The horses in the stable went wild, they knew the storm was coming.

But then again, anyone could see the dark clouds looming in the distance. The black cloud a wall against the bright blue of the sky over our little inn.

“Don’t just stand there boy, go rein them in!” Shouts Mr. Bard from inside the kitchen. He limps out the door and glares as he adds, “I don’t pay ya to stand around like a useless pile of dung.”

“Of course sir. Sorry, sir.” I mumble, unable to break my gaze from the black mass quickly approaching. That man has a sixth sense for knowing when I’ve stopped to take a break. I make my way tot he stables where the horses are whinying.

Mr. Bard snorts and waddles back inside to attend to his guests. We have a full house tonight, like every night since the war started. You’d think the good business would make him happy for once, but even the endless mounds of gold couldn’t scrape the scowl plastered on his bloated face.

I turn my attention to the horses. All of them stomp and whiny as I enter the stable. Every single pair of eyes are wide and wild. If the doors were wide open, I’m sure we’d have a stampede on our hands.

“There, there. It’s just a storm. It will pass.” I go from stall to stall and try my best to calm them. Even comforting pats and apple slices don’t do the trick.

“It’ll pass alright. And take all of us with it.” Says a deep voice.

I whip around to see a tall stranger leaning against the door. He’s dressed in all black and wears a hood over his head. His eyes are shrowded in shadow, but his is smirk is visible in the candlelight. Two large swords poke out behind his back, nearly glowing in the soft light. His hands rest lightly on the daggers that rest on his hips.

“What do you mean by that?” I still can’t see the stranger’s eyes, but I can feel his gaze upon me.

“I mean, that’s no storm. That dark cloud is the front of the Imperial Army.” He stands up tall and his head nearly hits the doorframe as he walks over to the black mare in the first stall. He reaches out his hand and gently strokes her nose.

“But, how? —“

“It’s led by witches and warlocks.”

A clap of thunder erupts in the distance. One of the horses stands up on its hind legs and begins screeching, causing the other dozen or so to neigh, whiny, and scream right along with her. I rush over to grab her reins and steady her. She goes still after a few pats, and she leans her head against mine. The others follow suit.

“But witchcraft is illegal, and has been for a century. How can their army be led by witches?” With all the travelers that have pass through our inn, there’s no way that juicy piece of information would have slipped our ears.

“Illegal for peasants like us, sure. Not for the powerful and influential.” He takes his hood off and stares at me with unnaturally green eyes. He turns around and walks out the door, beckoning me to follow.

I’d think this man was crazy if it wasn’t for his steady voice and the certainty in his words. Something about him makes me believe him.

“That would mean they’re coming right for us.” I stand next to him and watch as the dark cloud gets nearer.

“Precisely.” He watches the black wall intently before turning his gaze to me. “So are you coming with me or not?”

“What? Why?” I stammer.

“You want to stay alive, don’t you?” That unnerving gaze pierces through me.

“Ye- yes?”

“Then come along.” He walks back to the stable and walks up and down the stalls. The man pauses in front of two brown horses. He unties them from their stall and leads them both out the back.

I run over, not sure if I should yell for help or assist him. The black cloud looks closer, approaching at an impossible speed. The stranger makes quick work of the two saddles, expertly strapping them in place.

“We can’t just steal them,” I start.

“It’s not necessary stealing if their master is dead.” He jumps up on the back of the stead closest to him. Without a second glance he tosses me the reins. “You can stay behind and die, or you can come with me and live. You’re in charge of your own destiny.”

With that, he takes off at a trot. He doesn’t bother to look back. The black wall of clouds is just over the hill, less than a league away. Something about the clouds does seem unnatural, if not evil. They’re darker than night itself, blacker than the deepest cave. Lightning flashes, casting light across shadows deep within the clouds.

It wouldn’t hurt to follow this strange man with the green eyes. For the horses that is. I can’t just let this man walk away with two horses. I climb on top of the horse and take off after him.