With all the logs now floating downriver, Master and the other two elves packed up their camp and put the tools and ropes on my back. Then all three of them jumped up on my back. I could barely feel the weight after dragging trees, and we set off for home. I was more content than I could ever remember being, pleased with my work and happy to have the approval of Master, who kept patting my neck and telling me what a magnificent horse I was. Still, there was something nagging at the back of my mind. I felt like I was missing something, that I wasn't quite right. Master seemed to sense my worries, for he knelt on my back and rubbed the back of my head as we plodded through the trees. "You don't need numbers, you don't need writing." Numbers flickered in my head, and I had a curious sense of loss as they winked out. Funny shapes on paper and symbols on electronic screens went next, and again I had a momentary concern. But each time it happened things were simpler, easier to understand. Master was right. I did not need anything that was not horse.
A small shape suddenly ran in front of me and I had to stop. My ears went back and I whinnied as the small shape shouted angrily at Master. I had to turn my head sideways to get a clear look - a human youth with horns and a tail. Recognition was slow in coming, but I finally remembered Runt. I snorted. Why was he messing things up now? He hadn't wanted me to go with the elves in the first place, and now he was jealous because I was a beautiful, powerful .... horse.
Runt must have done something to restore my intelligence, because I could understand the shouts now. "...just supposed to help, not be an animal for the rest of his life!" Runt pointed an accusing finger at Mas... at the leader of the elves. "We have places to go, and I can't leave without him!"
So that was it! Runt abandoned me until he realized he had to have me to get out of this place. I snorted. He was selfish and evil, not like these nice elves...who had turned me into a normal horse. I knew then with total certainty that I was an animal. Not a person transformed into a centaur and then into a horse. Somehow the elves had remade my core self. Being a horse wasn't just normal to me, it was what I was to my very soul. Part of me didn't mind at all, but it annoyed me that the elves would have tricked me instead of just telling me what they wanted. I would have been happy to become their horse... wouldn't I?
The elves argued that there was no point in my leaving them. I was a horse and would be forever, and they would keep me happy and safe. Runt countered that they had broken some sort of word bond that could get all of them turned into horses by their council. I did not understand that part, and I got the idea that the elves were not all that afraid of Runt's threats. But when he questioned their honor, they got very flustered and upset. "He offered to help us! And he came along and worked wonderfully and let me change him - I did ask!"
I vaguely remembered something about shifting mass from my arms to my body. Runt scowled, apparently reading my thoughts as he had done before. "At no time did you give him a choice. Let him decide now if he wants to spend the rest of his life as your beast of burden, or come back to his own world with me."
The leader of the elves smiled suddenly and nodded. "Of course! I would not ever force another into servitude. Fine four-legged friend, do you wish to remain with us as a treasured ally? I guarantee a long life of contentment and perfect health, the best of care and sweet clover. Or you can go back to this minor demon. We will not think ill of you either way, and should you somehow decide to risk travels with the imp, you will always be welcome to return to us when he betrays you."
"Oh, that's a really open choice." Runt shook his head in disgust. "Think about it. While you can, because if you go with them thinking won't be something you can do any more. You'll be a happy horsy, a contented animal grazing in the fields without an intelligent thought in your head. Or you can come with me and have a real life with some excitement and the ability to comprehend the difference between existing and living."
The elves all got off and removed my harness and backpacks. The leader gestured to a pond just off the trail. "Take a good look before you decide." Runt nodded his head. "Yeah, good idea."
I shuffled to the pond and stared at my reflection. The horse I saw was incredible - powerfully muscled, with sleek mahogany hide and flowing white feathering. I was an idealized stallion, so perfect I hardly looked real. The reflection filled me with pride, and I felt something in my mind wavering. The Master looked at me with admiration and pride, and if I let the wavering fall his way I would be his property forever. Property. Runt saw me as a necessary companion, someone to play with. Someone. A person, if inferior to him.