Red Outlaw

Acceptance

Now, this is about where our story ends. Red had a good life, blessed with many offspring years after that. He and his harem always got the best spots on the plateau and the meadow, livin' like kings and queens. His ribs never showed again. And he was never really bothered by any predators. They didn't give him any trouble after he started killin' em.

After that one year when all the mares come to him cause he was strong, they settled back down and their stallions was able to claim them again. Red only wanted his four. He was satisfied with his little family. A few more mares from other herds stayed with him, course, but he only ever stuck around his four favorite. And all the foals couldn't get enough a him.

The day Red died was a remarkable day. Just like the rest a his life.

The sun rose on the morning of Red's last day. It was like it was takin' it's extra time to make it pretty for the last livin' day of one of the greatest horses to've ever lived. The sky was painted with red, purple, yellow, and blue all at once. And it was truly a sight to see. All the horses raised their heads at it, and just stared for a few minutes.

Finally, the sun warmed the dew off the grass and the creaky bones of the old horses start to move again. Red could feel it; he definitely wasn't as young as he used to be.

He felt slow, creaky, and tired. He knowed he was about done here. His herd grown tenfold since he became the leader, and he had several sons that was lookin' like they'd compare with his size and strength. He was content.

He'd lived his life to the fullest. Every day, fightin' to protect his own. He fought so hard, he didn't have to protect it anymore. He made a safer world for his offspring.

He spent his last hours with Dot. They scratched withers with each other, contentedly, like they used to when they was foals. He and Dot was inseparable again. Just like they been so long ago. Dot's belly swayed with her last full pregnancy, and likely her last foal before it come to be her time too.

Red sniffed her belly with his nose and rest his head on her back. He let out a sigh and closed his eyes. They stayed like that for a long time, just sittin' there enjoyin' the last a each other's' company.

Then Red go around and touch each a his mares and offspring on the nose. He was sayin' goodbye. He just knew that the next time he laid down, he wouldn't have the strength to get back up.

He spent the most time with Blaze and Dot, makin' sure he took their smell with him to the end. And that they'd remember him.

By now, Red'd been in more fights than you could count. And he won ninety nine percent a them. His body was all battered to heck. Scars was everywhere, from just about any predator you could name. He fight cats, wolves, coyotes, birds that tried to take off with a small filly. Even a bear once. He was never afraid to take a challenge, even if it meant he'd die. Just as long as his babies was safe. He learned that from his pa.

After groomin' with Dot one last time, the old stallion turned and headed off into the wood. His gait was slow and jagged, a hind leg just about to give out.

As he walked, his breath started to labor. For a fighter, he'd made it a longer life than any of his elders. He was a grand sixteen years old. Far long for a mustang, but it didn't bother him. Well, it did, since age came with arthritis and all sorts a aches and pains, but he never showed it. Not till now.

Red's ears pricked forward. He caught the scent of a cat. He stood there, thinkin' about everything he done in his life, and then he lay down.