Freedom, strong wind gusts lifted her higher and higher as she soared.  Sloane made a split second decision and tucked her wings. Diving faster than a Peregrine falcon she plummeted towards the earth just as the sun began to rise and once again spread its warm rays.    About a quarter mile above the dangerous tree tops she opened her wings with a snap and sped across the forest at lightning speed. Her purple scales glinted in the early morning light, as she willed her body to transform.  Scales turned to smooth olive skin, sharp wicked claws to short blunt, useless nails. Her eyes were remained though, keeping their vibrant purple color even as a human. Dropping like a rock she landed on a thick branch, grabbing her leather pack she headed towards where her horse was waiting.  
	A high whinny greeted her and Sloane smiled at him.  Her horse was a magnificent Arabian stallion she had named Sebastian, at 16 hands he was taller than the average horse but his gentle nature suited them together just fine. His dark red bay coat glinted in the sunlight. Sebastian or Seb, as he was nicknamed by Princess Irina, was a gift to her.  Since Sloane rode wherever her majesty went her ladyship thought it be imperative that she have a good horse of her own. A gift for taking up the mantle as her protecter on journeys.  Seb wore no saddle, just a simple brown blanket and bit. His intelligent dark eyes took in her evey move as she strapped her leather sacks into place.
	   With a leap she was on him her curly brown hair flew everywhere, Seb tossed his mane and turned back towards the trail towards the castle.  At a slow canter they reached the inner gates within minutes, people were just starting to get up and begin their day. Blacksmiths where poking the hot coals from the day before. Stable boys strode towards the royal horse keep to begin their daily work.   She waved to Caleb, a young boy she had met when she first came to the castle who gave her pointers on how to ride.  Dismissing the few boys who stood to take care of her horse she slid of him with a grunt. Sloane took care of her horse herself. As per usual, Caleb brought her a bucket of water. Setting it down he chuckled at the twigs in her hair. 
	"Wherever do you go on those morning rides of yours? You always come back as if your were dragged through nettles and tossed in a leaf pile."  Sloane rolled her dark green eyes at him and dipped a cloth in the water. 
	"I go along the trails of course," she lied with a smirk. Caleb shook his head and laughed. His broad shoulders took up the stall door.  At six feet tall with bright red hair and piercing blue eyes he could be very intimidating. To Sloane however, he was being cute.  Obviously not believing her he shook his head, sending curls every which way. 
	"Oh well, you won't tell me." Smiling with a wave he turned and went on with his day, leaving her to clean her horse in peace. 
Sloane scrubbed him with light soap from head to toe. Pinching his back legs she picked out his feet before moving on to brush his mane.  A loud knock on the stall door made her jump and drunkan laughter rang out behind her. 
	Raising her brow she opened the door wide allowing Sebastian to peek his head out. 
	"Can I help you, gentleman?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm. She touched the leather handle of the knife in her riding jacket as Sebastian stood by her. 
	One man stepped forward into the light.  His shirt was stained recently, the blonde hair was messy and his boots looked like they have never been cleaned.  "Actually yes, my names Rob." Rob's hand reached out to grab her just as Sebastian, quick as a snake bit down on it with his teeth. Rob howled in pain as his two buddies stepped forward. 
	"You control that horse, bitch!"  Smacking the Seb on the nose as the other man grabbed Sloane. She bit into the hand that covered her mouth and scraped her riding boot heel down his shin before stomping on his feet.  Seb, occupied with two men reared up and lunged at the too unfortunate souls beneath him. One man lay on the ground, his head bleeding while Rob stood and shouted profanities.