Chapter 1: Rainy Night........a new life begins.
Rain falls on a dark night. A dappled gray mare walks, cold and wet, to
a small cave. She is called Colita and she is nearing the birth of her foal. She goes farther into the cave, and shakes off whatever water she can, then turns
her head and stares at her stomach. She feels tired and weary from walking
so far to try and find her herd. She goes farther into the cave and falls to her
knees, then lays down, breathing heavily.
A short while later, she is cleaning her newborn colt. This colt is a dark bay
with a white blaze. But this white blaze has a shape on it the color of his coat.
Its a Lightning bolt. "I will call you Risk" Colita says. "You will be a great leader one day" she says to her son as he sleeps. She goes to sleep herself as the new life that she brought into the world rests. Tomorrow, she and her son will continue their journey in looking for their herd........and her son's father. He had gone missing shortly before she lost the herd. She dreams about him, then sleeps peacefully.
The next day, Colita walks out of the cave and smells the rain-washed air.
A little colt with long, skinny legs walks out to her. He nickers to her, saying
that he is nervous. She nuzzles and reassures him. Risk sniffs the air and
squeals with delight. Colita starts walking and little Risk trys to stay steady
while splashing in some small puddles.
Risk starts trying to trot as his mother grazes on the cool, wet grass. She
looks up at him and neighs, calling him back to her side. Risk whinnies back,
then comes to her and starts to nurse. After he finishes, Colita and Risk begin
their journey to find their lost herd. Colita has a twin sister, Marlita, and because Colita was born first, the herd belongs to her. But it was also said that if anything were to happen to Colita, Marlita would take over for her, as well as with her mate, Espejo. Colita knew this and she knew that her sister would not want to give up the leadership. Her last chance was to find the herd soon and reclaim what is rightfully hers. But now, she has a little foal to care for, which makes her journey harder. She hopes that the herd hasn't gone to far. The cave where she gave birth to her own son is the same cave where her parents met and where she was born herself, so she knew this area. The journey ahead of them would be long and hard, but she knew that all would be made right soon. Colita also hopes that she will find her mate, Windmark, so that he can also help her reclaim their herd, their life, and the land that they call home.
Windmark is a big stallion, and its not likely that you will find another in
the wild. But he isn't a bay or black or dun.........He's pure white. The only
mark he has is a small bay colored wave on his left hindquarter, what looks like resembles wind.
Colita wonders if her son will ever know his father. Colita has taught
her mate everything he needs to know to be a good leader, and now
he must teach his son. Windmark was running with Colita, just having
a good time, when a rope circles his neck and he is pulled over a cliff.
Colita did not realize this until it was too late. She stopped when she did
not hear his hoofbeats anymore. She looked back and around when
this happened and she hasn't seen him since.
Risk is now two days old. He is getting playful and frisky. Running about in a big open field is his favorite pastime, although he never strays to far from his mother. Colita smiles at her son as she sees him rearing at the top of a small hill. She knows that they can't stay in this area too long and that they must continue their journey. She loves her son and thinks of Windmark whenever he gallops about. Colita misses her mate, but she has to go on without him for now. She thinks about her herd and Marlita, wondering if they are alright.
"Risk! Let's go, son. We must continue walking if we are to catch up with the others." Colita says.
"But Mom, there aren't any others. It's just you and me." Risk replies.
"Hm hm hm" Colita laughs "But we have a herd, son. A band of horses that, one day, you will be the leader of."
"Wow!" Risk says. "Does that mean that I'm going be a king?" he asks excitedly.
"Yes it does Risk." Colita says.
3 weeks ago they started their long journey, and no sight of the others, or Windmark. Colita smells the other horses, but something is wrong. Marlita has been leading them everywhere, none stop moving.
"Hmmm……something isn't right. They are near, I know it. But where are they?" Colita thought. Still walking and running, Risk and Colita continue their search for the lost herd.