The Hidden Valley

Chapter 9: Hidden stallion

At the first luminous lights of dawn, the herd set off once again. The early frost dazzled the ground, a hard blanket covering everything: the grass, the water, the snow gums, the horses.

Although quite unpleasant at the start of their trek, the frost was now a relief, cooling them and hiding their tracks.

The river had become one channel again and was much easier to follow, twisting and turning through the terrain.

Quail suddenly felt the joyous urge to race to the top of the hill, and so with a disapproving look from Pepper, she began to race gaily, her muscles pumping, tail flowing, eyes watering as the cold air wiped them.

The frost-bitten grass was rough against her legs, but she did not worry.

As she reached the top of the rise. It was open to the wind, the mountains were visible now, and she could see 3 in total. The highest, and most large jagged one in the middle was tipped with even snow.

The world was so open, with so much to explore and discover, she lifted on her hind legs and let out a great rebellious call to the wind, promising that she, Quail, would lead the herd safely to where the river took them.

Her call rang clearly over the forest. As her eyes darted around the landscape, she noticed that far below the hill, on which she planted herself, was a large open clearing full of snow grass, that had been hidden from the frost's claws.

"What a marvellous place to stop and graze," she thought, giving a satisfied flick of her mane.

As she began to trot down, but halted abruptly as tremendous neigh rang from below in the thick forest. The neigh was sharp, one with a challenge. "Did I just give us away?!" she shrunk back at the thought, suddenly aware of the danger she had just put the herd in. Her marvelled cry had been for the wind, for the land, not for another horse.

The angry cry had been from a stallion. Snow Gum raced up and pricked his ears, he too must realize that it was likely a fight would break out. Their only chance of avoiding one, was to run.

River Herd had trespassed by accident, and whoever this horse was, didn't sound at all pleased.

"We must be fast as the wind and leave no trace," Quail whispered but Snow Gum had a stubborn look on his face, one of a young colt with too much courage.

Although the colt was strong, he wasn't even close to his zenith. A young horse could easily be maimed or even killed by an older horse.

"I shall win that grass for us to eat," Snow gum declared as Pepper trotted into view with the stiff form of Whisper beside her.

"O' stupid one, you must know that you aren't in a good state to fight." Pepper shifted her feet nervously, her ears pinned back.

Quail opened her mouth to try and persuade Snow Gum to back down, but before she could, the handsome white horses reared up and let out a challenging scream of defiance to the other horse among the trees.

Once again, an angry call chanted back. The herd waited in silence upon the rock, breathing silently, only tracking the bottom of the rocky hill for the sign of a horse.

Even Whisper was focusing, her eyes darted through the trees, searching for a glimpse of a stallion.

A call sounded once again, closer this time.

Oh, what would they do if Snow Gum were to be hurt, would the other stallion try to claim them?

Her ears twitched nervously at the thought of not being able to follow the stream, if she was stuck in a different herd, she couldn't run by herself. What about the place they were meant to find?

Her thoughts spiralled like the cyclone that had devastated her life, tearing apart what she believed in, making her unaware of the world, and making her make bad decisions.

A small group of grey kangaroos had come to watch; their eyes gleaming with interest. They rocked back and forth on the thick muscular tails.

Blue wrens darted in and out of the grass, chasing the green grasshoppers that chirped loudly.

Magpies swooped in the air closing their wings and falling to the ground, then unfurling them again at the last second to soar above.

A cluster of lamb's ears flashed silver, and their furry surface reflected the sun, which now was just visible above the range as it climbed.

Quail felt suddenly Snow Gum stiffen beside her, and knew the stallion was here...