Star Stable: Wildwoods

Chapter Five: The Symbol

By the next dawn, one could see Erika was dressed in new riding clothes. She was in a purple t-shirt topped by a black riding vest and kept her blue neckerchief around her neck with her brown pants that's folded at her dark brown riding boots.
But when she putting on her fingerless black riding gloves. She hesitated when she gazed at her strange rune stone made tattoo on her hand. She strapped on her hands was brown fingerless riding gloves (and secretly hiding the scar on her hand from the runestone incident).
But she didn't know that Herman was nearby. He gave her a sympathetic smile as he gazed at her. He could see that the girl was nervous about revealing her new mark. Herman understood that Erika has trust issues.
Erika went towards the paddock, smiling when Geist had came towards the fence to greet her new owner. Geist whinnied excitedly and nuzzled Erika, making the girl laugh. She gently petted Geist's face. "Lets get ready for the practice run."
It didn't take long for Erika leading Geist with her new riding equipment. Geist could be seen wearing a new black snaffle bridle, while the purple riding blanket is secured by a black English saddle.
But watching them was curious stablehands and uncertain riders watching Erika leading Geist towards the arena from their seats. Herman was waiting for Erika and Geist in the arena.
Erika seemed uncertain about riding, but her uncertainty seemed to have faded away as Geist lovingly nuzzled her head against hers. She strapped her fingerless riding gloves and put the helmet onto her head. Her eyes shone with determination and excitement.
It was a clear, breezy day, and trees were swaying in the wind. Out of the corner of Erika's eye, she could see that stablehands and the riders were studying her and Geist too. They left behind at a tree-lined road and the yellow brick buildings and walked out through the north gate, which led to the big paddock.
Erika put her foot in one of the stirrups and flung herself onto the saddle. She slipped her other foot into other stirrup and took hold of the reins. She walked on slowly in a circle inside of the paddock.
After a few minutes, Erika had finally stopped trembling. Geist walked forward smoothly and gently, peering up at Erika. If horse can smile, Geist just did. She smiled back at the mare and felt a gentle touch of tears in her eyes. It was tears of joy and massive pride. She's finally back in the saddle!
After a bit, Geist trotted for a bit until she finally broke into a smooth, flowing canter. They were flying together, as though they're one in the same. A gentle summer breeze ran through Erika's hair, scattering light golden gleams in her hair. She and Geist seemed to be one in the same.
She was smiling brightly and Tempest let out a loud whinny. While Herman laughed joyfully and an explosion of cheering from the kids could be heard.
Erika gasped in amazement, fierce joy started shining brightly in her eyes. She was surprised when she heard a wave of applause from everyone else, but she accepted it. Erika was expecting the feeling of relief that rushed over her, but not the sudden sense of companionship. She realized that she had promised the mare she wasn't going to harm the mare, and she had promised to trust her.
But at the staircase Alex, who was watching Erika with a concerned frown from her seat. Sitting next to Alex was Linda, who was writing something in her journal and looked up once in a while.
Alex gazed at Erika astride on Geist as she broke into a graceful gallop. She watched as Erika rode Geist in galloping circles. But she narrowed her eyes and frowned in concern when she saw Erika secretly favoring her left hand.
"Linda." The mentioned girl looked up from her journal and glanced at Alex. "I think she sprained her wrist."
Linda hummed thoughtfully and followed Alex's concerned gaze. She watched as Erika rode Geist in galloping circles. But she frowned in concern when she saw the newest girl rider secretly favoring her left hand. "I don't think so." Linda spotted Erika's flicking eyes, as if she was making sure that nobody had noticed her secret pain, and seemed to be checking her left hand for some reason. "I think she might have a scar somewhere on her hand."
Alex gave Linda a sideways glance. "You think so?"
Linda nodded. "If she doesn't tell Herman, we will."
After Erika had finished her riding lesson, had she had been immediately called to Herman's kitchen. She was accompanied by both Alex and Linda sitting around a table and were watching Herman getting a plate. But outside in one of the paddocks was Stein tending to their three respective horses.
He had placed a plate of freshly baked cookies and gave the girls three cups of Fanta soda. "Erika." She looked up from the cookies and met his eyes. He was calm and solemn towards her. "Remember what I told you about horse with magical abilities?"
"Umm... Yes?" Erika gazed at him, confused. "But this happened before I met Geist."
"Exactly." Herman smiled at Erika emphatically. "And sometimes making contact with a rune stone could give you magical abilities too." Her eyes went wide with shock.
"And, with the right horse, you might be able to unlock hidden potential." Alex patted Erika's shoulder with a smile.
"But I thought only the Soul Riders have such abilities," said Erika. "How is it possible for me and Geist?"
"Well, for starters, your horse is a Starbreed, much like Tin-Can and Meteor is," explained Linda. "Geist has the magic of the Moon Circle. While you've made contact with a rune stone that gave you the magic from the Moon Circle."
"But how's that possible?" Erika asked Alex.
"From what I can understand, rune stones each have some sort of pillar of magic," Alex continued for Linda. "The rune stones were made to protect the island from harm and sometimes give magic to people who'd found them by accident or by chance. The magic is usually given by what type of person you are." Alex's eyes gleamed with playful warmth. "I guess that means you're like Linda."
"Alex!" Linda exclaimed, her eyes alight with amusement. But when she caught eyes with Erika, they both smiled at each other.
But Erika became quiet, thoughtful of what she should do. She knew she shouldn't hide her scars. Scars meant she went through something tough in the past, survived it and come back stronger than before. Out on the trek, some folks respect that. Erika cracked a smile at that thought in mind as she pulled off her left glove and revealed the tattoo in the center of her left hand.