The horse stood before me, black as night, and looked not like an animal at all — but like a sentient being who was tired of waiting.

  — What’s there to think about? — he said. —

  Call me Noxus.

  Short — Nox.

  I blinked.

  — …Alright, Nox.

  He snorted in satisfaction, lowered himself to the ground, and lay down as if resting beside an old friend.

  The whole group stared as if I’d suddenly grown wings and a tail.

  Even Haras raised one eyebrow in surprise — and for him, that was practically an earthquake.

  — Your horse… talks, — he said in his deep bass.

  I shrugged.

  — I… don’t know why myself.

  Noxus snapped his head toward me.

  — What do you mean “don’t know”?

  Who do you think I’m talking to right now — a wall?

  Finn choked on air.

  Elinia slightly clenched her fingers — the only sign of shock.

  Tara and Siren even took a step back.

  Norris came closer and leaned in.

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  — How did you… learn to speak?

  Noxus shook his mane irritably.

  — I’ve already explained!

  He cleared his throat, imitating humans.

  — Used to run away a lot.

  — Ran wherever my eyes led me.

  — One day I wandered into the Academy.

  — There was a tree there… a strange tree.

  — It gave me an apple.

  — And told me: eat the apple and drink water from the lake.

  We exchanged glances.

  “A tree” in the Academy?

  Everyone understood: an ent.

  Noxus continued:

  — So I did what it said.

  — And since then… I can talk.

  Seteya, who usually wasn’t surprised by anything, raised an eyebrow.

  — But if you could… why did you stay silent all this time?

  Noxus looked at her with an expression that clearly said:

  Are you really asking something this stupid?

  — And what was I supposed to do? If I’d spoken, you would’ve:

  a) killed me,

  b) sold me,

  c) handed me to some great hero… like Haras!

  Haras turned his head slightly.

  Noxus jabbed a hoof in the giant’s direction.

  — And what then? Carry that mass around?

  — I’d suffocate under him before he even finished putting on his boots!

  Haras didn’t take offense.

  More like… he thought about it.

  Probably for the first time in his life, he was considering how much he weighed.

  Finn burst out laughing and fell onto his side.

  Seteya turned away to hide her smile.

  Norris pressed his lips together, clearly fighting the urge to laugh.

  Noxus nudged my shoulder with his nose.

  — But Zen is small, light, and… hmm… unusual.

  — There’s strength in him.

  — He’s worthy of me.

  My throat went dry.

  He continued:

  — And by the way, ZEN!

  You are OBLIGATED to feed me apples later.

  Or something sweet.

  Or something tasty.

  I’m demanding.

  I let out a tired breath.

  — Fine. Okay.

  — Excellent! — Noxus snorted. — Then I’m yours, you’re mine. Let’s live peacefully.

  He pressed his head into my shoulder and closed his eyes, completely relaxed.

  Everyone stood in silence.

  Finn whispered:

  — …Your horse is smarter than half our group.

  Elinia quietly added:

  — And… more insolent.

  Seteya slowly nodded.

  — He chose you.

  — Remember that. Ones like that… don’t make mistakes.

  Haras said:

  — Now you are a pair.

  And Norris finally summed it up:

  — A sentient horse.

  A rarity… and a blessing.

  Noxus lifted his head.

  — A blessing is me.