Danta rode slowly up to the Emperors stables. It was a massive structure. He was not used to buildings. He could not fathom holding animals in any enclosure. As he rode up to the gate a guard came up to him from a hole in the wall.

"Halt", called the guard. "State your purpose."

"I wish to visit your animals."

"I am sorry, but you can't come in."

Just then there was a great noise from the stables. The Guard turned and ran into the great doors. Danta slowly followed in. All of the horses were going wild. They were all kicking at the stable walls. All of the men from the stable hands to the masters were trying to calm them.

A small bird flew down to Danta, and landed on his shoulder. Danta turned and whispered something. The bird flew off, and Danta turned to the closest stall. He rose up and looked into the stall. He whispered something. The horse suddenly calmed down.

Danta moved from stall to stall until all of the horsed were calmed. Danta stopped at the far end of the stable. He turned, and looked back. All of the men were standing and staring at him. One of them walked up to him.

"I am the master of the stable."

"I am Danta."

"How do you do that?"

"They trust me."

The stable master stood and stared at Danta, "Where do you come from?"

"I come from over the hill."

"You sound like a stranger. I would be a fool to turn you away. Would you like to work for me?"

"What would you want me to do?"

"Well, it is obvious that you could not be a stable hand. We need someone to gentle the beasts. I think you could do that, and well."

Danta started to settle down. The master gave him a stall so he could be next to his beast. He rolled his blankets out on the floor, and lay down. Staring up at the ceiling he thought about what he needed to do next. He needed to find a way to find Kalin. He didn't even know what was wrong with her; he just knew she was in trouble.

He needed a way to meet the Emperor. Danta needed to know how these people were ruled. How could he prevent them from attacking his people? He could not sleep. He lay and stared at the high roof of the stable.

He called his beast, and crawled up on her back. Slowly he rode around the stable. He spoke to each of the horses, getting to know each one. After speaking to each one he rode out the back of the stable. There he found a great forest for the exercise of the Emperors horses. He found many animals there. Rabbits, rodents, birds, dogs and cats; he spoke to each one as he met them. He learned a great deal about the land that they lived in.

After many hours he rode into the stable and slept for a couple of hours. After that he stared at the ceiling and composed some verse.

The sun slowly crept in, and the animals in the stable were waking up. The stable hands and horse handlers slowly set about their tasks. Danta sat and watched the activity. His stall had some bales at the back so he could sit high and watch the stable.

The stable master slowly walked by each stable, looking into each one. Danta sat and watched him. As the master got closer to Danta he looked down at Danta.

"We have some horses that are ready to be gentled. I would like to see how you do with them", the master said.

"You are not able to gentle these, I see", said Danta, not looking up.

The master stood and looked at Danta. He stared for a few moments. He looked up, "There are a few animals that are taking somewhat longer than is normal."

"Yes I see", Danta paused. "I suppose I could", he looked up.

"We will have them out in the corral in a few hours."

Danta stared at the master. He sat there for ten minutes. "Tell me their names. I will go meet them, and then I will tell you when and how I will gentle them."

"We do not give our animals names".

Danta stared, incredulous, "I will meet them and find their names."

The master was confused. He paused. He did not know how to answer Danta. The master had never known anyone to doubt him, or question him. He was the master of his realm and everyone did as he said. "You will do as I say."

Danta waited, he knew that he needed to take control of the situation. "I suppose I could do it your way. If so I think you would be better off putting one of your stable hands out there. You would not need me."

"You could try it my way, humor me", the master said.

Danta stared at the master with impassive eyes. "I see you do not trust me. As I am not your slave, I will go my why. Thank you for the warm bed. Come Beast we must be on our way."

The master watched him pack his meager belongings. Knowing he did not want to lose Danta, and since no one else was watching, he said "I could give you one chance."

Danta knew he had won, but did not want to gloat. "Thank you for the opportunity."

Danta sat in the middle of the field. His Beast stood to the side chewing on some grass. Four wild stallions were running around. Danta sat still and watched them. The Master and some of his men stood at a distance.

After a time Danta slowly raised a hand in the air. He spoke quietly. One of the stallions stopped, snorted once, and turned to look at Danta. Danta spoke again. The stallion put his head down and dug his front hooves in the dirt. Danta stared. Whispering he motioned the stallion to him with his hand. The stallion slowly walked to Danta and put his head down.

Danta touched his muzzle with his fingertips. He whispered quietly to the stallion for a few minutes. The stallion then quietly started to eat some grass.