"By the Main God's witness! This four-legged riding beast called a 'horse' actually has emotions like a human, joy and anger like a human!... I've never seen such a clever, enormous walking beast, almost like a person... This truly is a divine beast that carries divinity in its bloodline!..."
"Huh? My lord? What did you say?... A horse, like a person?... Uh! As heaven is my witness! Villagers can live on leaves and grass roots, how could they be as precious and delicate as horses?... But you're right, this horse has thoughts of its own. A good big horse is like... like the direct line of a warrior house... Someone has to serve it carefully and go along with its wishes!... Well, if a warrior lord gets angry, he draws his blade and cuts down villagers like grass. But if this horse gets angry, it will... well, refuse to eat grass, make itself sick, and die right in front of you!..."
"Mm... Ichiro, you're right! Horses are indeed living beings with divinity. They must be cared for properly, and we cannot let them fall ill... Look, the way it tilts its head and looks at people, it's like... mm, like a spirit deer full of curiosity!..."
"Huh? Priest, it's tilting its head and looking at you out of the corner of its eye?... Uh... That's... that's because it isn't familiar with you yet, so it's rather wary... You are an honored shrine priest, so it absolutely wouldn't dare to... well... uh... despise or look down on you..."
The sea breeze blew gently past the swaying bonfire. Three Mongol horses were tied beside sturdy pines, now and then taking a drink of clear stream water, now and then lowering their heads to crop the fresh, tender grass. Everyone gathered around them,