I am the only one- open

[NALEAN SILVERSTAR]

Nalean sighed, filled with frustration. She had been confined to the castle by the queen, apparently on orders by her father. He had somehow found out about her recent escapades and had demanded that the queen confine her to the castle and the city of Feras. She stood up off of the stool in her room that she had been sitting on. Sitting here and moping around would do her no good, she slipped into the palace kitchens and grabbed a carrot for her large grey stallion. She was certain that the stallion was frustrated. The restrictions imposed on her affected her horse as well. She was not able to ride the stallion that much as there were limited areas in the city to ride. A pair of guards eyed her suspiciously as she crossed the courtyard in order to go to the stables.

She simply shook her head, if it wasn’t for the fact that she had guards watching her almost non-stop then she would have tried to escape days ago. As she entered the stables, she heard a familiar neigh. She couldn’t help but smile when Tornado’s head appeared. The young stallion nodded and whickered at the site of his mistress. Nalean fed Tornado the carrot and frown at the mark in the door that indicated that he had been chewing it. She sighed, she would have to ask someone to fix that. She stroked him on his powerful neck with a thoughtful expression on her face. Maybe taking him for a walk through the city would help? She grabbed a halter and put it on him, unlatched the stable door and led him out his stable. Before she led him out the stable building, she check his rug to make sure it was properly secured. All the horses in the castle’s stables wore rugs in winter in order to stop their coats from growing and thus causing the horses to appear fluffy. She smiled and nodded at the guards as she walked passed them. She bit back a sigh as she heard them following her. Would she get no peace?

Nalean walked through the streets of Feras, that as usual were bustling with activity. She stopped at the fountain, which at the moment was frozen solid. The one thing which Drasnia was known for was its harsh winters. Tornado gently blew in her hands. She smiled as she scratched him behind his ear and held back a laugh when the stallion grunted in pleasure. She wondered if she would ever be able to leave Feras, or if she would have to stay here for the rest of her life. “I don’t think I’ll be able to stand staying in this city for the rest of my life” she murmured to her horse, not caring if anyone thought she was mad for talking to a horse.

[FINN CALLUM ARCHER]

He was in big trouble. He had been caught stealing food for himself, and that was something he was not proud of. He prided himself in his thievery, for he had done it for so many years, and rather skillfully. He had already stolen food for his animals, and that had been stored in his secret place in the forests. Now he was struggling to find something for himself. He was a rogue now, not wanting to be a part of the Guardians after meeting the people that were involved with it. He moved from place to place, knowing that if he stayed too long the Guardians would find him. And once a deserter, there only remained certain death for him. However, Finn was used to being on the run. He had always been on the run because he was never truly safe. Now there was just a certain desperation to his movements. He could not be found. If he was, he would lose his life, and then there would be no one to provide for his shepherd mix Tyca, and his buckskin stallion, Cato.

Cato was waiting at the fountain for him, and Tyca was bouncing joyfully by Finn's side as he ran through the streets. He just needed to make it to the fountain so that he could get on his horse and get out of this city. He wore a hood so that he wouldn't be recognized, but he was certain they would know him from now on. Another city that he couldn't steal from. He had been caught, and now he could never go back. Frustrated with himself, he kept running, his too thin form getting through the crowds easily. Why were there so many people out anyway? It was cold out! Drasnia was known for it's winters, and this one certainly left it's impression on Finn. His cloak was hardly enough to keep him warm, and he wasn't even wearing it. it was on Cato's saddle, for Finn couldn't move well with it on. Not well enough to escape the guards anyway. But then he saw his chance for an escape. The crowd up ahead was large and thick, and they would never be able to find him. The guards were far back now anyway, for Finn's stamina was far greater than theirs'.

He slowed as he buried himself deep within the people. He looked at his happy, panting dog, and indicated the direction Cato was in. The shepherd was off in a moment, sending a bark his way as she bounded onwards, weaving through the sea of legs with ease. The dog made good time, and was soon almost by the fountain. When she got there, she noticed the maiden and the grey stallion. Tyca wagged her tail in a friendly way, sensing no danger from the girl. She caught sight of Cato, standing as if he was tied up by an owner. He could run at any moment of course, but he was used to the deal by now. Finn, Cato, and Tyca were so used to this routine that it was almost a laughable matter. But now Tyca had someone to keep her busy until Finn got here. The slightly thin mutt wiggled over to the girl, wanting some attention. She sat in front of her, lifting a paw and wagging her tail. Who could ignore her?

Finn was only moments behind his dog, and he saw her mooching to the young woman with her stallion. He couldn't believe that dog. Shaking his head with a small smile, he picked up the pace a little, but wasn't worried. The guards had given up on him. He had witnessed them turning around and going back to the castle after he disappeared within the crowds. Finn walked slowly up to the fountain, keeping his eyes low. If she was royalty, he might be in trouble. The girl looked to be of a high class, for her horse was dressed in a stable rug and the girl looked well dressed as well. He shifted, slightly uncomfortable at the moment. He was embarrassed because he was a lot thinner than he should be, and his rather ratty clothes hung from his form. He used a belt to keep his pants up, but it was tied in a knot because it was too big for him. He was a mess to put it simply, and he was a stark contrast to her clean dress and form. He bowed slightly, trying to be respectfully.

"My apologies, Milady. Her name's Tyca, and I apologize for her being so forward."

Some people didn't like dogs, and he didn't want Tyca making her uncomfortable. The buckskin stallion that had been basically asleep at the fountain perked his ears forward and lifted his ears as he heard that familiar voice. He nickered quietly and stepped around to Finn, happy to see the young man. Finn offered the thinner stallion the apple he had stolen. Cato crunched happily, obviously pleased with his treat. Finn and his animals were thin, but Finn was thinner than them. He made sure they were always fed before himself. It was his one rule. He looked to the young woman once more, speaking up.

"My name is Finn Archer, and this is Cato."

He offered,indicating the horse and wondering if it even mattered to her. Some royal or upper class people were extremely rude and could care less. Finn was just being polite. He was a young man of only twenty one years, and it was obvious in his face. He was struggling to make it for himself and his animals, but he would never give up. He waited patiently for her response, ready to call Tyca off if she made the girl uncomfortable. The shepherd mix seemed to be having the time of her life however.

[NALEAN SILVERSTAR]

Nalean was so lost in her own world that she hardly noticed the disturbances in the crowd, or the buckskin stallion that was standing close to her. If she had noticed the stallion, then she would have been curious about the whereabouts of the horse’s owner. No sensible horse owner would leave their horse standing in the middle of a city, completely loose, well not unless a horse was trained to do so. Of course she did notice the shepherd mix that sat in front of her asking for attention. Naturally Nalean laughed at the dog and reached over to scratch her behind the ears. After all who could resist such an adorable face? “So who do you belong to?” she asked the dog, noticing that she seemed a bit on the skinny side.

She was enthralled by the dog, and glanced up with a look of surprise on her face when she heard someone apologize for the dog’s behaviour. A smiled soon replaced the look of surprise and she shook her head at the young man standing in front of her. “No need to apologise for Tyca’s wanting attention” she said, laughing when the dog basically collapsed obviously wanting a belly rub. She sighed as she knelt next to her and rubbed her belly. “I’m guessing, she doesn’t care much who gives her attention as long as she gets attention?” she said glancing up at the young man with a grin. She knew that there were people who had issues with dogs, but she wasn’t one of those people. To be honest Nalean adored animals, horses just happened to be her favourite. She heard a horse nicker and glanced back up seeing a buckskin stallion approach the young man. How on earth had she missed the horse that had been standing just a few feet from where she had been sitting?

She smiled and nodded when he introduced himself and his stallion. “Nalean Silverstar and this is Tornado” she said, as Tornado stepped forward, obviously wanting to sniff the other horse. She watched the two stallions closely, and held back a sigh of relief when neither stallion did anything silly. Tornado simply whiffed and attempted to shove his head into Finn. “Sorry, he has this habit of trying to get people to rub him behind the ears and this seems to be his latest trick” she said apologetically.

[FINN CALLUM ARCHER]

Tyca was obviously extremely pleased with herself and her accomplishment of meeting this young lady. Usually Ty was on guard, and she never went close to strangers. Finn had taught her that at a young age simply because in his opinion, no one could be trusted until they proved themselves. Even now he gazed at her with a slight wariness to his stance. He didn't want to seem rude or anything, but he had grown up learning to trust no one. It was just safer that way, in more ways than one. Watching the pretty girl interact with his shepherd mix, he couldn't help but smile. It was through his dog that he knew this girl could be trusted. Usually it took him longer to meet a conclusion, but Ty didn't go up to just anyone. And she certainly didn't reveal her belly to anyone unless she absolutely thought there was no harm. And as the dog collapsed onto her back with her tender underside exposed, Finn knew the truth.

He offered another smile and stepped closer, relaxing considerably. Ty had her uses, and Finn would be no where without that dog. He also wouldn't have gone very far without Cato either, and the stallion had proved his worth time and time again. The three of them were a team, and their bond was extremely strong. Finn patted the dappled buckskin's strong neck, glad that he had waited by the fountain, as always. He always had Cato stand somewhere that was in the middle of a public place. Then it wouldn't look too suspicious because people had their horses standing tied all of the time. Cato was never tied so that he could escape if the time came, but he always looked docile and not out of place at all. He usually napped until Finn got to him in all honesty. But now Finn's attention was turned towards the girl getting on her knees to scratch Tyca's belly. Well, he hadn't been expecting that. Raising an eyebrow, he smiled at her comment.

"She usually doesn't go up to people she doesn't know. I'ts obvious she trusts and likes you."

He said in slight surprise, not wanting to sound rude again. He hoped that the girl wouldn't take it the wrong way, but Ty had an awesome judge of character. He smiled once more and looked to her as she spoke up introducing herself. He offered her another respectful bow as she spoke her name and her stallion's. Tornado. It seemed fitting for the muscled stallion. He was gorgeous, there was no doubt about that. And it seemed he trusted his owner completely. That was another thing that made Finn like and trust this young lady. Anyone who had that kind of bond with their animals could be trusted. As Tornado came over to investigate Cato, the buckskin gave him a small, playful nudge, glad to have maybe found a friend for the moment. Finn suddenly felt himself being pushed off balanced, and he kept it by moving his feet quickly. Laughing slightly, he started scratching behind the gray horse's ears as Cato went over to investigate Nalean.

"No worries, Lady Nalean. He's a beautiful animal."

He said honestly, still scratching the horse's ears. He couldn't help but glance over as Cato started nuzzling Nalean's cheek as he searched her. Nalean was certainly beautiful, and Finn made himself look at Tornado so she didn't think he was staring.