by K Madill
“It’s alright. Not anywhere near as nice as my hometown. Are you alone?”
“I’ll only be by myself for another day or so until I meet up with the bachelors,” Mandamus answered, wondering if all humans were this nosy. “They’re a herd of single males. I just haven’t found them yet.”
“Ah, so you won’t be alone for long? That’s good; you don’t want to be on your own out here for any amount of time. I’m Luco, Luco Riverman,” the man said with a small salute. “And it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He stood up and gave Mandamus a small bow.
“My what?”
“Your acquaintance,” Luco repeated. “It is a pleasure to meet you. It has been a day or two since I have seen any men or creatures. It’s odd. There just doesn’t seem to be anyone around these parts and it sure can get lonely travelling alone. Don’t you think so? What’s your name?”
Luco leaned back over his pot and stirred. Mandamus found a patch of sugarleaf and nibbled on it while he considered how much he should say, and how much he should keep secret.
“Where’s your herd?” Mandamus asked finally. “Are you by yourself too?”
Luco laughed. “My herd? Do you mean my friends and family?”
“Yes, your family,” Mandamus said. “How come you’re not with them?”
“Well, with humans it’s a bit different. We don’t stick close together all the time. I’m on my way home from tryouts, tryouts which I’ve failed again,” he added miserably, standing up.
“Tryouts?” asked Mandamus.
“Yeah,” Luco answered, pulling a red cloth out of his pocket. He wiped his face then stuffed the rag back in. “Every year, the Silver City orchestra opens up a seat for a guitar player and for the past three years, since I turned seventeen, I’ve gone to audition, but they keep turning me down. They say they don’t like my style. They say I’m too punk rock. I’m twenty now. If I don’t get in soon, I don’t know what I’ll do.” His mouth turned down sadly. He tore a leaf off of a low hanging branch and tossed it into the breeze, watching it float away.
“Did you walk all the way from the Silver City?” Mandamus asked. It was a least a day and a half gallop for him on four legs. He couldn’t imagine how long it would take on two.
Luco rolled his eyes. “I’m walking now, but I didn’t start out that way,” he said striding over to a pile of brush. Mandamus noticed that it was not a natural blowdown, but had been deliberately crafted. Luco lifted the tangled branches and pointed underneath. Mandamus took a closer look. Hidden under the bramble was the strangest looking thing that Mandamus had ever seen. It had a long sleek body and two round objects at each end. On the top, at one end, two shining bars curved outwards. They almost reminded Mandamus of horns.
“This is my motorcycle,” Luco told him. “A motorcycle that worked perfectly well until my uncle, Drollo, decided to try to make it go faster. The problem is, Uncle Drollo is not a mechanic, he’s a farmer who wishes he was a mechanic. I tell you—that man can grow a pumpkin the size of a house, but he sure can’t fix motorcycles. Lucky for me, my bike didn’t break down until after auditions.” Luco dropped the foliage back down and covered the motorcycle carefully. “Now I have to walk to the train station and take the train home. I left a message for my uncle to bring it home for me.”
The pot on the fire sizzled. Luco raced back over to it and stirred vigorously, then pulled it off the fire and kicked a bit of dirt over the flames, snuffing them out. He then poured the contents of the pot into a bowl and grabbed a tiny jar out of his bag.
“Here you go,” said Luco, setting a steaming bowl down in front of Mandamus. “This is oatmeal, I think you’ll like it, and this,” he added, pouring the contents of the jar over the bowl, “is maple syrup, one of man’s greatest discoveries so far.” He capped the jar and tossed it onto his pile of things.
Mandamus bent over the small dish and inhaled. The steam rose up and warmed his muzzle. He quickly slurped it all down. The ache, in his head and leg had considerably subsided.
“I see you like syrup too,” Luco grinned as Mandamus licked the bowl clean. It was the first meal he’d enjoyed since he’d been on his own, not only because it had been hearty and tasty, but because there had been someone there for company while he ate it. A wave of thirst engulfed him.
Luco had picked a good spot to camp as there was a small creek only a few feet away. Mandamus dipped his head down for a long drink, again grateful that Luco was standing behind him. He could feel Luco’s eyes on his back, watching him.
“So, where does this Bachelor Herd usually live?” Luco asked. He pulled a granola bar out of his sack and unwrapped it.
Mandamus yanked his muzzle out of the icy stream. “They don’t live anywhere,” he answered. “They just roam around from place to place until they either find single females or a herd they want to take over.”
“I see,” Luco said, taking a bite. “And what if you don’t find them? Then what do you do?”
Mandamus bent down again and took another deep drink while thinking about how to answer. He didn’t know what he would do if he didn’t find the others but he wasn’t about to tell Luco that. Sure, Mandamus had been lonely, and the oatmeal had been delicious but could he trust this human? His aunt had told him to avoid people. He swallowed one last gulp of water and shook his coat.
“I’ll find them,” he said, trying to sound sure of himself. “The herd not being on the Sajan Plains, or Silver Plains, whatever it’s called now, only means they’ve moved on. I’ve probably only missed them by a day. I think they went to the Gold River so I’m headed there. I’m sure that’s where I’ll find them.”
“Gold River, I don’t know about that,” Luco told him, eyebrows raised doubtfully. “I live right beside the Gold River and I go up and down it often in my boat. I haven’t seen any horses there. I did see some in the Silver City, but they were Bonded horses, saddled and ridden by men and women.” He shook his head. “Come to think of it, I haven’t seen any wild horse herds anywhere lately.”
Mandamus’ hope dwindled. “Not again,” he thought. First the eagle and now Luco.
If the bachelors weren’t at the plains or the river, then where were they? What would he do if he didn’t find them? He couldn’t go to the desert alone. He was a herd animal; he didn’t want to do anything alone.
“What do you know about the Bachelor Herd and where it goes?” asked Mandamus, feeling irritated. He’d known Luco for an hour and in that short span of time, he’d vetoed each plan Mandamus had shared with him. “Do you know any horses at all?”
“I have met a horse, actually,” answered Luco while reaching into his sack and pulling out another bar. He tore the wrapper off and took a bite “I rode the horse too,” he said through a mouthful. “It was a long time ago, though and I was pretty young so, really, I don’t know much.”
“Did you have a Bond?”
“No, not a Bond.”
“Then how did you ride a horse?”
Luco stuffed the rest of the bar into his mouth. “It was my mother’s friend’s horse,” he said, between chews. “I don’t remember much, I just recall the horse being large and friendly. I was young, only about five or six years old, and I was up so high, but I remember feeling safe.
“It’s funny, you know, I don’t ever remember meeting my mom’s friend, just the horse. It was a mare. The friend had passed away, and the mare came to stay with us for a few days. That’s when I sat on her back. Anyway,” he shrugged, brushing the crumbs from his hands, “it was a long time ago.” Luco stuffed the empty wrappers into his bag.
“Your mother must be special, to have someone else’s Bonded creature come to see her,” said Mandamus, impressed.
“She is,” agreed Luco, pulling out a silver thermos. “So, are you going to tell me your name?” He winked and took a swig. Mandamus watched him and gave his instinct one more chance to spea
k up and warn him against Luco, but it remained silent.
“My name is Mandamus.”
When Luco finished eating, he gathered up his spoons and the bowl he’d used to feed Mandamus and rinsed them in the creek. Mandamus took this opportunity to nose through his belongs, taking deep whiffs of his sleeping bag, jacket, and backpack while stealing glances at Luco when he thought he wasn’t looking.
“So, Mandamus, if you don’t find these bachelors, then what? What will you do?” Luco asked after he stowed the last clean dish into his bag. He rolled up his sleeping bag and then stretched out on his back, using it as a pillow. He then plucked a long strand of grass and chewed on the stalk.
“I don’t know,” Mandamus answered feeling foolish and unprepared. “If they’re not at Gold River then I have no idea where they’d have gone, and I don’t have time to find them. I suppose I’ll just have to go alone.”
“Go where alone?” Luco asked raising one eyebrow.
“Uh,” Mandamus stalled, wishing he could take back his words. He eyed Luco lying sprawled out on the grass and wondered how much he could trust him.
“He’s only got two legs, after all,” he thought. “If he gets up to anything shady, I’ll run and leave him in my dust.”
“I’m supposed to go to the desert,” Mandamus answered hesitantly.
“The desert? For what? There’s nothing there besides sand dune after sand dune and bands of thieves roaming around.” He spat the grass between his teeth out. “You definitely don’t want to go there alone; those robbers can be dangerous. They’ll capture you for sure.”
“I have to go there,” Mandamus said, feeling slightly betrayed as he remembered the council telling him the desert had no predators. “I have to find the Sleeping Prophets.”
“The Sleeping Prophets!” said Luco with a sharp laugh. He raised his head and stared at Mandamus, eyes full of disbelief. “What do you mean you’re supposed to see the Sleeping Prophets?” he asked, crinkling his brow.
“I meant exactly what I said—I am going to find the Sleeping Prophets. What’s the matter? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Well, for one thing, there is no such thing as the Sleeping Prophets,” Luco answered, sitting up. “They are just a legend. They don’t actually exist.”
“Sure they do,” Mandamus answered. Minegard and the others had told him to go to the desert and ask the Prophets for answers. His mother had even told him where to find them and how to call them out. Why would Luco think that they weren’t real?
“No, they don’t” Luco replied looking at Mandamus as though he were not right in the head. “The Sleeping Prophets are a myth. There are no weirdo brothers who were cursed by Fates that live in the desert and tell fortunes. It’s simply not true.”
Mandamus shook his head violently. “My mother, my aunt, and Minegard told me where to find them and how. You’re wrong.”
“Who’s Minegard?” Luco asked, laughing.
“Minegard is Head Ruler of the Forest Council,” Mandamus said, feeling defensive. “If Minegard said the Prophets are there, then the Prophets are there, and I have to find them. I’m on an important mission.”
“What do you mean?” Luco asked, looking amused. “What mission?”
“Well,” Mandamus said, trying to think of a way to make his exile seem less like his own fault and more like a heroic quest. “I have been sent by the Forest Council to find the Prophets, so I can ask them something.”
“I thought you said you were looking for the Bachelor Herd,” said Luco, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. “In fact, that’s what you told me only an hour ago. You said you were looking for the Bachelor Herd.”
“I am,” Mandamus assured him. “I have to find the Bachelor Herd in the meantime, but I am going to leave them to find the Prophets when we get closer to the Light Sands.”
“Yes, well, I don’t know what this Minegard and Forest Council told you, Mandamus,” Luco said while scratching his head, “but there is no such thing as the Sleeping Prophets.” He plucked another blade of grass, stuck it between his teeth and lay back down with his head on his bag.
“There has to be,” Mandamus said, refusing to believe what Luco told him. “My herd was captured by the Rakhana Army and their queen. There are lots of animals from the Deep Forest and Green Woods missing and we need the Sleeping Prophets to help us. The Rakhana captured my herd and we think they’re taking lots of other animals too because your queen is ordering it. What about the Rakhana? Have you heard of them?”
“Oh, I know all about the Rakhana,” Luco said, sitting back up. He crossed his legs and hunched over, looking thoughtful. “Mandamus, I understand where you’re coming from, I do. There are way fewer animals around and trust me, I am no fan of Queen Asura or anyone at the Silver Castle, but putting your faith in the Sleeping Prophets, well, it seems like an awfully weak plan. Like putting your faith in the Tooth Fairy or something, you know?”
“The what?” asked Mandamus.
“The Tooth Fairy. She comes and gives you a coin when you’re a kid and your teeth fall out.” Luco grinned at Mandamus’ confused face.
“Well, either way, I have to go to them,” Mandamus replied stubbornly, suddenly wishing he’d never met Luco at all. It seemed unfair that this human could come along and undo all the plans the Forest Council had laid out for him. If there were no such thing as the Prophets, then what? How would he find the answers the council wanted him to seek? How would he return to his herd?
“Well, I hate to tell you this,” said Luco, who seemed to be full of bad news, “but the road you’re on leads straight to the Silver City and you don’t want to go there without a human to call your own. Unless you find your Bachelor Herd soon, you’re bound to be caught by someone.”
Mandamus was miserable. Was Luco right? How could everything told to him by his family and the council be wrong?
“You know,” Luco said, suddenly, “you could stick with me until we find your Bachelor Herd. I’m headed home to Roseneath, and that’s right on the Gold River, where you’re going. We could pretend that we’re Bonded. That way you’d be safe from getting picked up.” He smiled. “Say yes. I can’t just leave you out here on your own.”
Mandamus snorted in surprise. A pretend human Bond? It wasn’t a bad idea. If Luco was headed in the same direction, what could be the harm?
He thought back to that imp in the woods and a shiver ran down his back. He didn’t want to be on his own if he came across more imps, that was for sure, but could he trust Luco? What if Luco refused to let him go when they did find the Bachelor herd? Then what? He wished his aunt and mother were there; they would know what to do.
“Well,” Mandamus said, pushing away the painful thought of his family, “I suppose it wouldn’t be any harm to travel with you, but as soon as I find the other horses, I’ll have to leave with them.”
“Sounds good to me,” Luco agreed, spreading his hands out. “Here’s what we’ll do, we’ll Bond until we reach my home or the Bachelor Herd, whatever comes first.”
“Well, what happens if we reach your home and I haven’t found the other horses?” asked Mandamus
“Let’s figure that out when the time comes,” Luco answered.
Pleased, Mandamus trotted over to stand in front of Luco.
“Luco of the Men,” he began, combing his memory to recall the Bonding words from his lessons. Harena foals were often asked to recite them for many of them went to live with people. Mandamus cleared his throat and said:
“I, a creature, brave and true,
now give myself as Bond to you.
In return, you’ll give to me,
your firmest oath of loyalty.
My spirit you will not break or bend,
for that will cause our Bond to end.
Through darkest night and longest day
I will remain with you always.”
He finished with a deep bow. He couldn’t remember what the humans were supposed to say in return. Caballus had told his students, but Mandamus never bothered to remember that part.
Luco seemed unfamiliar with the whole process too for he just tipped his hat to the horse and bowed back.
“I promise, I will be good to you,” he said earnestly.
And Mandamus believed him.
They decided to stay at their creek-side camp for one more day to allow the lump on Mandamus’ head to go down and so that Luco could forage for mint and lavender, both of which grew in abundance in this spot.
Over the course of the day, Mandamus began to appreciate having Luco as his human. He could graze peacefully knowing Luco was nearby to warn him of any dangers and even though he sorely missed home and his family, he began to feel a bit less lonely.
After a late dinner of roasted fish for Luco and wild oats for Mandamus, Luco lit a bonfire. The indigo sky was brimming with stars when Luco pulled a fragrant, curvy, wooden object from his belongings and began plucking at the strings that had been stretched across it.
He held it out for Mandamus to sniff. It had a bitter, iron-like smell mixed in with the tangy wood. Mandamus nipped gently at the narrow end of the strange thing.
“Hey!” said Luco. “No biting my guitar.”
Mandamus pricked his ears in interest and waited for Luco to show him what it was for.
Luco smiled. “This is what we humans call a musical instrument and playing it is what I want to spend all my time doing. Listen.”
Luco sat cross-legged on the ground and rested the guitar his lap, holding it by the long, thin end. “This is the neck,” he explained. “These are the strings.” He skimmed his fingers over the strings and a low, sweet sound rose up from it. He began to hum, Mandamus found it comforting.
“In Roseneath, my hometown, aside from helping run my uncle’s farm and building houses, I’m a musician,” Luco said. “I write songs, I play songs, I teach others how to play too. I sing, not well, but I still do. I really want to play for the Silver City orchestra but, well,” he paused as he gave a defeated shrug, “I’ll just try again next year, I guess.”