I started scooting closer to the magnificent creature, but the horse shook its head and warned me that it would kick me I did not stop. I did as he requested and raised my hands in the air. I spread my thumbs and fingers.

"If you do not want me to get any closer to you, I will honor your wish," I said. "I only want to help you."

The horse snorted. "You want to help me. That is a bunch of baloney."

I lowered my hands and tilted my head to the side. "Why do you say that...um, what is your name?"

"Why the crub do you care what my name is?"

"I want to know what your name is because I want to know you. I care about you."

The horse squinted at me. "You care about me, huh? You know, that is exactly what my owners from the past claimed. That they cared about me. That they wanted the best for me."

I clutched my pendant around my neck. "I can only imagine what they put you through. I am curious as to what they did to you...but the last thing that you and I want is for you to relive the experiences."

This horse was one of the most beautiful horses that I had ever laid eyes on. It was a female. Her skin was beige, and her hooves were a bright yellow. Her eyes were dark purple, and both her mane and tail were a chocolate brown. I later found out that her name is Hot Chocolate. Hot Chocolate fits her perfectly.

"Are you injured?" I asked.

"I am just fine, thank you very much," Hot Chocolate replied sternly. "If you want to help me, you can start by leaving the barn and sending Grand Mar."

I hesitated. "...I wish that I could, but..."

"But what?"

"...Grand Mar cannot talk to you like that I am doing now. He cannot speak your language."

"I will believe that when I see him. Now please—"

She was interrupted by another horse who walked in the barn and greeted her.

"What is up, Hot Chocolate? Or in this case, what is down? Since that you are sitting on the hay."

"Haha. Very funny, Spot," Hot Chocolate said.

"So you finally like one of my jokes."

"I was being sarcastic."

Spot was the name of the other horse. At first glance, you would know why he was named that. Covering his white skin were large, brown spots. There even was a brown spot around one of his eyeballs.

I climbed to my feet and held out a hand. "May I pet you? You are just so magnificent."

"Do not listen to her, Spot!" Hot Chocolate shouted. "She is a human! She is just like the others!"

Spot's mane was yellow. So were his tail, which was wagging from side to side like a dog's, and his four hooves. He turned his head to me and squinted. "I know who you are."

I was not expecting him to say that. "You do?"

A wide smile spread across his animal face. He gave me a playful shove. "It is me, Maria. Spot."

It took me a few seconds to realize where I had seen him. I rescued him before I met Grand Wolf and the other wolves. He used to belong to my parents.

Tears formed in my eyes as I stood on my tiptoes and wrapped my arms around his neck. I honestly thought that I would never see him again.

Hot Chocolate panicked. "Goodness! She is choking you, Spot!"

"She is not choking me," Spot reassured her. "She is hugging me."

"Does not look like that she is hugging you."

"I cannot believe that it is you," I said. I pulled away from him and wiped away my tears. "What are you doing here?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing, Maria. Why are you in this village? Why the crub are you not in the kingdom with your parents?"

I rubbed the back of my neck. "It is a long story."

"Well, I have all day, Maria." He turned around, and his tail stopped wagging. "Hop on. We can ride into the open fields together."

"Oh, no," Hot Chocolate said as she rose to her feet - hooves. "You are not going anywhere with that girl without my supervision."

"Hot Chocolate, she is my friend. I have known her from the moment that I was born. She saw my mom give birth to me."

Hot Chocolate's face saddened. "I thought that I was your friend."

"You and Maria are my closest friends."

"Oh. I am suddenly competing for your friendship."

I was not frustrated with Hot Chocolate. After what her past owners pushed her through, I did not blame her for being a jerk to humans. She was frightened. Frightened that yet another human would force her to go through the trauma. I needed to gain her trust.

I smiled. And I knew just how.

Behind the village was a long and wide field that the villagers used to plant their flowers and harvest their crops. Children and teenagers were allowed to play in the open field as long as they did not disturb the flowers or harvest. Animals such as horses were the exception to the rule. They were allowed to eat some of the crops.

I laughed as Spot carried me into said field. My hair was dancing in the wind and got caught in my mouth a few times. But I did not mind. I was just so happy that Spot and I were reunited.

Five minutes after Spot galloped through the field, I heard the sound of splashing. I asked if there was a river or lake nearby.

"There is a lake a mile from the village," Spot stated. "I can take you there if you want."

I agreed, and he brought me to the Mermaid Lake of Castov.