She introduces herself as Nephele, and of course I try to repeat it, despite her warning. Or, should I say, massacre it. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Neee-feel." Oh dear. I cringe, but try to keep a lighthearted look in my eye so she knows I'm not mocking her. "Neph," I sheepishly add. Yes, I think I shall call her that from now on.
The fact she is a warrior is not lost on me. I always seem to be assigned patrols with warriors, and I wonder if it is because the leaders fear I will get myself beaten up or murdered if I go out without a trained escort. After all, it is not hard to see that fighting is not my forte. Although I am slimmer than I have ever been, I still lack the sheer muscle of a stallion, or a warrior. I couldn't fight my way out of a wet paper bag. I notice her eyes assessing me, and I wait for the inevitable questions. What's that on your face? Where are your balls? I don't mind answering such questions, and they are inevitable when I am surrounded by wild horses who have never known the crushing touch of a human hand. To my surprise, though, nothing comes. Instead, she wonders where the rest of our patrol is, and asks how this land got here.
To the first question I glance around, as though I can make the rest of my patrol appear with sheer force of will. Alas, that is not the case, but the day is still young. To the second, I cast another wistful glance around at the scene of the battle. "This land wasn't here until fairly recently. My understanding is that it came from another world, along with several odd-looking horses and a vengeful God in the shape of a bear. Violence welcomed this place, so I am scarcely surprised it looks so...sinister." I look around at the bloodstained water, hardly inviting one for a nice swim. I glance back to the pegasus warrioress. "Are you new to Helovia, Miss Neph?"
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