The Starlight Stair. The Legend of Kiva

Wareska is a witch, a woman born with mana in her blood and as a result, able to cast spells. When Wareska's teacher dies, she finds herself wandering the wilds with her companion, a horse which can speak with her telepathically. She and the horse live in peace for a time, until a strange, dark sickness sweeps over the land, sapping it of life and color. Rivers run dry and animals shrivel away, as if the very life had been sucked from them.
Wareska soon discovers the means to stop the land-sickness and sets off on an adventure to do so, facing down aggressive unicorns, evil spirits, ice-breathing dragons, and traveling through the shadowlands of the dead. --Shadowmane sighed as well. :We had better do what this Topaz commands. Unicorns are jerks when they don't get their way.: --:No, : Wareska said at once, :we should go back.: She heard the horse laugh softly into her mind. :Wareska, : she said in amusement, :it is not like you to ever look back.: :I look back when sense dictates.: :It is hard for horses to look back.
We don't really have shoulders. I guess we look back over our butt?: Wareska laughed sadly. --:So we'll talk and then you'll eat me?: :No, Ravensoul. Brunahiem, : the creature said in irritation and swore in the ancient tongue of the dragons. :Do you think me a mere beast? As if dragons only cared for eating and hoarding. Brunahold! As if wizen tasted well anyway. You taste like little donkeys.: :What do you want then?: Wareska asked wearily.
:I'm kind of in the middle of saving the world. You know .