Shining in the failing moonlight, a rope slips over her head as she grasps my hand.
Another noose falls around my throat and jerks me backwards. I fumble at it, struggling to free myself and climb. The rope jerks me again, much harder, pulling me down, cutting off my breath. My bruised hoof slams against a rock spur. The pain completes my disorientation. I stumble again, falling and sliding on the stone. I am lost.
When next I am aware of anything I feel warm droplets falling on my shoulder. I open my eyes, and see the masters leading Elfleda back down the mountain. She is at the center of a web of ropes, around her throat, her arms, her waist, binding her hands, but she holds her head erect. One of the humans reaches out and pulls her black-tipped tail. She lashes out with a sharp hind hoof and half-turns toward him, but the other humans drag her around.
I lunge up. The ugly human boy reaches out to stop me, too late. I scream and fall back, shuddering, panting, suddenly cold and wet with sweat. When I lie still the pain is only a great throbbing.
'I'm sorry,' the boy whispers. 'I didn't know...'
I push myself slowly up on one elbow, straining to see yet not move my hindquarters. Blood is black in the moonlight, but dawn will soon turn the patch beneath me scarlet. Bones protrude from my shattered leg.
Elfleda and the humans disappear among the trees as I sink back to the ground. I can only see the paling sky and the single human. 'Help me... please help me...' But he is wiping the tears from his cheeks, pushing the hair from his forehead. It must be the kind moonlight and dawn that make him appear less coarse, less uncertain. There is no magic here.
'Elfleda,' I whisper, and the boy gazes blankly down, as if he never knew her name.
Behind me I can hear the footsteps of two more humans, as they approach me one last time.
Published by Alexandria Digital Literature. (http://www.alexlit.com/)
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