calder

Hold back the river, so I
Can stop for a minute and be by your side

He hadn’t been back to this place in some time.  He returned not long after his arrival only to search for his sister, but after his unsuccessful venture he couldn’t bring himself to return when it became evident that he was alone here. The unicorn let out a distinctly un-manly sigh at the thought, but pressed on. Perhaps this time there’d be some sign of her.  He knew it was long past time to accept the fact that he was likely the only one who had escaped the mountain that day. 

He moved with little grace through the trees, paying little attention to where his feet fell. Perhaps it was a reflection of his rather downtrodden mood.  However something caught his attention and drew the great stallion to a halt.  It was little but a blur through the trees – but a color of cream and red and brown that didn’t belong among the greenery of the forest.  And then a stream of curses erupted from the shape.  Calder had never heard such language from a lass! It was impressive. Truly. But he wondered what could draw such a reaction from a mare. 

Calder was wary when he came upon the scene.  He craned his antlered head in the direction that the mare had come from, to see if perhaps someone or something was still in pursuit of the woman.  The very thought caused his blood to boil.  Calder didn’t think kindly of those who were violent towards mares.  It brought images back of the brute who had dared touch his wee sister.  His sister could handle herself, for the most part, and had put off the brute, but Calder had seen fit that the monster knew verra well that he would not be welcome on the mountain again after such behavior. 

Two others had already arrived, and one was in the process of untangling the woman from her prison of branches.  Calder kept a respectful distance and kept his head lowered as he didn’t want to intimidate the clearly frightened mare.  It was then he took a moment to truly look at her and he couldn’t help but recognize the fact that she was a bonnie little thing.  Even there shaking and frightened with twigs in her hair and secrets in her eyes, Calder was interested to know more about the mare.  He also had an irrational need for vengeance for the woman.  Who has wronged this mare? What had they done? And how could he hold them responsible?  Shaking away the thoughts, Calder’s voice finally rumbled to life. 

“Caenan speaks true, you’re safe. Dinna worry, ye can stop and catch your breath,” he said, in his best attempt to be soothing.  Calder then took the time to nod a short greeting to both Zandora and Caenan before his blue eyes flicked back to the mare of cream and brown.

“Now you’ve got yourself untangled, lass – Is there something that one or both of us can help ye with? You were running like the hounds of hell themselves were chasin’ ye.” Calder tried to keep the mood light, but he was equal parts concerned and curious.  However he did have the expectation that there was likely more to this mare’s story than she was willing to tell at this moment. 

“Is sanctuary ye be looking for? And a place to get your wounds tended to, perhaps?” The stallion asked, while gently nodding towards the gashes on the mare’s cream-colored sides.  None of her wounds looked to be particularly deep, for which Calder was thankful, but they were enough to stain her pale coat.  Regardless, he was certain the healers could sort her out if she wished it. He figured he may as well echo the purple mare’s offer, for whatever it would be worth to the frightened creature.  Hopefully it would provide some reassurance.

“Like Zandora offered, ye’d be welcome in the Basin even if ye just need a place for a rest and to get your wits about ye for a bit. Ye’d be safe there.  I’d assume Caenan may have a place for ye as well.” 

He paused for a moment, before finally adding, “I’m Calder.  What’s your name, lass?”