Magic in the Mist

Chapter Eight

     When Hazel walked into Queen Raya's castle, she could feel the tension in the air.

'BlossomTribe has sent word of danger to their tribe. The Tempestes is coming farther into their forest, and soon it'll be at the border of their camp. They have sent a message to me, begging for help. I can't leave MoonTribe right now, so I have agreed to send you with your team. Afterwards, they will lead you safely to Cloud Mountain as a word of thanks.' Queen Raya said.

'Queen Raya, I hate to advise against you. . .' Thalia said, stepping forward. 'And I know that BlossomTribe is in trouble, but I don't think it would be safe for Hazel to ride Orian without proper equipment or training.'

Queen Raya looked down at Thalia, her gaze unreadable and unwavering.

'Fine. Since you're so eager to train her, I expect Hazel to be ready to ride Orain, no troubles, by dawn.' Queen Raya said smoothly, waving her hand as a gesture for them to leave.

Thalia bowed to Queen Raya then turned around, leading Hazel quickly out of the castle and down to the stables.

'You know how to ride, right?' Thalia asked.

'Yeah,' Hazel said. 'Not exactly a pegasus, though.'

'It's basically the same, except rising and falling. Dive is leaning forward, rising is basically forward, just have Orian follow the others and you'll be fine. He's better as a leader, but he'll follow other pegasi.' Hazel explained, walking into the stables and grabbing a bridle from a hook and walking over to where Orian was standing.

She slipped the bridle into his mouth, then grabbed a brown saddle-pad, putting it atop of his flank and placing a western-style saddle on top. She fastened the saddle around Orian, then turned to Hazel.

'Come on,' she said impatiently.

Hazel nodded, walking over to Orian and mounting him. The saddle felt natural below her, and as she held the reins, she felt totally in control of the huge pegasus.

'Okay, we're going to do some basic procedures. I have a whip here—' Hazel unstrapped a holder with a whip and gave it to Hazel. 'Use it if he's not going.' Thalia said as Hazel strapped the holder into her right thigh.

'But isn't that—' Hazel started.

'Cruel? No. Orian's smart, he'll listen to you after a good smack, won't you?' Thalia responded, patting Orian's muzzle. 'Plus, that'll keep him and you from getting hurt. Right,' Thalia said, mounting Lightning, a male dun pegasi with dark brown wings that matched his hair. 'Okay, let's go.' Thalia said, taking the lead and lifting off into the air.

Hazel followed, spurring Orian and thrusting her reins out in front of her. Orain loped forward, lifting up into the air and spreading his wings, following Lightning.

'Okay, a LavaTribe patrol shoots above your head, what do you do?' Thalia called over her shoulder.

Hazel leaned forward and Orian dived, coming up just in time to cruise above the ground, his hooves grazing the grass below him.

'Good! No, stop!' Thalia called from above her. Hazel stopped Orain, sitting straight in the saddle and keeping her hands back a little. 'Okay now rise to my level,' Thalia ordered. Hazel nodded, spurring Orian once more and looking up to where Thalia was waiting. Orian rose to where Thalia was, who smiled brightly.

'Okay, you're doing good. Now remember, if he won't go, grab that whip and whip 'em,' Thalia said.

'Okay, got it.' Hazel said, and she followed Thalia back to the MoonTribe town where they touched down easily and dismounted in front of the stables.

'I'll make you a holster for your sword,' Thalia said, picking up the lightweight sword from where it was sword-tipped down in a barrel. She put it back down and pushed Hazel out of the stable.

'But—' Hazel started. She didn't want to leave Thalia yet, she wanted to stay with her, even if that was just watching her work.

'Hazel, you need rest.' Thalia insisted, her eyes filling with concern.

'You need rest, too.' Hazel said.

'You're more important than me,' Thalia said in a hushed whisper, sorrow thick in her voice.

'No I'm not!' Hazel said, hugging Thalia tightly. 'You're just as important as me, if not more important.' Hazel reassured her.

'Sure, Hazel.' Thalia said, smiling weakly. 'Now, setting aside who's more important, you need to sleep.'

'Can I sleep here?' Hazel asked.

'Queen Raya has a way better bed for you than hay,' Thalia said, shaking her head.

'I guess. . .' Hazel said.

'Plus, you need your beauty sleep.' Thalia said, grabbing her hand and pulling her along the pathway towards the town.

'You won't work too hard for me, though?' Hazel asked.

'I'd work all night for you, Hazel.' Thalia said, smiling at her as they arrived at the castle.

Hazel smiled back, butterflies fluttering in her belly. She then turned around, pushing through the doors of the castle.

Inside, Queen Raya was sitting on her golden throne in the back of the throne room, a small, golden crown sitting atop her beautiful white hair.

'Queen Raya,' Hazel said, bowing to the queen of MoonTribe.

'Hazel,' Queen Raya responded, standing up and nodding to her. 'I'll lead you to your room.'

Hazel nodded, following Queen Raya to the left of the throne room where a white door lay. Queen Raya pushed open the door and led Hazel through a hall with a series of doors on either side. Queen Raya finally stopped at the end of the hall and opened the left door. Inside there was another room to the left, then down the small hall was a huge room, a big, white, bed with a magnificent bedside table against the right wall. On the left side of the room, a wooden coffee table was surrounded by a white sofa and three hand chairs.

Against the wall left of the coffee table was a small dresser with a mirror sitting on top of it.

'This is where you will be staying for now,' Queen Raya said. 'Make yourself at home and get some rest. You'll leave at dawn tomorrow.'

'Thank you, Queen Raya.' Hazel said, bowing to her.

'No problem,' Queen Raya said, turning around and exiting the room. Hazel sighed, flopping down on the bed.

She felt as though she could close her eyes right now and fall asleep, but she needed to do other things before going to bed. Hazel took off her boots, walking over to the dresser and brushing her hair with a brush that sat atop it. Hazel then took off the corset, placing it near her boots.

Then, finally, Hazel fell onto the bed, sinking into the mattress and closing her eyes, letting the black void of sleep consume her.