2- Ravens

Maren had to admit, as she finished tightening Wraith’s girth, the new mare Steren had brought home was something else. It was her third day here, and they were just now going on a ride. Steren swore up and down that the mare was rideable but….

“What exactly did you say she was?” Maren asked as she led Wraith out, watching as Steren finished tightening on tack that seemed like it was meant for battle, not an evening ride. 

Amazingly as the tack was affixed to the mare, she seemed to settle and wait, less… feisty than before.

“A Bataille,” Steren responded with a wild grin. “They are bred for battle and war!”

“You don’t say…” Maren muttered as she swung up into Wraith’s saddle. Wraith was not a small mare by any means, but the Bataille towered over her. 

Steren stuck her tongue out at her friend, rolling her eyes. “”Don’t be so close minded, Mare,” she said as she hauled herself up into the saddle. “They are a wonderful breed with many different types! I plan on getting more.”

Maren chose to keep her thoughts about more of these hulking, battle ready horses to herself. It’s not like she could judge, after all.

“Shall we head through the woods?” Maren suggested, as they walked their way out of the stables. “I feel the need for some speed.” 

Indeed, Wraith felt antsy beneath her, tugging on the reins and ready to go.

“Let’s do it!” Steren grinned, urging Iltarya on. 

The bigger unicorn had a thundering gait, but Wraith was lighter, slimmer, and swiftly caught up before overtaking Iltarya. They galloped along in silence until they reached the trees, pulling back on the reins in favor of caution.

“Are those… ravens?” Steren asked, squinting against the glare of the sun between the trees. 

“Yeah… a lot of them,” Maren agreed, looking above them. 

“Hunh,” Steren said, “I think we interrupted a meeting- woah!”

Iltarya stiffened, a harsh snort coming from her nose as she pulled to a stop, glaring at the…. Huge raven? Standing in their path.

Wraith came to a stop as well, ears flicking to and fro, gauging the situation. Maren felt her mare’s sides quicker, though in fear or anticipation she couldn’t quite guess.

“Easy, Iltarya,” Steren tried to sooth as the Bataille roughly pawed at the ground. 

“Don’t-ah-wait!” Stern yelped, as Iltarya ducked her head and charged. 

The raven took off with an angry caw, and Iltarya slid to a stop, leaving Steren clinging to her neck.

“What the heck?!”

Maren watched, trying to hold back her laughter, but it slid out of her in short bursts of barely contained giggles. 

Looking at the outraged expression on Steren’s face made her burst into full out laughter.

“Were you about to do battle with some ravens?” Maren asked, laughing so hard that Wraith slightly danced to the side under her jostling rider. 

“Oh yes, the fearsome foes, ravens are!”

“Oh, shut up,” Steren muttered, composing herself.