Not that many changes. You can probably spot them if you scan through. I've also added a couple sentences. Have fun! And please give me as much critques as you can!
6.
On the Road Once Again
Nami woke to a gentle shake. Jord was standing over her. She sat up and rubbed her eyes and yawned while making great stretching movements. After he left the room leaving Nami to get herself prepared to leave she climbed out of her bed against her body’s will and changed her clothes with her eyes drooping. She then washed her face and was soon outside with all the others. Breakfast was made and was being packed into their packs so they could eat on the road and not here.
She looked at Don with surprise. His scraggly beard was shaven clean off. His hair was neatly trimmed and his eyes were bright. He seemed to be constantly smiling and every thing that she did was followed by a compliment as was Goneck and Jord. Don had changed so much since the day before that Nami would have never recognized him. Even the house had changed. The wilted flowers had been thrown out and the vase put away and exchanged with a clean oil lamp. Eveything was dusted and cleaned. The air felt breathable and even the window cutains had been changed. She knew it was because of Jord and she was happy for him but this dramatic change was a bit strange.
The group silently stole outside into the clear morning. They fortunately passed the gates of Rovenhold undiscovered and they parted ways when it came to the fork in the road, Don and Jord left towards the forest where the Giant Wolves themselves were in hiding, and Nami and Goneck continuing on towards Tradhalem. They waved goodbyes and gave hugs or in Goneck’s case licks and wags and took to their own roads.
As they continued on Goneck said, “There is one stop that we have to make. We are going to stop on the plains of Seerena. We’re supposed to meet some horses that will help us.”
“Horses?” Nami looked at Goneck is disbelief.
“Yes, they talk like us. And they have been great and loyal friends and have also been in hiding like us, for a long time, they’ve existed centuries before your grandfathers. They have agreed to help us and are going to give us one of their herd members to accompany us on our journey. It will be better so that we can travel faster. They are intelligent beasts, they call themselves Inoruven, which means ‘Spirit of the Horse’”. Goneck said. Giant wolves, talking horses, what next, monster lizards? Thought Nami.
“That’s nice…” stammered Nami, unsure of what to say. Goneck didn’t say anything and padded on silently
In the afternoon they settled down and ate under a large tree which had blossomed with white and yellow flowers. While the sun blazed overhead Nami had changed into her tight leggings and a long shirt which came just above her knees, but was comfortably light and thin and was held at her waist with the belt she had brought along. She was surprised to see that the belt was almost too small; it was hooked on the last notch. That merchant was such a liar! Nami laughed inwardly.
They continued their journey after a short nap from Goneck while Nami kept watch. It seemed that Goneck was not in a mood for discussion so Nami kept herself occupied with the view which she had. She took a deep breath of the fresh country air and sighed. They walked along the dusty road in silence; the sound of tall grass moving with the motion of the wind could be heard as well as the call of birds. Nami saw two small sparrows flying together, one chasing another as if they were playing a game of tag. She looked down at Goneck and wondered why he was so quiet. What could he be thinking of? How can he be so mature for one of his age? What troubles him? What drives him? Nami tried to think of some answers for her questions but no matter how hard she tried she found out that she couldn’t answer any of them. Goneck was still a large mystery to her. Why a such a magical creature such as he would come to her was beyong her imagination.
“OK. This is it.” Goneck said when he had led them into a large expanse of fields. “This is where they will meet us. And don’t forget, be extremely respectful. These creatures almost feed off respect.” He said, but with not a hint of bitterness, which made Nami laugh. Goneck lead Nami into a dry field that reached to the east for miles and miles. They heard nothing for a couple of minutes as they both stood in silence scanning the land for a hint of life.
They first felt thudding in the ground. Soon they could hear the pounding of hooves against the soft earth. At least one-hundred pure white glistening horses were galloping their way. Nami had never seen a more magnificent herd of horse. She had thought that her own horses were impressive but these were just breathtaking.
One black stallion was leading the herd; his neck was arched as he led the herd, feet a blur and his muscles moving to every beat of his hooves His black coat glossed in the sun which caused every contour of his rippling muscles to show. He lifted his head and gave a loud whinny and blew through his nose in greeting and continued on toward him as his mane and tail were streamed behind him. As he neared he slowed to a canter, than to a trot, and finally to a walk.
A hundred white horses followed dutifully behind him, making him stand out from the background of his white herd like an onix stone in a bed of ivory. He stomped his feet throwing his head up and down jerkily, his mane lashing back and forth wildly, in greeting.
Goneck in comply, kneeled down on one leg and bowed deeply; he howled two yips and then stood up again. This surprised Nami for Goneck never said anything about a formal greeting so she hastily did the same thing. She was rewarded with deep chortles of whinnying and squeals of laughter from all the horses, including Goneck. Nami turned red with embarrassment.
“Welcome friends,” The stallion snorted amid the dying sound of laughter. “My name is Ethanic.” greeted the black stallion after all the laughter had subsided; he had a dark rich voice which seemed to come from the very depths of his stomach.
“It is a pleasure to meet a young Giant Wolf; I have not seen your kin for quite a while. I see you have been able to keep yourselves hidden with efficiency. Give my greetings to your Alpha Queen and King when you return.” Goneck nodded his head in understanding. Ethanic continued, but this time to talk to Nami. “And by the way, you are not required to howl like Goneck. A bow is all that is necessary.” She lowered her head to hide her burning face. Ethanic gave a small snort of amusement. “I know the reason you are here and have already picked one from my herd to accompany you.” With three stomps of his feet, a large, young, white filly stepped forward. She arched her neck in greeting and introduced herself.
“My name is Sabrawnia.” She greeted. “I will be pleased to accompany you, human, and wolf. I hope I can serve you well.” With that she stomped twice and stepped to the side with a graceful two step. Sabrawnia had green eyes almost blue, uncommon for a horse and had long legs, her back was gracefully arched and her mane and tail flowed in single strands, not a single one burred. Nami guessed that she was maybe one or two years old. Nami could tell that she was near full grown compared to her own horses but seeing her with this head of legendary creatures, she could see that Sabrawnia still had some room for growth.
“Sabrawnia will accompany you until your journey has ended. She will then choose her path from there. I hope she can serve you well and may your ancestors be with you.” With that Ethanic neighed, rearing on his hind legs, then gracefully came back down with a dull thump. Sabrawnia walked towards Nami and Goneck; leaving her herd behind her in those few heavy steps. Before the stallion and his herd turned back, a white mare came up and nuzzled Sabrawnia, snorting quietlky, then turned to Nami and Goneck and said, “Guard her well, and take care of her as if she is your own child, as she is mine.” With one last look at her offsring the mare cantered back and rejoined the herd. The Inoruven returned to the horizon where they disappeared from sight.
“Where is our destination?” Sabrawnia asked when the three of them were standing silently in the grassy fields. Nami looked at the way Sabrawnia talked and realized that seeing a horse speak was much odder than when seeing a wolf speak. It looked almost clumsy as the horse’s large lips seemed to flop around, but surprisingly their words came out smoothly and well pronounced.
“Right now, we’re heading to Tradhalem.” Goneck answered.
“Alright, well hop on then.” Nami looked at Goneck uncertainly. She had at first been looking forward to the faster way of transporation but now that she’s seen the horse, she started to wonder if it was even permitable for such a horse to be ridden as a common one. It seemed as though she had read her mind.
“Its fine, I know what you’re thinking. It’s an honor and a privilege to give a human child a ride on my back and for that honor I am pleased to give you a ride.” Nami nodded uneasily. She first strapped her pack tightly on her back then she reluctantly placed both hands on her Sabrawnia’s back. She pushed herself up but before she could swing her legs over, her arms buckled and she fell back on her bottom. She grimaced at the impact and let out a small cry. Dusting her hands off she pushed herself up from the ground. She heard a small whimper of laugh from behind her. She looked back and glared at Goneck, whose smirk-ish look disappeared right away. Nami placed both hands on Sabrawnia’s back again, but Sabrawnia said, “Wait.” She kneeled down on one knee. Nami felt embarrassment burn her once again. She quickly climbed on the back of Sabrawnia without a word and Goneck leaped onto Nami’s lap. Goneck saw Nami’s face flicker with surprise.
“What?” Goneck asked. “You expect me to run behind you two?” Nami just shrugged and tightened her grip on Sabrawnia’s mane as she stood back up.
“Well, let’s continue.” The horse said. They progressed at a slow walk for a long while. Being on a horse made progress much faster which was excellent for them for in a few hours time they would be able to reach Tradhalem whereas it would’ve usually taken a whole day on foot.
Nami realized that Sabrawnia was spotless without any sign of splotches of color anywhere. She recalled how none of the horses had any except for Ethanic who was pure black. Then her mind wandered to the happenings of the reception which took place in those dusty yellow plains and she remembered how they greeted her.
“Sabrawnia, I have a question.”
“Yes?”
“What do all the stomps mean? As in when you talked, you would stomp afterwards or before.”
“It means multiple things. Most are out of respect. We also stomp to signify when we are done talking. It’s used in our daily life almost everyday. But still, mostly to show our respect.”
“But it’s only used within your own society right?”
“Yes”
“I see.” They continued on the road. Mostly everywhere around them was flat ground but on their right in the horizon they could catch glimpses of the forest. It made Nami recall the moment she had found Goneck or visa-versa. It made her realize how exciting her life had become since then. She remembered the fight she had with her dad and thought now that her dad would probably be frantic with worry over her, but strangely not a single pang of guilt welled up in her. Nami smiled oddly at herself for she was glad, but confused, for she was not one to smile at other people’s sufferings no matter who it was.
Soon they were trotting down the road to Tradhalem, and no sooner than that Nami’s legs were stiff and sore. They had to stop frequently so that Nami could rest them.
“When we’re in Tradhalem we must buy a saddle, my legs are too sore for this type of treatment.” Then Nami realized that Sabrawnia had a look of uneasiness over her at that moment. Nami quickly remembered that Sabrawnia had never worn a saddle so she quickly changed her words. “Actually, I think I might just get some blankets. I think that that will be enough.” Sabrawnia noticeably relaxed and they continued on their way towards Tradhalem.
:D:D
not good.
The last detail about broodmares is unnecessary, unless Nami things Sabrawnia has foaled, or the other horses show no signs of having done so.