Darkness grazed the grass on the edge of the scorched village. Drake and Hope sat for a while, looking at him. The scene was gorgeous, with the black stallion on the lush meadow and the duskier green forest behind it. They both knew that the view was entirely different if they dared to turn around and look back at the destroyed village.
Hope still hadn't said a word, but at least now she was walking and behaving seemingly normal, just a little upset, but with a stern expression. Drake got on the horse and reached out to help her up. She hesitated for a moment, then raised her hand but did not take Drake's hand, touching Darkness's head instead. The horse let out a painful and scared neigh and ran away. Drake barely kept his balance when the stallion took off.
