Never before had she seen a Serian of its like. He was power incarnate. He
regarded Talia with an imperialistic stare, daring her to move any closer.
Suddenly his gaze dropped, and he didn't look nearly as ferocious as he
had before. He whickered an entreaty. A voice rang out unexpectedly.
"Help me."
Talia looked around frantically, unsure of what the Serian needed. She
felt a strange sensation-the power of the beast's plea overwhelmed her.
The need to help him was too great to ignore. Just as she was becoming
more and more desperate, he spoke to her again, more urgently.
"You'll not find what I need by looking, human child. It's a pain I've
never known before. This feeling of utter despair. I have no one to share
life and laughter with. What is this thing that is afflicting me thus?"
Talia stepped closer and lightly brushed his nose.
"It's called loneliness."
"Ah," he sighed. "Can it be remedied?"
"It most certainly can," she replied, now completely reassured. "How is it
that you are not familiar with that feeling?"
"I've always grown up with others of my kind. I've never allowed myself to
be separated from the ones I love. Except just once." A tear slid down one
dark coloured cheek. "I'm afraid. I tried so hard to save them, but
there's only one of me, and there were so many of them. My friends were
taken and I was alone. I would have fought until the end, but I could not
bear the pain in my friends eyes. They would not have wanted me to leave
this world in such a way."
"They would have been proud. You were brave." Talia responded, stroking
his muzzle. "We will fix the situation of you not having any companions
though. Come with me. We'll find others for you to be with. You can make
your friends proud."
"Proud? Oh yes...another human feeling. I suppose," he said, snorting
warily. "Not all humans are as personable as you. If I had not been so
desperate to rid myself of the "loneliness" I likely would have trampled
you. Humans are not creatures that I wish to be associated with, but you
have helped me fill that empty void of loneliness. I am indebted to you."
He inclined his head solemnly. Talia laughed warmly.
"Good to know that I could have been pulverized. As to being
indebted...well I would hope that you would not feel obligated to travel
with me. You do, after all, need a companion, and I am most willing to be
yours without any strings attached." He whinnied happily.
"Then it's settled," he said diplomatically. "Err....human, do you have a
name? Something I may call you by?"
"Talia will suffice. And you?"
"Bridle. A proper Serian name." As they walked away into the forest,
Bridle shook his head knowingly. "Hrumph. Talia... what kind of name is
that? These humans are a strange lot..." |