„So, are you ready, Onyx?" I asked with my mouth still full, chewing the last bite of a familiar wild root. I dried some of my things with a flicker of green flame—last night had been really rainy.
At some moments, I even thought the tent would be blown away, but luckily it held out.
Yawning, I packed everything up again, watching Onyx test his hind leg, carefully putting weight on it.
Then he stomped.
It worked.
Happy, he neighed and began trotting slow circles in the wet grass.
I laughed at him, wrestling for the third time to fit everything into my pack. It just didn't work. This last hide—!
„Argh!"
„Onyx!" I called, and the horse—still shorter than me—came closer, blinking his deep black eyes. „Can you carry something too?"
He just stared at me. I didn't wait for an answer. With a quick toss, I flung a bundle of hides and food in a small bag onto his back and tied it around his belly with a soft brown leather strap.
Hands on my hips, I admired my work. Onyx, however, neighed and twisted, clearly annoyed. The pelts and the bag slid, nearly falling to the wet ground—if I hadn't caught them just in time.
„Whoa, whoa, whoa! Onyx!" I laughed, „everyone has to carry their share!"
„Neigh!"
„I don't care!" With a strong pull, I drew him closer and fastened another belt, tightening it even more. Rubbing my hands together, I looked proudly at the result before giving him a daring look.
Seeing no resistance this time, I nodded, letting my gaze wander over the glistening grass. The air smelled fresh and cool; I could even taste the wet mud.
The rising sun shone golden over the distant mountains.
I placed a hand on Onyx's back and pointed at the horizon. The view was so clear, so clean.
„Look! Those mountains—someday we'll reach them!"
A smile crept across my face as I touched the small necklace around my neck and took the first steps forward, feeling the soft, muddy ground beneath my feet and hearing Onyx's calm breathing beside me.
We walked until the sun stood high above us. From time to time, passing clouds sent cool shadows rolling across our path.
I was just gazing at one particularly interesting cloud—it looked like a rabbit, I swear—when suddenly the ground vanished beneath my feet.
My heart jumped to my throat and—splash!—my left foot sank into a slow, gurgling creek hidden beneath tall grass.
A horned rabbit darted away, scared half to death.
Sighing, I pulled my foot out of the water. „Oh man…" I muttered, then glared at Onyx. „Don't you dare laugh like that!"
The horse tilted his head, letting out a series of snorting whinnies that definitely sounded like laughter.
„Grrr! What was I supposed to do? I was just looking at the clouds!" I pulled off my soaked shoe and held it up to him. „Here—go on, smell it!"
He sniffed once, then recoiled, snorting and stamping the ground. I felt the tremors through my bare feet.
„Hahaha! Now we're even!"
„Neigh!"
A soft breeze ruffled his mane, and I decided it was a good time to rest. We both drank from the creek; the water was cold and clear. Then I took one of the hides from Onyx's back, pulled out some dried meat, and sat down on the damp ground.
Onyx lowered his head and started eating, too.
After we finished, I crossed my legs and began a short session of atmospheric mana sensing—just a light one, to feel the air's rhythm.
Closing my eyes, I sensed the faint, soft motes of mana drifting like glowing dust. Some darker ones pulsed slowly, one of them shaped like a horse. Others, small and quick, were probably insects.
Onyx neighed softly, and I saw little ripples spreading toward me. A gentle tickle brushed my ears.
Then something struck me—the faint tremor under my feet. I could feel it, when onyx stomped earlier. The earth vibrated differently than the air.
„Maybe…!" I muttered. I stood up, barefoot, and focused again. If atmospheric sensing worked in the air, why not in the ground?
I closed my eyes and shifted my awareness downward.
Whoosh.
Everything went black in my mind's eye. For a moment I panicked and almost stopped—but then I felt it. A slow, heavy pulse right beneath my feet. Denser than air, but unmistakably mana.
A grin spread across my face. I kept going, experimenting with every trick I knew—and a few new ones my stupid brain came up with on the spot.
It worked.
After who knew how long, I could feel everything around my feet—the solid earth, the dark soil, the blades of grass swaying gently around my ankles.
„Amazing…" I whispered, staring into the black and green outline of the world beneath me. „And… are those worms?"
Tiny threads of life wriggled below the surface. Then, above, a butterfly landed softly on a blade of grass near my foot. I could feel it through the flow of mana—the smallest tremor of weight, a delicate wave.
„Neigh!" Onyx's call snapped me out of it.
My eyes shot open. The world spun. I dropped to my knees, breathing heavily.
„Oh man… that was intense."
When my vision cleared, I froze. The sun was setting—already.
„What the—? Is it evening already?" I looked at the golden sky, then at Onyx, who gave me a questioning look.
„Alright, I'm done. Guess we're sleeping here tonight."
The sky was crystal clear, painted orange and violet. I tilted my head. „Should we take the gamble?"
He neighed softly, the sound low and warm.
„Alright then! Come here!"
As if he understood, Onyx trotted to my side. I untied the bundles from his back and used my pack as a pillow, rolling myself into my sleeping bag.
I stuffed my cheeks with dried food, barely chewing, and lay on my side. The bag was warm, the night air cool, and Onyx's steady breathing beside me lulled me into sleep.
…
„NEIGH!!"