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 Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 2:26 pm
Ah the Winter Solstice was here and the herds were on the move to meet at the grove where the Elders awaited them. Maponus had been traveling for some time now and his hooves moved faster now as he could see the clearing that surrounded the small grove. The snow flew into the air as he moved along but then as he entered the clearing he slowed his pace. Coming to a stop he inclined his head slightly as he looked at the grove, to show respect to the Elders within as well as the Spirits who were guiding them.
His eyes moved around the clearing as he looked at those gathered. All stallion, all of whom would be participating in the pairing ceremony. They were expected to get there first so that they could be given the final instructions before the mares arrived. For once the mares were here there would be no communicating with the others until the ceremonies were done. That was the way it always had been and Maponus, being a devote follower of the ways had every intention of doing just that.
After the stallions met up with an Elder to be given their final instructions as to what to do they moved off to one side of the clearing. That way when the mares arrived they would not interfere in what they must do to prepare. They would merely stand there until it was time to spread out in a half circle around the grove and await their chosen.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:06 pm
 Divone peered out at the stallions as they congregated around the sacred circle - some of them looked nervous, other eager, some merely contemplative - lost ,no doubt, within their own thoughts. But the stallions were not her responsibility and their nerves or lack thereof were not her concern. Another would take care of them.
Divone had only to see to the young mare's, and her focus was on her own preparations as murmurings from the stallion group told her that another elder was giving them their instructions. Divone took special care in laying out the bits of colored cloth and ribbon that she would tie into each mare's tail upon their arrival. The bit's had been carefully gathered throughout the year by the elders and the scouts who worked for them - most often found near the two legger camps, these bits of cloth could be dangerous to procure...but they were important for the Ceremony and so the task must be done.
The amount of cloth gathered was a sign from the spirits, the pieces revealed how many mare were ready to take part in the ceremony, this year there was more then enough to go around. The Spirit Talker kept mumbling about how this was a bad sign...but Divone hoped that was not the case.
Her thoughts we brought to a close as the soft sounds of hoofbeats approached - the mares were coming and the grey lifted her head, sure enough in a long and silent line the mares approached and as they reached her Divone studied the bit of ribbon and cloth intently until she found the one which spoke to her - a little flutter here, a shifting there - all were signs that that piece of cloth as meant for that particular mare, you just had to know ho to read them.
For Caoimhe a subtle shift told her a woven bit of cloth was to be hers and Divone tied it quickly to the mares tail, giving her a warm and silent look before nudging her on her way, there to await her name to be called. But it was for Shylah that the clearest sign was given, a gust of wind so strong it nearly blew the ribbon straight into the face of the nervous brown mare. Clearly the ribbon belonged to her and Divone gav her a calming look before wrapping the red ribbon about her tail and sending her off.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:36 pm
 Shylah unlike some of the mares in line was not a bundle of nerves as she waited for her turn. Divone she knew was a Spirit Walker of great renown and the spotted mare had no doubt that she would choose her tail tie properly - to be partnered with the wrong one could bring nothing but ill luck for the new couple.
Couple...Shylah's eyes sparkled with excitement at the thought, she would soon be paired with the stallion the spirits knew would be her perfect match - and if the spirits said so well then it had to be right. Shylah could look forward to a long and wonderful life with her spiritmate. They would have foals almost certainly...it was expected and they were duty bound to help the five herds remain strong. Some of Shylah's friends were nervous about this prospect but Shylah wasn't - she was looking forward to starting a family.
One by one the mares in front of her went before the Spirit Walker and received their tail ties - the bits of cloth and ribbon were important Shylah knew, they told the others in the herd that they were soon to be spoken for mares - warned them from trying to speak with them until the Ceremony was over, from trying to sway them from their beliefs - not that that had ever happened but it was best to err on the side of caution.
When it was her turn, Shylah nearly started as a burst of wind practically blew the ribbon into her face, but she was a brave mare and despite the tension due to the ceremony she stood her ground as the Spirit Walker gave her a calming look and then sent her to stand with the others.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:46 pm
Once all the waiting mares had received their tail ties - and they all stood gathered in a little group off to the side, Divone turned and joined the other Elders in a brief conference. They had already divined the names for each mare of course...such things took far more time then this relatively brief gathering would allow.
The Elders had been sequestered in the grove for several suns now, speaking with the Spirits and divining the signs in the ways their school of training dictated, after discussing the signs amongst themselves they had come up with a suitable Spirit Guided list of partners. A group of couplings that would ensure the future of the five herds for many years to come. An now they stood at the zenith of this ceremony, the clustered mares and fidgeting stallions all waiting to see who the spirits had picked for them. They wouldn't have to wait long.
Turning as one the Elders called for the first name, waiting patiently as the mare came forth, first to Divone who blessed her with the smoke from the sacred flame - then onwards down the line to receive their sprig of mistletoe and the name of their chosen whom they must go out to find amidst the waiting stallions. One by one, each mare was called forth.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:51 pm
Shylah had always felt a special fondness for this time of year, perhaps because the patterns on the branches of the snow dotted trees, matched the blanket on her rump, or the way the snow crunched under her hooves as she walked through the frosty air, or the way the icicles sparkled in the early morning light when you woke up in the morning, maybe it was a little bit of all those things. Regardless of the reasoning the spotted mare had always looked forward to Winter...and the Solstice celebrations.
Especially this year. This year she was finally old enough to take part in the pairing ceremony and she had been nearly quivering in excitement when the Elders had called her into the thicket. They had sequestered themselves in there for the better part of a week along with the Elders from neighboring herds, together they had been asking the Spirits for guidance and help in choosing the perfect partners for the herds youth. For her.
It was something many young mares might have a problem with, this lack of control over their future, but Shylah like her name implied was loyal to the Spirit Gods and trusted the Elders to choose the perfect partner for her, and she'd nearly danced forward when they called her name. Of course she hadn't expected them to give her his name. Maponus.
It certainly hadn't been expected...yes he was handsome and by all accounts a good and pure follower of the ways. But he wasn't the one she had expected and she was embarrassed to say she'd stood there for a few moments blinking somewhat stupidly at the Elders when they'd told her, why they had practically had to force her to take the ceremonial mistletoe. But this wasn't the Elders first gallop and one of them had assured her the Gods had spoken true. She would soon see one particularly ancient mare had told her before nudging her out of the thicket and off to seek him. Maponus.
Maponus. The name rolled about her mind in a never ending chant, a chant which seemed nearly in time to the sound of her hoof beats in the snow as she walked towards him - his white splashed tawny coat was hard to miss.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:59 pm
Divone watched as the spotted mare made her way from the clearing. It was obvious the mare hadn't expected Maponus as a mate - but such was the way of the spirits, that the young mare would learn soon enough. Divone had nudged her on her way with an assurance that the Spirits had spoken decisively and brightly in regards to the pairing, and Shylah - good souled horse that she was had seemed reassured by this statement.
Divone was fairly certain that it would not be the last time this day she would have to utter such a reassurance to a young mare. It was to be expected - they all had their foal hood crushes after all, though the spirits - far wiser then any of them could ever hope to be - saw past such youthful love and sought instead pairings that would last.
But enough wool gathering the mare told herself - there was still a task to be done Caoimhe had been called next and the tawny mare was now approaching. Divone turned her attention towards her, letting thoughts of Shylah drift away.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:12 pm
Standing at the edge of the clearing Maponus had watched as those who were to participate in the pairing ceremony gathered. He knew them all by name, for their herds often gathered during important celebrations. Part of him was excited to be here, and yet another part of him wanted to just leave and never return. He was nervous. What if the Spirits paired him up with one he could not love? Well, he doubted they would do that, but one could never be certain. The Spirits did work in mysterious ways. As each mare was called into the thicket he wondered if she would be the one who would become his. And each time they emerged they would meet up with another young stallion.
Then he spotted her. The one he hoped would be his. Caoimhe. A beautiful mare whom lived to the south of his family’s herd. Oh how he hoped beyond anything that she would be given his name. How could she not be given to him? After all their coats complimented each other’s. His was tawny, while hers was a dark dun. Movement caught his attention for a moment. He watched as Shylah, a dappled appaloosa mare entered the thicket where the Elders waited to give the word of the Spirits.
Once again his eyes moved back to Caoimhe. His hooves shifted in the snow as he watched her wait for her turn with the elders. The way she held herself was just awe inspiring. She was a born leader. She was – his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of crunching snow. He looked up to see Shylah coming towards him, sprig of mistletoe in her teeth.
He quickly looked to either side of him. Surely she was intended for another male, but to his dismay he was the only one left standing in this part of the clearing. No, he thought, this is wrong. Eyes darting to Caoimhe as she entered the thicket. There must be some mistake, why would the Spirits match him with Shylah. Turning his attention back to the mare as she approached, his maw fell open a bit as he stared at her in a state of disbelief.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:18 pm
It wasn't hard to miss the look on the stallions face, obviously she hadn't been the one he was hoping for. She could relate to him there, but the choice had been made and it was out of both their hands now, the Spirits had chosen. He couldn't refuse her could he? As far as she knew no one had ever dared to defy the Spirits or question their choice, Maponus wouldn't be the first...he couldn't be! It would be unbearable and she would be forever mateless, cast aside...ruined! The Spirits only chose once...
Maponus was a good stallion of the way she tried to tell herself, attempting to sooth her fear's before they caused her hide to tremble. Trust in the Spirits, they wouldn't have sent you to him if it wasn't meant to be she told herself firmly and with that thought a look of determination flickered into her eyes. She would see this through. She didn't really have a choice.
There wasn't anymore time to think about it, she was now but a pace away from the tawny steed and lowering her head she set the mistletoe directly in between them, right in the middle as she had been told - so that their souls could be properly connected when she said the words. No time to hesitate or think, no turning back - not now, not ever - and raising her head the spotted mare placed her pink eyed gaze on the stallion before her, mouth opening almost of its own accord to deliver the phrase.
"Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone.
I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One. "
Her part done she kept her gaze on his. It was all up to him now...
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:25 pm
He watched as she set the sprig of mistletoe between then. Well there was no turning back now. Lifting his head he met her gaze with his own and listening to her utter those words. Now it was his turn. For no more than a split second he hesitated before saying his part.
“I give ye my Spirit, ‘til our Life shall be done.”
His sides heaved in a deep sigh as he finished. She was his now, as he was hers. Bending his head he picked up the mistletoe with his teeth and turned, leading her out of the clearing. They walked in silence, only the snow crunching under their feet.
Once at their destination he laid the mistletoe on the ground. Using his hoof to hold it still he carefully plucked two berries off the sprig. It was difficult to grab just two as the berries were small and grew in clusters on the sprig. With a glance at Shylah chewed them up quickly. Their taste was bitter, making him shudder slightly as he swallowed them. He took a step back and lay down in the soft snow. His eyes moved to her. Now she would need to do the same. The berries would help them enter the Spirit’s dream world.
His eyes began to droop. The berries worked fast on this night. As his vision blurred he looked towards his mare. Had she taken the berries? He wasn’t entirely sure. Things were moving far too fast for him right now. His head felt heavy and it moved softly downwards until it too rested on the snow.
Slowly his eyes opened again. As the world came back into focus he glanced around. He was still in the thicket but everything seemed so dull and there was a fog that clung to the ground. Getting to his feet quickly he instantly regretted that move. His head swam and he struggled to stay upright. He took one cautious step and then another. His hoof seemed to hit something. Looking down he saw the shape of another horse through the fog.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:35 pm
The stallion’s hesitation and sigh were telling and Shylah was painfully aware as she followed him that he wasn't very happy with the Spirits decision. But he'd gone through with the ceremony anyways and that was a good sign. It proved that he was indeed a stallion of the way…and that was important to Shylah, she couldn't imagine sharing her life and raising future foals with an uneducated heathen.
As Maponus ate the berries and lay down Shylah separated two berries for herself before burying what was left of the mistletoe under the snow where they would lay. This would ensure their souls would know where to return to when their trip into the Spirit world was finished and it was her duty to ensure it was done properly, mares were the cornerstone of the family after all, just as it was his duty to go first into the spirit world, a symbolic gesture of his duty to be the protector and keep his new family from harm.
Shylah patted the snow down over the mistletoe to make sure no wind would come and blow it away before lowering herself to the ground beside the already traveling stallion and chewed the berries herself. It was important that they only took two each...more and it was unlikely they would return from their journey her mother had told her, less and they would not induce the proper state of consciousness and their journey would fail.
The berries taste made her wrinkle her nose slightly and she chewed and swallowed quickly in a hurry to rid herself of the taste. Like Maponus it didn't take long for the berries to affect Shylah and though she wasn't sure how much time had passed before she opened her eyes, she didn't think it had been very long.
Maponus stood above her, looking down at her and not wanting to keep him waiting she struggled to her feet, wobbling slightly as she tried to gain her balance and orientation. Everything was the same - and yet different. She wasn't sure exactly what they were supposed to do at this point, each journey was different her mother had said and private, something to be shared only by you and your chosen.
"Should we walk maybe? To the meadow?" Yes that sounded right, somewhere along the way perhaps they would see what they were meant to see.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 5:00 pm
As the group of mares dwindled to nothing Divone turned to look out across the meadow, by the looks of things everything out here was well under way, mares were finding their chosen, presenting the mistletoe - saying the sacred verses which would bind them both together as the spirits had foreseen.
A flash of movement on the far side of the clearing caught her attention, a quickly disappearing tawny rump with splotches of white and an equally quick moving spotted one. It seemed that Shylah had found Maponus and completed this part of the ceremony. Divone smiled inwardly to herself as the two disappeared into the trees, they would make a fine couple Divone was sure of it, and not just because the spirits said so, but because they were both good pure souls, Maponus was kind and noble - Shylah strong and devout, the herd, Divone knew would benefit greatly from this pairing.
A voice near by spoke her name and Divone turned to the source, glaring down at the shaggy little beast who'd crept up on her. "what do you want?" She asked the beast who motioned with his muzzle towards the others, and turning away from the clearing and the stragglers who had yet to leave on their journey Divone went to wait for the couples return with the other elders.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 5:53 pm
Maponus leaned against the mare for a moment to help her gain her balance as his eyes moved around. Once she seemed to be steady he took a step away. His head swiveled around as he took in the dull world then turned back to Shylah as she spoke.
“Yes I suppose we should.” He said as he led the way out careful to move slowly as to not lose her in the fog.
They moved along quietly for some time before he recognized where they were. It was the meadow they had gathered in to await their partners in the pairing ceremony. The fog was thinner here allowing them to see a bit more. At first there was nothing to see, or least there were no other horses in this dream.
He glanced at Shylah as they walked along. It felt strange at yet at the same time quite normal for her to be with him. Either way he would have to get used to it, they would be together for the rest of their lives, and afterwards as well. For it was said that two souls connected in the pairing ceremony went together in both life and death. That was the way things were and he believed wholeheartedly in that. Those were his beliefs, not only his but hers as well, as were their customs.
A small sound off in the distance caught his attention. It wasn't the sound of horses, no it was different but he knew that sound well. His eyes moved to the trees and off in the distance he could see a bird perched on a thick branch. "Look over there." He said to Shylah as he moved closer to the trees. Once they got closer he noticed exactly what type of bird it was. An owl, who represents wisdom, detachment and change. This was a important sight in the dream world as every animal was sacred to them and each had its own means. "A owl." He said quietly. Not that Shylah wouldn't know that, but the word slipped out more of a spoken thought than anything else.
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 7:52 am
Shylah was thankful to the stallion as he helped steady her after the disconcerting trip into the spirit world, it took a few moments for her to regain her balance but after a few moments she was fine, giving a slight shake of her head to shake away what was left of her confusion as he stepped away.She kept close to Maponus as they walked through the swirling fog - she wasn't sure what would happen if they got separated in the spirit world, but she couldn't fathom it being good.
The silence that surrounded them as they walked along might have been conceived as an awkward silence by other horses - but Shylah felt at ease with Maponus, and their lack of conversation didn't bother her at all. they were both coming to terms with both being paired together and now traversing this spiritual journey. Silence at the moment seemed quite appropriate. So far their journey seemed filled with nothing more then quiet fog - Shylah wasn't sure if this was normal, this was her first time after all - but she had to assume it was. The Spirits would show them what they wished for them to see in their own time.
Even as she thought this Shylah's ears twitched as she too picked up the owl's sound, following Maponus' cue as he spoke Shylah turned her eyes towards the feathered creature. Owls were well known to her, and seeing them always represented something. "A very pretty one" She noted taking in its patterns. "I suppose it makes sense, perhaps it represents ho our lives will change now that we are together" The mare continued before lifting her head even higher in surprise as another of the feathered creatures winged it's way into sight to sit beside it's fellow. "Another! Thats rare" she remarked, surprise evident in her voice - one owl was special enough but two?
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 8:37 am
Maponus stretched his neck to get a better look at the owl that perched on the branches above. It's body was a dark brown, almost black in some areas, white ran under its beak and along the bottom of the face. Two other spots of white created semi circles around each eye. It's yellow eyes stared out at the two horses, though the eyes were intelligent looking. It's chest was a tawny yellow not all that different than his own hide and along the inside of its tail was a white patch that boasted black stripes. All in all the creature was beautiful.
Shylah's excited voice snapped him out of his inspection of the bird. Another one? His head raised up to see the other owl perched on a branch above the other. Though this one was different looking than the one he had spotted. "Rare indeed. This is a most sacred moment for us." He told the mare as he glanced at her before returning his gaze to the owl. He knew well of what owls represented as well as what their calls and presence could indicate. "The Spirits are truly blessing us on this day." He said, and it was true. Not only did they see two owls at once, but it was during the day. And finding an owl during the day was a rare event in itself. Seeing two during the day, well that was almost completely unheard of.
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:22 am
Shylah's attention was caught by the second owl, it looked larger then the first with two feather tuffs sticking up from its head, something akin to horns or ears,though as far as she could recall from her teaching Owls did not have ears like horses did, at least they didn't have them jutting from their heads. Its body was brown with flecks of black, a lighter buff color could be seen along its shoulders and underbelly, it eyes were large and round, displayed prominently on the lighter feathers of its face. It looked wise and knowing and Shylah shivered slightly as it clicked it beak at her, its gaze seeming to look into her very soul.
further investigation of the beautiful avian was cut short by Maponous' word however an Shylah' thoughts drifted back to Divone and the ribbon that had seemed to jump off the ground towards her, It seemed their pairing ceremony was having allot of strong signs, Shylah briefly considered telling Maponus about the ribbon - but that was mare business and so she kept quiet. "We should be thankful" she told the stallion "I doubt they bless all pairings with such a sighting' he concluded, though in reality neither of them could be sure of that, no one ever talked about what they saw during their spirit walks, but Shylah was certain that the sighting of two owls in daylight was not a common thing. She couldn't help but wonder however why the spirits seemed to be taking such an interest.
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