A special thanks goes out to my amazing sister for helping inspire this post, as the idea sprang from something she said to me. Love you! You are in fact the bestest sister ever!! Also a special thanks goes out to my amazing questing partner as he was so very supportive this past week.
Late in the eve of the new year our heroine decided to venture out. It was dark and slightly wet. Her Ember Steed, who had caused her much grievance in the two years and six cycles that our lady had owned her having to see it's healer many times over the course of that time, seemed to be in good health and was rearing to go. The gentle rain was not a deterrent as she pushed forward on her way to celebrate the coming change of time with some she held dear. She was excited and had dressed for the celebration accordingly. In a shimmery gown and hair done to match. Her eyes sparkled as she made her way onward to the new and away from the old.
As she progressed on her journey the weather turned for the worse. The rain became snow and caused our heroine to slow her pace as it was progressively harder to see. She managed to keep control of her mount, but stayed at a slow pace to make sure of the footing. Though her ability to see continued to diminish, she continued on.
As she continued through the hills and bends of her path she felt herself slipping, but this time she managed to maintain control of the reins. Ember bucked and fought to get her head and take control away, but our lady was far to smart to let that happen. Two more times Ember fought against the reins and tried to get away. Our heroine continued to manage to keep the steed under control, still following the slow and steady path of the turtle.
Up and down the hills and around the bends she continued. Slowly and careful all the way. Then she came upon that fateful hill, she could feel Ember wanting to fight her once again. She proceeded to the top feeling a bit of pride at the accomplishment thus far when suddenly, as if Ember could feel the relief she made her move, she bucked and our lady lost control of her steed. Back and forth across the path completely swerving out of control. As our heroine was dragged along she realized in horror that her very life might indeed be in danger. She tried desperately to follow and regain control of the reins when suddenly there was a loud bang. Ember had crashed into a barrier in the side of the path, and had stopped dead.
Shaken and scared, our heroine went to investigate what had happened to her poor steed. When she came to the other side of Ember, her eyes grew wide and she let out a gasp. Ember seemed to have broken a leg, perhaps more. Our lady is not an expert on such things, so she was unsure of the extent of the damage to her poor mount. She moved back to her place and tried to see if Ember could in fact continue on, but sadly it was all for naught.
Our heroine soon sent a message to her questing partner so that he was aware of what had happened and then she proceed to message those who she was to celebrate with that eve. She finally called a transport to make sure that Ember was able to get closer to home, to her healer even, which was very close to her abode, she gathered her belongings and said a very sad goodnight to her poor Ember.
The process for finding out what exactly was wrong with her poor steed seemed to take forever, though in truth it was only two days. When they finally told our heroine the news of her steed she was crushed. Her poor Ember was to be put out to pasture, the first steed she had been able to acquire on her own. She had worried this was going to be what transpired, but she was unsure. As the next few days went forward, our heroine retrieved her tack and tried to brace herself for this steed's departure. It was not easy on our heroine in any way. She shed many tears, but tried to keep it to herself.
The day came and now her poor Ember had been taken away, never to be seen again. She still felt sadness though she knew that there was hope, that she would again find a steed who was worthy and would carry her through her coming journeys far better than Ember ever had.
"After her harrowing journey, our fair heroine found her mount unable to continue on. But she did not give up for she was as brave as she was beautiful! She began her quest in search of a new mount. A better mount! When she found it, she knew! This was what she had been searching for! This, at last, was her new beginning!" - My wonderful, beautiful, talented and amazing sister.
