The Magical Herd

"Hello," a sweet and gentle voice said softly. "I don't suppose that you're the one?" Before you stood a pale mare, the only colour on her body were a few rainbow markings. A second glance revealed two tails and wings that were unlike any leagus you'd met before.

You didn't know what she meant by that. She saw that you were confused and blushed with embarassment. "I'm sorry, I should have introduced myself first. My name is Mahdolin, a mare in Vedek's Pri~erd. I was looking for a human...you must be the one, I don't think there would be more than one, could there?"

Though the mare was the sweetest thing you'd ever met, the name Vedek sent a shiver down your back. That was Marek's rival, and you didn't want to have anything to do with him. You asked what her stallion wanted from you.

She could sense your fear and stepped forward, shaking her head, "No, you don't understand. Vedek doesn't want to hurt you, he wants to protect you from Marek. As soon as he heard that Marek wanted you, though we don't know why, Vedek sought to protect you. Oh, I don't know why the Realm Keeper lets this go on, but Marek is a truly cruel creature and Vedek swore never to let him hurt another innocent again."

The mare was obviously frustrated with the state of thing, most likely wishing for a more peaceful existence. At least, that's how she appeared. You remembered one of Marek's white mares, Innaris, who seemed nice enough, till her personality switched and a nasty creature appeared beneath the surface. How did you know that Mahdolin was telling the truth? Orma glanced at you, obviously thinking the same thing, "Very little is known about Vedek, he keeps to himself. He doesn't have a bad reputation, like Marek does, but maybe that just means that he hasn't been caught."

"Oh, no!" Mahdolin exclaimed, "Vedek wouldn't hurt anyone...unless of course he had to defend himself or someone else."

All the same, you decide not to go with the mare. She didn't force the issue but looked disappointed when you and Orma left her. When you glanced back over your shoulder, you noticed her white form dashing into the ferns, probably to report back Vedek.