Story wrote:
The sound of pounding hooves echoed throughout the plains and fields. The grass blew in the wind, mirroring the stallions mane as he flew across the land. His powerful muscles were easily seen under his skin as he ran. His ebony coat glistened in the light as he flew across the plains, his bright brown eyes sparkling with excitement. His heart pounded hard, and his breath came short, the thrill of the run coming over him. He tossed his head, whinnying happily to the clouds.
As the large stallion mustang came to a halt, he looked down upon the heard he had looked after for many years now. He was almost fifteen, his eyes held wisdom, but he also contained a colt like innocence in them. He whinnied loudly to the heard, and each long muzzle turned to their leader. They answered back to him and he trotted down through the grass to greet them.
A beautiful mare approached him, her stomach large with foal. She rubbed her nose with his and nickered softly. Her coat was painted, she had a large black spot on her left eye and along her body were brown and black spots on a white coat. She nuzzled him once more then trotted a bit away, spotting a nice healthy patch of grass. Winter was coming, all the horses could feel it, and the painted mare had gotten pregnant too late. The stallion watched her with worry in his eyes, hoping the foal inside her would be alright.
His ear twitched as he heard the sounds of hooves on the ground. He turned his head to see something he had been told of, warned about, though never seen until that moment. A human. Three more came up behind him and they pointed to the herd. The large ebony stallion sounded an alarm, in the form of a very loud whinny. The horses looked up, all had heard tales of the two legged creatures that stole their freedom, and souls. They all turned and ran as fast as they could, flying over the land. The large stallion snorted and stomped his foot, tossing his head and rearing in anger. He struck the air with his powerful hooves, glaring at the humans.
The four humans rode fast to try and catch the herd, though when they saw the handsome stallion they turned and ran towards him. The ebony horse whinnied in anger and snorted at them, then turned to run; in the opposite direction of the herd, hoping to lead them away. He took a glance back, and realized his beloved mare was far behind the others, her foal heavy stomach slowing her. He ran faster, wanting to protect his unborn child and the beautiful mare to bear it.
The humans rode faster, trying to catch up with the ebony beast. "Henry! Go around!" The leader called out, and the man to the right rode faster, gaining on the ebony stallion. The black horse got worried, and he tried to run faster. His hooves pounded the ground harder, and sweat poured off his glistening coat. He suddenly felt a tightening around his neck, something had gotten him. He looked down to see a rope around him, and the man on his left holding the other end. He came to a stop and pulled with all his might, then glared at the man and ran at him, ready to attack. He felt another rope around his neck, pulling him the opposite way. It was the man that had tried to go ahead of him. The ebony stallion reared and charged as best he could, though was held back by the other ropes. He then felt yet another lasso around his foot. He was really stuck now.
The herd of horses ran across the land, and eventually the group reached a small forest. The mare heavy with foal walked after them, her breathing labored and her sides heaving in and out. She collapsed to the ground, and the other mares looked at her with worry, grouping around her. She was breathing heavily and suddenly she whinnied in pain, her contractions had started.
Across the land, the whinny echoed and the ebony stallion heard his dearest mare in pain. His brilliant eyes widened and he tried with all his strength to get away from the men. He pulled and bit, reared and bucked, and finally he knocked one of the men down. The other three looked at this horse like he was crazy, and began to get nervous. The stallion reared and hit one of the men in the chest, knocking him off his horse and to the ground. He was only held by two other men now.
A small foal was soon on the ground beside the painted mare. He was all black, like his father. He also had a white circle around his eye. He whinnied softly and blinked, trying to stand up. He fell down, but tried again, his fathers stubborn will showing through instantly. His mother nickered softly and stood up, her legs shaking a bit as she was so weak, though she knew the little foal needed to eat. He began to suckle.
The ebony stallion continued to rear and buck, biting when he could. The men tried to contain him, knowing they'd get lots of money for this gorgeous horse. But this stallion wouldn't go, not without a fight. He reared and charged at the nearest man, anger plain in his eyes. The man saw the horse charging at him, and he panicked. He pulled out his gun, and pointed it at the stallion. Then pulled the trigger.
The shot wrung throughout the land, and the herd of horses shivered in unison. They knew then that their leader was gone. Each horse hung their head, all grieving for their fallen hero. The painted mare was the most devastated, her legs shook and her head hung so low she tipped the ground with her soft muzzle. The small foal at her side nickered questioningly and wondered why his new found family was so sad. He pushed this thought aside, too curious about this new world around him to pay much attention. Unknown to this little colt, he was soon to follow in his father's footsteps and lead the herd through the hardships and joys of life.
300
100
100
