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 Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 2:21 pm
Sleep had come quickly to Maponus after he laid his head down. He had needed rest after carrying the foal to the Sacred Grove. Now he was well rested and slowly his eyes opened. He let out a deep sigh as the trees came into focus. The Scared Grove, normally was only home to elder and used for special ceremonies. But today he was here, with Shylah and the foal they had rescued. His head lifted up and he looked to his side. The grey foal was still asleep, laying between himself and Shylah. The colts coat seemed less dull now, the herbs were doing him well. Then his eyes moved to Shylah, his beautiful Shylah.
He stretch his back a bit and looked around. Divone must still be in a meeting with the other Elders or perhaps had decided to let them rest more. Carefully he rose to his feet not wanting to wake Shy or the foal. He took a few steps away, slowly stretching out sore muscles. Then shook a thin layer of snow off his body that had collected there while he slept. He felt refreshed, his strength had returned to him. He looked up at the trees. The Spirits had blessed him with this strength and he was thankful for it.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 2:46 pm
 The elders meeting had been a long and heated one - they had all known of course what the end result would be, but that hadn't changed the fact that some wished it were otherwise. The appearance of Shylah and Maponus in the middle of this discussion had merely added another branch to the argument and placed more stock in Duska's conclusion. Even Divone hadn't been able to argue things then, especially since they had arrived with a sickly foal in to, had managed to keep him alive through a long and hazardous journey in the middle of a storm to boot. The signs were quite clear and it had been shortly afterwards that the decision had been made and Divone - voted as the one to break the news.
Since the previous Alphas had succumbed to the illness the herds fates lay completely in the hands of the elders, and soon it would lay in the sole hands of two young horses barely out of their pairing ceremony. Perhaps it wasn't the most wished for course of action - but it was probably the one which held the most hope. For everyone.
She had spoken now to everyone except Shylah and Maponus, which wasn't saying much - only a handful of the five herds remained, and many of them were still in an iffy sort of way. Divone wasn't sure how many would actually pull through. She had put off speaking with the two young horses for as long as possible - knowing what they would soon face she had wished to give them as much of a chance to rest as possible. But the time had come and Divone dare not put things off any longer. Crunching through the thin layer of snow towards the pair she saw Maponus already awake and standing - good, that was a good sign.
"I need a word with you and your mate Maponus" She told the tawny stallion after a pause, her eyes flickering to the colt. He would sleep on for a while yet and Divone had already found another to care for him when the young couple left. "Waken her if you will" She told the young steed, phrasing it like a question though they both knew it was a command.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 3:23 pm
Maponus was deep in thought as to what would happen now. He knew vaguely of the answer, from what he and Shy had seen in the Spirit Dream walk. But there were many gaps in that time line. There were many questions that would go unanswered until the Spirits decided to reveal them to the pair. He shook his head as he thought, so much death had occurred with in the herds, he wasn't at all sure who has survived. The only ones he had seen or heard of so far were all present within the grove. He wondered if there were others and how they would fair outside of the grove.
The soft crunching of snow caught Maponus' attention and he turned around to see Divone approaching. He bowed his head to her as she spoke. "Of course Divone, I shall wake her now." And while he hated to wake Shylah while she was resting it was clear to him that Divone had something important to say. He moved over to where Shylah lay besides the colt. Lowering his head he nuzzled her softly. "Shylah love, it's time to wake. Divone must speak with us." He took a step back so as to allow her to get up once she woke.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 3:33 pm
Shylah was in that state of sleep one has just before waking, the one where sounds heard and things felt are often noted, but sometimes misinterpreted as they are woven into whatever dreams they might be having. As such while she heard the crunching of snow beneath hooves her dream laden mind told her it was her hooves and that low mumbling of voices, speaking words she could barely hear..why they were coming from the grove of tree's up ahead, the grove she couldn't quite reach no matter how hard she tried.
It wasn't until Maponus nuzzled her that she awoke with a start "I'll get there I promise!" She spouted out in surprise as she threw her head up nearly clipping poor Maponus in the process as he withdrew to let her stand. Blinking she realized it had been a dream and gave Maponus a sheepish apologetic look as she rose "Sorry...was dreaming" She told the two horses, shaking her head slightly to clear the rest of the sleep from her mind before focusing on Divone, who had clearly not come by for social reasons.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 3:42 pm
Divone gave the mare a raised brow look as she started awake. Dreaming indeed. "Let us hope you can live up to your promises then young Shy" She remarked cryptically, knowing neither of them would understand what this meant until she had finished speaking. Now only had to deliver the news - but this news was not easy news to give and she let out a deep sigh before turning her gaze to them both in turn.
"The elders have come to a decision" She started solemly "Due to the events which have occured here, we can no longer continue living o this land. It is tainted and it is clear the Spirits no longer wish us to stay here." She told them in a quiet voice - this was not good news, it was never good when the spirits were angered so badly that they asked a herd to leave with such force. thankfully - the spirits thought they were sometimes fickle and cruel had seen fit to give them a way out of this mess. This was also clear to the Elders and proven by Maponus and Shylah. Just as the had delivered the foal, so too would they deliver the herd. To a new life and a new chance.
"We must find a new place to call home" she continued before motioning towards them with her muzzle " YOU two shall find us a new home. you are the strongest of the survivors and the gods have choosen the both of you for this journey. Our fate rests on your hooves"
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 4:08 pm
His ear flickered slightly at Divone's words to Shylah. What did she mean by that? Maponus' mind whirled as Divone spoke more. The land had become tainted. How could such a thing happen. And the Spirits wished them to move to a new land. This had to have been the reason behind the horrible sickness, but why? Had they done something to anger the Spirits? Was this their punishment for such actions?
Maw flopped open a bit at Divone's last words. They were to find this new home? He did have to agree that they were the strongest from what he had seen. And yet finding a new home would could be a long, if not dangerous journey. Then his mind flashed back to his Spirit Walk with Shylah, to everything they had seen in it. Finding a new home was possible and yes it would certainly take a long time. But would they be able to find it soon enough? If the Spirits wished the remaining horses to leave then they wouldn't have much time at all. "We are to find the new home?" He questioned Divone and glanced at Shylah, his voice was a little shaken up at the shock of it all.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 4:26 pm
Shy as just as stunned as Maponus by Divones speech, her mind flashed back to their spirit journey and the things they had seen. Yes...she couldn't doubt that the spirits seemed to have tasked them with this quest. Why else would the elders come to such a conclusion even thought neither she nor Maponus had told them what they'd seen? It seemed to unlikely to be coincidental and it gave her the hope she needed to think they could manage such a task...but she was still fearful, just because they had seen a victorious ending in their spirit walk - did not mean it would be so in life. The Elders were constantly warning of the Spirits fickle ways, always telling the younger horses that they often showed on a hint of what might come...or portions of an event which might be taken out of context. It was not in the Spirits natures to be forthcoming..and they enjoyed setting their followers to challenges that would be hard to overcome.
Shylah turned to look upon Maponus "We have no choice...the Elders are never wrong and if the spirits tell them it is to be us, then it must be" She told him in a quiet somewhat shaky voice. Clearly Maponus was not the only one in a state of shock.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 4:34 pm
"Just so" The older mare agreed with a nod as Shylah's words "We deliberated on it long and hard, but the conclusions were obvious and the signs strong" She assured the two young horses, eying them both in turn before continuing "And as you have no doubt deduced, our time is limited - the Spirits we think will be mollified to know we have sent you on your way to look, but they will not tolerate this as an excuse for long. You must find our new home quickly - and return to lead us there before the Spirits are angered further." She concluded.
Divone knew this was a heavy burden to place upon two young and relatively untried horses - but the elders all agreed, never before had they seen a pair so suited for one another, so strongly bonded in such a short time and so favored by the spirits. Yes the signs were clear and Divone, like the rest of the elders would just have to place their hopes with the to young beasts. It was the best chance for them all.
"I have found someone to care for the colt - so you need not worry for him" she continued hoping to further reassure the pair "Should he heal from his illness he will be well taken care of"
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 4:43 pm
Though Maponus was full of shock over the unfolding events he knew in his heart that the elders and Spirits had made a wise decision in choosing them. They would need to work hard and fast to appease the Spirits and find a new home for what remained of the herds. "Of course," he told the elder. "We will do this as quickly as we can." Though he knew the current herds territory was quite large so just leaving the current tainted lands would take a couple of days. But they would push themselves hard, and with whatever strength the Spirits would lend them they would find the way.
His eyes moved to the sleeping colt. "I have confidence that he will make it. And he will see his new home soon." His gaze moved to Shylah, she looked about as nervous as he felt but together they would make it. It's what the Spirits had shown them, though it may not be an easy journey, they would make it...somehow. "We better get moving then. Time is not something we can afford to waste."
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 4:56 pm
"yes" Shy agreed, trying to put a good portion of confidence into her voice "We certainly can't waste time" That might very well anger the Spirits more, something they could chance considering the already perilous state of the five herds - which she now guess couldn't exactly be called that. they were more like half a herd...less even. Shylah's eyes pinched slightly at this distressing thought and her chest tightened, the shock and horror of the last few weeks compounding onto one brief moment and Shy almost couldn't hande it - she wanted to weep and scream and run in terror, to get away from it all, find a place to hide and forget that any of this had ever happened.
But she couldn't do that now could she? She had Maponus..and the sickly colt...and everyone else depending on them. They would have to see this through - there wasn't any other choice. There could be no dodging of duty now. Shylah straighted suddenly in determination - almost unaware that her body had sagged briefly during her moment of despair."Is there anything else we need to do before we leave?" She asked Divone in a strong voice.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:03 pm
The Spirits had truly chosen well Divone thought to herself as she looked from one young horse to another. Maponus even as a foal had always been a strong young creature and Shylah while outwardly soft and gentle look was inwardly anything but. Yes...they were a good choice and as she watched them both overcome their reservations in their own ways Divones faith in the two was strengthened.
"No child" She told Shylah as she asked her question a slight shake of her ancient head to further amplify the point "We have already conferred and asked the spirits to smile upon your journey, there is nothing more we can do but take care of the ones you shall leave behind." She continued before making a swift motion with her muzzle out towards the open meadow where a storm still raged on "Now go...and return as swift as you are able." She instructed firmly, leaving no more room for question or stalling.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:46 pm
"We will." Maponus told Divone and then glanced at Shylah. "Come, we have much work to do and little to do it in." He knew she already knew that, but what else could he say. With a final look at Divone he set off, he would lead the way, pushing the snow aside with his wide body for Shylah. He turned his head as he went. "Take care Divone. May the Spirits watch over you and the others while we are gone." His head swiveled around to face forward again, turning it down so his nose was close to his chest, protecting his face from the harsh winds.
As he walked his mind went back to the visions from the dream walk. The grove he and Shylah had seen would be the perfect new home. But he didn't know exactly where it was, or in what direction. It also seemed like a fair ways off, after all it had been in a land he had never seen before. They would find their way somehow, be it the Spirits guiding their hooves or just dumb luck, they would find it. Though today he knew they wouldn't get far it was already late in the day and with this storm slowing them down they would only reach the outer edge of the central herds land. From there it would take a few more days to reach the farthest boundaries of what was the five herds area. Beyond that, it was pretty much the unknown. Only a few horses prior had ventured out beyond the borders on scouting missions but they had never reported anything of interest out there.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:04 pm
There didn't seem to be anything else to say - Maponus had expressed the thoughts in both of their minds and rather then diminish them by saying more Shylah merely offered Divone a respectful nod before turning about to follow Maponus back out of the grove. Back into the wind and the snow, their stint in the sheltered grove seemed far to short to her. Shylah would have given much just for more time, more time to sleep..more time to figure things out.
But time was the one thing they seemed horribly short of and despite the fact that the day was already far into its cycle and night would soon start falling she knew they would have to make it as far as possible. Increasing her pace she closed the distance between her and Maponus "We should be able to make it to the Sentry rock by nightfall if we try" she told him, it was on the outer boundaries of the central lands and would make a decent place to shelter for the night. She wanted to ask him which direction they should take - here they should start looking - but she knew that he wouldn't have the answer's either. They would just have to trust in the spirits to show them the way. They would have to follow the signs, Shylah only hoped they would be able to do so.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:09 pm
Divone gave no response to Maponus' words - she merely watched as the two horses disappeared into the swirling now. There was nothing to do now but wait - wait and hope that Shylah and Maponus would find a suitable new place to live, that the spirits would see fit to save the herds and show the two young equines the path to take.
Shylah and Maponus were their only hope. Turning around Divone looked down at the still slumbering foal, she would stay with him until the surrogate she had found arrived to take care of him. Lowering herself to the ground beside the foal she used her large head to pull him close, whispering softly in his ear "Have no fear little one...shy and Maponus will see us through.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:23 pm
Maponus had to agree with Shylah, they could make it to Sentry rock if they really pushed themselves. But at the same time it would be a good start to their journey. They had already traveled so much today, going from their small grove they once called home, through the lands his family's herd ruled, then into the central herds territory. And now they were backtracking to the border again. He forced his mind to stay focused on the task at hand, getting as far as possible before nightfall. They would need to find shelter and food for the night and Sentry rock was the best place for that.
Walking in silence, save for the howling wind Maponus pushed not only himself but Shylah too to go that extra bit of distance before nightfall. And when the sun began its slow decent at the horizon Maponus finally saw it, Sentry rock. "We are almost there!" He called back to Shylah, who was keeping close to him using the trail he had made in the snow.
With one final push of energy Maponus and Shylah reached Sentry rock, the marker for the outer most boundary of the central herds lands. Within a few feet of the rock lay a small grove they would use as shelter for the night. Slowly he made his way inside the small grove. Here the wind couldn't whip them with it's icy cold nor could it blind them with snow. Here they could rest and let their minds settle for the night. But first there was another matter to attend to. Using his large hooves he dug though the knee deep snow to expose a large patch of grass. Looking at Shylah he motioned towards the grass with his muzzle. "Eat my love." He would eat after she did, and they could eat the snow to quench their thirst.
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