Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Shadow War ❯ Shadow War 7 ( Chapter 7 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Aristae found Palas to be quite interesting. The outlying area she and Allen traveled to get to the actual town was a wide stretch of grassy plain cut into pieces by dirt roads. The lush vegetation was dark and moist, bending at mid-stem to stand a little above ankle height. Allen’s horse didn’t seem interested in the succulent feast on the ground, just a neck stretch away. The buckskin colored gelding looked on ahead, a leisurely trot tapping out its rhythm.
Aristae’s mount, the black gelding, was a different story all together. He tugged on the reins, clamping the bit between his molars as he reached for the flora beneath his hooves, trying to keep up with Allen’s horse at the same time. It made for an awkward half walk. The gelding’s front feet plodded slowly, walking, while his back legs skipped along, eager to stay with the other horse.
Aristae gave a hard tug on the reins. “Stop that!”
The horse brought his head up with a jerk, snorting with annoyance. He then proceeded to trot in earnest, overtaking the buckskin. As she passed, Aristae could see a small smile tightening the corners of Allen’s mouth. It was not funny!
“Your horses certainly are hot.”
He tapped his horse’s sides, bringing him to a ground covering jog. “Hot? What do you mean?”
She pulled the reins tighter, looping them around her hands. “High, spirited, too much energy.”
“Would you like to switch? Perhaps Eiji would give you less trouble.”
“No,” she half growled, turning the black in a tight circle to punish him. “I’m fine.”
“As you say,” he chuckled, watching her pirouette with the undisciplined animal.
“You should name this thing Demon!” she exclaimed, finally bringing him to a halt.
“Why do you say that?” he joked. “He looks perfectly well behaved to me. He’s even standing still.”
She gave him a noncommital glare, urging her horse to motion once more. He still wanted to veer off and eat the day away, but was not so adamant at following his own wishes. He kept his eyes on the sweet grass on the roadsides, but obediently continued forward. Allen followed close behind.
As they crested a shallow rise in the road, Aristae got her first glace of Palas. Wall of white surrounding stately, tall buildings of stone and wood. A spire rose above them all, with a elaborately carved top, visible even as far back as she and Allen were. As the afternoon sun slanted through the tower, the dull silhouette of a bell was just discernable. Beyond lay a wide blue strip of ocean, shimmering with flecks of golden light.
Her visit was becoming more and more like a fairy tale. A picturesque city by the sea, proud and strong. As her heart leapt at the beauty of it, she thought she just might wake up then and there, back in her own bed, in her own room, on Earth. When seconds passed and no jolt to the real world passed, she smiled. The sun was still warm on her face, the smells of the fields and pale scent of the ocean still clear in her nose, her horse still impatient beneath the saddle. No, not a dream, reality.
She smiled brightly, wheeling her horse around to circle Allen’s. “I’ll race you to the gate.”
“I would not want you to fall.” he warned. “I would have a hard time explaining if I brought you back injured.”
“Hard time with who?” Aristae play-whined. “It’s not like I’m royalty or anything.”
“My sister would be quite upset.”
She pondered a moment, looking thoughtfully into the clear sky. “Then I guess I had better not fall off!” With that, she took off.
Allen watched her bound off, kicking up a cloud of dust as her horse happily worked off some extra energy. He wasn’t sure whether to curse or laugh. Kicking his horse he followed, surprised as a wide grin spread across his face. It was fun despite the concern that something might happen to the girl. His worry melted quickly as he focused on the dark horse’s tail, several yards ahead. “I’m coming to get you, Aristae,” he said. “Ready or not.”