Phantom in the Fire

Fun Training

The next morning Chase and Blaze woke up early and Chase talked to him softly saying that they should discuss with the druids about Michelle joining now or when Phantom got better. So they got up and rode over to Elizabeth Sunbeam and discussed it with her but she said she didn't know and that Chase would have to ask Fripp.

Chase almost grudgingly walked up riding Blaze to the small rings above the Rune Stones above Elizabeth’s house leading to the druid arena and Chase realized he hadn’t trained in a bit but figured that he would probably have to train with Michelle. He picked up a trot with Blaze and started at the beginning of the trail and slowly circled clock-wise around the center until a bright pink swirl appeared and as Blaze and chased entered everything turned black as a few words ran through their heads. It was like listening to a whisper on the wind, “Time and space merges… Everything is calm, always in movement.”

Blaze saw his vision start to clear and he walked forward as he felt Chase dismount slipping off quietly and walk alongside him looking around at the circle of soul riders and druids along with Fripp in front of him. Blaze stopped in front of Fripp and watched listened as Chase started to discuss about how they needed one more Soul Rider and that Michelle seemed extremely confident that she could do it. Blaze pinned his ears when Chase explained how Phantom had gotten her leg broke and Chase patted his neck and Blaze hadn’t even realized he had been doing it and flicked his ears back up and then Chase told them that Blaze could tell them what G.E.D. or the preferred term of Dark Core. Blaze recalled all that had happened when the cloaked men from Dark Core had jumped him at the river to where he got back out on the sand at Moorland Beach and he saw Phantom on top of the crate. 

When they had both finished with all of their points and recollections Fripp considered it for a moment. Blaze flicked his ears hearing Fripp mutter under his breath about the benefits of it but also the downsides…

“Well, Chase, I guess that we have no choice really. The druids are getting stronger each day especially since they know that we are weak. We need to find Lisa’s horse Starshine and then we also need to train Michelle if we do let her join. Also I have not seen any other possible candidates for what we need to ask of her… So I am going to say yes and see how she does in the training.”

Chase and Blaze smiled and nodded at the same time. “Thanks. We can help her with her training if you want.”

“That would be nice if you could. I will send a druid to the training arena just above the portal on the cliff arena.” Fripp pointed to one of the druids and he walked to the portal and started to head up there.

Chase and Blaze exchanged a few more comments with Fripp and in the end they all voted that Michelle could try the training. Chase mounted Blaze again and they headed back to Valedale’s stable. Chase put Blaze back into his stall and went and knelt down next to Phantom and Michelle. He saw her curled up on Phantom’s side with her legs curled up against her. Phantom had her legs slightly closed around her and her tail flicked over Michelle’s legs and side. Chase smiled and leaned down and nudged Michelle’s shoulder softly. She stirred but didn’t wake up. He pushed her a little harder and Michelle grudgingly came back to reality. As Chase stood up so did Michelle. She wiped the sleep out of her eyes and felt surprisingly energetic despite her worries for Phantom. She went and got some water from the well and took and drink then brought some water for Phantom as well as paying Claire for some hay to feed her.

Mic walked up to Phantom and knelt down again and put her hand on her head and stroked her muzzle and patted her neck. She saw from her peripherals Phantom flicking her tail and felt it brush her back and she stood up knowing that she was awake.

Phantom rolled onto her side and shook the bedding out of her mane and stood up carefully then had some of the hay and water. She looked over at Blaze then at Chase and Michelle who were now talking.