(Quick Authors Note: This should have appeared last chapter, but it seems I forgot to copy and paste this part into the last chapter. Yes, I know Dun Stallion is part of her noble phantasm, but I just felt like writing it like this cause I thought it would be cool. If there was to be some kind of explanation then when asking for the abilities at the beginning nothing was mentioned about Dun Stallion. So yeah, sorry about any confusion caused and stuff like that.)
'That horse looks way too much like Dun Stallion to be a coincidence. This is literally a 'when life gives you lemons' situation.'
The horse was just calmly grazing on some grass. It wasn't aware that I was currently observing it. How should I approach this?
'Should I approach slowly with my hand reached out showing I mean no harm? Or should I sneak up on it and get on its back and force it to to obey me? Or a mix of both?'
'Ok. Here's the plan, approach slowly to show that I don't mean harm and then quickly attempt to get on its back to ride it. It will probably try to knock me off, but I got this.'
I go out into the clearing purposely making noise to attract its attention. It turned towards me, but it didn't immediately run away, which is good. It was wary towards me though. It was prepared to run away if necessary.
It had its head low while it was looking at me. It was slightly startled, but it got its composure back together quickly. Normally, most prey animals would run at the slightest sound, but this horse was different.
I was slowly approaching it, not making any sudden moves. I had my hand reached out with the intention of making contact. Slowly but surely I was getting closer. It was still wary, but not as much since it seemed to know that I had no intention to kill it or something like that.
Eventually, I got close enough to touch it. I slowly reached my hand out closer and touched its head. This is amazing progress so far, but now comes the hard part. Getting on its back as fast as possible to get it under control and tame it.
I was rubbing its head and slowly made my way to its side so that I was positioned to get on it by doing a simple jump while swinging my leg over it.
'Alright you got this, you've done this before even if it wasn't with a wild horse, but some stuff should still apply. Just gotta be fast and strong.' I had to hype myself for this one a bit.
'Alright, go time.'
I did a simple jump and quickly got on its back. The horse was startled by my movement and when it felt that I was sitting on it it started bucking and doing whatever it could to knock me off.
It was running and kicking up its back legs trying to throw me off. The whole time it was doing that I was bouncing up and down while trying to stay seated. It was a little tough to stay on considering that I was trying to ride with no saddle or reins or any kind of equipment.
"Alright, calm down a little, and let me ride you. You're not gonna knock me off easily, I'll be damned before I get dusted."
I was doing my best to hold on but there was little to hold on to except for its mane. I know it would hurt, but you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes.
It kept thrashing about, but while it was getting easier to control the horse, it kept trying harder to knock me off. It was sort of balancing out, but I knew it was getting tired. I just needed to hang on and fight back for a few seconds longer.
I was trying to fight back and I had some success. I was able to kind of steer the direction of the horse and even make it run a little bit, but not in full control.
The horse seemed to have one final move up its sleeve though. It was moving fast and gathering speed and it became evident what it was trying to do.
'It's trying to knock me off in one move by coming to a final stop! Kind of clever to be honest.'
I got myself prepared. The horse was going a straight line through the forest not caring about what was in the way. I was trying to get as much control as I could before it could come to an abrupt stop. It was working a bit as I was able to slow it down a little, but whenever my skills were making it easier, the horse was trying its absolute best to try to balance it out, but I was slowly winning.
It was coming. I braced myself as much as I could given the circumstances.
The horse came to a sudden stop and I could feel myself almost getting thrown off, but I held on tighter and I'm sure the horse was almost in pain, but hey, it escalated to this point, so many things were on the table.
It was only one moment, but I was able to do it. I held on successfully and the horse was now way calmer than at the beginning, but before I could say something the horse reared up, standing on its hind legs, while letting out a loud neighing sound before finally truly calming down.
"That was fun. We should do that again sometime." I said to the horse, but it didn't seem to understand me but I think it could feel what I was trying to convey. It was no longer trying to fight, it seemed to realize that I was a proper rider for it. "I should give you a name since we're going to be partners from now on."
I was thinking of some names, but I quickly dismissed the thought. If I was going to give the horse a name, I might as well keep to the original. If it ain't broke don't fix it, as the saying goes.
I got off the horse and it turned toward me while lowering its head a little bit.
"Your name will be Dun Stallion."
I felt a connection form as soon as I gave the name. I also felt some of my magicules decrease a little from the naming, but the loss was barely worth mentioning.
The horse started to glow brightly and the light dimmed the now-named Dun Stallion stood in all its glory.
'Thank you for giving me a name. I acknowledge you as my master.' There was a male-sounding voice communicating through my head which I assumed to be Dun Stallion. He probably gained thought communication from me naming him.
'It's not a problem Dun Stallion, I like your new look.' Dun Stallion was now bigger and taller, his mane and tail were now a much clearer white you could describe it as "majestic" in a way and there was a bit more muscle visible on his body.
His evolution almost makes me want to get on him again and tell him to try to knock me off to see how much a of harder time I will have. It's kind of exciting thinking about that. Unfortunately, I don't have the time right now since I have to head to the ogre village.
'I'll introduce myself. My name is Artoria Pendragon. I'm a divine-spirit/dragon hybrid, but don't go around telling that part to anyone unless I give you permission. I live in a little village that's rapidly developing. That's about it for now. I'm currently in a hurry to get somewhere. We can talk more on the way. Do you understand?'
'Understood master.'
'Another thing, you don't need to be so stiff with me. You can relax around me. If things get serious you'll know when the situation presents itself. Come on, I got some time to make up for.'
Dun Stallion gave me a response showing that he understood what I was telling him. I proceeded to get on him and this time, riding him was so much easier. Even when he is cooperating with me, it felt so much more natural for me, and commanding him also came very easily and naturally for me. And this is all without a saddle and reins on him.
I've ridden horses before with saddles before, but even then it didn't feel as good as right now. I can only imagine what it will be like when I get proper riding equipment. As soon as I get back I'm placing a priority order with Kaijin. The riding skill is no joke at all.
'Alright Dun Stallion, lets head off into the start of our new journey together.'
Dun Stallion gave a snort in response and went faster. The forest's obstructions proved to be no challenge to him at all.
It was time to confront the ogres.