Xerathalasia
The horses neighed in greeting, eager to see their human masters.
It was a relief to be out of the vale. No more Giganraneae molested us on the way out. The forest outside the vale smelled sweetly of resin, leaves, and the musk of animals. Birds sang in the boughs, deer scampered on the trails, and squirrels cavorted up and down the tree trunks.
The fullness of life was about me again.
"There's my sweet Purity," Sophia smiled, petting the white snout of her mare. "I missed you."
Angela unhobbled her large stallion. She took his reins and joined Sophia. The pair stood close. When they walked into the woods, there had been a rift between them. Sophia was hurt and Angela was distant. I smiled as they walked forward, shoulders almost touching.
