The Magical Herd

As you followed Xawen, you could see that dawn was breaking. Though you couldn't see the horizon nor the sky, you could sense a general lighting of the forest, though even on the brightest afternoon, the forest floor was never exactly sunny. But you could feel a kind of warmth filtering through just the same.

"Xawen, what is that?"

The question was asked by a young, brightly coloured mare. Her expression was of undiluted curiosity.

"Marisu, this is a human that I found in Sharnak's hunting grounds. I was bringing it to find a safer place to sleep." It? Well, it took you a while to learn the differences between male and female leagi, and humans have nothing so obvious as a thick mane, unless you count men with beards.

Marisu replied, "I know the perfect spot, and we could watch over it while it's sleeping." You kind of wished they'd at least guess a gender, even if they got it wrong. But true to her word, Marisu found a very comfortable spot. With a leagus on either side of you, it was warm and fuzzy, and their wings sheltered you from the wind. Though it was morning, you hadn't slept a wink all night, and quite happily dozed off to the sound of their soft breathing.