Chapter Text
Time is valuable, and rest is illustrious. Labors are rigorous and quests are awfully time-consuming, yet the Gods decree it and so shall it be. The tasks were not ones Hhewn was fond of, but rather hated.
She remembers the enveloping warmth and the squealch of her dreaded horn entering the goose’s chest with horror. The drenching, crimson, sticky, and warm blood that wouldn't budge no matter how hard she scrubbed her fur. The taste of metal in her mouth lingered.
She remembers all too well the pain its manifestation caused,
Her hand touched the callous upon her forehead,
After all, it still hurts sometimes.
The dull ache was once an unrelenting, searing, and jolting agony that blossomed between her eyes. A skull-splitting headache had resulted in the birth of a jagged weapon nestled into her forehead.. It had gone cold, exposed to the wind, but time had been running, and her body moved before her mind could, as if it knew this new spike all along. The churning in her stomach as she felt the heart beat around the horn, nausea rippling within her being as her throat burned with acid that she could not help but spit up. The harsh pain seared her soul as the damage lay in the sun, blood vessels coming together and clotting so there may have been chance to end to the misery.
Most days now, the attack is less hard on her. It has become commonplace, but it does not mean no wishes were made for attacks that don’t always risk a twisted hoof. If there were no need to attack, she’d be happier. Though she had a party to help with, it would be awful to let them handle all the dirty work if they were in trouble. She could not help but feel some sort of affection growing for these people that surrounded her, except for that one head. She’ll burn that bridge when she gets to it. With that factor, she had to admit that, yes, she did have her favorites and least-preferred. Quietly, she really enjoyed Aster’s company. He brushed her coat, gave her apples, and handed her napkins quietly after the bloodbaths had ended. He has a few quirks and definitely needs help in more ways than one, but so did everybody else. He was too energetic, but she did not mind it. He respected her boundaries and did not fool around when he rides her back, and she’s thankful for it. He keeps as still and relaxed as he can, his feet barely thumping against her as his weight is distributed evenly enough. The rhythmic breathing and chatter eased her in long journeys, and it gave her a way to help while staying mainly out of the fight, but it always bred more worry within her…especially now.
“C’mere horsey-horsey-horsey,” Aster clicked his tongue as he walked around the empty clearing in the forest. The camp was only a few yards away, and he knew Hhewn would have preferred the early morning wake-up of the forest to spend her time in on their day off. He had a few plans of his own, and he needed one final ingredient to execute his perfect maneuver as he grinned sinisterly with his heavy lance dragging behind him menacingly. “I’ve got some apples,” he sang to nobody in particular as he feigned innocence.
Hhewn pushed her way out the bushels of the forest, hesitant but entranced by the promise of apples from the apostle of Reggie. “Are you trying to trick me?” She said as she approached him, staring down at Aster. “Trick you? I’d never!” He scoffed as he looked away with false disdain and hurt. “Try again,” Hhewn narrowed her eyes. “I have an idea,” he said before being swiftly cut off by the mare, “Those are never good.”
They both paused and shared a moment of silence for a bit as Hhewn crossed her arms and broke the stillness, “Fine, but only because it is rare for you to form an independent and individual thought.” Aster pumped a fist in the air with cheer, the jab completely flying over his head in celebration. Hhewn rolld her eyes in response before circling him a few times and kneeling down into the dirty with a somewhat neutral expression. It had happened so often, it did not matter anymore to her as she awaited him to position himself.
“Actually, Hhewn, I’m thinking of something different.” He said as he hoisted the lance over his shoulder while Hhewn’s expression turned into one of confusion.
“I will admit, I am lost to what you mean,” she said to him apprehensively before his expression turned to one of unadulterated glee. “You, Horse, will throw me,” his voice was unwavering with excitement and did not stutter. Hhewn begun to stifle a snort, which then turned into all out laughter. She clutched her sides, the scarred skin’s texture on the side of her kidney ignored, as she kept laughing. Her eyes watered as she came down from her fit of laughter, “Wow, wow, It’s been years since I laughed that hard. You never cease to surprise me with your humor.”
“I’m not joking,” Aster stated plainly, “Now up.” He said, tapping the side of his boot carefully at the back of Hhewn’s fetlock, to where she almost immediately rose up again.
“What?” She said in shock. “Well, see, Horsey. You! Are going to throw me at that very tree over there,” he said as he reached out his arm and pointed at the nearest giant oak, “and we’ll pretend it a big scary monster. Or goose. Whichever works more. And you’re going throw me straight at it so we can do that in battle. Think of the teamwork and creativity grades!” Hhewn paused. “No,” she bluntly stated. “Don’t be dense,” Aster groaned.
“You are going to get unnecessarily hurt for no good reason,” Hhewn stated with shock. “Are you stupid?”
“Who cares if I get hurt? At least I get to fight. I get to protect you, Horse, so hurry up and launch me when I run at you, got it?” Aster seemed frustrated and genuinely confused as to why his well-being suddenly mattered.
Hhewn blubbered for a bit, confused on what to say before scoffing, “because you whine when you’re hurt,” she shrugged and tsked, “plus, it’s quite a sorry sight.”
“Just do it. At least once, and if I get hurt then we can stop or whatever.” Aster said distantly.
Hhewn complied, with a frown. She positioned herself farther away from him as he stood patiently in the other corner of the field, bouncing on his heels. He ran forward with a rush, Hhewn began to gallop toward the midfield with her arms stretched out. As they almost intersected her heart raced in fear of trampling him, yet, she managed to scoop him up as he jumped forward. With all her might and the combined forces, she twisted her body to allow a better projectile aim as she launched Aster, slowing down as he faded from her grip.
She started at the man–no–the boy who flew through the air as she watched him shift around for his lance. He aimed the tip of the dragon’s head and pulled back the jaw, watching it charge it to obliterate the trees that stood in its way.
She bit her lip. He was too young to carry his injuries, his insecurities, his worries. He was too young to be so reckless and fiery. He still had an entire year to be a child, yet he still pushed forward with his attitude of one that grew too quick. She watched the trees fade as a chasm formed in the ground as he landed safely on his feet with a wide grin. Her heart sung with sorrow, yet gleamed with pride. It’ll be fine
“Did you see that Hhewn?!” Aster held his head in shock and frenzy with the energy burning of thousands of suns within him.
“Yeah, I did. Great job,” she solemnly said as a forced a smile spread onto her face with a nod.