they want, but she had yet to meet an animal able to do so. She smiled up at his face, her eyes shinning and happy. She seemed to have forgotten all about a game, and instead more focused on him.

"Wha! You can talk! Why did you not do so before Mr. Horse!" She seemed to be bouncing excitedly now, she wanted to run now, to release the extra amount of energy that seemed to just come from nowhere. "What is your name than Mr. Horse!? Oh, my name is Allaire! How old are you, who is your master anyway?" Her excitement just seemed to be building ever second she looked at him. "Are you a Lord, Mr. Horse? Do you have any children? A harem like most stallions? Ooh ooh, do you love anyone?" she seemed to have lost any though of a game and only went on question after question, not even giving him time to answer the one before. She was filled with childlike wonder that she had not had to often.

[Desperanza]

Zephyr's eyes began to glitter softly once more, amused at her innocent excitement. He ws satisfied that she was not frightened and instead, was excited. He came to nuzzle her cheek geently before settling himself once more as he lifted his head slightly higher with a light smile across his features, flicking his tail slightly with contentment, he rather appreciated breaking things to certain people smoothly, as if it was a natural thing that he talks, rather then trying to break them in smoothly for the fact that he knew that it could get messy that way. He huffed softly and lowered his nose once more to peer at eye level with her, waiting for her to have to pause to take a breath before he nudged her gently to pause to reply to some of her questions so that she could understand, "Little one, miss Allaire I did not tell you earlier for you seemed so down and I feared that you would not be happy if my natural charm did not work first. I wanted to cheer you up and my name is Zephyr. It is a pleasure to meet you, beautiful child."[/color] he replied as he touched his nose to her cheek gently once more with a slight smile before glancing to her once more as he spoke once again, "I am indeed a Lord, Allaire. I am the lord of all horses and I am nearly as old as time. For every few hundred years or so, I am reborn. I was the first of the first and currently, I linger around the age of eighty two, yet my body never fully ages. I reach my prime and then even time begins to surpass me. I suppose, if you consider the rest of the equine kind my children then yes, I do have children and yet I have no mate and I hold an infinite amount of love primarily for my princess who serves as my master, the Lady Princess Alexa. I have been with her since she was a child."[/color] he replied with a smile as he looked down at her, his features and eyes wise and kind as they always were, "I do not have a harem, I simply wander where I am needed, I come."[/color] he returned with a nod, pausing as he glanced around them thoughtfully for a moment before returning his dark gaze to the female once more with a flick of his ears as he awaited her next words of questions once again.

[Taske]

The little girl giggled as his soft fun of his nose rubbed against her skin. She petted his nose, and he talked. Many things seemed to change her emotions.

SHE KNEW IT, he was a lord! How could he not be? His build, his majesticness. She wanted to shout to the world that she had found the lord among horses, that she, a little orphan had seen the god of the horses.

But that soon faded into another emotion, triumph to sadness, he seemed to have never know love from his own kind, even though he was a god, he still should love, that seemed to the little girl one of the most important part of life and without it, life was meaningless. Allaire herself has loved Black Star, and her mother. And her mother loved her father, but he? he seemed to only love one person his master, if a god could have a master that is. But she was not his own kind... She looked up at him than, her eyes blazing. "Zephyr, I will help you find the mare that you will love!"

She did not care if he wanted a mate or not, she only wanted to help him, even if he didn't know he needed helping. And now that the little girl think on it one of the older outlaws has a three year old filly. A large grin lighted her face again, she knew what they should do. "Zephyr this way!"

She started to run, lifting her bare feet high, running like there was nothing wrong with her, running like a normal child would. She was grinning, her ebony hair flying out behind her, her sword slapping her back in every stride, she knew what way to go, this horse was a horse that she visited often.

But as she came to the other end of the small island of wood, she fell to the ground, her body cramping in on itself. Allaire cried out in pain, tears filled her eyes as she curled into the fetal position on the forest floor. She could not move, could not think, the only thing within her mind was pain, red hot pain, Her voice called out again, she was unable to move, unable to get up, it felt like everything was on fire... If only Black Star was there.

[Desperanza]

The stallion grinned, amused. For this little soul took pity on his loneliness, even when he had never thought himself to change such a thing and as he gathered himself to follow, he loped forward steadily a few paces before he paused, huffing softly, his ears flitting forward once more as he slid to a stop, stepping forward slowly as he drifted closer and lowered his nose towards the young female with a sharp huff, worry darkening his eyes as he gazed down at her form, pained and confused at the sight of the poor soul suffering. If only he had further powers, talking certainly would not bring the small form around. He sighed softly, lifting his head once more as he backed a step and came to glance around, lifting towards his hind legs as his torso lifted into the air into a rear, striking the air briefly as his back arched cleanly and his body arched, a shrill cry escaping towards the heavens briefly as he cried for help but after a moment, he lowered himself once more, a fore carrier pawing the ground briefly before his head lifted once more, gazing about. He sighed, coming to lower himself to the ground beside the small form, his nose lowering briefly but he had no clue how to help her now, his ears flitting about but after a few moments, a serene sense of calm coming to wash over him now and he sighed, the princess stepping forward from a bit of stone, emerging from further on in the village.

As Princess Alexa emerged from behind a bit of stone, she stepped forward, her hiking boots visible beneath the soft pinks and creams of her skirts as she stepped forward, her ice colored eyes wide for a moment at the sight of the child curled up on the ground, "Zephyr!" she murmured as she made her way forward, resting a hand against his neck, her free hand hovering above the body of the young girl, her eyes scanning her body as she tried to identify what was wrong with the child. None the less, she could not let her lay there. She took a breath and gathered the small nine year old into her arms, her stallion standing with a soft grunt as he got to his feet and stepped briskly after the pair as Alexa hurried to the stallions' side, "Come Zephyr, take me to town." she stated quietly, unsure whether what ever the child was ailing from, that the Grellon had the medical means of healing her just then. She only feared that Black Star did not think that she was kidnapping the poor girl and send out a band of thieves to strike her down as she sat astride the stallions strong back, cradling the child gently to her chest as her calves became free to the wind and her skirts feathered out over his whithers and back, her legs securing her from falling as she spoke with her mind to him now, willing him into town to the healer that cared for the commoners there. Her mother surely would not let her pass the doors of the castle easily with a strange girl and none the less from the Grellon.

As she rode the stallion at a swift pace as he darted among the trees, she held fast to the child, cradling her gently against the silks at her chest, her fingers stroking the child's precious raven hair as she sang softly to her, willing the child to be calm and she wished at that moment that she knew the young girl's name as she murmured softly to her, her hands holding a soft touch, oiled regularly with fine floral oils that were delivered each morning as part of the rising from bed for each princess of Ellsinora and she didn't much mind. The trickling sweet scents that enveloped her no doubt would reach the child's nose and she praysed that she did not panic.

Within a short while, the stallion finally slid to a stop at the edge of the forest and Alexa slid from his back with a brief thank you to her dear friend as she gathered Allaire more securely within her hold again as she turned and made her way through the village, skirting the edge of the town as she whisked past the buildings that spotted the town, rising skyward in careful and precise buildin structures but the one building she wanted loomed feet ahead and as her boots whisked above the ground, she darted through the town with ease against the murmurs of the people that milled around, whispering and murmuring about the golden princess, the future queen as she darted towards the healer's hut, slipping past woman who sat outside of their homes washing clothes, the children reaching out for Alexa's dazzling skirts as she hurried forward, pushing through the door rather swiftly to shut it behind herself as she settled Allaire against her shoulder and motioned with her free hand, "Now, help her, make her comfortable, please, tell me what is wrong with this child and make her comfortable!" she ordered once again as she approached the healer, motioning to the young girl but she didn't wait, wanting to cloak the child with as much privacy as she could offer for the precious Grellon orphan as she climbed the stairs to the upper landing, coming to tuck the child into a bed in the corner as she awaited the healers ascent.

[Taske]

Time seemed to slow in her episode, she seemed to lose track of everything. All she knew was that she was in pain, her muscles and heart in pain, her body not even moving at her command, her brain unable to think past all the pain, all little Allaire knew was the pain of her sickness, the pain that she has always felt.

She could feel Zephyr's hot breath upon her body, for what little she could think she knew she must be causing him to worry, that he must be panicked about her health. But there was nothing she could do about it. She wanted to force this episode to pass, to force it away, so her new friend would not have to worry about her, so that he could see her happy face again, so that he could be happy with her. But the pain kept shooting up her body, her heart kept pounding, there was nothing she could do but wait it out.

A day seemed to go bye, where it was just her and the horse, where he stood by her side and she lay in pain, in the fetal position. But as time did pass she did feel her body shift like she had been picked up, that someone had taken her in there arms and held her close, much like her mother did... does.....

The little girl seemed to have lost any notion of the date, she seemed to have lost the ability to tell from the past and what was happening now, Allaire clung to the woman's blouse, her fingers etching them self into the fabric, and her nails cutting into the cloth. She clung to the woman's body as she would have done to her own mother, she also smelled much like her mother would have. She smelled of fresh cut flowers, of the spring when she had been born.

Allaire dug her face into the woman's chest, her body flinching with every footfall of the horse, her face trying to dig further in, trying to drown out the pain that came from her heart, from her body...

A song reached her ears and caress upon her hair. A vision of her mothers face, of her raven hair, of her green eyes, the little girl dreamed of the days that her mother would take her in her arms when an episode happened.

The longer Allaire spend in the arms of the woman, the more the girl seemed to think that she was in the past, that she was in her mothers arms riding to the Grellon where she would hold her until the pain pass, and then they would stay up with a story about her brave father. Hope filled the little girls mind, hope that her mother was going to be there when her eyes opened.

Softness filled Allaire's mind, softness she had yet to ever feel, she had been living on stone for most of her life. This seemed to help her a little, her body stopped shaking and flinching, she heaved a deep sigh, her body relaxing, but still in pain, still in the fetal position.

Words, soft spoken words have finally broken into her pain wall, neither seemed familiar to her, but even so, her mother was close so she was fine, Allaire relaxed a bit more as pain seemed to be dieing down, her body quickly uncoiled a bit and she seemed to rest a bit easier, she tried to listen to the voices, tried to get what they where saying, but only fragments where heard. Things like "Weak Heart" and "Chronic". "Nothing can fix it." "These may help with the pain." Bits and pieces that she could not piece together, nothing made since to her, and she quickly went into a shallow sleep.

[Desperanza]

The princess paced for the longest of time, her feet whisking the floor as she kicked out of the hiking boots and swept them into the corner with one foot before her pacing resumed and she cam to walk back and forth, back and forth, her bare feet whisking above the wooden floor, her skirts shifting and whispering as she moved, her fingers stroking her upper arms to keep an ill chill from entering her veins it seemed. She sighed softly, watching pensively as the healer and her assistants worked about the small form of the child.

Her ice colored eyes watched as they worked, her elegantly arched eyebrows creased with worry for the tiny form. She felt the weight of worries pressing down upon her shoulders once again as she watched the form and as the healer's assistants began to drift away once again, she made her way forward, lifting her skirts briefly to sit at the side of the bed, still offering the small form plenty of room to move about but she sat securely on the edge of the bed, folding her bare feet upon the floor before herself. As she gazed upon the small form, she smiled lightly at the innocent beauty of the young girl. She outstretched a slender hand to brush aside black strands of hair from the poor soul's cheek, sighing softly. The poor dear was chronically ill, she had gathered. A condition with her heart that she would forever deal with. Sorrow pierced her icy gaze and a trembling breath escaped at the fact. She felt a tear strike her eye and winced, brushing aside the small crystaline droplets as once again she realized just how badly off the Grellon were as she was a small thumb print amongst the other people of the Grellon that lingered there.

As she sat, her skirts layered around herself, she thought. She watched the intricate beauty of the girl as she found it rather curious that she did not know her name. She nibbled her lip at the thought, pondering the curiosity as to whether there were Grellon at her heels as she sat here and worried over the girl, curious as to whether they would be plotting her death at this moment for seemingly kidnapping one of their precious orphans. The way that the queen had played with them, adored them, cared for them, no doubt they may be orphans but they were not shoved out into the gutters of life, but into her arms.

Alexa sighed softly, wistful. Even at the young age of twenty two with plenty of years before herself, it brought a sad sigh to her lips that she had yet to ponder the thoughts of a family for herself. A suitable husband, someone that she chose, not someone of high standing that her mother brought to her as she often did. One day as she stood within the castle she wanted her own children to run about, all heirs to the throne later and yet, where she stood, she was beginning to feel revolting again. Just a bird in the wind. For most of the suitors from town were lying thieves, and not of the good kind from the Grellon but men with wicked souls and sour intentions, wanting her only for the throne that could be theirs if only they could get her hand in marriage and open the portal to the riches that they desired which included herself and yet not the children that she could no doubt produce. Yet as she watched the tiny form, she pondered the thought once again of what it would be like to have a daughter, a beautiful and precious daughter of her own. A small soul that could count on her to care for her but yet this child was of the Grellon and while Alexa could offer her a rich an abundant, comfortable life, she wondered whether it would be something that the child would want. No doubt Black Star treated her orphans with love and kindness, she feared that in the eyes of this child she would be considered just a wicked stranger. She reatred her hand from the child's cheek at the thought and winced, turning her head away as she murmured briefly to the healer as she returned, "I want this child to be transported to the castle within the hour. I will meet her there and care for her from that point. I have a healer at my aid if her condition worsens once again." she murmured with a curt nod for even if the child did not so much as thank her for saving her from her own pain, she would care for her in the best way possible before she delivered her back to the Grellon herself.

For a short time in her life if not forever this child would have a taste of the life that Alexa wished she could provide for all of her people so as she sat, awaiting the child to wake, she raised from her seat at the side of the bed, leaning forward to press a kiss to the girl's forehead, "We will meet again in only a short time, my dear." she murmured softly with a slight smile, unsure of whether the child could actually hear her but none the less, she sighed as she straightened, stepping back into the hiking boots she laced them once more before turning for the door, sending strict directions that the child was to be bundled and horse ridden to the castle, delivered strictly to her room and to avoid the Queen at all costs. Casting one last glance back at the child, she smiled lightly before she turned to make her way back to the castle where she would meet the small girl to treat her further there.