the tall black mare nods encouragingly as her new friend attempts to shake off the tension as she had demonstrated. though it is a stiff and uncomfortable mimicry of her own easy whole body shake, it is a start.

the smile that creeps blooms on adelheid’s features causes herza’s own smile to widen, feeling so grateful she had accepted the challenge the mountain trail had offered and lead her to the mare beside her. a kindred feeling, sisterly almost, was beginning to form in her heart. the smile of the almost-stranger is short lived however, and as it falters from her lips, herza wishes she could reach out to catch it and put it back. what had happened to cause the mare so much unease?

if she could speak, herza thought, she could ask these things… what is the flash of pain i see when you glance at the trees below? why do you look as if you carry the burdens of all the world on your dark shoulders? how can i help you…. but perhaps it is a good thing the friesian mare cannot speak at that moment. the tender shoot of their friendship might be crushed in her hurry to help…the mare before her has already shown her tendency to be withdrawn and cautious… perhaps it is a good thing that the only thing herza can do to offer help is to be there, steady and certain, when a storm rages within adelheid’s heart.

feuerherza nods again, as her companion guesses correctly. the peak was the first place, other than the meadow, she had travelled to so far on the isles. her veins thrum with excitement when the mare gestures toward the trail and asks if she would like to see more. she does nothing to quell this burst of excitement, nodding enthusiastically and arching her proud neck as she paws the rock strewn earth at her feet. she waits for the mare to lead the way, eager to see what more this mountain has to offer. herza also harbors a hope that perhaps if they spend more time together, her new companion would feel compelled to lay some of her burdens down by voicing them to her…. the tall black mare knew, all too well, how sometimes when others realized she was unable to speak, they seemed able to say things to her that they couldn’t to any other. she was a great keeper of secrets.