She had been in the camp nearly a month and they had yet to let her near a patient. Not that there were many to go around. Barring the odd scrape or the fight in the mess hall last week, there were no injured to speak of. She walked towards the woods lost in her thoughts. Why did I bother? I just traded one Burroch for a group of them. Some healer I am, all I do is chores around the camp. She looked up at the approaching tree line. At least when I am gathering firewood they leave me alone.

Mareen strolled into the trees and started casually searching the forest floor. She tapped her boot against a large branch only to watch ants swarm out of it. She quickly backed away, and continued her search. The army’s foraging parties had cleared everything close to camp, so her wandering took her deeper into the trees. If the prince does not order a move soon, we will have to start felling the trees.

Finding a decent sized branch that was not full of bugs, she stood it up against a tree. Looking around she noticed the treeline was barely visible. No wonder they did not collect these, you can barely see the edge. She huffed, Brave warriors afraid of a scary haunted woods.

She rolled her eyes as she thought back to how many of them had tried to impress her with their bragging. The shook her head, “Children. Everyone of them is terrified of an old wives tale about the woods filled with scary monsters.”

A rustling in the trees behind her caused her to freeze. Something large was moving toward her. Its passing rustled branches and snapped twigs. The brush and deepening gloom from deeper in the forest made it hard to see. She squinted against the darkness catching sight of a large form. I just had to say it.

The dark from slowly drew closer. Snap out of it! She snapped at herself and drew the small dagger she kept at her hip. Staring at the shadowy form slowly separating from the darkness, she braced herself for what might be coming. As it drew closer the shape became distinct and she recognized it was a horse. Slowly lowering the dagger she let out a breath she had not realized she was holding.

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Of course it is not a monster. I cannot believe I let them get into my hea… What is it carrying? Putting the dagger away she walked slowly towards the horse. Thinking back to her father’s old plow mule, she moved slowly trying not to spook it.

“Hello,” She said, softly and stopped moving. The animal lifted its head a bit and turned to her. It did not bolt, but watched her closely. Keeping her voice soft she tried again. “Hello, are you lost?”

The horse seemed unsure whether to go to her or head deeper into the trees. She saw the outline of the horse shifting uncomfortably. This is not working. I need something to get it to come closer. She smoothly opened the flap of the small bag carrying her lunch. “I have an apple for you.”

She glanced up to see the horse coming towards her. Smiling she pulled out the apple and kept talking. “Apples? You like apples. Well I have one for you.”

She lifted the apple out. She heard the horse’s hooves growing closer and closed her bag. Turning toward the animal she felt the growing smile die on her lips.

The horse had stopped several paces away. For the first time she saw it was not alone. A pair of bodies lay on its back, and blood ran down the animal’s side.

In her shock she nearly dropped the apple.

“…” A strained half groan came from the horse.

That is not a sound horses make! One is still alive! She felt panic rising in her chest. I must get to those men, but the horse shuffled away from her watching her closely if I move to quickly it will bolt.

Fighting back the panic, she slowly sliced the apple and held out the chunk on her open hand. She kept her eyes on the forest floor, remembering her grandmother’s words. Do not stare at animals, it makes them nervous. This especially true if you stare in their eyes. You just need to be calm around them.

Calm is not going to happen, but avoiding its eyes I can do. Trying to keep her voice level, she looked at the ground and kept talking softly, “This is for you. It is a nice apple.”

She heard shuffling and the horse’s hooves entered the corner of her vision. Mareen felt warm breath on her hand. Then she felt something soft and hairy on her palm. As the horse lifted the apple slice from her hand, the tips of her fingers scratched it under the chin. “Easy there, just relax.”

She felt her finger tap on the metal of its harness. Just a bit further, NO! She felt the horse’s head lifting away. She quickly looked up and met the animal’s eye. It did not take a herdsman path to recognize the panic in its eyes, caused by her quick motion.

Damn it! She grabbed for the reigns as it lifted its head and started to turn. Her fingers closed on the leather reins as the animal swung its head. The leather cord slid through her tightening fingers.