Penelope walked into the stables, waving at the stable boys and girls. She strolled from horse to horse, patting and talking to the horses, until she had come to her favorite horse, Midnight, from when she was a page in the palace with scarce friends. She had spent ever free hour of her time with the horse, telling it all her problems, thoughts, and feelings.

She began patting Midnight, and the older horse looked up into her face. Her dark brown eyes were understanding; So Penelope began to talk softly to her. "Hi girl. How have ya been?" she cooed, "It's been a long time since I've seen ya. I missed ya a lot."

Midnight just stood there, listening intently, and giving an occasional neigh in reply. Penelope enjoyed here talk with the horse. She told Midnight all that had happeded in the last couple years, and she told her how she wanted to do something for Tortall, to prove herself worthy of her title. But there didn't seem to be a chance of that unless she leared quickly how to talk and be around people in a casual manner.