PlainsWalker: a D&D story

Ch 5: Ability Score

Of course, Ivellios had a horse. The pixie had mentioned he'd been thrown from one. Damn, in all the excitement Gabe had forgotten.

Looking around he found no indication the equine was anywhere nearby. It must've wandered off while the elf's body had ripened. I can't exactly ride what I don't have. Not sure what to do with the revelation Gabe looked a question at the Pixie. His companion smirked before placing two fingers in her mouth and whistling. The tune was short, barely ten notes, but it echoed throughout the forest. Despite its pitch, Gabe's ears didn't ring. Another spell perhaps?

The forest was silent. Because it wandered off, Gabe had to question the horse's loyalty to the elf, but the pixie seemed unconcerned. After a few minutes, she repeated the tune. The silence persisted, then somewhere in the distance, he heard leaves and twigs cracking. Eventually from the shadows emerged a brown and black mass.

Wow... Come hither ye nags! If it wasn't so annoying Gabe might've found the magic of Mercia fascinating. As it stood, he had no idea what it was, how it worked, or what its limits were. But it could be the reason I'm here and the key to sending me home.

Gabe had seen his fair share of horse flesh growing up in and around farms. The beast before him made the various hobby horses and show ponies look emaciated. It stood at an intimidating fourteen hands high, with strong lines and powerful legs. A trimmed black main and well-shod hoof meant it'd received more recent care than Ive's equipment. It bore high-quality tack scuffed by nature but reasonably maintained. It stared at him with large intelligent eyes, ears forward.

After a subtle glance, Gabe asked, "What's her name?"

"Ive never got around to naming her," the pixie answered, "He just called her horse."

How creative. Then again Gabe had named his first three dog's 'Max' so originality may not have been something to judge others on. Well, at least now I won't have to walk the entire way. Granted it's been the better part of a decade since he was in the saddle, but...

Gabe inched forward slowly, making sure not to look the animal in the eye. The mare didn't budge. It just eyed him wearily as he drew closer. Horses tended to be sensitive to people's emotions. He didn't want his current anxiety to make their first meeting more interesting than it already was. He wondered if, like the pixie, she could sense the change in its master.

Damn, she's even bigger up close! This was no draft animal. She was bred for speed and power. And here I am, haven't ridden since middle school! Not since his dad's horse had kicked him in the chest and thrown him one to many times. Sundance had been a hobby horse and very grumpy. The mare was an altogether different breed, quarter horse if he recalled. Hopefully, it possessed a softer disposition.

He got to within arm's reach before the animal sidestepped away. Must be nervous. Sighing he stepped closer only for the equine to trot away again. "Easy there," he said in as calm a voice as he could muster. This time he reached the critter's shoulder without it trying to evade him. "Just gonna hop up here," Gabe added grabbing the saddle horn. "No need to be anxious."

To easy. Just like riding a bike. Accept this bike had a mind of its own. No sooner had he placed his foot in the stirrup that the horse moved. The toe of his boot was caught forcing Gabe to hop on one foot. Shit! The mare suddenly bolted forward causing Gabe to lose his grip on the saddle. SHIT! Pitching forward, his legs splayed in opposite directions.

Pupils crossed beneath clenched eyelids; Gabe rolled on the ground clutching at his strained...pride. He clenched his jaw to stem the flow of obscenities. The Sergeant was starting to recall why he didn't like horses anymore. Their dangerous at both ends and tricky in the middle. When the pain eased, he became aware of two things: the pixie's laughter and the horse bobbing its head and whinnying.