-Zela-

Everything happened so quickly. Somehow, the boy called Rahkki had tamed Echofrost. At first, Zela could not believe her ears. How could Echofrost, or Sula, as all the other Kihlara called her, have been tamed? Kol had scolded her multiple times for calling her Echofrost, the pegasus, but Zela paid him no heed. True, he was her elder, and she should respect him, since she was, after all, just a foal. But then she would be just like all the other Kihlari, (or pegasi, as she liked to refer to them now), tamed, obedient, and not at all independent. Now everything seemed to have changed. Echofrost, the most model pegasi Zela could think of, (and the only one, other than Shysong, but she didn't count) had become just another Kihlara -boring, normal, and not a all something special. Still, Zela clung to her hope that Echofrost was just pretending, acting, fooling everyone.

Except me, Zela thought. She hasn't fooled me. She may not know I even exist, but she will soon. I want to go back with her, to find other pegasi. I know they are out there somewhere, waiting for Echofrost and Shysong to return. Now, all there is to do, is get Echofrost to notice me, become friends, and leave this place. Well, that will work when pigs fly.

Zela turned her attention to the pigs, willing them to sprout wings and fly away. No matter how much she willed it to happen or glared her hardest at the pigs, they seemed to enjoy being glued to the ground, flightless. Sighing noisily, she almost collided into Echofrost.

"Echofrost," neighed Zela, barely containing her excitement. "I cannot believe I am finally meeting you!"

"Nice to meet you-" She waited for Zela to tell her the her name.

"Oh, I'm Zela," squealed the foal.

"Nice to meet you, Zela. My name is Sula," Echofrost purposely emphasized her Kihara name.

Zela giggled, "You can't fool me, Echofrost. I know you want to leave, and I want to come with you. I am descended from a proud family that has not forgotten Lake Herd."

At that, Echofrost glanced at Zela, "What do you know about Lake Herd?"

Under Echofrost's half glare/half stare, her confidence crumbled, "E-enough. I know

t-they c-came here to get a-away f-from s-something, or s-someone." Why did I have to stammer? Now Echofrost will think I can't speak correctly.

"ZELA!" She cringed at his familiar voice. Harak. What a nice surprise.

"You think she will grow up to be an amazing Kihara, even better than her father?" And the queen, Zela noted. Another great surprise. Her two least favorite people.

"Oh yes, my queen. Even the runt prince and his rotten older brother likes her. I overheard him say she looks better than Kol when he was a foal," Harak looked murderous when he mentioned Kol, Rahkki, and Brauk. She felt Echofrost tense beside her.

"Zela? "Harak scoffed. "Who named her? I mean, seriously, what kind of a name is that?"

"I did," Replied the queen, glaring daggers at him.

Gulping, Harak marched up to her. She snorted, and tried to fly away. Harak gruffly grabbed one of her wings and made her land.

"Echofrost, you should leave, now!" She must have heard the urgently in Zela's voice, because she nodded stiffly, and flew back to Rahkki, who was in a different field. Why had Harak and Lilliam come? And what did they want, anyways?

"Yes," muttered the pregnant queen. "I suppose she may make a suitable Kihara for one of my daughters. You are dismissed."

Confused, yet obedient, the young man stalked off.

"I have other plans for you, Zela. You look good enough for my dragon to eat, or a giant. You should hope one of your other siblings look more fat, or tasty. I have a few new ideas that may help me become queen forever, and it involves you little Kihari," She cackled, like it was the most funny thing she had ever said. She began petting Zela, lost in thought. "I know you horses can't understand, but that's why I love talking to you. Even if I told you all my secrets or plans, you can't do a thing about. You just look cute, and blink innocently." She stopped petting Zela and patted her huge belly. "Good-bye for now, Zela. I hope you live long enough to see me triumph."

What secrets, what plans? If only I could read minds, Zela thought blissfully. I might finally be able to do something useful...