The hooves stumbled to a stop.

She rubbed the rain out of her eyes and peered upwards. She was met by the sight of a huge, sleek chestnut horse with a pale cream mane and bright, intelligent eyes. It had no rider. There was no highwayman.

She was safe.

The horse was cantering back and forth on the road in front of Lily, whinnying and snorting with impatience. Steam danced upwards from its hulking muscles, giving it a sparkling, magical air of otherworldliness. The steed’s chestnut coat rippled like flickering flames; it looked fit for the mightiest warrior, ready to charge headlong and fearlessly into battle. Lily couldn’t believe her luck.

She clambered to her feet and took a tentative step towards the horse, careful not to put weight on her ankle. She held out a shaky hand and let the horse come to her. The huge beast trotted forwards and nuzzled its nose into Lily’s hand and then turned so that she was faced with its flank. There was a beautiful, supple leather saddle already sitting perfectly on the horse’s back, with ‘Morrigan’ carved around the curved edge.

‘Morrigan,’ Lily whispered to herself, tracing the intricate letters with her finger. The horse gave a satisfied whinny and nestled its nose into Lily’s neck. ‘That’s your name? Morrigan?’ Lily took the subsequent grunt as a yes.

In the pocket of the saddle, Lily noticed a small corner of white sticking out awkwardly, contrasted against the honey-brown of the leather. She tugged on the corner and it came free. It was a torn-off piece of paper with rough edges and deep folds. Unfurling it, Lily read the six short words that would give her the first tangible hope she’d felt since she left Uncle Alf and Alder Vale behind:

The sign you seek is here.

Lily glanced around again, wondering whether this horse had simply bolted and left its poor rider behind, but there wasn’t a soul to be seen. Lily remembered what the apothecary had said just before she left. When you see a sign … take it.

This had to be it. Morrigan was here for her. Lily spared herself the agony of fixating on the details, of the how and the why. Morrigan could help her reach Alice in half the time. And, she mused, at least now I’m not alone anymore.

Reaching into her pack, Lily withdrew one of the apples she’d packed for her journey. As an offering of kinship, she held it out on a flat palm for the horse. Morrigan didn’t hesitate to gobble it straight out of Lily’s hand, and nuzzled her once more in thanks.

‘I guess we’re to be friends then, you and I?’ Lily stroked the bridge of Morrigan’s nose, which inspired another satisfied whinny from the horse.

Lily slung her pack over Morrigan and attached it with one of the saddle’s many brass buckles. She had always felt an affinity with animals, with the natural world, and this was no different. Morrigan was here to help her, yes, but she would give Morrigan the love, care, and attention she deserved, too. It was only fair.