“Hazel?” Hazel?! C’mere girl!” Darnal called
“How far can horses hear?” asked Sunny.
“How far can they run?” sighed Hemlock, knocking back a green potion.
“Pretty far, Hemlock.” said Nyx “They’re horses.”
They weren’t sure how long they’d been walking, but the lighting had changed since they started.
“Hazel- agh!“ Darnal tripped over a root, wincing in pain as he caught himself. As he trudged forward, he groaned every time his metal leg bore the brunt of his weight.
“Hey, uh. Guy-twin.” said Hemlock.
“Darnal.”
“Right, sorry.” they unclipped a vial from their belt. “Here, try this.”
Darnal eyed it suspiciously.
“It’s stamina.” they said “It might help your endurance, I take them all the time.”
“Yeah. Are you sure you should be taking those so often?”
“Darnal. These herbs are Dryalix’s gift to us. This is natures bounty. Nothing bad in it.”
Darnal hesitated before taking it and taking a swig quick enough to not have to think about it. “You flavor your stamina potions white grape?”
“Of course I do.” they said, almost offended.
Darnal took another few steps.
“Agh, my stump is still really inflamed.”
“May I touch you?” Sunny asked earnestly, suddenly behind him.
“Uh. Ok?” Darnal said unsure but trusting.
Briskly but gently, Sunny scooped him up in his arms bridal style. “Alleyoop.”
Darnal gripped his bare shoulder, startled, eyes on the place he last stood.
Astaria, who had been walking silently with a crease in her brow, nodded in approval. “Staying off it’s probably a good idea. You’ll be more mobile tomorrow if you rest today.” she paused and her stony face became a touch softer “Not that we’ll be on foot tomorrow. We’ll find her.”
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Sunny arranged him to be more comfortable and smiled questioningly.
Darnal gave a meek thumbs up.
Down the road a man with dirty blond hair was walking - on his hands - when he came upon a horse.
“Dude! Free horse!”
The horse neighed fearfully at him and he swung onto his feet.
“Hey, it’s ok, brother. Somethin’ scare you?”
He shushed the horse soothingly, looking it over. “You’ve got shoes and a bridal. Did you get scared away from your person?”
Another man entered the clearing “Amaranth. We’ve talked about the running off thing. You can’t just-“
“Hey Ferris. I found a horse.”
“What’s it doing here?” asked Ferris
“Dunno. I’ma try to find the owner.”
“You’re going to get lost again dumbass.”
Amaranth smiled “So you gonna come with?”
“Apparently.” Ferris said with annoyance.
They started walking forward.
Ferris glanced at the horse wearily “You know how to control that thing right?”
“At least well enough to stand on one and juggle.” Amaranth shrugged.
“Amaranth, don’t you dare stand on that horse. Do it on someone else’s watch. It’s not going to be my problem if you fall.”
“Your concern is appreciated, brother.“ Amaranth said, aware of the malice, but unbothered by it. “…It would be nice if they had tags to tell you who they belong to. How to reach them through the mycelia.”
“No, it would be stupid. Those are for dogs.”
He shrugged. “You can’t tell me it wouldn’t be useful right now.”
Further up the path, Sunny was still holding Darnal.
“Hey, uh, Sunny. I think I’ll be ok now.”
“I’ll put you down if you really want, but you’ll be even more ok if you take it easy longer.”
“I still can’t believe this happened.” said Darnal. “I’ve had that horse since I was a kid.”
“Is Hazel triggered by light too?” asked Sunny.
“Triggered?”
“Yeah, like a phobia or trauma response.” said Sunny “That’s what happens to you right?”
“…Yeah.” said Darnal. “I was out riding when… yeah.” he gripped his shoulder where his prosthetic met skin.
The crease in Astaria’s brow got even deeper.
“If you don’t mind me asking…” Nyx started “how did it happen?”
Both twins flinched.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have-“
“I hurt him.” said Astaria.
“Astaria-“ Darnal said.
“I hurt him with my magic and now his limbs are gone.”
“Is that why you don’t use magic?” asked Sunny.
“Yeah.”