Drabble – Cross
Four pairs of eyes looked in front of them at the swollen spring stream and the swiftly flowing waters. Foam and dancing waves greeted them as they made their way down, daring them to come join them in their fun.
The two pair of human eyes looked at each other and then looked back at the stream. The pair of horses they were riding looked at each other also but they both shook their mighty manes to thwart any thoughts their masters had of crossing the stream. They didn't mind if they wanted to go, as long as they tried without them.
"What do you think?"
"I say nay." The manes nodded in agreement.
"Doesn't look that bad." Three heads all turned and looked at Alexander at the same time. "Come on you guys, where is your sense of adventure."
"Adventure is one thing, but drowning is another. We are too young to die, besides I have a lot I want to do in my life yet."
"Like what?" Said Alexander, glancing at the water again.
"I'm hungry, I want some lunch soon."
"You really are setting your sights high, aren't you?" Alexander said with a grin.
"The horses are well trained, they will do what we ask, and as long as we stay on their backs we will be fine."
Both steeds danced from one hoof to the other and shook their big manes again emitting a low growl as they did.
"I didn't know horses could growl." Said Alexander.
"So can men, want to hear?" Answered Hephaestion.
Alexander dismounted and walked to the edge of the water, he squatted down and started to run his hand through it. His hand was gripped by the current and pulled down stream almost knocking him over.
The growls from behind him could be heard now from three throats.
Alexander hid the shadow of fear he had before turning to face the others. "I for one am going to try it, if you want to be a big baby you can just stay here. Come here Bucephalas."
Not one hoof or foot moved forward.
"Bucephalas, I said come here." His answer was one giant step backwards by the big black horse.
Alexander came to mount his steed only to have him turned away from him. Every time Alexander tried to get to his side, Bucephalas would turn so he was facing his big head.
Hephaestion and his horse were both snickering as they watched the scene in front of them.
Finally all the activity stopped with Alexander in front of his horse, arms crossed across his chest, and his horse glaring at him. Hephaestion and Castor were now laughing out loud.
Through tears of laughter Hephaestion said, "Maybe we can ride upstream for a ways and see if there is a easier place to cross." Both horses nodded.
They eventually found a better crossing. Alexander was still pouting, the other three were smiling, at least it looked like the horses were smiling.