Inkah joins the Crusaders

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The stables were the perfect place to get away from the noise on market day, even small towns like Llonrhar heaved when there were wares being sold (especially at such low prices, as the vendors would insist). Inkah Stretkensen was not a fan of town-wide activity - in which the Stretkensen men, particularly those of her own generation, would spend their time boasting of their not-so existent triumphs in the hope that someone important would see them. They never did but still her brothers kept trying.

Hren whinnied almost sympathetically as she brushed his mane, taking her time to de-tangle the dark hair. She smiled and patted his muzzle, there was never a time when Hren wasn't in tune with how she was feeling. He was like an extension of herself.

"I know, boy. They're idiots and I shouldn't waste my time thinking about them."

The horse seemed to nod in reply.

"Tis a mighty fine beast you have there lass." Came a voice behind Inkah.

She turned, leaving one hand on Hren and letting the other fall to her side. A frown crossed Inkah's features but she replied politely all the same. "Thank you. Might I ask your business?"

Standing before Inkah was a plump shaggy man in a burlap robe. His eyes were kind and a great smile seemed to reach up into his great bushy eyebrows. "Blunt and to the point" said the stranger "My master, Zenenicel, was right about you." His eyes were fixed upon Inkah's steed, moving closer with his hand extended.

Hren made a small noise but since Inkah had not tensed, but rather looked upon the man with curiosity, let him approach without any trouble. He lowered his head, a sign of respect one might assume. Inkah watched, a small smile touching her face. It warmed her to see someone appreciating her constant companion. "Yes," though there was a smile the tone was one of confusion, "but you've still not explained what you're doing here."

The stranger petted the horse and admired his coat which was incredibly shiny. He smiled even bigger, making his face look as though he had no eyes at all. "Ah, where are my manners," He said now looking at Inkah, but still keeping his hand on the head of her steed. "My name is Escrat, herald of the divine Zenenicel. I come here on his behalf regarding a most urgent matter." Escrat then took his eyes away from Inkah and proceeded to admire her horse. 

She frowned once more, not too keen on Escrat's way of saying something which was in need of an explanation without explaining unless prompted. Hren beat a hoof on the ground softly, Inkah glanced at him briefly in understanding, "And this matter is?"

Escrat seemed to not notice her question, but instead continued petting Hren. He pulled a carrot from his pouch and merrily beckoned the horse to take it. His smile never left his face, like a child with its favorite toy.

Inkah stepped in front of the horse, pushing Escrat's hand down as she did so. She folded her arms and looked at him, frown still in place. "Sir."

"Forgive me lass. It has been quite sometime since I have seen such a magnificent horse. My lord Zenenicel has sent me on a quest on his behalf to find his champions of prophecy." Escrat pulled a scroll out of his rope belt and handed it to her. "My lord wishes that you take up his call." He handed her the scroll and began to explain it's significance. "Zenenicel, patron god of the people and protector of humanity has chosen you to serve in his ranks in a glorious crusade against Ysusthab's followers and his horrible creatures the Clynactims. Should you answer his call you and you steed will be outfitted, trained, and rewarded most handsomely." He paused for a moment trying to gauge Inkah's reaction. "Rewards however are only given to the victorious. You will face great trials in your campaign, suffer many hardships, and will even face death should you accept. Dear lass this is a great task, but the Zenenicel wills it. However it is only up to you to accept." Escrat stood back and let silence fill the air.

Inkah looked hard at the scroll, rubbing it with her fingers as she thought. She had been wondering and hoping for something to get her out of this town, for something exciting to happen, for a chance to show her worth but there was also the possibility of death to consider, was she ready to commit to that? It was at this moment that even the small amount of market noise that she could hear irked her, she needed quiet, she needed to think. Minutes passed before she moved again, she looked at the horse thoughtfully, "What do you think, Hren? Should we do it?" He beat his hooves a few times and neighed loudly, causing her to chuckle. They may not have been able to communicate in the same language but there was no mistaking what the horse wanted. "Are you certain?" Another neigh and a smile from Inkah.

"So my dear lass, your answer?" Said Escrat, his smile now turned into a stern expression.

Inkah glanced at the horse one final time, "If we die, I'm holding you personally responsible." She looked then at the being in front of her, "Our answer is yes." Hren whinnied and moved forward, insistently nuzzling her arm. "Oh. He wants the carrot, if you're still offering."

Escrat gave a hearty laugh and graciously stuck his hand out with the carrot toward the horse. "Now my child this is no ordinary contract I hold. For it to be binding you must sign it in blood. One prick of your finger and a stamp on the line will suffice." He placed the parchment on Hren's back and pulled a needle from his shaggy hair. "My dear, if you would please?" Said Escrat with his great big smile.

Looking from the needle to his hair and back again, Inkah's eyebrow's twitched slightly. There was no doubt that the man was odd but since she'd already said yes she saw no use in questioning him. She took the needle between her fingers, pricking one lightly and inspecting it before pressing it on the parchment. Hren remained still, save for the movement of his mouth as he enjoyed his prize.

A whirlwind blew all around the stable, encircling them. It grew closer and closer until at last nothing was there. The stable was left empty as Inkah and her steed Hren were the first to answer the call of Zenenicel.