WAR

Chapter 17

The next few days we continue to feel the warmth of the sun. I start to draw the trees around my home. The tall thick trunks. The long slender branches. The small twigs that hold the leaves. The pups learn nothing more than normal. Then they play the few hours away. Ember and Hermosa stand side by side. Talking.

I watch as Hail and Dust try a sneak attack on Hurricane. Their paws moving soundlessly over the forest floor. Their tails are as still as can be. Pups that give some effort into training yet become masterminds when sneak attacks are involved.

They manage to get within a few feet before Hurricane smells them. He is a big dog now. A few years old. Tornado is still the slightly smaller, more timeted in their group. Storm can follow, but can also lead. Though normally Hurricane will lead.

Hermosa walks over to me. Her breath breathing down on my shoulder. "How are you doing?" I ask her. 'Fine thanks. When do you suspect the final battle will be? Sugar's former owner still wants her.' I nod. "Does Sugar want to go back?" 'Ask her yourself. Though who will you be taking in battle? Me or Ember.' I pause. "You choose." Hermosa snorts. 'You never train anyone. Other than the dogs or me. Then Ember came. Just a normal chestnut. You were gonna give her away. Like Blue, Colt, and Golden. Yet you kept her. She's not mine. Why do you like her so much?'

"Hermosa, if you're bothered, I will take you. You're old. Ember is still way younger than you. She will live longer." Hermosas ears flick back. 'Oh just cause i'm old i am no use to you huh? Maybe Ava will welcome me just like Comet!' My eyes widened. "Hermosa No! I'm-" She had already cantered away. Toward the wall. Spinning on her haunches, she kicked. Once, Twince, Then she was free. Galloping through the forest. Ember snorted at my side. 'Do you want me to go after her?' "No. You would only make it worse. I'm sorry Ember."

I went to bed early that night. And write. Then wonder what happened with Hermosa.

I angered Hermosa greatly today. We have had our share of fights. Mainly my fault. Yet this has to be the worst. I told her I would take her in the final battle but then I said that Ember was younger. Better. Well, not better. But. She turned and ran. Well, Galloped. She kicked the wall down and ran to Ava. Goodnight.

-Ray

That night Lily comes to me. I am not in the normal meeting place. I am in a dark cold stable. Filled with Horses. I can hear the barking of dogs. A shrill winny breaks the nonsilence. Hermosa! I run toward the sound. I come to see she is chained to the stall.

A man stands in front of her. So does a woman. "SHUT UP YOU estupida Horse!" He yells. "Yelling will make the situation neither better nor worse." Says the woman. I know that voice. Emma. no. no.no.no. This has to be a dream. Emma can't work alongside Max's team. They're bad! But, then Max is bad. Then so is River, They both killed their fathers and now they both have their descendants fighting long after they're gone.

I watch as the man, Sugar's former owner glares at Emma. "Then I will yell at Fea."

Fea. He called my Hermosa Fea. What a name to give a horse. Hermosa gives a halfhearted rear and shakes her head. The man brings his fist upon her muzzle.

Hermosa only flinches. The world swirls. Fades. Shakes. And I am awake. In my bed.

There's no time to lose. I must save Hermosa.

If it's the last thing I do.

Word Count:631