Uncovered

The morning air was crisp and fresh. The sunlit sky set it's iridescent glow upon the valley, burning it's crimson rays through the window panes. Across from the door stood a solitary bed, with the covers withdrawn and thrown back in a crumpled heap.

Marin crept down the the still, quietly deafening hallway, each step taken with controlled care. One wrong move could mean death. At the end of the hall lay a shadowed figure, the soft silken coat that caressed its body tumbled in an up-down motion. Marin slipped her hand out of her pocket and reached slowly for the door handle. With a jolting tug the door creaked open and rested on its hinges. A rumbling gurgle echoed through the hall and Marin turned just in time to see a monstrous figure lurch forward, straight for her.

Rough, slobbery kisses smothered her face as the whining figure snuffled it's nose into her neck. 'Sh!Sh!' She whispered. 'You'll wake dad!' She rested her palm on Rikku's flank and buried her nose in her scruff. 'C'mon girl,' she smiled 'let's go!'. Rikku's hushed yips and yowls filled the air as she and Marin exited the hall into the wilderness outside.
The sun had not yet fully risen, but it shone its light down onto the world with pleasure. Marin slung her pack around her shoulder and briskly walked across a pebbled path toward are free, open paddock.

She slid through the posts of the fence with ease and motioned for Rikku to follow. With an obedient yip, she bounded gracefully over the fence and padded happily to Marin's side. 'Who wants to do some riding?' Marin said smugly as she placed her fingers to her lips and whistled.

A thunderous bellow of vigorous hooves blustered on the earths floor. From the peek of the horizon, silhouetted figures blotched out the sun as they whisked toward Marin and Rikku.
As they slowed to a trot and came whinnying around Marin, a bold, lean mare proudly pranced at the rear of the herd, her eyes averted. 'Fusion,' called Marin coaxingly. 'Come and get your juicy carrot.' Fusion pricked her ears and lifted her head in protest, but eyeing the mouth-wateringly delicious vegetable, not even a mare like her could withstand it's pull.

As Marin held out the carrot, warding off the other horses with a flick of her wrist, Fusion cautiously trudged forward. With her ears pinned and her wiry tail slicing through the air behind her, she stared at Marin with malevolent recklessness. Marin, with her eyes kept steady with Fusion's, confidently stood by her side. Offering the carrot to Fusion, she unwound the halter and slid the lead rope under Fusion's neck, bringing it to rest on the other side. As this procedure was completed, Fusion neighed in anger and lashed out viscously, kicking her hind-legs furiously.

Jolting hastily to the side, Marin looped the noseband around Fusion's snout and whipped the poll-strap through the glorious locks of twilight mane, tying it together smirking. 'I've got you Fusion' she sighed 'There is no use trying to escape now'. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she called for Rikku and headed for the gate. Rikku bounded around in the field, yipping happily to herself as Marin and Fusion filed toward the tack area.

Tethering Fusion up at a nearby post, Marin went into a shed full of horse tack and provisions. Collecting the tack she required, she skipped delightedly back to her steed. As she neared, she could plainly see that the majestic, jet black mare was tensing. Quietly whispering sweet, soothing words to her, Marin untied the halter and slid a hackamore onto Fusion's delicate face. Patting her wither, lightly, she said 'It's a hackamore' she beamed 'there's no bit!'

After another few minutes, Marin had finished tacking Fusion and began leading her toward the gate. 'Rikku,' she muttered under her breath, she began scanning the ranch for her mischievous hound. As if summoned, Rikku leapt across the dirt paths toward her friends. 'Good girl,' she laughed 'Let's go for a ride!'.

Sliding her foot into the stirrup iron, she gracefully lifted herself off of the ground and drifted delicately into the seat of the saddle. She gathered up her reins and stared into the horizon, the beautiful free wind lashed at her cheeks. Gulping in a breath of air, Marin, Rikku and Fusion strode off into the distance, ready for an adventure.

Ö
The bracken crackled and the wind howled. The trees swayed uncontrollably in the wind as they were thrashed around. Reagan nocked and arrow to her bow and set her fingers for balance. Aiming carefully at her target, she placed the bow on her shoulder and blew out a shaky breath. She let fly and the arrow whistled through the trees, the flint arrowhead hit its target and pierced its flesh.

She let out a triumphant cry, and leapt toward her new day-meal. She wiggled the arrow out of its mark and the flesh melted away into the earth. Grasping the fresh, plump mango in her hands, she sank her teeth into the succulent fruit. After she had had her fill she put the remaining fruit into her pouch, cupped her hands to her lips, and howled.

The beautiful subtle song thundered through the forest, sending its message to whomever shall receive it. Reagan combed back her dusty brown hair with her fingers and drew out her water- pouch. She placed the flask to her lips and gulped down the refreshing water. Soon after, birds fluttered hurriedly skywards and a rustling crack fled from the trees.

Smiling fondly, Reagan lowered her body and focused eyes on the shrubs. 'Kirro,' she whispered. A silver gleam shone between the trees and out emerged a wolf-like canine. His stature was lean and heavily built, though his long legs showed great masculine strength. Lowering his hackles and twitching his ears, Kirro loped toward Reagan. Tilting his head happily, he pushed his muzzle into her palms, licked her clammy hands and rubbed his scent onto her clothing. 'I love you too, boy' said Reagan leaning down and hugging her companion.

Kirro, enjoying the affection, used his powerful senses to pick up the fragrance of the freshly pierced mango. Eying her pouch, he pawed at her thigh. 'Hang on, Kirro!' She replied, which was followed by an impatient bark. Lifting up the flap of her pouch, she withdrew the mango half and held it out in front of her. Smiling his wolfy grin, Kirro seized it in his jaws and devoured it, whole. With a snicker, Reagan stroked Kirro's coat, and said 'Be polite boy, small little nibbles!'.

Ö
Fusion's hooves grazed the earth as she walked through the trees.