“I can carry her,” he said gruffly once everything had been removed.
“Wait!” Taegan exclaimed, and Zorvut froze. He pulled out his dagger and found a braid in her mane that was not bloodstained, and cut it cleanly near the root. Pensively, he wrapped the lock of hair around his fingers, feeling its softness for a moment, before carefully pocketing it and sheathing his blade. Zorvut gave him a nod of understanding when their eyes met.
“All right,” he relented, then added in concern, “Don’t hurt yourself.”
“I won’t,” Zorvut reassured him. He bent his knees, pushed his hands under her body near the ribs and haunches, took in a deep breath, and with a groan of exertion, stood straight with the body in his arms. He took a moment to secure his grip, then in one quick motion, slung the horse across one shoulder. It was clearly a struggle, but doable, and he began to take heavy, measured steps toward the hill the guard had pointed out. Taegan watched in awe, love and sadness swelling in his heart in equal measure.
The two guards brought shovels and helped them dig, conversing briefly, but mostly remaining in silence. The woman, Tessa, explained they were the only guards posted at the tiny fishing village; she had only been assigned here last year, but the man, Aldwin, had been in the village all his life.
“I actually met the King-Consort a handful of times,” he said as they dug, his voice curt yet hesitant. “He was nearly an adult when I was young, and moved to the castle before I was a teen, but I always liked him and his family. He was a good man.”
“Yes, he was,” Taegan agreed softly with a nod. He didn’t dare look away from the fresh earth he was methodically digging into, for fear he might start to cry again.
Once a sufficient grave had been dug, the four of them stood over it for a long moment. Tessa gingerly touched Aldwin’s arm, whispering something, and they took a few steps back to give them space.
“I’ll get her,” Zorvut said, setting his shovel down. This time he half-lifted, half-pushed the horse, and she fell unceremoniously into the grave. Her mane was still braided, though the clean white of it was now stained with blood and dirt. She deserved more, Taegan thought sadly, but this was the most they could do for her.
“She was a good horse, and a faithful companion. My Papa gifted her to me when she was just a foal,” he murmured. Zorvut placed an arm around his waist, steady and comforting. He tried to say more but choked on the words. Wiping his eyes, he managed, “Goodbye, Moonlight.”
Decisively, he tossed the first shovelful of soil back over her, and after a moment Zorvut joined in as well, then the other two elves.
When she was buried, the group stood in silence for a long time, then Taegan turned wordlessly to return to the village. He did not look to see if the others followed.
Back in the town square, Graksh’t had been tethered to a pole, and a white and chestnut paint horse had been brought out and was tethered next to him. Moonlight’s saddle and equipment were all affixed to the horse, which occasionally huffed and eyed Graksh’t nervously. A young woman, no more than perhaps nineteen or twenty, was standing and braiding its mane. Her long ashy brown hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, and she wore a green tunic and weathered, mud-stained boots over plain breeches. When she noticed Taegan approaching, she jumped away from the horse and lowered her head, clearly nervous.
“My prince,” she said breathlessly. “I’ve brought you my horse. She’s called Pippy, she’s small but very friendly and reliable, and I—I hope she’ll serve you well. I saw the beautiful braids on your mare, and, well, these aren’t as good, but...” She trailed off, her face reddening as she looked away.
“I appreciate your generosity,” Taegan said as graciously as he could manage. “I’m sure Pippy will prove to be just as excellent as you’ve described. And what’s your name?”
“I’m Elincia,” she replied, her head still bowed.
“Elincia,” Taegan repeated. “I promise you Pippy will be returned safely, and you’ll be compensated for the trouble.”
“Oh, no, I’m honored just to help,” Elincia exclaimed, finally looking up at him in surprise. “I didn’t—I don’t expect anything in return, my prince. I just work in the stable, and I know Pippy rides well with just about everyone.”
“Please,” Taegan replied firmly, placing his hand over hers where she gripped the reins. “It’s the least we can do.”
The girl hesitated, but finally gave a nod of affirmation.
“Okay,” she agreed, and her gaze flitted past Taegan for a brief moment. He could feel Zorvut approaching behind him. She lowered her head, eyes dropping to the ground. “Thank you, my prince.”
“It’s you I should thank,” he said, and managed a wry smile, which she returned nervously as she stepped away.
He climbed onto the saddle of this new horse—as the girl had told him, Pippy seemed to be a friendly and patient mare, giving Taegan no fuss as they set out once again. She was not Moonlight, but she could get him back home.
They were a little way down the road, the village disappearing behind them, when Taegan finally turned to him and asked, “What... What was that?”
He did not need to elaborate—the moment he said it, Zorvut nervously glanced down at his hands gripping the reins.
“I don’t know,” he replied, his voice a frightened whisper.
“Thatwasyou, right?” Taegan asked, still looking at him.
“Yes. I mean, I think so,” Zorvut answered, though he sounded uncertain. “I just... I don’t know, I knew I couldn’t get to you in time, but I wanted to protect you. It was all I could think about, that I just needed to keep you safe. And I reached out to try and get to you, and... That happened. Gods, I used magic.” His tone was as incredulous as if he were claiming to fly.
“You did,” Taegan agreed, though he was just as bewildered. “That’s never happened before?”
“I swear on my life, not once,” he said, shaking his head. “Orcs with magic are so rare, they’re made shamans or druids the moment they start showing any affinity for it. I had no idea I could do that.” He frowned, and held out one of his hands in front of him, staring intently at it—but nothing happened, and he lowered his hand with a sigh. “I don’t even know how I did it. I just...did.”
