White Horse Kingdom, Stormhold.
The White Horse Hueston pigeon had grown a thick coat of gray feathers to welcome the coming autumn.
It beat its wings furiously, soaring over the endless Golden Grain Plain, leaving a tiny, moving gray speck against the vast blue sky.
After crossing a Birch Forest, the pigeon found Arthur and his two companions camping beside a babbling brook, resting on a grassy patch.
The sky was just beginning to brighten. Count Brand stood on Arthur's shoulder, dozing off, his little head bobbing down. But he was quickly startled awake by the FLAP of the "uninvited guest's" wings.
He shook his head, now wide awake. Seeing the gray pigeon attempting to land, he instantly grew wary, his dark little eyes filled with scrutiny.
He kicked Arthur's helmet with his claw, making a soft tapping sound as a warning.
Before Arthur could ask, Glen had already acted, extending his arm to let the gray pigeon land steadily on his leather bracer.
