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 Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 2:15 pm
Words couldn't begin to describe how happy Shylah was to find the both of them recovering. Things had been hard for a few days and several times they had wondered - sometimes to themselves and sometimes out loud whether or not they would both see this through. But each time it got bad they thought only of their vision and the Spirits promise that they would. It was something to have faith in and that along with Divone's herbs did indeed get them by.
But even though she was happy and pleased to see Maponous getting better, and to be feeling better herself, this good health brought with it renewed worries about the rest of the herd. It seemed Maponus had similar ideas - but that wasn't surprising to her, the two of them often seemed to operate on similar thoughts - and Shy nodded as he suggested they were strong enough to go out and check on the others. "Just let me bring the rest of these herbs" She told him as she gathered them up from where she had wedged them in a tree root - the better to keep them safe from blowing winds. "We might be able to use them to help someone else" She continued before reaching around to tuck them into her name above her withers which Divone had shown her the best place to keep such things when you wanted to keep your mouth free.
"Shall we go then?" She asked Maponus once she was ready.
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 2:26 pm
Maponus nodded and led the way out of the thicket that was their home. A crisp winter wind greeted him as he did so. He blew out a heavy breath and then continued along the way. The journey would be a slow one he knew, the snow was quite deep in parts and even though they were feeling stronger he didn't want to push either of them too hard. As they walked they passed a few bodies of horses that they were too late to save. Maponus did his best to shield these sights from Shylah as they walked along. She may be strong but that was no reason to openly expose her to such horrid sights.
Soon he found himself in very familiar territory, the lands that had been his home for so many years. His father's herd territory. This was the halfway mark of their journey. He slowed his pace a bit as he scanned the surrounding area. He remembered what he had seen in his spirit dream walk with Shy not that many moons ago. He knew what he would find here. Bending his head he looked towards the snow, looking for that particular hide. It didn't take him long to find it. The tawny splotches that dotted his mothers hide stuck out in the snow, they were so much like his own.
He took a few steps closer and pushed his nose against her cold body. "Oh mother." He said silently, sadness seeping through his body. Knowing that a loved one was going to die didn't make this moment any less easier. Maponus wondered for a few moments if he could have been able to save her if he had have gotten better sooner. Though the answer was a clear as day, the Spirits had shown him that she would die and so there was nothing he could have done to stop it. Even so he looked at Shylah with sad eyes. "We are too late to help them."
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:22 pm
Shylah was thankful that Maponus had sense enough to keep the pace slow, they might be feeling better, but they wee still recovering. Many stallions with such a brave nature might have hurried out to soon, might have pushed themselves to hard and gotten sick again. Divone had told Shylah it could happen - relapses she called them and they were nasty business. While he tried ever so hard to shield her from the snow covered bodies, Shylah knew what each mound contained and was greatly saddened by the sight. So many of their brethren had already succumbed to this wasting illness, had already passed on and the little mare found herself scared not for her future - as long as she had Maponus she would be fine - but for the rest of the herd. Despite their visions this was a hard and trying time and no one could be certain the herd would see it through intact.
Shylahs thoughts were interrupted when Maponus slowed down even further - was he tiring? getting sick again? She looked at him in alarm...but no he didn't look unduly fatigued or any worse then when they had started out. He seemed to be searching for something and Shy was about to ask him what when he suddenly bent down and uncovered his damns pale hide. She remembered now, this area, this moment. They had seen it once before - but knowing something was going to happen was a goodly bit different then truly living through it. She moved up beside him when he turned to look at her, gently touching him on the neck with her muzzle. "I am sorry Love, do not blame yourself - we came as quickly as we were able" She assured him.
"I don't have an oak branch...but we can send someone back with one, or come back ourselves when we reach the grove" she finally stated after a few moments pause, her luminous eyes turning to her saddened mate. "But i think you can says rites over her now if you wish, we are not trained as Duska is, but she was your Dam and that bares as much weight with the Spirits as training"
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:39 pm
He nuzzled Shylah softly before returning his gaze back to his mother. Yes, he would preform the rites himself for now, and after he would see that Duska or one of the other Elders did it properly with an Oak branch. He bent his head down so that he spoke into her ear. "Go easy to the land of the ancestors. Let the winds carry you up to the Blessed Stars where your family and loved ones await. May you see with eyes of light in ever-dark, may your mind walk free and unfettered amongst all, touching wisely and well, may you go in peace." Closing his eyes he added a second silent pray to the rite, saying a goodbye to his mother. This was not a final goodbye, they would see each other again one day, when he joined her in the Spirit Realm once his time here was done.
His eyes opened, lifting his head he took a quick look around him. He couldn't see his father or any of his siblings, they were either too deeply buried in the snow or possibly at the Sacred Grove. With one final looks at him Dam's body he turned to Shylah. "We better keep moving." There would be no more dwelling on what was here, the rites had been done to the best of his abilities, there were no horses here that could be saved. "The Sacred Grove is still a good distance away."
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:57 pm
Shylah watched from a respectful distance as Maponus said his good-byes to his mother and ensured her trip to the ancestors would be complete. The chocolate mare wished they could do the same for all the horses they had passed long the way, but they were not elders and it wasn't their right except in the case of family. It was not a long rite - especially with the absence of an oak branch, but it did not have to be. It gave closure and eased the dead along their way and that was enough.
Maponus was not long and when he was finished and turned his attention back to her she nodded softly. "Yes and there may be others up ahead we can still help" She answered moving up to stand beside him once more and giving his poor dam one more silent look before they started off again. If they could save even one along their way it would do much to lift their spirits she knew. Their journey was a somber one and somewhere along the way it had started to snow again filling the air with swirling squalls. The upside to this was the way it hid the bodies they were passing - the downside was the biting wind and harder going. Shylah wasn't sure if it was better or worse - it seemed to be a toss up as far as she was concerned and as they struggled on neither horse spoke much until through the howling wind Shylah ears pricked suddenly and she paused her head gazing to and fro through the woods. "Wait Maponus...did you hear that?" She asked the stallion, bidding him to stop so she could hear better.
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:21 pm
Maponus took the lead as they continued on their journey, using his heavy muscled body to push the snow out of the way for Shylah. With his head held down to fight against the winds that now blew Maponus had a hard time hearing anything as it gusted and blew fiercely. It was like the Spirits were trying to slow them down, well if that was the case then it must be for some reason. Maponus barely heard Shylah speak when she did, he turned around to look at her as another large gust of wind blew by.
"Did you say something?" He asked her once the wind died down a bit. His ears flickered around as he listened. He wasn't sure he too hard heard it or not. His eyes scanned the area. He couldn't see much through the wind blown snow. Then again he thought he heard something. "I think it's coming from over there." He half yelled to Shylah to make sure he heard her over the wind and motioned with his nose.
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:45 pm
Shylahs body was still as she strained to hear through the blowing wind, her ears pricked she waited for the gusts to die a little, so that she might hear better. When they finally did she was almost positive she heard some sort of mewling quiet sound in the snow. Maponus seemed to have heard it at the same time and she nodded when he motioned with his muzzle. "I think so too!" She yelled back before pushing her way through the snow in that direction, realizing how much harder it was without Maponus blazing the way for her and packing the snow down for her.
This wasn't a time to be slow and weak however and Shylah bulled her way through by sheer stubbornness, whatever was making that noise sounded and could need their help. "Quick help me find it!" She called back to Maponus as she bounded through the snow anxiously knowing there might not be a second to loose.
A small movement caught her eye huddled against a tree and she hipped her head around to get a better look, was...was that a foal? Maybe a small pony...what would a foal be doing out here all alone? "Maponus! I think its a foal!" She called out to the stallion as she rushed towards the form against the tree.
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 5:46 pm
Forcing his way through the deep snow Maponus easily kept up with Shylah as they made their way towards whatever was making the sounds. If the Spirits wished for them to find this creature they certainly weren't making it easy on them. But with enough determination and strength they would make it. Maponus' heart sank when he heard Shylah call out that she thought it was a foal. Of all the creatures affected by this sickness it was the hardest to watch a young life be taken away.
He said a quick prayer hoping that they weren't too late and rushed forward with Shy towards the tree. Once there he saw the tiny foal curled up into a ball, shivering against the cold. He instantly dropped down beside it, using his larger body to block the wind. The dark colored foal was terribly thin, Maponus' head swiveled around looking for any sign of the mother, but she was no where to be seen. "It will be okay little one." He said softly before looking at Shy. "The herbs quickly."
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 5:18 am
Shylah arrived at the foals side shortly after Maponous, who had already dropped down beside the colt to start warming him. The young foal was so very thin and weak looking as he lay there shuddering against the tree. Where his Dam had gone was anyone's guess, perhaps she had wandered off in a fever and the colt had been unable to keep up, or perhaps she had already died and the foal had been on his own for several days. By the looks of him Shy was playing her bets on the latter choice - but whatever the reasons she also knew there was little time to waste trying to think it through and certainly no time to investigate and know for sure.
Sinking to the ground herself Shylah pushed what was left of thier herbs towards the foal "You must eat" She told him with a soft nuzzle to rouse him - although he had started stirring nearly as soon as Maponous had cut the wind. "They do not taste badly" She crooned to further encourage him but her eyes when she looked to Maponous were filled with sadness, the colt was already very badly off and Shylah was wondering if they would be able to do anything more then ease his discomfort. Of course she wouldn't say this out load where the colt could hear - she wanted him to fight, and perhaps if he fought hard enough the Spirits would choose to save him.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 7:50 am
Maponus caught Shylah's look of worry as she tried to get the foal to eat. "It's going to be fine." He said, though it was directed at both Shy and the colt. "Please eat the herbs." He added to the colt. Maponus couldn't help but say a wordless prayer to the Spirits, asking them to lend their strength to the foal so that he may live. Whether the Spirits had agreed or the foal was a fighter Map would never know, but to his relief the colt began to pick at the herbs. "That's it," he said in a soft voice. "Eat up, it will help to you get your strength back." Maponus may not be ready to have foals and be a father but that didn't mean he would sit back and let one die.
The wind had died down a bit by now and Maponus was glad for that. He bent his head closer to the foal and began to use his muzzle to push off the snow that had collected on the colt while he lay against the tree. His eyes moved to Shy for a moment, they were still filled with sadness as he wasn't sure exactly whether the foal would make it but there was a hint of hope there, that perhaps they hadn't arrived too late.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:27 am
Shylah cast a warm look at Maponus as he reassured both her and the foal easily. The tawny stallion might not be looking for foals right now - but she had no problems seeing him as a great father when they did reach that point in their lives. Which they would - they would get through this disaster like their visions had foreseen and someday life would be good again. Even if that was hard to see right now.
turning her attentions back to the present, back to Maponus and the young colt, at least - and for this she thanked the spirits - he was old enough to eat and drink without his mother. They wouldn't have been able to do anything had he not been close to weaning age. He still needed protection however and Shy furrowed her brows in thought, they would need to get him to the Elders if he survived and got some strength back. It would slow their journey - but if it saved his life then it was worth it. After eating the herbs the colt dozed off against Maponous warm side and Shy looked at her Tawny mate. "He will need the protection of the elders if he survives" She stated quietly so as not to wake the youngling. "But I don't know if he will be strong enough to make such a trip under his own strength for quite some time...." she trailed off, clearly trying to come up with a solution to this particular problem.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:44 am
Maponus nodded, yes they would need to take him to the Elders, they would be able to take care of the young colt. But her next words were a bit of a predicament. How would they get the colt here, he was now asleep and could be for a while as they herbs did their works. And they couldn't just stay here until he was better, no they had to get him there somehow. Then he had an idea and looked at Map, determination filling his eyes. "I will carry him. Help me get him on my back."
He shifted the foal a bit so that he lay in a position that would make it easier for them to load him on Maponus back. He was glad the herbs would keep the foal asleep through all of this. Then laying down more he began to use his big head to push the foal up on his withers. With the help of Shy the colt was soon perched on Maponus' back. Very carefully he eased himself up to his feet. This would slow them down as bit as he would need to be extra careful with this precariously balance weight on his back. "We better get going. He won't last long in the open wind." He told Shy and then began to slowly walk through the snow again. Spirits please make this foal make it, he said silently. "Shy, make sure he doesn't slip." He said to his mate as he walked.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:00 am
Shylah's eyes brighten slightly as Maponos came up with his idea - it was a good one, a bit awkward perhaps but they both knew of the two-legged animals that rode upon the back of their kin. Shy had no desire to ever let these creatures do something like that to her - but she wasn't adverse to stealing some of their ideas if they proved to be useful. Right now this one was and with a bit of gentle maneuvering the sleeping foal was soon draped across Maponus back like an unwieldy package. Shy made sure the colt didn't slip off as Maponus gained his feet and they started off again on their way to the sacred grove.
The colt most definitely slowed their journey, not only ws Maponous forced to move slower to accommodate the foal and keep him from slipping off, but Shy was made to plow her own path through the snow to the side of him, sometimes one side, other time the other as she occasionally had to shift the colt to keep him for falling off. They had a few close calls along the way - but they were determined horses and no matter how many times they had to slow or stop neither desired to give up on this mission of theirs.
"I..I think we're almost there!" Shy suddenly spoke up as she looked about her, there was no mistaking the rock they'd just passed - it was almost certainly the outer boundaries of the grove. They would only have to cross the meadow now to get to the sheltered area where the Elders kept council. "Yes...yes we are, not much longer now!" She encouraged Maponus, she knew he must be tired from pushing through the weather with the colts extra weight on his back.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:14 am
Maponus' breathing was heavy as he carried the extra weight of the colt on his back. Having to stop every now and then to allow Shy to readjust the colt to prevent him from slipping off was more exhausting that just walking with him. But he wouldn't give up, not now, not ever. When he heard Shylah speak the words that they were almost there he managed to find some more strength. He would get them there.
The last leg of the trip went by quickly and soon Maponus, Shy and the colt were at the Sacred grove. Here the wind blew softly, no longer threatening to unbalance the colt he carried. "Divone, Alaunus, Duska!" He called out. Under any other circumstance he would use their proper titles but now was not that time to be formal. This colt needed help and he needed it now. The Spirits would just have to forgive him for his informal addressing of the elders. "We need your help, we have a very sick foal here." His eyes searched for any movement within the trees, though he did worry for a moment that the elders wouldn't be here.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:27 am
Shylah blew out a breath of relief as they entered the sheltered grove. It was warmer here, the wind not nearly so cold and biting as it was softened by the protective circle of trees. "Thank the spirits" she whispered softly as Maponus called out for the Elders by name. They wouldn't mind she knew - this was not a ceremony where titles were important but a time of emergency and the elders would understand. Nosing the colt to make sure he was still well - or at least as well as could be expected considering the illness - she snorted softly and turned to look through the tree's for any sign of the three elders that had been there during her last visit.
"I'm sure they're here" She told Maponus, "They must be sheltering on the other side" she assured him, though every moment where the Elders failed to appear made her heart thud just a little bit faster. There had to be at least one till here - there always was, the Elders never left the grove unprotected, it was unthinkable and Shy refused to consider the possibility that something had happened to them.
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