The Midnight Ride

The full moon shone brightly giving a blue like tint to her raven colored hair while the burning coals on the burner before her gave a red glow to her hands. Tonight was the perfect night for what she had planned. A slight breeze plucked at her hair and stirred the leaves into mini whirlwinds. The river bubbled along its own merry little tune somewhere for to her left, just out of sight but not out of hearing.
Letting a sigh fall gracefully from her lips, she began to work. She took a handful of her rosemary leaves and let them fall onto the brazier, breathed in the scent. Letting her eyes close she starts to clear her mind. Soon she is no longer in the clearing. She is wrapped in the fabric of her mind. All is dark and quiet, no stray thoughts find there way into her consciousness.

Soon she hears the sounds if horses’ hooves hitting the ground. She opened her eyes to see that she was no longer anywhere on the plane she knew. Before her was a host of spirits – damned souls. There were men standing all around each ghostly pale but laughing all the same. They were joking with each other and readying their massive horses that were pawing at the ground impatiently. They knew what was coming and wanted that freedom. The hounds howled and romped around feeding on the energy that over takes them just before a big hunt.
“Excellent,” she whispered to herself as she stood. “I’m just in time. They haven’t left yet.”

It was at this time that one of the men closest to her first noticed her presence. “What do you want here? There is nothing for one such as you. Go back to where you came from.”

“But sir,” she said, “ I come asking to join your hunt. I am of the old blood and it is my right to beg admittance and knowledge.”

“Once that was so, but it has been many years since one of the blood was able to find there way here. And you do not look like the dragons of old. How came you by this power?”

“The same way as every dragon before me. My soul was among the first born. I am a protector, a healer, and I come to take my rightful place.” She stood her ground staring into his eyes. Willing him to see her defiance and her past in her eyes. Her power rose around her, swirling patterns of light and shadow seamlessly sown together.

After a long while, he bowed his head and whispered, “My lady I would be honored if you would ride with me.” She smiled and nodded her head, pulling her power back within her, locking it in place.

Taking the offered hand, she swung her leg over the horse’s back and took her place at the reigns. The horse stomped his feet, frightened by the unusual presence on his back. She whispered comforting words of familiarity in his ear. She told him tales of the rides they had been on in the past and will continue to have lifetimes here after. He settled down and allowed her to pet his mane.

Soon it was time to ride. All the men mounted their rides and looked to the north. A large gate appeared and opened. At an unseen signal, all the riders bounded forth and we once again riding the winds of time and change.

She sat back and watched as world after world flew past. Some were utopian in ideals and others no better than the dark times. There were beautiful colors the like of which are never seen on our plane, save maybe in the feary lands.
As they rode the host itself was changing. New souls were added among the rides and some souls were lost. But there was always an equal balance. For in the depths magick, all are equal.

At last the riders reached the human plane of existence. They rode through all the countries and lands, heeding no boundaries or laws. They were above them and for a time so was she. She tasted what true power and knowledge was like once again and her soul delighted.

As the first rays of dawn’s light pierced the horizon the riders passed her clearing. There in the middle was the brazier she had left burning. The rider she was with parted from the rest as allowed her to slide down from her perch. Before her feet touched the ground, he caught her by the elbows and turned her to him.
“If ever you wish another ride, young Dragon, call me. I will come for you,” he whispered into her ear.

With a soft kiss to her forehead, he let her go. As her feet touched the ground he vanished leaving only a slight mist where he had been but a moment before. She smiled and whispered; “You haven’t seen the last of me, Rider. That I promise you.”
Every time the mists crawl along the world, she thinks of the riders and that night spent learning. Some times she thinks that from the corner of her eye she catches sight of the rider smiling and waiting for her call, but she is never certain.