The Oddity

Chapter 1: A Strange Young Filly

Oaka's first view into the world was a clump of oak trees (Hence her name).

Later on, that very spot became her favourite place. She would stand there amongst the trees, the occasional breeze blowing her mane back.

Oaka's father, the famed stallion Spirit, had had to fight for his leadership and vengeance when he came back, for a stallion, Silverwren, had fought Spirit's mother to death for dominance of the herd.

Soon afterwards, Rain gave birth to Oaka.

Life for Oaka was much pressured. Everyone expected her to be perfect, just like Rain. But what if she didn't want to be the "special daughter" of Spirit's? What if she just wanted everyone else to treat her as they would treat their friends?

Just at that moment, she stood in her clump of oak trees with one of her few friends, Fluorescent.

Fluorescent's bay ears pricked at a particular sound, a young colt's neigh. Her ears did not, however, pick up all the sounds around her as her companions' did.

Oaka was observant, quick-witted and she was wary and careful all the time, even as a young filly.

"Shall we go and see what the colts are doing this time?" asked Fluorescent, her exquisite head turning to face Oaka's less attractive one. "Or shall we just stand here all day as you seem to enjoy?"

Oaka shook her head, turned and cantered to the river that they drank from, a picture of a solitary but majestic oddity.

Fluorescent watched as her friend cantered away and sighed. Oaka was always treated differently by the other members of the herd. They treated her with awe that both of them detested.

The night three days later was the night that Spirit had been born on. As one of his children, she was requested to attend the race that Spirit held for all the inhabitants of his valley.

Two days ago, Oaka had been ordered to go by her mother. "I don't want to go to the stupid race! If I lost, I'd be disgracing you, mother! The elders will nudge their neighbour and say something like, 'There goes Rain's daughter.' or something! I've had enough of people jeering and looking down on me because I like keeping to myself."

"My dear daughter! How dare you speak of your elders like that! You are only a yearling yourself, nothing more! You will attend the race and cheer for your brethren good-naturedly. Anyway, it is strange that a young filly like you likes being alone! It's not normal, so that's that!" And off trotted her mother, her presence respected by all but her very own daughter.

Oaka said nothing, but just cantered to the oaks. Inside, though, her thoughts were, not for the first time, tormenting her mind.

'How could mother say that to me! She doesn't care for what I feel. Oh, no, I'm just a stupid and strange filly that doesn't know what she's doing! Filthy hooves! Nobody really cares except for Fluorescent, who pities me. Oh, fleabites! What am I going to do? I don't want to go to the race!'

For a brief moment, the words 'run away' crossed her mind, but she shook her head.

'No, I can't run away! I won't! This has been my home for all my life and I'm not going to leave it! (Or will I…?)'

Still, the idea could not get out of her mind. Ever since she had had that thought, it seemed that an inner part of her heart had awakened. Why shouldn't she? She knew how to find water and food. She knew how to track and cover her own tracks. And…she knew about the humans.

From a very early age, Spirit had constantly reminded the herd about humans. Dark skinned humans were alright, because they accepted nature. But white skinned ones meant trouble.

Oaka particularly remembered one time, when she had asked Spirit a question.

"What will the white-skins do to us if we land our hooves into their hands?"

"Well, first they put this dead-smelling thing on your back and another thing into your mouth and around your ears. Then, they jump onto your back."

"But they'll land in the thing on our backs!"

"That's the whole point."

Oaka certainly didn't fancy that idea. It seemed like they would try to tame their freedom. To the folk of wing, claw, fur, tails and hooves, (the People) freedom was their very life-force. It was them.

So…why shouldn't she go? Before she asked that question, she already knew the answer. Where would she go?

Well, she had heard of many places. Other countries. Saudi Arabia. Spain.

And, of course…the legendary Zhiyou Valley, in a place far, far away called China. The Valley of Freedom. Where the strangest of the People dwelled, to strive for freedom and justice.

All the horses of Oaka's herd told this story to all the young'uns as a fairy-tale. Although when they grew up, they thought it was just a make-believe tale, Oaka had always wanted to believe it and sort of did.

'If I could choose to go anywhere I like, I would go there. The Zhiyou Valley. How nice that sounds. Freedom.'