At the first light of dawn, Kira's eyes opened, and she got up from her bed.

The night before, after leaving the living room, she had headed upstairs, but then remembered she had to go get her weapons, and so, she made a quiet detour and went out to go see her horse.

"Hey," she whispered as she brushed her hand along his mane, smiling gently while looking at him.

Kai responded with a low grunt and nudged her shoulder, happy to see his rider.

Tied to his saddle, was a dark leather roll—her ...