The Lost Tale

Standing Stranger

The darkness feels solemn as I walk through the tunnels, every now and then I can feel the walls around me extending further outward before closing back towards me. Minutes drag on and slowly I make my way deep into the cavern- it's depths only noted by the echoing of dripping water and the whinnying I'd followed here since I can't see. Reaching into my pocket, the charm dangles from my fingertips and I let out a deep sigh as I follow the way- the warmth from earlier in the day smoldering to a soggy cold.

I hear a loud snorting followed by a startled neigh as I push through the emptiness, and as I round the stone corner a faint light filters through a circular valley like opening. The blue grey light bounces off of the stone- casting only enough clarity to make out the silhouettes of my surroundings. Jagged rock walls reach upwards, welcomed by stalactites hanging elegantly from the ceiling.

My eyes scan the dimly lit cavern with curiosity, and as my gaze lands in the center of the opening my breath catches in my chest. Sleipnir. The eight-legged horse digs two front hooves to the ground; a sign of his apprehensiveness as I come closer. I can barely make out his colors as I shuffle slowly into his sight, Sleipnir snorts as he meets my gaze- and with a stern shake of his neck chains clatter about the hard floor.

"I'm sorry someone did this to you. Can I let you out?" My voice sounds so small in this cave- and I gingerly come before the horse, my hand extending towards him. Sliepner eyes me for several moments, his large pupils boring into my soul before he softly pushes his nose into the palm of my hand. I stroke my fingers along his face as I move towards the chains binding him; they were loose enough, though they had done enough to keep him there.

The first chain was around his neck, with three more connected to three of Sleipnir's hooves, all of the chains run to the far end of the cave. I examine the chains- they should be easy enough to get off- the first chain falls with little effort. Sleipnir sniffs at me curiously and I kneel down undoing the restraints to his legs, the soft cushion of his nose against the top of my head tickling.

I'm surprised that the chains respond to my touch since I'm only here in part; but whisper my thanks that I wouldn't have to return to this place. Sleipnir seems to share my sentiments as the next chains loosen and his hooves slip from their binds. Once I'm done I stand, my shoulder falling just at his chest as I wrap my arms around his neck lightly. "Let's get you out of here, huh bud?"

He knickers at me in response and with a sudden jolt he nudges me onto his back with his head, forcing a surprised gasp from me as I land crooked on him. After a moment of straightening up I run my hand up towards his mane. He peeks back at me before my fingers grip into his mane and he jolts forward- and soon we burst through the exit to the cavern; and Sleipnir kicks his legs into the wind.

The coast sits below us; and I am under prepared for a sky ride- which is just what Sleipnir has decided I need. The eight legged horse soars wildly until we reach the head of the cliff where I'd originally seen the cavern, and my heart's racing calms slowly as his hooves hit solid ground again.

Now in the light I can see more of this majestic creature, a buckskin tone washing over his body with a deep onyx mane and tail. The course hairs are more wild than any horse I've ever seen, thick and voluptuous as my fingers loosen and he slows to a trot. He seems to wait for me to tell him where we will go and my hand pulls the charm from it's pouch. "Alright little trinket, we need to go back to Asger."

Soon we are ripping through the trees- the greens and yellows of the leaves dancing in the wind Sleipnir kicks up against the forest floor. Sounds of hooves beating against the ground are all I hear past the whistling of the wind- the feeling of my hair whipping behind us makes me smile. Asger comes into sight before the cave- and I suspect he knew we were there.

His eyes widen in his sunken face and a crinkled smile spreads as Sleipnir and I stop- my body still lay on the cave floor, so I hop off of the horse's back- and he follows with a loud snort. Ove and Eluf sit curiously towards the back of the cave, building up a fire as the sun begins to set, as we walk in. They take no notice of me since I'm not in my body, but Asger rounds the corner with Sleipnir close behind us and I see both of the boys' expressions of awe.

Sleipnir sees my body, and makes a quick way to it in the large opening as I follow. Everyone stays silent as the horse nuzzles my face. I let out a deep sigh before I close my eyes- back into the real world I go. The wet tickle against my cheek makes me chuckle as I reconnect with my physical body and I wake.

My eyes blink open and meet Sleipnir's deep brown ones, and he backs away slightly as I sit up. Asger nods at me as I shuffle to my feet- a tingle running through my limbs as the blood starts to flow again. Sleipnir burrows his face into my chest warmly and I let out a soft laugh as my hands run along the sides.

Turning to Eluf and Ove, they watch me in amazement, their gaze darts from the eight-legged horse to me. Their reaction is reasonable, the horse is unlike any other- standing nearly eight feet high. "It almost seemed too easy to find him, Asger. He could've escaped easily from the chains on him."

Asger's mouth purses slightly as he thinks, "Who knows why such a powerful creature would be willing to stay there." I listen to him as he shuffles about, Sleipnir knickers softly at our exchange. "Either way this is only the start, there's a lot more coming." I nod, my gaze breaking from the horse, peeling to the group of people around me.

Ove watches curiously and takes several strides towards Sleipnir and I, his black hair falling over his eyes messily. Eluf huffs to himself though he doesn't make any moves; and between the two I can almost feel the burning questions. As Ove settles a few feet behind me I turn over my shoulder- Sleipnir looks over me to him with a few quiet snorts.

"These are my friends; no one here will bother you." my voice falls soft against the air as Sleipnir paws the ground. I reach a hand behind me to Ove- "come here." He looks at me nervously, though he takes my hand and I extend his hand in mine to Sleipnir, who nuzzles it curiously before letting out a whiny.

Ove laughs as the horse lets him place his palm against his face. "A strong beast you are." His words express a level of honor and pride as the war horse responds to his touch. "Eluf get over here man, this is incredible." We both turn back to the red head, still standing silent several paces away.

Eluf avoids our gaze, his face looking crestfallen; "I was hoping all of this was a lie." His words sting, and I look at my feet for a moment before I once again raise my gaze to him as he continues, "That's Odin's horse- and if that isn't a sign that we are in over our heads then I don't know what is."

He storms out after that, and Ove looks at me with a sigh. "Let me talk to him." Asger crosses over to me as Ove runs after Eluf. His sunken face bores into mine as I turn my gaze back onto Sleipnir, the war horse stands tall now- making me feel tiny in comparison.

"Even without their help- I know you can do this, little bird." Asger places a light hand on my shoulder as I stay silent. It's not their place to help.