Chapter 09
Spring of Power
Buck skidded to a stop, catching up with Storm. Aristico lay on the ground unconscious, bleeding heavily from her flank.
"Oh Aristico." Storm whined, nuzzling her sadly. "I never wanted this to happen."
He turned his tear-licked face to Buck. "She's gonna die!"
Buck froze, thinking. This couldn't be the end! His thoughts raced to everything his grandfather and grandmother told him about the wild.
His thoughts searched, and searched, and found. "STORM!" he shouted, rearing up with a hopeful gleam sparkling in his eyes.
"What!" Storm yowled pitifully, tears streaking down his blue-grey cheek.
"There is a way to save her." Storm's eyes lit up. "There is a way."
"WHAT!" Storm yowled instantly, staring intensely at Buck.
"The Spring of Wisdom." Buck whispered.
"The what?"
"The Spring of Wisdom, my grandma told me about it."
"So." Storm cocked his head hopefully. "What is it?"
Buck inhaled, trying to recall what his grandmother said. "Uh-." he started. "It's an ancient spring that is home to a magical cat."
Storm froze. "What?" he thought for a moment. "How can a magic cat help Aristico?"
Buck thought harder. "The magic cat, Artherio, grants one wish to every pure soul."
Storm's eyes lit up. "Well where is it!?" he cried, hope lightening his voice.
"Um.." Buck searched his mind. He was about to say 'I don't know', when a low and fierce, yet familiar voice entered his mind.
"What-" Buck whispered." Storm didn't seem to notice.
"The Spring of Wisdom is in the Peaceful Meadows." the voice said.
"Where?" Buck asked, confusion rushing through him.
"The Peaceful Meadows." the voice repeated. "Right in front of you. Squint."
Buck squinted in front of him. Through the scorching heat of the desert, he managed to make out an end to the desert. What was after looked like a dream. Pure green grass.
"I see it!" he cried. "How do I get there!?"
"After you walk through the meadow for 8 minutes. Turn east. You should reach a tree with a small cave under it. Go into the cave. There should be a spring of pure blue water." the voice advised soothingly. "Call out 'Wish' to summon her.'
Buck nodded. Then, as if his nod was a signal, the voice vanished.
"Follow me." Buck neighed to Storm. Storm nodded and lifted Aristico by the scruff, placing her gently onto his back.
Buck galloped, Storm following behind closely, constantly looking behind himself to check on Aristico. They ran through the desert until rolling meadows became visible.
"There!" he gasped, feeling the course sand stop and lush green grass under his hooves. He then began to count.
He counted for several minutes, then turned to the east. Storm still followed closely. "Are we almost there!?" Storm cried. "Aristico isn't doing so well."
A tree came into view, with what appeared to be a cave under it. "Almost!" he cried.
They ran for another minute until they reached the tree. "In here!" Buck whinnied, skidding to a walk. Storm copied and followed Buck into the cave.
YOU ARE READING
Wild Horses: The Valley
General FictionThere once was a land ruled by horses. A land were horses still ran the meadows free. Free. This land was guarded by horses. As long as they guarded it. Mistria would be safe. Then the CowMen came. They took every one of them to their rodeo grounds...
