Chapter #5
Freedom
*****Rose's POV*****
The first thing i notice when i open my eyes is my herd staring down on me. We look over the gate and see the open one. The sweet smelling scent covers the fence. With a single shriek, my entire herd races through the gate to the trees. I look around for Oasis, but see him with the alpha on his back looking sad.
Giving him a quick neigh, i turn back around and run behind my herd. They all snicker and neigh, pushing me to my rightful place at the front. With a small hop and a rear, i bolt to the front, leading my herd to home and freedom.
**ALEXANDER'S POV**
Her hooves strike the sky before she bolts to the front and leads the herd through the trees. Her mane flashes behind her as she gets covered in a sea of mustangs. My wolf whimpers softly. I urge my horse into a trot, then a canter. We follow the dust of the herd.
Snorts and nickers flash around as the herd communicates. But only one voice sticks out from the rest. Her sweet musical voice flashes out and the snorts and neighs stop. Her neighs, snorts, snickers, and shrieks come out in orders.
The colt vanishes first. Oasis (my stallion, at least thats what my wolf suggested we call him) watches him with pride as i urge him a little closer. So this stallion was mated to my mare. Great. No wonder he knew her secret.
We get closer to the herd when the stallions fan out in different directions, each taking a mare and child of theirs. The lead mare stays with some un pregnant mares. I watch in interest when she goes in a new direction, not to far from where the stallions went.
I go to a small tree and motion Oasis to stand. We wait when it starts to rain. Groaning, i motion to a bigger tree and we stand there to stay dry. I hear hoof beats and watch as the entire herd returns with leaves and grass. Baskets lay on their backs as the lead mare trots up with two baskets on her own.
She nudges aside leaves while looking around. She knows im here. Her herd goes in one at a time. The giant trees provide great comfort to them. She drops a basket outside the opening and walks in, closing the leaves to their spots. I nudge Oasis to the basket and laugh as i see leaves and stuff for bedding. The tree blocks the rain as i fix my bedding and Oasis's bedding.
We lay down to relax until morning.
~~~~~Rose's POV~~~~~
I sneak the herd out of the back way. The voice in my head sobs silently as the last horse leaves. To ease her mind, i went back and nuzzled the Alpha softly. The shocks go through my muzzle and she purrs in content.
We walk quietly back to the herd as they stand around waiting. With a silent throw of my head, we take off into the dawn. Another day of running commences. Each horse listens to the pounding of hooves, searching the area for enemies. With a shriek and a crunch, one enemy loses its life.
I trot to Re Shaman to check if he is ok. A wildcat lays dead, its head kicked in. I nuzzle my son and make the herd close in together. With the babies in the middle, i lead on the herd. We make it to a cool waterfall by sundown.
The cave is silent. I nuzzle each of the herd members. We all lay down by the water. I look to the star and study it. Thats when i realize...
We were right beside the opening to the sacred grazing lands, El Sombre! I rear in excitement as all of the herd jumps up in fear. Snorting a sorry, i explain where we are. The herd quickly jumps into the water, twirling and dancing, splashing and playing, as one.
Our nights of living in fear are over!
Our night quickly comes to an end as we play. With a flip of my tail, the entire herd quiets down and lines up. Motioning my son to take the lead, we walk in the cave entrence. I follow behind, nudging the fillies flank to give her confidence. The herd finishes going through when i see bones.
Horse bones of all ages lay one the ground. Looking up i see that there is no roof. With a quick rear, my herd turns and races out the back of the cave. But we are to late. A giant set of fangs grabs El Cairo, throwing him in the air. He hits the ground with tons of force, but he survived.
I strike at the snake, slashing, rearing, snorting. The snake comes after me. Re Shaman goes to the other side, slashing, rearing, snorting. Soon the entire herd attacks the snake from all sides, even El Cairo. We fight and fight, the snake confused as to why we are fighting back.
Soon Howls sound out and wolves join the attack too. A familiar alpha runs in and jumps by my side, panting. Oasis joins on my other side. The snake, super confused now, looks at the animals attacking it and stops. His eyes land on me and i bare my teeth. All the horses and wolves stop.
I stand proudly in my human for. My outfit consists of a black tank top with a leather jacket, blue jeans with a small Arabian design, and designer cowboy boots with a dagger slip in it. My hair remains in a braid with a small Arabian pendant in it.
I pull the dagger out of its holder. As i pull it, it turns into a sword, edged with sharp curved points. The snake looks at the challenge and grins. It shifts too. A boy stands where it was. He pulls out a familiar blade as i watch in curiosity. Turning it, the initials say, from your mother and father.
A growl out of anger. It was my other blade.
"I gave that to my father. It was my other blade. How did you get it?" Venom filled my voice as i spoke.
"He too found the sacred grounds. He didn't make it though!" He evil laugh cut through the area.
"I want it back."
"So you can kill me with it? By the way, your father made a great snack."
In two steps, i was in front of his surprised face.
"Then die."
I swung my sword expertly at him. He swung back. Collision after collision rang out. Soon he was panting while i was still full of energy. Our swords collided once more, but this time i nocked my sword from his hands.
Quickly he shifts and attacks. Oasis jumps in front of me, taking the blow. I screamed out when his body hit the wall, blood oozing from the huge hole.
Slowly i walk to my second sword. Twirling them, i look at Oasis then Re Shaman. Re Shaman looks at his father sadly. I take one more longing look at Oasis.
"You will pay for that." I growl through clenched teeth.
"Weeeeee Shhhhhall seeeeeeee pathetic Shhhhhiffftttterrrrr."
Twirling the swords one more time, i attack.
