Noira was very pleased indeed to find that the children knew how one was to properly address a horse.
The mare stepped forward and touched her nose to Adrianna's outstretched hand.
I shall grant thy request, young one. Thy politeness is a rarity indeed, she replied. The buckskin mare stood still so that the girl could mount her if she wanted. And thee? she asked Lukas softly. Wilt thou ride on my back as well?
Noira knelt in front of the stallion, her head bowed in reverence. She spoke in a strange tongue to the white horse. It echoed in the souls of even those who could not hear her words.
"Noble son of Edain, I am but a humble flower. I lay at your feet my seal." She drew a circle in the dirt, and touched it. Instantly, it glowed crimson. A rose of the same colour appeared in the circle, at the hooves of the regal stallion. He touched the seal with his nose, and it disappeared.
"Rise, child of the earth. Thou hast great knowledge of the Old Ways. In return for thy respect, my mate and I shall escort thee to wherever thou leadest us. Place thy hand upon my forelock." Noira did as she was told. Her slender fingers brushed lightly against the skin of the horse. At first, there was a jolt as if her entire body was electrocuted.
Then, the stallion took a step back. He had lifted from her memory the way back to Adela Castle. He allowed Noira to mount him - which she did - and waited for the children to do the same.
