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 Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:08 am
Shylah's chest and legs were screaming by the time Maponus called out that they were almost there, the combination of heavy snow, blowing wind and cold frigid air had done its best to beat her down, her breath puffed out in frosty streams, the condensation causing small icicles to gather on the hair around her muzzle. She didn't think she'd heard sweeter words in her life as the ones he yelled back to her in that moment and pausing for a second she lifted her head to peer with silted eyes at the large boulder, it's outline barely disconcernable through the falling slow. It was a wonder she thought to herself that they had managed to get here, even more of a wonder that they hadn't gotten off track in the snow. But Maponus had always had a wonderful sense of direction and even in the snow both horses knew the land well.
Following her mates example Shylah buckled down and drove herself that extra little bit to make Sentry Rock and the grove beyond. They didn't really have much of a choice - stopping to sleep in the open land in this weather would certainly mean they would freeze to death. Entering the grove she stood puffing with lowered head while Maponus...spirits bless him...uncovered some grass. With a thankful look the weary mare set to eating, she made sure to leave enough to satisfy Maponus and scooped up a few mouthfuls of snow before tucking herself up under one of the trees. "We need to get an early start in the morning" She told Maponus in a determined if tired voice.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:34 am
The night seemed to go by far too fast and soon Maponus found himself waking to the first dim rays of the morning. He lifted his head slowly, spotting Shylah laying beside him. His mate was still asleep and though he knew they were in a desperate fight against time he decided to let her sleep just a few extra minutes. He got to his feet careful to not wake her and walked to the spot where he had exposed some grass the previous night. Snow had blown in the covered it with a thin dusting which he easily pushed aside with his muzzle. Taking a few mouthfuls of grass he let out a sigh.
Grabbing a mouthful of snow to quench his thirst he finally decided it was time to wake up Shylah. He went over to her and gently pushed his muzzle against her. "The morning is upon us." He told her softly. "We must get up." Oh how he hated to push her so hard, but they had been chosen by the Spirits to make this long and arduous journey and he knew that together they could overcome anything.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:46 am
Shylahs eyes blinked sleepily as Maponus woke her - for a few brief moments she thought they were back in the sheltered grove they had adopted as their own - but that peace only lasted a few moments, all to quickly the chocolate mare recalled the mission they had to undertake. So much for peace she thought to herself as she let out a soft groan, sore muscles protesting as she lurched to her feet and shook her head. She wouldn't complain about it she told herself - a bit of walking around and the muscles would loosen again.
Turning her gaze out of the grove she took note of the brightening sky, brightening despite being covered in swirling grey clouds, morning indeed and she wouldn't have much time to eat before they had to start off again. To keep Maponus from worrying over her Shy gave him a warm look and a soft nuzzle, by the looks of the ground he had already eaten some and she hurried to do so as well, glancing at him between mouthfuls. "We should be able to make good progress today, since we're starting so early" She said thoughtfully as she scooped up a mouthful or two of snow and nodded to Maponus "We best get started".
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:56 am
Bobbing his head as he watched Shylah eat some grass. "Yes I agree. We may make it about half way to the western border of the five herds land if we really push ourselves." Though that really depended on if the weather cooperated today. Should it turn out to be another horribly stormy day like it was yesterday they might not make it half as far. And the snow had drifted deeply from all the wind, yet another thing to slow them down. But they had determination in their hearts and the strength to do this.
Stopping to give Shylah another nuzzle before taking the lead again, Maponus stuck his head out of the grove. Well the winds had died down, it was only a gentle breeze right now, so they would need to take advantage of that. He began to push his way through the drifts, once again blazing the way for Shylah to follow. This time though he didn't need to tuck his head against his chest, he could walk with his head up, eyes scanning the white horizon. He noted the grey clouds above, knowing they meant yet another bad storm coming their way. Spirits please see us through this, he thought as he walked along, not really knowing where he would take them whenever they did make it out past the border lands.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:10 am
Following in Maponus wake - as she normally did Shylah was relieved to find the weather far better then it had been the day before, and like Maponus she was eager to take advantage of this and travel as far as they could before ill weather slowed them don again. Eying the heavy grey clouds on the horizon Shylah blew out a heavy breath, "Spirits please let that storm hold off until the night" she prayed out loud. If it snowed during the night the drifts would be deeper yes but they wouldn't have to deal with the wind and lessened sight of the storm and that made traveling more comfortable if not easier.
Sooner or later Shy knew they would have to discuss which direction to take when they passed the herds outer boarder's, she personally had no idea which way to turn and she didn't think Maponus did either - she supposed all she could do was hope the spirits would see fit to give them a sign..a clue..even a feeling that might lead them in the right direction. Shylah had rarely been in the western lands, her home heard had been on the other side and she could recall but one vague trip here as a foal. Once they had left Sentry rock Shylah had left behind most of her known land, But perhaps Maponus knew the area better. "Do you know if there is a good place to spend the night this way?" She asked him as they pushed on through the drifts.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:36 am
Turning his head to look at Shylah giving her a slight smile. "Yes, there are several spots to use along the way." He knew this area well, while it may not have been his home range he did spend a good chunk of his adolescent years in the western territory. Should the storm blow in he would easily be able to find them some shelter to wait it out if needed. He hoped that wouldn't be the case, with help form the Spirits they could travel far today weather permitting.
The hours had melted into days and the days...well Maponus really wasn't sure just how long he and Shylah had been wandering since leaving the familiarity of the herd lands. When they had reached the outer most border it had been a toss up of which way to go. These were foreign lands for both horses so neither of them knew what to expect or where to find a new suitable home. But the Spirits had been kind to them that day, and with a sudden gust of wind on an otherwise breezeless day they had been given their direction, southwest.
He traveled with his head hung down, not that it was windy today, but he was exhausted. They barely ate, and sleep seemed to be a fleeting thing most nights. And finding food was quite the challenge in places where the snow was up to their chests. What little food they had found, Maponus made sure that Shylah ate most of it. His mind began to tell him that perhaps they had gotten far too lost and if they turned back they would not be able to find their way home. Then what would they do? Wander their entire lives hoping to find a place to call home.
A sudden sound caught his attention and his head shot up, ears swiveling around. What had it been? He strained to listen for the sound, but there was nothing. Must have been his mind playing tricks on him. He sighed and continued on, what else could he do. Then he heard it again, eyes darted around until he saw something. In the trees up ahead, it was too small to make out its exact shape but he had an idea of what it could be, he swore he had seen that exact tree with that exact shaped animal once before. His heart pounded with excitement. "Shy did you hear that? Do you see it?" He said gesturing with his muzzle.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:53 am
Shylah like Maponus had started to loose track of just how long they had been traveling..there had been the first night, when they sheltered as Sentry rock, and the second where Maponus had steered them towards a sheltered gully..and the third when they had passed into unknown lands and spent a night shivering near a pine tree, on the fourth they had barely slept since no shelter could be seen and the night had been cold, they'd huddled up against one another for what little warmth they could get. Or had that been the fifth night? maybe the sixth - honestly shy couldn't distinguish between them anymore and her memory on some of the details had started to fade.
Not that it mattered she decided as she plodded along, she and Maponus were well and truly lost now and despite her determination to see this quest through Shylahs hope was beginning to flag. If they didn't catch a break soon what was left of the herds back home would surely be completely forsaken. She and Maponus would fail.
It was during this rather miserable trail of thoughts that Maponus suddenly spoke and Shy startled by his sudden alertness instantly topped behind him, head twisting this way and that as she peered through the trees. It would be just their luck to run into a predator right now. But she saw nothing and turning her attention back to Maponus she replied he was focused on something else. Following his gaze she sucked in a sharp breath. "Maponus!" she exclaimed in a startled voice "It's an owl!" She blinked mind flashing backwards - there was something she should be remembering here, but in the midst of trying to figure that out a second flutter caught her attention and she turned to look "No...two owls!" She corrected as she studied the large tuffed owl that had joined the party.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 10:35 am
Maponus was about to confirm what Shylah had said about it being an owl when she suddenly yelled out that there were two. His eyes moved back to the tree focusing on the one owl and then spotting the other one in the branch above. This was eerily similar to what they had seen in their dream walk. But that begged a question, would the owls lead them to a large grove like they had in their vision? "Two owls....in the daylight." He said in a voice filled with awe. "The Spirits are smiling upon us today."
After a few moments of standing there staring at the owls in awe Maponus forced himself to focus. They couldn't spend all day looking upon such a rare sight, they had work to do, whether the owls helped out or not. "Come on, I think we should keep moving." He told Shylah before continuing on.
As he walked the owl with the tawny colored stomach jumped out of the tree and soared towards the two horses. Maponus watched as it circled around them twice, letting out a small hoot before flying off, stopping every now and then as if seeing that the horses were following. Well Maponus would be stupid to ignore the owl, especially since it had done that exact same thing in their spirit walk. "I do believe we are being guided on this day." He said to Shylah as he watched the owl fly ahead, well he would follow it and see where it lead.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 10:52 am
Shylah wished she could stand there staring at the owls for the rest of the day.. but that would be a terrible waste of time and sure that wasn't what the Spirits would want them to do - perhaps they had sent the owls to give them hope as theirs was starting to fade - or perhaps to let them know they were on the right path. It was a wondrous sight and certainly one she wouldn't forget she thought to herself even as she nodded in agreement with Maponus. They really should be on their way.
Although Shylah recalled well the owls actions in their visions she didn't really expect the owls here to do the same. Visions were meant to guide not lead after all and there was a vast difference between the two. Casting one last glance at the larger of the owls - she rather liked the way the tuffed feathers on his head resembled ears and how his downy feathers nearly covered his sharp talons. With a shake of her head she refocused her attentions on Maponus who was already walking ahead. The chocolate mare nearly spooked when the smaller owl suddenly took to the air, her head craned back to watch as it circled above them before taking off through the trees. "It's just like our vision" he whispered to Maponus once she had caught up to him. "It must be a sign from the spirits...we're not lost at all" She exclaimed in excitement "We're right where we need to be"
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 11:17 am
"Very much like our vision." He looked at Shylah and then returned his gaze to the owl flying ahead. It would do them no good to lose sight of it now. And although he couldn't help but wonder if this would turn out to be like their vision where the owls lead them to a large grove, he also had to consider the fact that they may be here for another purpose. They would both find out soon enough.
While following the owl Maponus had forgotten about how hungry, thirsty and tired he had been. It was like he was filled with renewed energy from just the sheer sight of seeing those two owls in the day time. And now they were leading him and Shylah somewhere. And soon Maponus was greeted with a slightly familiar scene. A thick bank of trees where the owl stopped, looked at the pair of horses and then swiftly flew inside. "Do you think...that's the place from our vision?" He asked Shylah as he approached the spot where the owl had flown in. With a small hesitant look back at his mate he ducked inside as well.
Coming out on the other side he found himself in a very large grove, which from what he could tell was an almost perfect circle. His eyes darted up to the trees where the small owl now rested on one of the branches, its large yellow eyes staring at the stallion. "This place..." Map started to say to Shy as she came up beside him. It was the place from their vision, he had no doubt about that. The grove pulled at his soul, begging him to not ignore the importance of this place.
"All sacrifies are rewarded." A voice rang out through the clearing.
Maponus whipped around looking at Shy, the voice had not been hers but she was the only other one there. "Did you say something?" He asked, his voice was a bit shaky. It must had been her who said that, though his mind might be playing tricks on him.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 11:37 am
Shylah had to hurry to keep up with Maponus as they followed the owl but she hardly noticed the hurrying, her steps were fraught with excitement and her eyes kept flicking ahead to watch the tawny owl..or above to see the larger one as it followed them on their path. She nearly tripped several times for lack of watching where she was going. It was Maponus and his question which finally got her to focus again and her eyes swept the line of trees. "It could be..." she started to say..but the vision has been shrouded in so much fog, it was hard to tell she finished silently as her tawny mate slipped inside with on last hesitant look.
It had to be the place in their vision Shy told herself- they had traveled so far and both of them were so tired, a fact she was suddenly made aware of as she stood unmoving before the line of trees. Shy wasn't sure ho much farther she and Maponus could go, how much longer they could search and still hope to return in time to save the others. There was of course only one way to find out and sucking in a breath Shylah ducked through the trees after her mate.
"Is amazing..." Shylah finished the stallions words as she came up beside him, her eyes darting about the open land, open except in the middle where a ring of trees stood guard over a larger oak, now bathed in moonlight..had they really followed the owls that long? They must have and just not realized it she decided. It was an old clearing Shylah knew the vegetation and trees surrounding it were ancient and large, tall and strong with years of growth and history behind them. And yes..it was unmistakably the place from their spirit journey - there was no arguing that. It was perfect and Shylah knew in the depths of her soul that this was the place they were meant to call home.
Her reverie was interrupted By Maponus as he sudden;y asked her if she'd heard something, well yes he'd heard the owl hooting..and she gave him a quizzical look "No...no I didn't.." Perhaps the cold and stress had addled his brain in some manner and Shylah was caught in a sudden flash of fear, would they come this far only to fall into fevered delusions again? A branch shook violently beside her head and the mare started, turning to find herself face to face with the tuffed owl.
"There is nothing to fear now,your task is nearly complete"
Shylah stared for a few moments and then looked to Maponus "I...I think the Owl just spoke to me..." he told him before clearing her voice "It said our task is nearly complete and we don't need to fear anymore...what...what did you hear?" She asked him - almost hesitantly.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:01 pm
Maponus raised an eyebrow at Shylah. The larger owl had spoke to her...that was odd. Of course he could remember the occasional story from one of the elders that sacred animals, such as owls, could attach themselves to horses and they could communicate between themselves. Could that be what was happening now? Were these owls trying to bond with Shylah and himself. He had to shake his head to focus. The words that Shylah's owl supposed spoke were quite relieving.
"Well I heard a voice say 'All sacrifices are rewarded.'" He looked at the owl with the tawny colored stomach. "Did you say that?" Maponus felt a little weird talking to the owl. What if it was just a hallucination? Or perhaps just a dream and that their journey was not over yet.
The owl tipped it head to the side as Maponus spoke. "Yes, I spoke those words." It said as it straightened its head out.
It was only now that Maponus realized that it was night. How long had they followed these birds? It had been morning when they had run into them, at least he thought it was morning. Time still seemed to be a bit fuzzy to him. He glanced out across he grove, the moons light reflecting off the snow. The large oak in the middle made his maw drop open with amazement. How had he not noticed that when he first entered the grove. Turning his attention back to the owl on the branch above. "And you led us here?"
"We did." The owl replied with a glanced at the large tufted one sitting on the branch near Shylah.
"He says that they led us here." He told Shylah, his voice still a bit shaky form the shock of all the current events. Once again his eyes moved back to the large grove they stood in. This place, it would be their new home, a safe haven for what was left of the five herds. And this would become the new sacred grove, that he could feel in his soul. The Spirits already showed signs of their approval of this place through the two owls. "Followers of The Moon." Maponus said in a soft voice while looking at Shylah.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:17 pm
Shylah was relieved to hear she was not the only one who seemed to have heard the owl's speak. It was not in her life plan to go crazy just as she and Maponus reached the culmination of their quest - of course this quest hadn't exactly been in her plans either. She spared a glance for Maponus before turning back to the large tuffed owl who was regarding her with large round solemn eyes. She was of course..like her mate aware of the old stories and by this point in things Shylah found the fact that owls were speaking to them..perhaps trying to bond with them...just one of the amazing things that had happened to them since they began their lives together. Her ears flicked slightly as Maponus confirmed that the owls had led them here. It seemed ungracious to ask them how they had known what they needed - Owl she knew were closely linked to the spirits. Of course they would know. "Do..do you have a name?" She finally asked the large speckled creature.
The owl bobbed it head and shifted position on the branch, his movements causing the branch to shudder slightly. "Breckin" He responded to the chocolate mare's question.
"Well..thank you Breckin and..." he trailed off unsure of the other owl name though she offered him a small dip of her head in respect "For leading us here" She concluded as Maponus stood transfixed by the sight before him. The words he uttered made her shiver slightly. "It is suiting" She told the stallion "Not only did we find the grove in moonlight...but we were led by two of Lady Moons hunter's"
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:27 pm
Maponus bobbed his head in agreement. Yes it was a very suiting name. He listened to Shylah as she spoke to the larger owl, who's name appeared to be Breckin. That made him wonder, what the the name of the other owl. Turning his head he glanced at the small owl perched in the tree. "And what would your name be?"
"I am Herne." The owl replied, puffing out his chest as he spoke, clearly proud of his name.
"I thank you Herne," he said and glanced at the other owl. "And Breckin as well. My mate and I are truly blessed by your presence." He bowed his head to both owls as a sign of respect.
"Rest now." Herne told him motioning his beak towards the protection of the grove. "Another long journey is ahead tomorrow."
Ah yes, tomorrow he and Shylah would need to start the long journey back to find the others at the old Sacred Grove. He could only hope that they weren't too late to bring the other survivors here. They had been gone a long time and the Spirits had indicated for them to hurry. "Yes, we will rest." He told the owl and then turned to Shylah. "We will need to return to the others tomorrow." Though he knew it would take many days to do so, they would need to leave first thing.
He walked a bit around the grove first, taking it all in, and then found a good spot to lay down next to a clump of large tree, their trunks were nearly touching each other. Here they would be able to rest, sheltered from any winds that may blow in. "Come my love." He said to Shylah. "We must rest." Lowering himself to the ground, he settled into the thin blanket of snow.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:43 pm
Shylah listened while Maponus conversed with the smaller owl - though she couldn't understand what the other bird was saying she gathered the jist of it by hearing Maponus side of the conversation, and it was hard to misunderstand the owl's motion. Clearly it anted them to go further into the grove...to rest she soon learned from Maponus. That made sense - it was far to late to turn around and start the journey back to the others tonight. This was both a blessing and a curse...fore Shylah was anxious to return and make sure the others were still safe, but she was also eagar to spend some time in this grove. Thier new home...it was beautiful and untainted and the promises it held for thier future made her want to never leave.
But they had too...in the morning...and she nodded her head to Maponus, following him further into the grove when a thought suddenly struck her and pausing she turned back to the two owls still perched in the trees. "Will you still be here in the morning?" he asked them both..though knew it would be Breckin who answered.
"Of course" Breckin answered the mare with a reassuring tone to his voice, she had been through much this mare and he could understand her worry. "How else would you find your way back home?"
Well that was two questions answered for the price of one Shylah thought to herself and she inclined her head in thanks before turning back to Maponus and lowering herself down onto the ground beside him. "Yes, even with Breckin and Herne's help it will be a long Journey" She responded to the tawny steed before nuzzling him softly. It wasn't long after that the two horses drifted off to sleep in their sheltered grove, with two owls watching over them.
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