Markup View

Author: Dalillama

Apr 17th 2014 at 3:50:38 PM

The Companions of the ''Literature/HeraldsofValdemar'' series are magical horselike beings which bond to a particular human rider.  The Companion always chooses the human, never vice versa.  Being Chosen by a Companion makes someone one of the titular Heralds, who serve as a combination of Mounties, circuit judges, military scouts and Search and Rescue service, among other things.  Heralds are considered to be intrinsically incorruptible, because the Companions don't Choose people who would take bribes or the like.  It is also required that the ruler of the country be a Herald, and no one who has not been Chosen by a Companion is eligible to be ruler or heir.
* ''Literature/TheWarGods'' has the Sothoii Coursers, the descendants of magically altered horses.  They are as intelligent as humans as well as being larger, stronger, faster and having more endurance than any natural horse. Some of them will enter into a psychic bond with a human (who are called Windriders).  Like the Heralds and their Companions, the Windriders are respected by all Sothoii, and are guaranteed to be honorable (as the Sothoii see it anyway).  Coursers won't associate with anyone who isn't.