|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:43 am
Maponus' head bobbed in agreement with Shylah. "Yes we should be thankful for this." It was indeed an honor to be shown such a sight in their spirit dream walk. His eyes moved back to the owls for a moment as he pondered just exactly what this all could mean. He knew that he couldn't ask any of the elders once they returned to the herd as what was seen in the dream world was never spoken of. That was the rules that must be followed, no matter what the Spirits showed them.
The owl with the tawny chest tilted its head at the two stallions before unfurling it's winging, showing off the mottled feathers. Then with a quick hop it took to the air flapping its strong wings it circled the couple twice before flying up to where its counterpart was. Hovering near the branch the owl looked at the other then turned its head back to the horses below. It let out a hoot then began to fly off.
Maponus looked at Shylah. "I do believe it wants us to follow it." He told her even though he was sure she too had picked up on the owl's subtleties. Though the second owl hadn't flown away yet, perhaps it was waiting to make sure they followed the other and would bring up the rear. Either way he couldn't deny the pull he felt in the direction that the first owl had flown. "Come on lets go." He took the lead again following the owl who seemed to be flying slowly along as if to make sure it didn't lose the pair.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 10:10 am
Shylah threw her head back to watch the owl as it flew a circle around them and then went to join it's brethren for a few moments before calling out and flying away. The larger own stayed put watching her and Maponus with what she could almost sense was expectant eyes. She too go the sense that they were supposed to follow the first and when Maponus lead the way she followed, pausing briefly to cast a look back at the second owl how merely bobbed its head at her, almost in encouragement before taking to the air in a soundless burst of motion to glide low over the pair before following it's counterpart.
"Did you hear it call out?" She asked Maponus as she started after him again, an owls call was an important omen not to be disregarded, Owls were both the givers and takers of life, could this call mean what she thought it might? Would the owl's show them..she caught her breath slightly "you don't think..." She started in excitement, could the owls be taking them to view their future foals? Shylah didn't feel the need to complete this thought however, Maponus was aware of the meanings of an Owl's call as well as she was, surely he would draw the same conclusions as her on his own.
Almost subconscious at this thought the spotted mare increased her pace - she wasn't sure what Maponus thought about future foals but she knew what she thought - and starting a family was one of those things she was looking forward too. Mares were supposed to be mothers, they were supposed to help strengthen the herd in this manner and Shylah would not shirk from this duty. She would raise, good foals, loyal to the herd and it's traditions.
By following the owls the two horses had left areas that were familiar to them, Shylah wasn't sure why the Owls were leading them to a place they had never seen, surely neither she nor Maponus were meant to leave the herds, but she followed doggedly in the stallions wake anyways. Who was she to question the will of the spirits?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 10:40 am
"I don't know." He said with a shake of his head, also increasing his pace a bit. Could the owls be meaning to show them future foals? One could never be too sure of what could be seen in the dream world. But as they followed them the scenery changed from the familiar to the not so familiar. Though they hadn't traveled far the spirit world had a way of making a long trip seem short so this trip could have been days if not weeks long had they done it in real life.
He hadn't missed Shylah's excitement about foals. She was a mare after all and what mare wouldn't be excited about such an important event in their lives. Maponus was a bit hesitant on the subject of foals. It wasn't that he didn't want to raise a family but he wasn't sure if he was ready for them just yet. His eyes stayed on the owl as it flew above them, leading the way.
Slowly the fog began to thicken on the ground and Maponus slowed his gait slightly as they neared a thick bank of trees. The owl in the lead slowed down a bit, turned its head to look at the horns and then ducked into the trees. Maponus took only a moment of hesitation to make sure that Shylah was right behind him before going into the trees as well. And shortly after entering the trees came out into a large fog filled clearing. The fog was thicker the further into the clearing it went obstruction their view if they wandered past the center point of it. The snow was heavy ont he ground in this clearing. The soft rustling of feathers caused Maponus to look up as the tawny bellied owl perched itself on one of the nearby trees. A strong wind blew through the clearing but not a leave nor feather nor lock of mane shifted in it. This was all a sign and Maponus could feel a strong pull inside him. This clearing was important somehow. He looked at Shylah who stood beside him. "You feel that?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 11:03 am
If Shylah noticed Maponus' hesitation over the prospect of foals she didn't mention it. Stallions were always far more hesitant about such prospects then mares from Shylahs experience, and in any case even if the Owls did show them foals - she was smart enough to know that didn't mean it was something that would happen right away. It could be years for all she knew...but it was still a sight she would like to see and she hurried after Maponus as he increased his pace to keep up with the Owls who were winging their way over head.
The fog had started to thicken again and the two horses had to work just a bit harder in order to keep track of each other and the owls, which cut off any more conversation that might have taken place between them about the subject of foals and when one of the owls turned into the trees Shylah thought perhaps they might have reached their destination, straining her ears for any sounds that might signal the presence of foals or other horses, but no such sounds made its way through the damp air to reach her ears, only a deep and peaceful silence.
"I'm right here" she assured Maponus when he glanced back to check on her before ducking into the trees, making sure to follow him closely as she followed. They didn't travel through the trees for long before coming out into a clearing Shy was sure neither of them had ever seen before. The larger owl - whom had been taking up the rear during their journey alighted on a branch quite close to the two horses and regarded them with large and solemn eyes as the spirit wind blew forth, disturbing nothing despite the fact Shy could most definitely feel it on her hide. "I did, but why would we be shown such a place? there is nothing here but trees and grass" she remarked somewhat perplexed - though she didn't question the importance of the clearing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 11:26 am
"I'm not entirely sure, but this place is important to us somehow." He replied to her question. It was odd to be shown something so far from their normal home range. But somehow he knew they would see this clearing again, although the circumstances of such were unknown at this time. He took a moment to take a closer look at the clearing, though most was so heavily shrouded in fog there wasn't much to see. The clearly was quite large from what he could tell, the trees provided protection from the elements and there certainly was a heavy presence of the Spirits here and not just because they were in the spirits dream world either.
His eyes shifted to the eyes again as they watched the pair of horses from the branches above. Just what was it they were trying to show here? Surely the Spirits wouldn't have sent the owls here to do nothing but sent the horses on a wild goose chase as the birds flew here and there. No, the Spirits couldn't do that to them, could they? He shrugged off the question, if he was meant to know such things then the Spirits surely would tell him one way or another.
The tawny bellied owl twisted its head around as Maponus looked at it. It took to the air silently and landed in the deep snow only a few feet away from the horses. It hopped here and there, its wings held out slightly for balance then came to a stop in front of the stallion. The way the bird had hopped around made Maponus wonder just what it was trying to say. He looked at the pattern that the bird had left in snow, though he really couldn't distinguish what it was. "What do you think it means?" He asked Shylah after a few moments of studying the pattern. Perhaps she could see something in it that he missed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 11:44 am
Shylah looked down at the pattern the Owl had made in the snow, studying it in silence for quite some time, brows furrowed in concentration, divining the meanings of symbols was an important aspect of their beliefs, but Shylah was still a young mare and relatively inexperienced in these tasks - at least when compared to the knowledge the elders wielded. Could that be a moon down there in the snow? It looked pretty close to the symbol for moon if she was remembering right. "That...could be a moon" She finally stated but not being completely sure of this diagnosis was quick to add "But I'm not sure, we should remember it though as I'm sure it has some importance"
Satisfied with that answer Shylah glanced at the owls to see if they had any more clues for the two horses - but they remained silent, merely watching them with their big round eyes. The larger of the two owl suddenly let out a deep hoot an lept into the air with such force that it made the tree branch shake. The sudden movement startled Shylah and she started sideways before catching herself, eyes wide as the owl wings its way out of the clearing again. "Are we supposed to follow him?" She asked Maponus, unsure of what it was they were supposed to do now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 12:01 pm
Looking at the pattern again Maponus did see the part where it could be a moon. "It could be." He said to Shylah while still looking at the pattern, attempting to burn into image into his memory. "Indeed we should remember it." He continued on after being satisfied at he had stared at the pattern long enough that he would remember it. He was about to say something else when the owls sudden hoot that also caused his to jump in surprise. He raised his head in time to see it disappear among the trees. Looking to the other owl that still remained on the snow in front of him it tipped its head as the stallion as if to say 'What are you waiting for?'
“Yes I suppose we should." He said and turned following the bird once more. Once outside the trees he caught sight of the owl again and with a glance behind him to make sure Shylah was there increased his pace to a trot to keep up with the bird. They moved through a large meadow, the fog was thinner here allowing them to see a bit more. The meadow was silent for a long time and then he heard it, a faint sound. Was this when they would be shown their future foals? Glancing back at Shylah he motioned with his head. “Come on this way.”
The two traveled quickly up a small hill, the sound was getting louder now, and there was no doubt in Maponus’ mind that it was the sound of horses. He put on a small burst of speed to reach the top of the hill and set his gaze upon the valley below. The view was back of the meadows where their herds called home. His maw dropped open at the sight.
Horses were scattered about the large meadow, some standing and some were laying down. They looked so thin and ragged. Then he realized the sounds he had heard were not friendly calls of their future foals, but cries of help. The herd’s were being ravaged by some sort of disease as far as he could. Then he remembered about Shylah. Spinning around as she reached the top of the hill he tried to block her view but he knew that he couldn't stop her from seeing something that the Spirits wished to show them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 12:09 pm
Shylah bobbed her head in agreement as Maponus stated he thought they should follow the owl - she didn't really see any other course of action that made sense, surely they weren't meant to stand here in this clearing for the remainder of their journey an she once more found herself following the steed as they made their way through the fog and the trees.
Picking up the pace as they went up the hill she followed his tawny rump as he suddenly put on a burst of speed, reaching the top just as he spun about with a terrible look on his face.
By the way he moved she was sure he had tried to keep her from seeing what lay below, to protect her from whatever the Spirits had chosen to show them. But that wasn't the way it worked here - when you were meant to see something the Spirits made sure you saw it, and nothing Maponus did - despite his best efforts would have kept her from seeing the horrors below.
Her eyes widened in shock, the herds were so strong, how could they be brought to such a state…and why? Why had the Spirits chosen to show to them this? Were they paired together only to die? A strangled cry escaped her throat and she buried her head in Maponus' mane.
"Why?...why would they show us this?" she asked the tawny stallion - he might not be the one she would have chosen to spend her life with but he was the one here sharing this with her now and while she couldn't quite grasp the reason for it - there had to be one! There just had to, Shylah couldn't believe otherwise.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 12:15 pm
“I…I don’t know.” He told her as he nuzzled her softly. The Spirits could be cruel at times but even this seemed a bit beyond their usual ways. He shook his head as he looked out upon the meadow filled with dead and dying horses. A sudden gust of wind pushed against their backs and he glanced behind them before taking the first hesitant step forward. “Come on, I think we need to go down there.”
He led the way down to the meadow slowly, careful to avoid walking too close to any of the horses. Not like he expected to get sick from them, after all they were in the Spirit world. No words could be spoken between them as they moved along the meadow. Even if they had wanted to say something, there just wasn’t anything to say.
Coming to a sudden stop he looked at a horse who lay on the ground, the life that had once filled it’s eyes was now gone. Then he noticed the color of the hide and felt a lump in his throat. “Mother.” He whispered softly. The winds began to blow again, pushing more and more fog into the meadow. He stood between the wind and Shylah protecting her from it. Soon the meadow was so thick with fog he couldn’t see past his nose.
His shoulder rested against Shylah’s, as it was the only way to keep track of her. He wondered what would happen next. Surely they couldn’t wander around in such a thick fog. This answer came with another gush of wind. Closing his eyes against the harsh wind he waited until it died down before opening them again. The meadow was now clear of fog. In fact the snow that had been there was also gone. His eyes moved quickly about, the horses were gone as well, all of them. The lush grass under his hooves told him that they were now standing in the summer, or at least the Spirits wanted them to see what the summer held after such a harsh winter. His eyes glanced around for another minute searching the sky and trees. The owls that had been their guides were no where to be seen. But something told him to keep moving, so he did.
He moved forward, glancing back now and then to make sure that Shylah was still with him. A small amount of movement caught his attention and his head snapped up. He stared at…himself. He squinted his eyes. No not just himself, but Shylah too. They had somehow survived whatever had killed the herds. He turned his head to look at Shylah, the real Shylah who had followed him into the Spirit world.
“So this is why they showed us those horrible things.” He told her, as he looked back at the future them. “To let us know that together we shall endure.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 12:17 pm
Shylah was glad that she hadn't seen anyone she recognized in the dead or dying, admittedly she had tried to keep from doing so, not letting her gaze settle to long on any one fog blurred hide as they walked amidst the fallen.
This was a very selfish however and the chocolate mare instantly felt shamed as she heard Maponus' quiet words. "I'm sorry." She told him - though it might be silly to say sorry for an event that hadn't happened in reality yet, her beliefs told her they would and nothing else seemed appropriate. Her words were nearly blown away with the sudden rush of wind and she huddled against the stallions hide as it blew furiously against them, blinking them open again when it died down.
The change of season didn't bother her much - this was the Spirit world after all and if the Spirits wanted it to be summer then it would be summer, but what else could they possibly want to show them? She almost didn't want to know and hesitated for a few moments before following Maponus as he started forward again. She too caught the movement and turned towards it, starting slightly as she recognized the two of them - older maybe, but definitely them, their hides we unmistakable even from this distance. "Perhaps…without each other we too would have perished" she whispered to the stallion though her gaze was still enraptured by the sight of their future selves.
"And look where we are standing!" She continued, ear flicking as she heard what sounded like...other horses? Somewhere in the trees, was it possible that she and Maponus would not only survive...but survive to lead? Her gaze couldn't catch sight of any more horses but the sounds of them filtered back to her and she turned to Maponus "Listen! Do you hear them too?" She asked him, but before he could answer the meadow went dark, like the sun itself had been extinguished, not even the moon and the stars were visible…just a deep empty chasm of blackness that made her shiver. It was impossible to tell which way was up and which way was down, even the ground beneath her hooves seemed to have disappeared and it felt as though she was falling.
The eerie sensation lasted for only a few moments before the world started to come back into focus again, through her own slowly opening eyes she realized as she saw they were back in the snow, laying in the thicket beside their buried mistletoe. Their journey to the Spirit world was over and she turned to nudge Maponus.
"Maponus! Maponus wake up!" She said softly, like a true steed he would awaken after her, guarding her soul as it made its way back to her body.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 12:21 pm
Maponus’ ears swiveled as he too heard the sound. With his gaze turned to Shylah he went to speak to her, to tell her that he did indeed hear them as well. But suddenly she disappeared into blackness. “Shylah!” He called up but his voice was consumed by the sudden darkness. He felt the sudden sensation that he was falling and he flailed his legs out in an attempt to stop it.
A soft voice snapped him back to reality. His eyes opened to see Shylah lying next to him. The cold against his body told him that he was once again lying in the snow of the thicket. His breathing was deep, as his mind raced over the vision the Spirits had sent to them. Though the thought of what would happen made him shudder knowing that they would survive made him glad to have her at his side.
He stood slowly and helped Shylah back up on her feet. For a long time he just stood there staring at her not able to say anything. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he stepped closer to her. “We will endure.” He told her softly as he nuzzled. They would not speak of what they saw again, for it was not their right to tell others what the Spirits had shown them. What mattered was that they would endure the hardships that lay ahead of them, and for that they were happy.
After a few moments he looked her in the eyes. "We should go find Divone and let her know that our journey was a success." Turning he lead the way out of the clearing, although it would be Shylah who would first speak to Divone, as was tradition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 12:46 pm
Shylah breathed a sigh of relief as Maponus awoke shortly after she had - she'd heard horror stories about horses that did not return from their spirit journeys, and while the spirits had clearly chosen to show them something of great importance during their walk, Shylah had still been just a little bit afraid. How terrible would it have been to see such things and then have to face them alone despite the visions? But she had no reason to fear and with the passing of her worries about Maponus the weight of their journey returned and she returned the stallions long look with a sorrowful one of her own, squeezing her eyes shut briefly as he nuzzled her. They would endure...they would have too..
"Yes" Shylah agreed after a few more moments of silent contemplation. "She should be waiting for us back at the grove with the rest of the Elders" The mare continued as she urned to follow Maponus out of the clearing and back toward the herds. Their trip back was silent as both horses continued to think about what they had seen. Thankfully this was a short trip and neither of them really had much time to think too much, it was heavy burden they both shared now. "There she is" Shylah mentioned as they broke the treelike and started towards the grove, the large grey mare was easy to pick out - though she seemed to be arguing with a short shaggy Elder from a different herd. Shylah wasn't entirely sure of his name as he wasn't very social but she knew he was an Elder like Divone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 12:53 pm
"Now listen here, I'm not going to be bogged down listening to your rubbish all day" Divone told the small beast alongside her in an irritated tone - why the Spirit Talker had chosen to latch onto her today was beyond her but the little beast seemed to enjoy stirring up trouble. That's what you get hen you spend all your time talking to dead things Divone thought wryly to herself - she respected the dead of course, anyone with a lick of sense did but she much preferred to talk with the living or the worldly spirits who were a part of neither realm. Lifting her head she let her gaze roam over the meadow - looking for an excuse to leave the shaggy beast behind for a little while.
Ah. That would work the mare thought to herself as she caught sight of Shylah and Maponus, the new couple were approaching through the snow and by the looks on their faces Divone could only assume the ceremony had gone badly - or they'd seen something that pushed them deeply into thought. Well what they had been was none of her business, she merely had to ensure that the ceremony had been properly finished. "I have to go" She said cutting off whatever rambling the pony was spitting out and nimbly sidestepping around him despite her size so that she could meet the approaching couple.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 1:04 pm
Shylah noticed when Divone a them coming, the larger mare put an end to whatever conversation she was having with the other Elder and came forward a few steps so that she could greet them straight on. Divone did not leave the grove however - she couldn't until all the couples had completed their ceremonies, to do so would anger the spirits greatly - and no one wanted to be on the receiving end of that. Shylah stopped her forward momentum on the very outside of the grove, lowering her head in a deep bow as she acknowledged the large grey mare.
"Spirit Walker Divone" Shylah started, using the mares proper title in her greeting in reference to the sacred event. "I have to come confirm that the Spirits did so choose to bless our pairing with a vision. We have completed the ceremony in good faith and good intentions - as the stallion Maponus, will confirm. We stand before you ready to serve the five herds and the Spirits will" She concluded, falling silent as she finished her statement. As long as Maponus confirmed her words - which she knew he would, she had said nothing untrue after all, and despite their initial unsureness with their pairing, Shylah was sure they had bonded during their shared journey - and Divone sensed no lies or twinges from the Spirits then this was a done deal and both she and Maponous would officially be a mated pair within the herds laws.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 1:38 pm
Maponus watched as Divone freed herself from the company of the shaggy little beast so that she could meet up with the couple. When he came to a stop he stood back a little, as was customary, waiting for the mare to speak before it was his turn. His head was held low both in a bow of respect and a sign that he was waiting for Shylah to speak. Once he knew that Shylah was done speaking he lifted his head and took another step forward so that he stood shoulder to shoulder with the mare.
"Indeed Shylah speaks the truth, Spirit Walker Divone." He said with another bow of his head. "Our journey was successful, the Spirits ensured that we saw what they wished us to see."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
