On the morning of the third day after meeting Borial, while still bundled where she had slept, Rachel heard Farfalee arguing with Ferrin.
“We’ve approached the wild horses twice,” Ferrin said. “They’re too skittish. You would be too if every person you met was a zombie intent on draining your blood. Even astride our own horses, we haven’t gotten close. If she could just calm them.”
“Did you watch her face yesterday?” Farfalee asked. “Have you noticed how she moves like an old woman? I tell you, any exercise of Edomic before she mends puts her at great risk.”
“And an army of hundreds of the walking dead puts us all at great risk,” Nollin answered. “They can smell us from miles away, and for all we know, they’ve assembled and are preparing to intercept us as we speak. She’s the only one who can do this.”
“The mobility more horses would offer could save our lives,” Kerick said.
“Once she mends,” Farfalee said. “She needs more—”
“I’m mended enough,” Rachel interrupted, sitting up. “You found horses?”
Farfalee glared at Ferrin, Kerick, and Nollin before turning to Rachel. “You’ve been through some heavy trauma,” Farfalee said. “You saw what happened when you pushed yourself too hard before recovering.”
“It was worse than the first big effort,” Rachel admitted. “And that was bad enough. But I’m feeling better now.”
“You keep resting,” Farfalee insisted. “You could very well develop into our greatest weapon against Maldor.”
“I won’t develop into anything if we all get eaten by zombies. Besides, influencing horses is more a suggestion than a command. It doesn’t take as much effort.”
Farfalee sighed. She glanced at Ferrin and Kerick, then back at Rachel. “Very well. Since the need is urgent, I’ll defer to your judgment.” She turned to Ferrin. “When Drake and Nedwin return, go see what you can find.”
Rachel found Corinne and Jason breakfasting on fruit and nuts. Jason met her eyes with a smile. “You look better!”
“Thanks,” Rachel said. “It feels like the day after being sick. I’m not all the way back, but so much better than the worst of it.” Rachel winked at Corinne. Good to see you, too!
Are you sure you can talk like this? Corinne checked worriedly.
Feels natural again, Rachel assured her.
“Are you guys already doing telepathy?” Jason asked. “That was the one good thing about your headache. People using words for a change.”
“We still use words,” Rachel said.
Jason shook his head regretfully. “It’s like everyone is texting, and I don’t have a phone.”
Rachel ate nuts and fruit with Jason and Corinne. Their camaraderie felt more natural and pleasant than ever, probably because she was no longer imprisoned in her own private cell of anguish.
After Drake and Nedwin returned, Ferrin claimed Nedwin’s mount and Rachel climbed onto hers. Drake, Ferrin, and Rachel set out toward where Nedwin had last spotted the wild herd. For everyone to have a horse, they would need eight more. Ferrin and Drake each bore a pair of improvised rope halters.
They rode for the better part of an hour before pausing on a ridge to gaze down on the herd in a valley below. Even from a distance, the wild horses looked considerably mangier than their current mounts.
“Can you reach them from here?” Ferrin asked.
“Maybe,” Rachel said. “The chances go up as we get nearer.”
“They’ll run if we get too near,” Drake said. “They’ve learned to keep away from people.”
“As we move closer, I’ll keep sending calming messages,” Rachel assured them. “What do you guys need to do?”
“I brought some of the sweetleaves that I normally save for tea,” Drake said.
“I have fruit,” Ferrin said. “If Drake and I can each claim a pair of horses, we’ll be halfway to our goal.”
“There must be at least thirty,” Rachel estimated.
“Seems like plenty,” Drake said. “But they’re fast, and they’re unburdened by riders. So far Ferrin and I haven’t managed to get close enough to have any chance of catching one. Kerick knows horses as well and has had no luck either.”
“If you can keep them from running,” Ferrin said, “we’ll do the rest.”
From where she sat, Rachel invited the horses to eat and relax. As Drake and Ferrin led her closer, she sent calming Edomic messages. She told the horses that she, Ferrin, and Drake meant no harm. She sent impressions of safety and security. As she pushed hard, Rachel noticed a faint pain blossoming behind her eyes.
By the time they reached the herd, the horses were all grazing tranquilly. Most of the horses appeared scrawnier than the other mounts Rachel had seen in Lyrian. But despite their unkempt coats and rawboned frames, they generally seemed healthy. A few let out gentle whickers to welcome the newcomers. Most paid them no mind.
Ferrin and Drake approached their prospects on foot, petting them and sharing treats before slipping on halters. Rachel spoke peace to the horses, and evidently they listened.
“What other horses would you ideally want?” Rachel asked.
After conferring, Drake and Ferrin pointed out four other mounts. While Ferrin and Drake each led a pair of horses, Rachel called to the other four with her mind. More than ten followed, and then the entire herd.
Rachel had an annoying headache by the time they made it back to camp. The others could not believe the bounteous equine entourage, and set about rigging additional halters. By the time the sun went down, everyone had spent time getting accustomed to their chosen mount. Though wild and presumably never ridden, the horses remained mostly obedient and manageable. Rachel went to sleep with her head throbbing at a tolerable level.
Halco entered camp shortly before sunrise. He approached with his hands up, Nedwin riding behind him, and showed no ire at the bows bent in his direction. Several of the horses let out spirited whinnies, but even those without pickets did not gallop away.
“He claims he hasn’t lost his mind,” Nedwin explained.
“I haven’t,” Halco affirmed. “I’ve lost my amar, and my life, and my looks, but somehow my mind remains.”
His robes were soiled and torn, and all visible skin was pale and blemished with puckered scars. The tips of two adjacent fingers were missing, as were some patches of his long hair. And he moved with less grace, favoring one leg slightly.