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My mount nickered uncertainly, his head tossing a little as I drew hard on the reins to control him. While I was not much more happy with the situation that he was, I was damned if I was going to let him know it.

"Easy boy...easy. Don't be afraid..."

It was easy for me to say, though the butterflies were populating my stomach by now, clattering around inside and making my pulse beat wildly in my temple. I had learned to face many enemies, and many fears during my years of training, but I had never overcome my fundamental distrust of magic, or its practitioners.

And yet, here I was approaching the home of the most powerful mage the Kingdom had known. Thus are life's ironies written.

My horse calmed finally as I patted his flanks, eyes rolling slightly as he chewed the bit, but he stilled under my attentions, unease written though in ways I had learned to read in years as a horseman. The way his ears lay, the flick of his tail. He was high strung, Cavalier, prize young stallion from my father's stable. He had let me take the beautiful young Shire stallion as my mount when I left, a horse befitting a would-be Knight of the Realm. Now he was a bit older but still just as flighty, a terror to control. I had been tempted to have him gelded, but my father had insisted we wait a little, and put him to a few mares first so we would at least have a few offspring to work with.

Personally, a part of me was looking forward to the day I could take the cocky horse down a peg or two.

"Not long now boy, on you go Cav...not long."

He gave a snort, tossed his head and resumed his steady gait, the path narrowing ahead as it passed under a rocky arch. The entrance was marked with runes and strange feathers from some unknown bird; at least I knew I was getting close. The marks of magic were everywhere.

We passed under the stone arch, my head bowed slightly to fit, and I scanned the surface of the rocks as we passed, trying to make out any markings on the surface that would tell me how the structure was fashioned. There were none; whether by magic or by human hands, the stones kept their secrets, smooth and clean as burnished metal.

As we emerged beyond the archway, the sun burst out again and I blinked a few times before my eyesight became accustomed to the glare. I pulled on the reins, holding Cavalier in place, one hoof pawing at the earth while I surveyed the valley below.

It was a beautiful sight, that much I would allow. A long narrow valley, with high lines of mountains on either side, it stretched roughly North between them. The path we were following led down to a grassy plain bisected by a fast running creek, with a single stone dwelling set above it on the edge of a hillside. A line of dark smoke rose from the home. One part of the grassed plain near the house was unusual though; a perfect square, as far as I could see, delineated by four stone obelisks, one at each corner. What its purpose could be, I did not yet know.

"Come on boy...we had better not keep the old man waiting."

Cavalier snorted again, waiting a moment and I had to use my spurs before he would respond, the stallion walking down the path with surly reluctance. I knew his surly reluctance from bitter experience. He had managed to humiliate me a few times, the other trainee knights never failing to laugh and point at the knight who could not control his mount, whenever Cavalier decided that he didn't feel like engaging in training that morning.

One day you bag of fleas....one day....

We reached the home without anyone seeming to note our arrival, the stone house remaining impassive as the rocks of the mountainsides, and the line of black smoke still reaching for the heavens. I dismounted, rubbing Cavalier's flanks a little to steady my nerves, before tying his reins to a post next to the door.

Well...this is it I guess...

I knocked, once, then hearing no reply I knocked again, several times and loudly.

"Yes Yes Yes alright I am coming...don't be so impatient you young fool..."

I smiled grimly at the voice. Young fool...oh great. Another greybeard to tell me of my many failings. Just what I needed...

The wooden door creaked open, and I was confronted by the occupant, surprisingly tall and broad shouldered. I stood for long moments just staring, and my new friend returned the compliment, though his own face I realised was covered by an amused grin where mine was more surprised. His eyes drew me in too; deep pools of blue, surrounded by black irises, they seemed to plunge into the depths of the world. For now, they were plunging into me, and I could almost feel the presence inside my mind, casually walking around and finding little to its liking.

"Well don't just stand there young fool, come inside. I have been expecting you."

"Y...yes master Tarquan."

"Hrumpf. Just yes master will do for now young fool...yes, that will do nicely."

I flushed, my pride suddenly reasserting itself before I could contain it, and I was about to protest when I saw those eyes again, and the gaze, now mocking with infinite condescension, and I snapped my mouth shut again, determined not to give the old bastard reason to make my life more difficult than it was.

I was rewarded by a grin, almost genuine this time.

"Excellent, you are capable of some control. Maybe you will earn a name yet."

"Yes...Master."

He bowed, a mocking gesture that caused me to grind my teeth, and gestured for me to enter the house with him. I found the household shrine just inside the door, one dedicated to Gilthanis Master of the Hearth, as well as two other deities I did not recognise. I made my ritual obeisance, as custom and tradition demanded, bowing to the shrine and placing a single flower from the road on the little altar along with a gold coin.

"Good to see the old ways still finding a following amongst the younger generation."

I gave a small start at that, unsure of his intent. As always when thrown off guard, I resorted to questions, and a little righteous indignation.

"I have always been obedient to our customs master, whatever you may have heard. That at least is why I am here. I do not recognise some of your household God's though."

"The two you may not know are old, older than the Kingdom lad. Toglan, the God of magic. We do not show his shrines to those unskilled normally, but I think you have earned the right. The other...well, he is older still. Darthedan, lord of horses. You should know him, Knight, but alas his cult has waned over the years."

Something about the little statue of Darthedan intrigued me, and in spite of the breach of protocol, I found myself reaching for the brown figure glinting in the candle light. The figure had the head of a horse, eyes wide as if ready to charge, but the body was not that of a horse; it looked for all the world to be the body of a man. I was about to voice a question when the old man coughed loudly, breaking the spell that seemed to have engulfed me momentarily.

"Hmmm...you are right that I have heard much, young fool. Riannis ulf Castellan, youngest scion of a noble house. And yet you decided to become a Knight of the Realm. A curious decision. I can see there is much about you that I need to probe young fool...before I can no longer call you a young fool."

I straightened at his gesture, and followed the old mage into the main room of the house. As I walked inside I could see the dwelling was a simple one, surprisingly so for one with the reputation of Master Tarquan. Perhaps the rumours had been correct...

"Sit youngster, and we will talk a moment. I know you are probably impatient, but it amuses me to speak to young fools when I get the chance, and you are more intriguing than most I must admit."

The old man arranged himself comfortably in the only chair I could see, fussing with the pillows a moment before finding his perfect spot, a deep sigh of satisfaction on his weathered face. As I could see no other chairs in the room, I took the offered spot on the floor where he pointed, crossing my legs painfully on a simple straw mat bound with white cord, and waited for the old man to get it over with.

"Yes...I can tell, you are still impatient for me to get this whole wearisome mess over with so you can get on with being a knight and start bashing and crashing across the plains."

My eyes widened, surprised to see him read my thoughts so easily. I tried to calm myself, saying the mantra of a knight over and over inside my head, but still wondering what else the disquieting mage had seen.

"Hmm...nice try for control, but a little late. Still, you are teachable I think. So, why have you come?"

I realised he knew exactly why I was there, but he was expecting me to follow through with the rituals. Drawing a long breath, I jumped in, trying to make no more mistakes.

"Master...I seek acceptance as a Knight of the Realm. I have passed all my knights trials bar the last, and have come for my final test. I am ready for your trial, master, and submit to your will."

"Hrumpf. Reluctantly, but properly done. You are a stickler for the forms at least outwardly, young fool, though inside you are a renegade at heart. I think I am beginning to like you."

"Master, I..."

"No, quiet now youngster. I know you distrust magic, as do many of your kind. You have grown up in a world where your swordarm and your strength and skill have solved every problem you have encountered, and you are distrustful of things you do not understand. That is common for your type; you will learn in time there are more ways of skinning a cat than hitting it over the head with blunt objects, but that is in the future for you."

"Master, I have learned well from my teachers, and I am a good knight...I mean I will be a good knight. You are right that I do not understand magic, at all, but I do recognise skill in any man, and I do appreciate what the mages do for our Kingdom, though it has been a long time since they have battled our enemies."

His eyes blazed at that, fire amongst the deep blue, and I bowed my head again, worried I may have offended him too much.

"There are reasons for that young fool, as you still are I might add. The Mages and the Knights have been the twin pillars of our Kingdom, keeping order and holding back our enemies for centuries. It is a delicate balance though, and one we struggle to maintain. As tempting as it would be to rain down fire on those who oppose us, it tempts the wrath of the gods to dominate and crush your enemies so. Enemies without merely multiply...as do enemies within."

"We each have our place still, amongst the old order of the Kingdom, and in maintaining the way of our people. That is something that every mage and every knight learns, or they do not become a mage or a knight. That is why you are sent to me for your final test, and why every mage is sent to the senior Knight of the order for his final testing. We submit to our other halves, or we are not worthy."

"I know that Master...and I do respect magic, even if I do not understand it. But I am no mage...so what test can I pass under your command that will make me a knight? You do not value my sword play, and that is all I am good for."

The old man laughed then, a ringing sound full of mirth and not a little malice. I waited him out, while he reached for a pipe, loading up the bowl with rich smelling tobacco and lighting the contents. He calmed down enough to take a few long lungfulls of smoke before fixing me with his gaze again, those dark blue eyes even more piercing than before.

"You will find you are good for much more than you realise. The test I set...well, let us say it is a test of character, and of your willingness to grow. I know all about you, Riannis ulf Castellan, youngest son of the 12thBaron Castellan. Enough to know you are reckless, proud, arrogant, and selfish. You also have the capacity for greatness; indeed, one day you may save the kingdom."

I gave a soft gasp at that, my face red with anger at his taunts, but my mind turning with the rest of his words. Greatness...and a chance to shine above my brothers, and take my place in the annals of our kingdom...

"Yes, I can see you like that idea. But first, you need to learn a few things young fool. Some humility, adaptability, the capacity to work with others and think of others than just yourself, for starters. That will be your test...a special one, just for you. You will spend a week here, camped on the field below my house. You will stay between the four posts, and you will not be able to leave, even if you wanted to. If you learn enough in that time...you will be permitted to return, as a knight, and perhaps one of the greatest of all time. But first...well, you will see what is first."

"Thank you Master..."

"I doubt you will thank me youngster. I would like to be able to say I won't enjoy what I am going to do with you, but I have to admit I have been looking forward to meeting you. Ever since I was exiled to this valley, I have been waiting for this. Now it may be time."

"Exiled?"

He nodded, grinning knowingly at my surprise.

"Yes young fool...I can call you that because I was an old fool myself. You will learn, back in the Kingdom, about the limits of power, and obedience. Yes, I know you heard the rumours, and they were true, some of them. I am not here, fulfilling this role, out of choice. Call it my own test of humility if you will. However, I am beginning to see the purpose of it, at long last. And maybe, my time of exile is soon to come to an end."

"So, perhaps you will think better of me Master if I make it possible for you to return."

His smile turned rueful, and a little sad, and I felt a small twist in my chest at it, not knowing the reason.

"I did not say return lad...but enough of that for today. Time for you to set up camp and prepare for the morning. It will not be easy, I can assure you."

With those not reassuring words, the old man stood and left the room, dismissing me as surely as if I had been ordered to leave. Pondering the meaning of his words, I sat on the floor still for long moments before standing, my thighs complaining at the unusual labour. Rubbing them frantically to return circulation, I bowed to the household shrine before opening the door, my mount still tied to the post and looking at me quizzically, ears turning one by one and his head slightly on one side.

"Well boy, looks like we are here for a little while."

His whinny seemed an eloquent response to our situation.

Taking the reins, I led him down to the grassy plain below the house as ordered. The creek looked reasonably fast flowing and deep, and there was a raised area of grass just above its edge. A small stone structure stood nearby, doors wooden. A small stack of firewood sat beside it, as if ready for my presence, and I set about building a fire then unhitched my belongings from Cavalier.

I pulled out the sword, gift of my father, kissing the hilt before laying it against the stone cairn, then managed to get my tent unwrapped and assembled while my horse looked on. He didn't remain so easygoing for long though, and just as I was getting the tent finished I felt his customary nudge under my armpit.

"Hey! Just wait a bit will you..."

His nudge became a thump, the big shire stallion swinging his head to smack it into my side before giving me a mocking whinny.

"Just you wait boy, just you wait. One day, after you've had a few mares...your stones are mine..."

His mocking whinny defied me still, and he trotted over to the creek for a long drink of water. I knew he wanted food though, and I had some presents in my saddlebags for when we arrived. He loved his carrots, and I always made sure I had some for a long trip.

Sitting down at the entrance to my tent, I let the fire burn down a little, munching on some dried beef from my pack. I felt his muzzle against my neck then, the warmth of his breath tickling my hairs and I smiled involuntarily at his quiet approach. For a huge shire stallion, he could sneak up on me like a thief.

"Feel like you deserve something eh boy?"

His whicker filled my left ear, followed by a generous portion of stallion drool.

"Ewww! Mind your manners. Here, go back to the creek will you."

Reaching into my saddlebag, I took out a large juicy carrot, pointing it towards his muzzle before I felt it lifted from my grasp easily, loud munching sounds now close at hand.

"Greedy guts..."

He did not head for the creek though, instead rolling on the grass next to me, close to the fire, the warmth appealing to his needs as much as the carrot. I patted his mane absently as I pondered the old man's words again, the sky darkening and filling with stars while we sat. Eventually, exhausted from the journey, I fell asleep beside Cavalier.

*****

"Rian...Rian...wake up...please....wake up!"

"Mbfghlyghg!"

"Rian, please. You need to wake up!"

"Alright Vorel, just wait, I'll be up in a minute and..."

Sleep fell slowly from my body, a dream of the knights barracks still filling my muffled brain. I had been attending to a class in siege warfare, and getting every question wrong while the class laughed at my every mistake. Still lost in that world, I assumed I had overslept and my roommate was waking me to start the day's lessons. It took a moment to remember where I was, and why.

It was then that my eyes snapped open and I reached instinctively for my sword. Who had spoken

to me? Who was shaking me awake? I was supposed to be alone?

"Rian...It's me...It's..."

My head turned towards the voice, and there next to me was my mystery companion. I could see him there, right in front of me, one hand still on my shoulder, and yet all I could do was stare, my mouth open wide and jaw slack.

My companion was a horse. My companion was a man. As my startled brain struggled to fathom the depths of that conundrum, it managed to come up with some sort of reasoning, though reason seemed to have fled. A man/horse, that was what was next to me. He...for it was a he, was naked, his body like a man's but covered in rich brown fur, with a golden mane and tail, his body darkening towards his...and here I blushed, seeing his stallion parts, magnificent like all stallions, clothed in darker skin, his big sheath and stones obvious in his nakedness. He had lower legs like a stallion though, ending in hooves, and his head was all horse.

The man/horse stared at me for long moment, his brown eyes looking into mine with what appeared to all the world like recognition, and his nostrils flared as if sampling my scent.

"Rian...It's me. Cav. Do you recognise me?"

Then it hit me, that recognition. The man/horse had the same colouring as my mount, down to the small patches of white on his chest and muzzle, and the eyes seemed to look on me exactly as Cavalier did when I came for him in the stable. I could not believe what I was seeing, or hearing, and yet every sense I possessed told me it was true.

"Cavalier! But you are...what happened?"

"I don't know. I fell asleep last night beside you, and when I woke up, we were like this. I am...I am part human, like you."

As he spoke, I heard his words rattling around inside my head, the echoes disturbing more with each pass across my consciousness, and making me shake. We were like this? Part human like you?

With growing dread, I looked down to what I had failed to see yet, my own body sitting up on the grass. But it was not the body I remembered...I too, had become a man/horse it seemed, but instead of the rich brown fur of my companion, mine was buff, with golden feathering at my arms and...oh my, fetlocks. I ran one finger through the fur, not believing and hoping I could not feel it, dimly aware that my fingers had changed too, now tipped with little hooves.

"Oh by all the Gods what has that mad old man done?"

"What did he tell you?"

"Only that I had to stay here for a week, and that would be my test. He never mentioned anything about turning me into an animal!"

"And why did he change me too?"

"I do not know Cav. He's a mage, what more excuse does he need? Well, I'm not standing for it that much is for certain."

I rose unsteadily to my hooves, my body still adjusting to its new form, and I turned to face the stone house across the field. Lowering my head in decision, I stormed across the grass, only vaguely aware of the unfamiliar sound of hoofbeats on the grass as I trotted.

"Rian! Rian wait..."

"Enough Cav, I'm dealing with it!"

"No! Rian, really, I..."

"Shut up you bag of Owwwww!"

I felt as if I had been burned inside my mind, an ache that registered in every limb and every fibre of my being. When I came to, I was curled up in a ball on the grass, my body still shaking as the pain echoed across my consciousness. I felt hands on me then, soothing, caressing my mane and my back, and soft nickers and whinnies in my ear.

"Rian, I tried to warn you. I found out myself before I woke you. There is some magic here, some power holding us in this square. If you try to pass the boundary, the pain comes. I have tested its limits myself, there is no way out that I have found."

"This cannot be happening..."

"Just rest Rian, the pain will pass in a moment my herdmate."

I lay against his side, feeling the beat of his heart against my cheek, as my former mount held me with infinite gentleness and stroked my forelock. The pain gradually receded, leaving only a slight ringing in my ears to tell of its passing. Finally, I was able to raise my head a little, staring at the stone house on the hillside. My frustration found expression in a very un-knightly string of curses and epithets to make a blacksmith blush, my fist absently pounding on the bulk beside me.

"Rian, do you really have to hit me that hard? I know you are upset, but if it is all the same I would prefer no more bruises than I already have."

I relented, a little embarrassed, allowing my body to be cradled in the arms of my companion. Determined to use my brain rather than my anger from now on, I looked carefully at the nearest of the stone obelisks, a tall grey stone mass. There I could see what I had failed to notice before; glyphs of warding, still glowing slightly after my ineffective assault on the boundary.

"It looks as if the old man means to keep us here Cav. I know enough to know that I cannot defeat that magic, it will be up to Master Tarquan when we leave."

I shrugged off my companion then, standing and pacing across the green field. Unable to contain my anger any longer, I stood as close to the barrier as I dared and shouted at the stone house, screaming out a series of threats and pleas to the mage, but the house remained silent as if mocking me, the line of smoke still curling towards the heavens. Eventually, I gave up, turning to regard my erstwhile mount again.

Cavalier had merely stood quietly while I gave vent to my anger, a mass barely more animated than the obeslisks that defined our prison. As I watched him though, I realised that was not true after all; I had merely not noticed his actions in my rage. He was looking at me with what I could only describe as concern, deep brown eyes full of care, and his ears were twitching and flattened in alarm. His tail swayed behind him, long slow sweeps with an occasional harder slap against his fetlocks, the battle for control inside my companion visible to those who knew what to look for.

He was trying his hardest to remain calm though, and assured, a tower of strength for us both. It embarrassed me to realise I had been outmatched in the test so far by a horse, my own horse no less. I managed to breathe, slowly, reciting the knight's mantra to bring myself back to calm before I walked slowly towards Cavalier.

His ears twitched upright watching me, a slight grin on his muzzle as he saw me getting myself under control. I took the opportunity to look him over again, and putting my shock to one side, he did look a magnificent sight. He was tall, way too tall for a man, as befitted a shire stallion of over 17 hands I supposed. His colouring was the same rich chsestnut with golden feathering at his forearms and fetlocks, and golden mane and tail to match. His muzzle ended in a patch of white that continued in a line up his forehead, and a patch of lighter fur grew between his pectrorals.

As my gaze continued to his genitals, I became aware of two things that shocked me to the core. First, I was becoming aroused at the sight of the naked stallion before me. Second, he was looking me over in the same way I had been looking at him, his body registering approval in ever line.

"You look beautiful my herdmate, if I can say so."

I tried to snort, but it came out as a sort of whinny instead, making me stop and put my hand to my muzzle in surprise before I could respond. The rejoinder died on my lips, and I stalked away towards the tent beside the fire instead.

My clothes had torn and shredded under the power of my transformation, the little pile of fragments a testimony to my new nature. I was determined not to have those looks again if I could help it though, and I tore into my pack, looking for the largest tunic and trousers I had packed for my journey. I could hear Cavalier heading towards the tent, the sound of his hoofbeats echoing close by but he had the sense to leave me be for now, as I tried desperately to clothe my new form in the garments of the old.

It was no use though. The trousers steadfastly refused to go over my now larger thighs and arse, and my shoulders seemed to have broadened enough that the tunic would not fit. With a final scream of frustration, I bundled myself out of the tent clumsily, standing by the remains of the fire while I looked unseeing towards the creek.

I felt a presence then at my back, and I flinched and threw an elbow backwards before I remembered who it was. Cav gave a slight grunt at the impact, but he did not back away, instead wrapping me in his arms tightly. I tried to get out of his grip, but he was too strong, and eventually I gave up and let him hold me.

"Let it go Rian, my herdmate. You will do yourself no good like this."

"What would you know horse? You are just a dumb animal, at least you have moved up a notch being made half human. For us, a half human is just that, less than a whole. I am nothing now, nothing!"

"Did not the mage say something about the trial lasting a week?"

"Yes"

"Then you only have to be patient my herdmate. You will return to your old self soon enough...as will I."

I heard a slight catch in Cav's voice then, but I was too lost to recognise it. Instead, I managed to push him backwards and break his grip on me. I turned to face him, and he stood there for the moment, watching me with concerned eyes, his ears sideways and flicking slightly, tail swaying gently from side to side. He looked beautiful...and the thought made me angry.

"Aargh! I'm no herdmate of yours. Leave me alone horse, go munch some grass or something."

And I turned and stalked back to the tent, flinging the tent flap to one side as I threw myself on my sleeping skins and fumed in silence.

Long minutes passed as I held back bitter tears, before I heard the sound of hooves outside the tent. A big hand reached inside to part the flap, and I saw a muzzle at the opening, and a pair of sparkling eyes watching me.

"Are you hungry Rian?"

I realised in my anger and frustration that I had forgotten food. The mention of hunger had its effect, and suddenly I was hungry, my stomach grumbling loudly. Cav took that as a sign to enter, and I saw him push through the opening and close the flap, darkness enfolding us both inside the tent.

My eyes were becoming accustomed to my new self, as was my nose. I scented something delicious, and my nostrils flared eagerly as I sought it out. It smelt like...

"Would you like some of these my herd....my friend?"

A big hand held out two big juicy carrots, taken from my saddlebags I assumed. The other held a small cup filled with water from the stream, still cold. I took both gratefully, munching on the carrot and savouring the taste. Before I realised it, both carrots had disappeared and I still felt hungry.

"Have you had one Cav?"

"No, I had some last night remember? While we lay together beside the fire. We need to save some if we are going to be here for a week. That's your ration for today Rian."

"Pfft. If I feel like carrots, I'm having carrots."

"Spoken like a horse."

I grinned at that. "You are a carrot machine most of the time Cav. I never knew why, now I do. They taste...so good."

"I'd prefer apples, but carrots are good too. Becoming half human doesn't seem to have changed my cravings, though at least I have hands now. I can help myself to the saddlebags."

His own grin matched mine, and I swatted his tail playfully while he nickered in amusement. We were sharing the same emotions for the first time, and it felt good. It felt like I had a brother, a sensation that brought its own pains and fears.

My horse took up a position across from me, sitting back on his hooves and watching, while I licked the remains of our impromptu breakfast from my muzzle. Even the remains tasted sweet.

"I am still getting used to these..."

He held out his hands, staring at them in wonder, wiggling the fingers like a harpist preparing for a performance. I couldn't supress a giggle.

"You will find they have all sorts of uses."

"Oh I have...and have you got used to your tail yet?"

I gave a tentative flick somewhere in my rump and was rewarded with the sensation of hairs brushing over my back. It felt oddly sensual...and good to my new self.

"Not bad Rian. You will be swatting flies soon enough."

"Oh...and what have you been doing with your new body?"

He looked almost guilty then, and even a little shy, but he looked me in the eyes with a sparkle and gave a little grin.

"Well...as a horse, there are certain things I always wanted to do, but they were very difficult. Suddenly I find they are much easier and more enjoyable than I ever imagined."

I realised his penis had poked from its sheath, the broad flat head obvious even in the darkness. I knew the sight of his penis well, the bastard usually dropped whenever I groomed him or saddled him, but it somehow seemed more wondrous now, more...beautiful. As I stared, he extended fully, the long thick organ swaying in the air, a little glint of precum already visible at the tip.

Then he wrapped one hand around the shaft, and gave a long sensual stroke from the sheath all the way to the tip. His neck arched and he let out a long whinny as a spurt of clear excitement arced across the tent. My newly sensitive nostrils picked up the scent, and my brain registered the signal loud and clear. Young stallion, aroused and in heat, big and powerful. A dominant stallion, fit to rule a herd of his own, and knowing it too. Pungent challenge for any nearby, or invitation...

I let out a whinny of my own as I realised the erotic display had its own effect on my body. My shaft had speared into the air, long and thick too though not to match Cav's endowment. A pair of heavy new balls churned in my sac, and I felt my hands drawn to touch. My right gripped the shaft just under the flare, almost letting go when that first touch brought pure pleasure to my body so intense I almost cried out. The left felt for my sac, now smooth and slick as velvet where mine had been wrinkled and covered in fuzz. It felt good...so good.

"You humans are lucky...I see why you and that stableboy play together so much."

My eyes widened as I looked at him, but his glance didn't change, half admiring, half cautious while he stroked faster on that magnificent horsecock.

"You know...how..."

"I have seen you together, and heard you. I can smell your scents on each other enough. Sometimes when you come to saddle me, I smell his seed and yours on you."

"I am glad you horses cannot talk...well, usually."

"You need not worry, we would not tell in any case even if we could. It is good to be close to your herdmate, and we would share that too if we were able."

I saw him hesitate a moment, then shuffle forward a little until his knees touched mine. Never taking his eyes from mine, my Cavalier reached forward, until his hand rested just next to my quivering penis, the tension almost unbearable. Then he clenched his fingers closed and I felt my stallion gripping me near the sheath.

My low groan surprised me, and I bit my lip to try and retain some illusion of control. It didn't matter for Cav though, the big stallion surprisingly gentle but ignoring my cries and moans while he pleasured me with a sure touch for one new to hands. I leaned back and left him to it, my horse seemingly fascinated by the touch of my penis, his eyes glazed and staring, tongue poking a little from his muzzle as he stroked the full length of my shaft. Then he leaned in a little, his forgotten stallionhood touching mine. I have a whinny then, feeling another stallion's flare on my own. He spread his fingers wide to grip us both at the same time, our lengths now pressed together, and then he slowly jacked us both off while I could only give voice to my pleasure.

His own aroused nickers made my ears burn, and I flexed my hips as much as I dared, pushing my length against his and through his fingers. He matched my movements easily, keeping his hand still now as we both thrust through his fingers against each other. The feeling was incredible, the scent making me drunk with need, unfamiliar scents that I yet knew how to read, the scent of stallions in rut. I could feel our mixed excitement trickling down my length and pooling against my belly, the scent becoming overpowering in the close confines of the tent.

Finally Cav moved again, just a little, and I felt his balls pressed on mine. I screamed out a wild whinny, my body on fire, and one three more thrusts proved too much. I watched fascinated as the broad flat end of my new penis suddenly spread wider and twitched, then a fountain of rich white seed erupted splattering us both with its outflow, a fountain joined soon after by a companion outpouring from Cav's thicker cock, adding more rich scents to the mix. I could taste seed in my muzzle, and in my nostrils, and all through my body. The hot sticky mess was everywhere, over both our bodies and in our fur, the feeling incredible.

My stallion bent forward and suddenly we were kissing, long and hot, tongues duelling like swordsmen in our muzzles and our bodies pressed together still panting with spent lust. It felt good, so good, and yet I could not do it. I pushed him away hard, beating on his chest until he relented and sat back on his haunches.

"Get off me you big animal! Enough!"

As he looked on with sadness, I pushed past him for the entrance, flinging the flap wide and heading for the stream. I needed to wash, and fast. The scent of stallion was too much, too potent. I felt a need inside me, a terrifying one, and I needed it gone.

"I am not an animal....not an animal..." I repeated it, dully, as I waded into the water, the mountain stream cold and fast flowing. The shock of sudden frigid water had its effect, and I shook hard as I felt the heat leave my body, replaced by a numbing cold and a kind of calm. I rubbed my coat, trying to banish all trace of our release from my body, the image of Cavalier holding our stallion cocks together still burned on my memory. My penis was still extended, soft but still long, bobbing in the current. I gave a tentative stroke and felt the pleasure again, and the burning need. My brain filled with the scent of dominant stallion, my stud...I could feel him close

Turning, I saw him standing on the grass near the stream. He looked down on me, eyes brown and full of meaning, then he turned and headed for the stream, uphill from where I stood. He waded into the water, but did not approach, instead ducking under the surface and emerging with water cascading over his body and dripping from his mane and feathering. Then he scrubbed his fur clean as I was doing now, occasionally stealing a glance at me but keeping his distance. I was content to leave him there for now.

And yet, even as I waded back on to shore, my nostrils flared again as they drank in the scent. My stallion...I knew the term, such a different meaning to what it would be as a human. Even now though I recoiled at the implications. My stallion...

I shook my head dry, mane flapping against my head, and headed for the tent.

*****

The fire roared loudly in the night, banishing the darkness and the cold. Even though I had a new coat of fur, I still felt a chill whenever a gust of wind came down off the mountains, my shudders muffled under a travelling cloak. I had finally managed to find something at least that fit my new form, the loose cloak fitting roughly over my head and torso, though it provided limited warmth it at least kept the wind at bay a little. Still I shuddered though, and not entirely from cold.

Across from me another pair of eyes watched intently, brown and soulful.

"Are you hungry again Rian?"

"Of course I am Cav...I have some provisions, enough for a few days, but I was counting on using them for the return. I assumed the old bastard would feed me at least, and I never thought I'd need to provide for both of us."

"I will be fine my herdmate, there is always grass."

"Ugh...not sure I can do that."

"Come on Rian, the grass in this valley is especially delicious. Trust me, your horse half will enjoy, I know I have so far."

"Thank you Cav but I think I will pass on the grass."

"As you will...but in any case, my nose tells me something better is at hand anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"Haven't you smelt it yet?"

I opened my nostrils wide, trying to make out the wild mix of scents that were assaulting my senses. It was as if a blind man suddenly could see, and all the colours of the rainbow at once. I could smell all kinds of things, but making out individual scents was proving elusive. Except for one; the scent of stallion. That I could make out no matter how much I tried to ignore it.

"I'm new to all this Cav. What are you talking about?"

My stallion rose and trotted to the small stone cairn I had ignored so far. He tried the small wooden doors one by one, before finally finding one that opened. Then he pulled out some bags that looked promising. My nostrils sought out the scent, finding a note of rich and sweet taste on the air. I found myself drooling, even before I knew what it was.

"Oats. It looks like the old man did take care of us after all."

"Oats..."

The word should not have conjured up the sensations I was feeling now, but it did. A deep hunger, and a lip smacking sense of impending enjoyment. Before I knew what I was doing, I had buried my snout in the bag and started munching, craving the sweet taste in my muzzle and knowing I needed more and more.

"Easy Rian...you will get colic if you aren't careful..."

"What would you know you..."

"Animal? Horse? Has it occurred to you Rian that we are alike, you and I? Whatever you may say of me, you are no better or worse. For my part, I think you are beautiful. I envy you Rian...even if you despise who you are now."

I stopped, surprised at the feeling in his voice. My companion was clearly speaking from the heart, and as he watched me, I looked down at my body, taking in again the unfamiliar sights. My fingers moved slowly over my body, feeling fur, muscles, unfamiliar and frightening. And yet instinctively I knew what he was saying too.

For had I not seen him as beautiful too, almost from the start?

My stallion sat back on his hooves, a familiar and comfortable sight now. His brown eyes watched, and his ears flicked with emotions under control. His tail betrayed his feelings though, swaying rapidly and slapping against his haunches.

"You're angry!"

"Yes. I am trying to look after you as the lead stallion should. And all you do is fight me."

"Lead stallion?" now I was intrigued.

"Every herd has a lead stallion. My sire was, back at the castle. In the Knight's keep, Lovanion mount of Sir Barrick is the dominant stallion amongst us. In our little herd here, I am lead stallion, and I look after you."

"You!" I could not keep the contempt or the amusement from my voice.

"Yes. Is that such a surprise? Listen with your horse side and you will know it is true."

My face burned a little at that, as the scent of stallion filled my nostrils again. My stallion...I knew in a part of me that he spoke the truth. That only made me angrier.

"I will not be the stablehand for some overgrown bag of fleas who thinks he is a Knight!"

Cavalier's eyes blazed then, in a way I hadn't seen before. He threw back his head and let out a loud whinny that shook the earth, and his tail swished rapidly.

"Fine. When a stallion wants to claim leadership of the herd, he challenges and fights to prove his worth. Do you want to do that little pony?"

I yelled, an incoherent mix of anger and frustration, and hurled myself at the other stallion. My last view was of his muzzle, grinning for all the world like I had made some supreme joke. Then we were locked together, and my hands tried to rend his body limb from limb.

My stallion took a moment to realise I was deadly serious, and I managed to grip his mane and pull him into a struggling mess on the grass before he reacted. When he did though it was as if I were fighting the very stones of the mountains around our valley. I kicked and punched and snarled, snapping at his flanks, but his greater strength proved my undoing, and I felt my body rolled until I was face down on the grass with my stallion above. We were both panting with exertion, and I smelled his breath warm and harsh on my ears. His lips closed on one eartip and he nipped painfully, making me nicker in pain and shock, while his body moved to pin me completely to the ground.

"You are not so strong Rian, not compared to me anyway, and I am so much weaker than I am as a horse. As one of us though, I am far stronger than you little pony. In the herd, a stallion would drive off his conquered foe, and celebrate by mounting as many mares as he could in the night. For tonight, it looks as if you will have to be the mare my little Rian."

"No!"

"Shhh...I have seen you with that stableboy Pierik. I know your ways Rian...and I will make it good for you my pony, as your herdmate should."

"No! NO! Wait I....ahhhhhhhhh"

I felt lips and teeth on my neck now, biting down hard, and I felt my body go slack under the bite. His bulk felt hot and heavy over me, the throb of blood transmitting through his skin into mine, the sensation arousing in spite of my predicament. I bit down on my tongue to stop crying out, but instead found myself moaning, my humiliation complete, and my stallion writhed against me, sliding his massive sheath and shaft between my cheeks.

His flare nudged my tail and I swished it to one side demurely, as if I wanted this...wanted this...

Oh God's I wanted this...

"You and your Father should have put me to mares before this Rian. Now you get to be my first instead...relax little mare, it will hurt but I will make it good, trust me..."

"Ohhhhh..."

Then I felt it, the wide blunt head, already slick and eager. It slid along my taint, nuzzling at the smooth skin of my canyon, sliding downwards to kiss my sac and nudge, then up again, this time coming closer, ever closer. It pressed under my tail, finding my clenched opening. I tried to relax, unsure how even my new body could take such a massive intruder. I would not have long to wait to find out.

"Shhh....relax my love..."

Lips brushed the back of my neck, soothing the pain of the bite, then moving further to caress my cheek. I turned my muzzle to the side, able now to see my stallion above me, his eyes still blazing but with a new fire, one I recognised. The light of lust, and need. I shuddered, afraid, and he lent forward to lick my muzzle then kiss me as I relaxed into his embrace. The hot urgent spike of flesh between my cheeks surged, and his body shook with effort...

My screaming whinny was lost to the night, and to the kiss of my stallion, as I felt my new tailhole spread and conquered like an unprotected village overrun by raiders. On and on he moved inside me, probing and thrusting deeper until I felt I could take no more, and just as I was about to fight it again he stopped, resting inside me but not all the way in, his hands roaming over my shoulders.

"You are beautiful Rian...I knew it as soon as I saw you asleep by the fire."

Fingers explored my skin, and I felt every touch and every rake of his fingerhooves through my coat. Then he wrapped his fingers in mine, holding on tight as I held on to him. I felt the heat of his penis, a living thing inside me and pulsing with his heartbeat, then the heat pulled back slowly and I felt the flare teasing my tailhole, almost pulling out and just spreading the ring as if to leave before resting barely inside.

"Such a beautiful mare. I should ask your father to let me take you as a mate. You could spend your days in the fields, and your nights in my stall."

"Oh Gods...please..."

"Whatever you wish my herdmate."

His length returned, deeper this time, and this time not stopping but sliding inside until I cried out again, my fingers gripping his like a vise. Then I felt his body completely over mine and the final pleasure, a heavy sac resting on my taint, pulsing with life.

I moaned. I whinnied. And I pushed back like a wanton virgin taking his first cock, begging with my body for his all; and then my voice joined the begging, demanding, pleading for more, harder, faster. My stallion took his time, a steady rhythm in his mounting, and I held on with all my strength, gritting my teeth as his fat flared end found my prostate and my body melted into the earth, shuddering into a wild climax that spread across the grass and still he kept up a steady mating.

My body strained under him, and the pleasure built again as did my pleading, begging with all my might for a harder fucking all the while ashamed for it, my own warhorse reducing me to his willing mare. I did not care, all I knew was the deep burning in my new body, a burning that needed deep stallion fucking to soothe it.

I had reached the edge of the precipice when I felt Cavalier speed up his thrusts and suddenly his whinnies became wild and loud and my bowels filled with heat as I took my first load of stallion seed. He lay on me, kissing my eartips while I whimpered for more, before rolling me slowly onto my side, my stallion still buried inside me from behind, spooned against me. A hoof tipped hand gripped my dripping length, teasing.

"Close my herdmate?"

"Oh so close..."

His hand moved, achingly slowly, holding me on the edge and I writhed against him. I bent my muzzle back and kissed, and he sped his strokes and suddenly I unloaded all over his hand, my ejaculation going on for an eternity as my new sac clenched against my body pushing every last drop into the grass at my stallion's bidding.

We lay together, just holding beside the fire with my stallion nipping at my coat, grooming and touching before it began again and the valley rang to the sound of stallions in rut. Neither of us slept much that night.

*****

Our next days fell into a sort of routine, as much as anything could be routine in these circumstances. We woke curled up together by the fire under our sleeping skins, the cold of morning banished by urgent lovemaking. Cavalier would use his hands and muzzle on me until I could no longer resist and I presented for him on all fours, a mare with winking talhole and tail swishing invitingly, and he would mount me like a stallion, fucking with gentleness but still completely until I spent in the grass and felt his seed inside me.

Then we would wash in the stream, enjoying the simple pleasure of closeness and touch before spending the day lying watching the sky, playing on the fields, and running across the grass with the wind in our manes.

I had found a surprising speed I never knew I had, once Cav persuaded me to race him across the valley floor. Only once did our play end badly, when I forgot about the barrier and ran headlong into its painful embrace. Then my stallion held me and soothed my pains until I recovered and we could return to our training runs, this time more circumspect.

A worm of unease however was always just under the surface, at least for my companion. I had seen it first when we woke the morning after he first mounted me, the big stallion watching me warily as I stretched and blinked away sleep. He had waved to me almost coyly, and brought me oats from the stone cairn for breakfast, and one of our few remaining carrots.

"Are you well this morning stallion?"

I had just kissed him and held him, and he relaxed against me, but I could feel tension in him even afterwards. His ears and tail told me the story, as much as his gaze.

"What is wrong Cav?"

"Nothing...I am just...thinking of what happens at the end of this week. When I woke I thought you would be angry, and though I am stronger than you now, when we are turned back..."

"I won't be letting my farther geld you Cav, relax. Part of me was tempted, when you took me like that last night, but I know how it felt for me. I know I enjoyed it, too much for my own sanity, but I did enjoy it. I cannot punish you for that. I may even find some mares for you, if you behave."

"If I behave"

"Sorry, it was just a joke, I didn't mean..."

"I know what you meant RIan, and that is the point isn't it. I am still just a horse, and you are still a human, in spite of what we are now. Soon the end will come, and I will be a horse again, required to behave, and perform, and know my place."

I saw the sadness then, the same sadness I saw when he tried to tell me to be patient. I had not thought how much he may fear the end of the week as much as I craved it. My stallion felt the loss before it even happened.

"Don't think about it Cav. Just enjoy. If this is your time part human, make the most of it."

"I could say the same to you Rian."

That made me grin.

"Very wise oh horse leader. Well, shall we start by returning to where we left off last night?"

That made him grin too, and a brief mock wrestle was all it took for two stallions to become hard again, and soon they found uses for those as only two young stallions can.

Through all the play, and the runs across the grass and the lovemaking I could still feel the worry in Cav though, and I despaired of being able to do anything for it.

His melancholy finally came to a head on our seventh night together, as the fire burned hot and the wind settled down into a light breeze to ruffle a stallion's mane. Cav sat staring into the fire, the flames reflecting golden on his eyes, his hands clasped but otherwise unmoving. I knew what this must be; after this, one night and one day would see us through. I had survived it because of him, but soon our transformation would be at an end.

"Cav..."

"Yes my herdmate?"

"I know what you are feeling and I..."

"Do you? How can you?"

"I may not know about what you are losing, but I do know about loss..."

"Spare me Rian. One more night and one more day and I will be back to my old self again."

"You said you felt weak like this..."

"And I do, and yet also so strong. I can speak, and talk to you, and do things I never dreamed. I am strong in other ways, strong for a human. I can care for you..."

"Is that the problem?" now I was stunned.

"One day Rian...one day, you will be riding out to battle with me under you. An arrow, a sword, a spear, whatever it is, my duty will be to take it, protecting you with my body when all else fails. My last gift to you will be to roll to one side and throw you the other so I don't crush you as I die. And then who will protect you...and then who will know why I fell, and for what..."

I shifted now, huddling close to my stallion as he shook against me. He never cried, but I felt his pain.

"I am losing you Rian, and losing me. I like this me, even though you can't stand this you. I love...I love this you, my beautiful stallion. And now I am to lose both of us. Forever."

I held him, letting the pain recede until he was still against me and the moon rode high in the sky. Its light flashed over our little valley, and glinted off the pommel of my sword, still resting against the cairn where I had left it all those days ago. It seemed like an eternity.

Rising suddenly, I walked to the cairn, picking up the sword and holing it aloft to catch the light. The twin rubies blazed, placed there at my father's orders. He wanted this sword to be memorable, and it surely fitted that bill. Cavalier watched me holding it, his eyes blazing like the rubies.

"See, your father must love you. His favourite horse, and such a sword! He made sure you had the best before sending you off."

"He made sure I had the best because he wanted to send a message to all those who would see me, not because he loves me Cav. I was a disappointment, that much he made clear. I had no choice, really, becoming a knight was my only choice and the only way I may just win his favour back. He gave me you as a joke, because he thought I would not be able to handle you, and he gave me this sword to prove he could spend that much on a son he didn't even care about."

My eyes had swollen with tears as I spoke, the truth too much to bear even now. I had made him proud, or at least I believed I had, now I was almost a knight. Just a little. I knew where I stood though, with him and my brothers.

"Why does he hate you so much?"

"Because of what I do...and because of who I am. A weakling, more interested in books and music...and in my fellow males, instead of marrying some politically expedient daughter of a rich minor house and raising a room full of children. I am an embarrassment."

"You are not that to me Rian."

"I know stallion...I know."

I walked forward slowly, coming to a stop before Cav, who stood finally and looked me keenly in the eye.

"So you don't know it all Cav. I am not so eager to return to my old self for all you may think. But I cannot stop it any more than you can; there is one thing I would like to do before the end though."

"What Rian?"

"You have taught me a lot about being a horse. Time for me to teach you about being a knight. Even if only for one more day."

I held the sword pommel towards him, and he reached out tentatively before closing his hand on the hilt, a broad smile forming on his muzzle. His eyes cleared, shining again as they did when he was happy. I drank in that sight, trying to keep it for the future in my memories.

"Now...first lesson apprentice. Listen and watch."

We spent the night with me teaching him basic swordsmanship, the parries and standard positions, with my father's sword arcing through the night sky with flashes of light from the moon, matching flashes of light from a stallion's eyes. I doubted my father ever dreamed his sword in such hands; or his son, for that matter.

When we were done, we had one last night of loving, but this time a little different. Once we were too exhausted to continue, and I replaced the sword reverently in its scabbard, we lay together by the fire again, not speaking, just enjoying each other's company. I could not resist though, and neither could he. Soon we were both gripping a long erect horsecock, and my stallion had reached for my tailhole, fingering me gently as I nickered with approval.

"Lay on the grass for me Cav."

He obeyed, a little reluctantly, until I straddled his hips, my arse rubbing against his length and teasing him into little hip thrusts against my body. I leant over him then, looking into his eyes and smiling while I held him down for the moment.

"Time to teach you horseriding too...and you had better be a well behaved mount."

We kissed just as I sat down on his length, a long sighing cry coming from both our muzzles as we enjoyed one last time. I rode him for hours while my stallion stroked my length into rapture, both taking our time and making it last. This one would need to last a long time. When we came the whinnies were different, pleasure and pain, loss and discovery all in one. I could read them now, and feel it all, at last.

A noise echoed across the valley, like a laugh high in the air, and a sudden gust of wind blew out manes over our eyes. We held tighter, my cloak and the sleeping furs over our bodies, and fell asleep still wrapped together as the moon rose high in the sky.

*****

"Rian...Rian...wake up!"

"Mwaghphh!"

"For the Gods sake Rian...for once can you get up early?"

"I'm sleeping...important work sleep. Makes you sharp like a knife...sharp...might need more sleep..."

"Rian, WAKE UP!"

I felt myself pushed sideways enough that I rolled over with a groan, before throwing off the covers and stretching on the ground. It looked like a warm morning, not a cloud in the sky...

"Rian, how many days have we been here."

"Almost seven."

"Almost?"

"Yes, it will be exactly seven by sunset tonight."

"Are you sure?"

"Look, I may be half horse now but I am human enough not to..."

"Ok, ok, just checking."

"What's wrong?"

"Well...I accidentally ran into one of the barriers, but I didn't notice I had because it didn't stun me. I walked right through it, then back, then through and nothing. Then I came to get you."

Now I was awake, and I sat up to stare at the obelisks. They hadn't changed, at least as far as I could tell, and I looked towards the distant stone house. There was no tower of smoke coming from the chimney. My tail twitched, and my ears flattened in alarm. Something wasn't right.

"Come with me Cav."

We both trotted towards the house, wincing as we approached the barrier I was amused to see, but we both passed through without injury.

"Maybe the week is already over?"

"Maybe..."

As we approached the house though, I saw Cav become anxious, his ears now flattened like mine.

"You feel it too don't you Cav. What is it?"

"Death...it feels like death Rian."

Opening the door we both walked cautiously inside, the house in darkness. I glanced at the shrine and stopped in alarm. There were only two household God's left...the one Master Tarquan called Darthedan, lord of horses was missing.

"Rian!"

I turned and ran to where my companion's voice was coming from. There on a bed lay Master Tarquan, as if sleeping peacefully. His body was cold though, and the light of life had left him. My stallion gently stroked his hair before kneeling by his side.

"One of the greats Cav. The greatest mage of his generation. I did not even know he was this close to the end."

It hit me with a slap then, like a splash of cold water across the face in the morning.

"Yes young fool...I can call you that because I was an old fool myself. You will learn, back in the Kingdom, about the limits of power, and obedience. Yes, I know you heard the rumours, and they were true, some of them. I am not here, fulfilling this role, out of choice. Call it my own test of humility if you will. However, I am beginning to see the purpose of it, at long last. And maybe, my time of exile is soon to come to an end."

"So, perhaps you will think better of me Master if I make it possible for you to return."

His smile turned rueful, and a little sad, and I felt a small twist in my chest at it, not knowing the reason.

"I did not say return lad...but enough of that for today"

"He knew! The cunning bastard knew...but..."

"Rian..."

"Wait Cav, I'm putting it together now at least and..."

"Rian..."

"What?!"

"The barrier went down when he died."

"Yes...so?"

"And yet we are still like this."

Now I stopped, suddenly struck by the implications.

"No..."

"Yes Rian. Maybe this form wasn't being held by his power. Maybe...we were permanently changed."

"Then who by all the God's is going to change us back?!"

We both looked at each other, and down to the mage, and back again. Then I looked again towards the shrine, and its missing statue.

I wonder...

"Maybe there are other mages as powerful who can do it Rian."

"Maybe Cav. Or maybe this is something bigger than us. Maybe...maybe this is who we are now."

We headed back to our little camp to sit for a moment and regain some composure, both lost in our own thoughts. It was one thing to think fondly of remaining as a horse/man last night, remembering all that faced me back in the knights keep and with my father. It was another thing staring at the reality in the cold light of day.

Then I caught sight of my stallion, and his smile, and I suddenly found myself smiling too in spite of it all. Well, if this is who I am, at least for now, so be it. I had another by my side to help me through it.

I reached inside my saddle bag to see if a stray carrot had survived the stay. The day always seemed better when it started with a carrot. I was not prepared for what I found though.

My hand closed on something warm, something soft. Opening the flap, I peered inside, a little scared but intrigued.

Lying on the leather, amongst the ruins of my last carrot, sat a tiny horse/man, a perfect replica of the statue in the mage's home. Except this one was curled up in a ball as if asleep, his head resting on his arms. And as I looked, the little 'statue' raised its head a touch, and winked with one eye before returning to sleep.

"What is it Rian?"

My companion was staring at me now, and I realised I had made a most peculiar sound, half whinny half shout

"I don't know Cav...but I think things are about to get interesting."