He decided that his new friend was absolutely mad.
He'd nearly passed her by that night in Bree, walking with his head down, buried deep within the heavy folds of his traveling cloak as was his habit. The dim torchlight barely illuminated his surroundings, and mostly just casted a pale golden aura over the silhouettes of objects and people.
But somehow she'd recognized him and called out as he walked. The otherling was riding a sturdy steed now, one with a dark coat and fine shape. It was an impressive sight, even in the shadow. She was herself a massive giantess of lumbering brawn, but atop a horse large enough to bear her easily she was a frightful view to behold.
After exchanging greetings, the otherling explained that she'd acquired the horse in trade for some manner of hunting she did for a local farmhand. Silently he wondered if she'd needed to do any favors at all to get whatever she wanted considering her physique, but he said nothing. She claimed that the horse chose her, which did not seem absurd as he knew horses to be intelligent beasts. But the next part of her recollection, spoken with a fully serious expression, did give him pause.
"His name is Braesel. He told me so.”
Deep within his hood, one eyebrow raised nearly to his hairline. He was glad it was hidden when he realized. She went on to have a conversation with the animal right then, which of course he could not perceive or understand – the horse snorted, she neighed, and it was all very strange.
He was going to have to be careful with the slowly unhinging behemoth.
She asked him to visit her camp again soon before parting.
… he'd better figure out how to get the honey and berries she requested.
