The Homeless Horse V2 - Conquering Kuno

Chapter Nine

I trotted over to the wooden fence happily; Spirit and Ranger followed close behind.

"We're friends of Atrao. We were told you could help us?" I ask, as the Belgians look at us.

"Sheesh, ain't go no lookers like you 'round here sweetheart. How's about you stick around?"

I gave a appreciative nicker.

"Sorry boys, I ain't no simple mare." I laughed.

They both grunted.

"Shame," the other, smaller one, said.

The larger one, who had a prominent white blaze down his face gave a low chuckle.

"Yeah, love, we can help you. Atrao sent you, hey? Interesting fella, Atrao. Got us both out of a bit of a kerfuffle a while back. Owe that boy our lives, don't we, Hank?"

Hank wasn't listening, he was too busy munching on some long, stringy grass.

"Uh? Oh yeah, Atrao, good fella." He muttered, shovelling his face back into the grass.

"Where do you need to be, love?" The other, unnamed Belgian asked.

"I need to find Kuno." I explained strongly.

The stallion's head lifted, his ears pricked.

"Kuno?! You're that mystery mare fighting that big Ol' bear? Jesus, love, didn't think youse was real. A legend, as they says it."

Obviously he was not taught proper speech, but he was understandable, and that was all I needed.

"Listen, love, you've got a death wish. Ain't no horse won against that Kuno, ain't none ever gonna win against Kuno. You're far too pretty to be chasing after a bear."

Hank looks at me, and at Spirit and then at Ranger.

"Oh hey, you've got friends."

"Oh Hank, you moron!" The other groans.

"I've fought Kuno before. I sure as hell won't let him get away with everything he's done.  I've taken his respect, territory and eye. I'm not afraid to take his life."

He shakes his head a little.

"I ain't signing your death warrant, love. Ain't gonna do it."

I can't believe what I'm hearing, I thought he was going to help me.

If I don't kill Kuno no one will.

"Have you ever lost someone?" I question, as he looks away for a moment.

"Yeah, I's lost someone."

"And did someone take them away from you?"

His voice softens. "Yeah, someone did."

"And what would you do if you ever saw that person again?"

He peers at me, anger rising in his eyes.

"I'd kill 'em."

He glances at the woods in the distance. Far beyond the town, but not far enough to forget.

"There's nothing I wouldn't do to bring Kuno down."

The stallion stifles a tear.

"You kill 'em for me too. My family was taken from me much too early. He's one of the reason's why."

"Up in the ranges, further away from here. You have to travel to Ipsich, it's halfway up Snow-peak  mountain. Ask around for a bloke called Bastion. He'll direct you to the right place."

I nod my head respectively. 

"Good luck, love." He mutters, before Spirit, Ranger and I turn away. 

I enjoy the satisfying crunch of the gravel under our hooves as we exit the last few fields of city. The mountain range surrounds the gorgeous green fields, but a tall forest protects the borders of the mountains. 

A soft breeze tickles our bodies and we slow down to a steady walk. 

"Snow-Peak mountain is cold territory. Not many horses live around there, it's far too cold. Barely any grass to eat, either. Why would we need to go to Ipsich? Kuno can't be there." Spirit complains. 

"Spirit, darling, stop complaining. Just enjoy the warmth and view whilst we have it." 

I take off into a wide stride canter, allowing my hooves to connect to the ground with light ease and strength. 

Yeah... I love this view.