The bitter winds nipped at his rear as Garrett willed his horse forward. The snow covered beast was tired and hungry, but feeling his master's urgency, pressed onward through the blinding snowstorm and deepening drifts. For three days and three nights now, Garrett had been traveling his trail, and for three days and three nights it had been snowing.
"This is certainly ironic," Garrett mumbled to himself. "My horse is named Ice Wind, but those are the very things holding me back."
The young (type) whined as he was blown backwards. Digging his strong hooves into the ground, he pulled himself back into the wind and forward once again. Garrett smiled inward and praised himself for choosing a steady workhorse to help him return to the Imarald House and his sister.
"Young sir!" A voice echoed in the wind. "Where are you headed?"
"Imarald of Verita Island!" Garrett shouted back. "Can you tell me how far I am from it?"
"You've still got quite a ways to go," The voice cried back as a shadowy figure appeared in the snow. "Our caravan is heading in that direction. You can join us. Your beast needs food and rest. Come with me," A flash of blond and the figure was revealed as a beautiful woman.
Her long blond hair flowed around her shoulders as her bright green eyes glimmered while small flakes of snow caked on her eye lashes. Her face as a deep pink color, chilled by the harsh winter air. Garrett smiled at her as he leaped off Ice Wind and followed her into the storm, leading his horse behind him.
"The caravan's just up here," She sighed. "Nova was the one who heard you. She's a great horse, and she has the best hearing. Lev!" She shouted.
"Lora! Where are you?!" A young male voice cut through the snow. "Nova suddenly stopped, and we noticed you were gone."
A young man stepped into view. His jet black hair rippled around his tanned face. His blue eyes shimmered as he smiled at Lora.
"Lev, jeez, you know when Nova stops I've gone off somewhere," Lora sighed.
"I know. I was just worried about you," Lev sighed.
"Don't worry. Nova wouldn't leave me behind, and you know that," Lora said. "Nova heard something, and i had to check it out, and I'm glad I did."
Garrett stepped forward slowly. Ice Wind whined and butted into him as a sharp breeze zipped through them. Lev smiled warmly then glanced at Lora.
"Well, finally, you brought someone back who can be of use to us," Lev laughed. "Such a sturdy workhorse...We only have a mile to go until the resting depot. We can get him food, water, and rest, and then, tomorrow, he can give Nova a break."
"She's a darling, but she doesn't have the strong back that is needed to pull a caravan," Lora sighed, "but since she is one of only two horses we have, she has to help pull."
Garrett sighed and turned to look at Ice Wind, "What do you say, buddy?" He whispered. "Do you have it in you?"
Ice Wind neighed wildly as he marched over next to the caravan and butted at Nova. Lora smiled softly at Garrett.
"He thinks he's got enough in him to pull it the rest of the way," Garrett sighed.
Lev nodded as he unhitched Nova, "Lora, take her rein. She'll only follow if you lead."
Lora nodded and sighed, whispering to the small horse, "You all right, dear? We're going to have to thank them in the morning. I...I don't even know your name."
"It's Garrett," Garrett sighed.
"'Nough chat, let's go," Lev sighed, pulling on the reins of the two horses pulling the wagon.
Slowly, they moved forward in the snow.
***
Garrett was warm for the first time in days. It was a good thing that Lora had found him or else he would have been trudging through the snow without a break.
"Want something to drink?" Lora called to him as she entered the main house of the depot, brushing the snow off her jacket. "Ice Wind's really well behaved. He went straight into the pen. I sure wish Donavon acted like that, but no, the stupid thing has to fight me the whole way."
"Here, let me get it," Garrett sighed, standing. "You sit."
Lora laughed as she plopped down on a chair, "Garrett, I think Nova really likes Ice Wind."
"Why wouldn't she?" Garrett laughed, pouring Lora some tea.
Lora smiled as she turned to look at him, "Well, he is a bit large, but other than that..."
"Large? What's that suppose to mean?" Garrett asked, handing her the cup.
She gladly accepted it, took a few sips, and sighed, "I mean too big for her. She's A LOT smaller than he is."
"Oh, you mean for breeding," Garrett laughed. "Yeah, he probably would be too big for her."
Lora smiled and nodded as he sat back down. Garrett sighed as he piered outside at the snow. Lora heaved a sigh as she watched the stars.
"Where are you from?" Lora asked, not taking her eyes off the sky.
"Original, I'm from a forest Clan, but we were taken as servents by the Imarald Clans, and now we live and work at the Imarald House," Garrett sighed. "My sister was born just before we were captured. My father and mother were killed in the battle between the Clans. Being a pretty as we are," Garrett snorted, "we were given to one of the Imarald's noble women as children. I was only three. They expected me not to remember."
"That's awful," Lora sighed.
"And our younger sister, Liz, wasn't considered as pretty as me and Maggie," Garrett sighed. "So they gave her to one of the Housemaids. When I left, they were training her to be one as well."
Lora shook her head, "Family should be together. That is awful. To think, we're delivering these items to that House."
"Don't be bais against them all," Garrett sighed. "The noble woman who played my mother was rather nice and more moral than the rest. She reassured my memories when I asked. She said she had never felt right about not taking Liz as well, but Minryi, the Headlady, forbid it."
Lora sighed as she turned her eyes back to Garrett, "It'll be all right. We'll be there within the next day or two. You'll see your sisters again. I promise."
***
As the sun rose, Garrett blinked at the suddenly beam of light the hit his eyes. He sat up and smiled when he saw Lora asleep in the same chair she had been in, still clasping the glass in her hands. He stood and walked over to her, slowly plucking the cup from her hand and setting in on the table next to her.
Straightening his clothes, Garrett sighed. Lora shifted as the light hit her, too. Lev came bounding into the room.
"Wake up! Wake up! Time to get moving! Lora!" He shouted.
Lora groaned as she opened her eyes, "Lev, do you have to do that?"
"Everytime," Lev laughed. "Just a ways to go now. Snowfall's stop so it should be easy going with Ice Wind and Donavon pulling."
Garrett nodded as he grabbed his jacket and threw it on. Lora stood and streched. She grabbed her jacket and put it on. They walked outside together. Garrett hitched up Ice Wind as Lora hitched up Donavon. They smiled at each other as they both climbed up into the caravan. Lev hitched up the walking beasts and called the wagon forward.
***
As they entered the meadows outside the House, Garrett smiled deeply. He was finally here. He was finally going to get to see his sister...sisters. He leaped off the wagon and untied the walking beasts. He lead them over to the stables and throw open the door.
"Who's there?" A small, meek voice called.
"It's Garrett," Garrett called.
"Garrett?" The voice asked as Liz peeked out from around the corner. "You came back! You did! Maggie said you would!"
"Liz?! What are you doing out here?" Garrett exclaimed.
"When Maggie was searched, they moved me to the stables," Liz sighed.
"Maggie was searched?" Garrett sighed.
"Yes," Liz sighed. "Cincanta searched her not too long ago. She'll be sorry she missed you."
Garrett nodded, "I can't believe they put you in a place like this. Do you sleep out here?"
Liz nodded, "With the horses and the rats."
Suddenly, the crooned of a dragon was heard echoing outside the stable. Garrett poked his head out the door. The dragon which stood there was as odd as any he'd ever seen. It even had an ear ring. Garrett laughed. The dragon turned to look at Garrett.
Now, what's so funny? the dragon huffed.
"Nothing," Garrett sighed. "It's just the ear ring..."
"Oh, don't say anything," The dragon's rider sighed as he leaped down. "I know it looks a little odd, but it's standard for the Azon dragons."
The dragon narrowed his eyes at Garrett, sticking his head right in front of Garrett. The dragon's rider laughed a bit.
I like him. Let's take him back, the dragon rumbled.
"Are you sure?" The Dragoneer sighed. "He doesn't look so special to me."
Garrett glared at the Dragoneer as Liz peeked over his shoulder, "They're not taking you, too, are they?" She squeaked.
"Yes, ma'dam, we are," The Dragoneer sighed. "Come along, son. You've just been searched."
Garrett gapped at the Dragoneer as Liz clutched at his shoulder, "With you gone, I'll only have Kiro and the rats."
"I'll be back, Liz," Garrett sighed, "and this time it won't take five years. I'll be back, and I'll take you away from these idiots who abuse you. I'll be back, Liz. I promise."
Garrett turned to the Dragoneer and nodded. The dragon rumbled in approval as the Dragoneer sighed.
"All right, it'll be quite a ride, but at least I didn't have to talk to the House Heads," He laughed. "That's the part I dread."
***
