Post by Black Jewel on Dec 28, 2007 15:16:18 GMT -8
In the Wild
Prologue
Prologue
Ears pricked, nostrils quivering, electricity hung in the air, ready to snap and crackle at the slightest disturbance, for the storm was coming.
The dark grey stallion looked back at his herd, dainty muzzle raised from his chest as if he were counting them. The many hooves were lightly rapping the ground, as the band rushed to catch up with their leader, who had gone on ahead. A buttermilk dun was lingering at the back, snapping at a foal that was slowing down. She tossed her black mane and regained cantering; still remaining at the back, making sure the herd went on. She was the lead mare. She stopped a second to gaze up at her weary stallion, standing on top of the slight hill, looking down where they would journey next.
The dark, purplish clouds rumbled together in a circular rhythm, but not a breeze picked up the yellowing blades of grass.
The buttermilk dun stopped and shook her head viciously, a slight terror in her eyes.
I remember it still…
The stallion turned his head again and whinnied for the band to hurry, and then he turned back. He looked out and over the river, past valleys, through mountains, to the horizon, where something was brewing. His eyelids went lower over his eyes, so he could see better for a few seconds, but still, nothing.
Content that everything was safe, he started down the hill, head moving up and down to the rhythm of his feet. He partially slid, as the hill was steep. Avalanches of dust clouded his footsteps, as he delicately placed one worn but tough hoof after the other.
The buttermilk dun stayed behind. Her eyes were wide, like she saw something the others didn’t. Her golden tan coat was shaking, getting darker every moment for the sweat that was pouring out onto it. Her mouth was open; the chips of white shell that were her teeth were quivering. A small noise escaped her throat; something that sounded like fear and warning, but no one heard it.
I wish I had seen…
Tension lingered in the air like the sun just before it rose. It was so heavy that the band could scarcely breathe, but their hooves went on. It was so heavy on their souls but only the lead mare and stallion had dared make a sound, for fear that it would set it off. What they were afraid of, they did not know.
But I know now…
Then it happened.
Lightning struck the ground with a crack that released the tension but poured out the fear. Dangerously thundering the ground, it would not stop. It was no ordinary storm; it was a lightning storm, a lightning shower, a lightning downpour. The earth shook as fire was ceaselessly poured onto it; cracking and burning as it went.
The horses scrambled in confusion, racing from the storm that could not be outrun. Panic seeped into their hearts, forcing them on into the dark mist of death. Chaos rang throughout the valley, spreading it quickly.
The dark grey stallion through out a raspy neigh and tried to control his band, but he, too, was overcome with the need to flee. He ran in the middle of the heard, confused as the rain and fire pelted down upon them. He searched; he searched for his lead mare, so desperately trying to restore the order.
But something happened…
Shouts filled the valley. Not neighs, not whinnies. The buttermilk dun slid to a stop and listened. The more she did, the more she trembled. She neighed out with ferocity, a warning, but the band went on. So she leapt forward into them and tried to stop them, but not before the dark grey stopped. His band rushed on in front of him. Then everything stopped.
That’s what started it…