Chapter 20
Ghost Horse
"You live by the moon and the stars in the night...a ghost in a storm." - Son of The Wind by Tiddas
Bolder trotted slowly, almost daintily through the scant moonlight, shadows danced across his back, he entered a dark canyon. Through walls of rock rose high above him, shades skipped past and he had an uncomfortable sensation of mysterious pair of eyes watching him greedily. Young, strong and eager, the blood-bay cautiously drank of the blue green pool that was filled up in the canyon from the rain and snow. How strange did the lands seem in the night. Twice as lonelier, twice as desolate. What would happen? A lone stallion, in a canyon of stone, in a box, cornered and with an eerie presence that he could sense deep in his soul. Bolder was getting slightly nervous, he could hear the odd whisperings through the gusty March wind...it was the wind of future. It murmured of the last fling of winter and of the coming spring that was to bring the secrets of life with it. "He who stands alone is one with the ghost...a wraith has vanished below...below...a phantom that drifts across the west...you'll be gone...gone..."
What devil spoke these so-called prophetic words? Not the crows? Surely it were the bloodthirsty ravens, waiting to pick his bones clean as they lay whitening in the bleaching sun. Wasn't that simply a 'charming' addition to his already unsuccessful evening to make peace with his uncle, or to help Nova understand that she was more than just a piece of property for different stallions to toss around? Perhaps, he needed to forget everyone and leave them to fend for themselves? He could focus on his self growth and find inner calmness again without having to worry about anyone else.
"Forget your doltish uncle, forget the demanding lectures of your sire, ignore the childish Nova, don't ever envy the arrogant son of Strider...and most importantly, abandon your desires towards the painted mare. You shall never possess her."
Letting out a heavy sigh, Bolder's thick, auburn forelock draped over his forehead, covering his eyes as he slowly seeped from the small pond. Ripples of tranquility lapped over him. He drank in this new place, so fond of serene feelings that started to course through him. So fond of the sudden peace that encircled him. Everything appeared even more calm and silent than before. Why did he value seclusion so much? He had no appropriate answer to that.
"Obsession leads to destruction..." He recalled the somewhat 'interesting' words of Azogar, becoming stiff for a moment as his mind raced back to all his life choices. "Obsession and love are not the same thing." He assured himself. But again, what did he know about love? He had a very limited experience about life in general...he had only lived five summers. What did he know about the world at all? He was so young and so...'inexperienced' as Azogar had told him.
Perhaps, it was time to rethink his decisions and priorities? What if he was guiding himself to ruination with his unbalanced way of life? Seemingly from nowhere, the young stallion began to have the impression of some kind of outer entity observing him yet again. It wasn't just a sensation anymore. His eyes followed the moonlight as he spotted a faint, black shape that formed into a horse right at the entrance of the canyon. Bolder was puzzled, unable to understand if what he was seeing was a phantasm or reality. The dark figure of the horse shimmered in the moonbeams of the night and all at once the stranger snorted loudly. Bolder's heart jumped, but nevertheless, he allowed himself to take a step forward towards the intruder. The mysterious horse's silhouette was very still and unnerved. This gave Bolder more confidence to walk further in order to make out who this unknown watcher was. The pale gleam of the moon outlined the shape of the mysterious horse. Bolder's gaze widened when he noticed that his visitor was an unusually black stallion, who materialized from the shadows themselves. His coat was as dark as raven's wings. Nostrils flared, rage pulsing through his body, fog blossomed from his nostrils, he pawed the ground, cutting chunks from the stone.
The mysterious stallion reared on his powerful legs, shaking his noble head and strong neck to and fro, his mane rippled in the moonlight with a celestial glimmer. He spun, turned and galloped out of the canyon in the opposite direction, where he had come.
"No, wait!" Bolder neighed desperately and charged after the vanishing horse. He ran speedily, trying his best to not lose the sight of the black stallion, who was already mingling with the dark night and getting away further and further from his reach. Thundering on, Bolder's hooves cut his sign deep into the ground, not bothering to think that any man or horse would now be able find his trail and follow him. There was only one thing in the young blood-bay's mind; he wished to catch up to the mysterious black horse that had appeared to him. He didn't know how to explain it, but something about the strange stallion was as though Bolder had known him all along...as though this strange spectre of a horse had all the answers to his life as well as his destiny.
"Bolder!"
The lone horse came to a sudden, unexpected halt as he swung his body round. "Nova?" He panted, trying keep his rapid breathing under control again.
"Are you running away from me?" The filly frowned in concern as she trotted up to him.
"No! There was this–" Bolder looked over his shoulder and realized that the black stallion had vanished as would a spectre from a vision. He had disappeared just as swiftly as he had appeared. "There was this...horse." The young blood-bay gasped.
"I didn't see anyone." Nova cocked her head gently, moving closer to him. "I only noticed you galloping with so much desperation that I began to think you had sensed my presence and decided to run away from me."
Bolder was perplexed. Where had the black stallion gone? Was he a phantom that only appeared to him? How was it that Nova had missed seeing such a magnificent creature? He stood frozen, powerless to find any logical explanation to the strangeness that had happened a moment ago. He looked down at his hooves, knitting his brows in confusion.
"Are you alright?" Nova nickered softly.
"Yes." Bolder stared up again and decided it was best to keep the enigmatic occurrence to himself. After all, even if he attempted to explain it, nothing would make any sense. It already made zero sense to him...let alone telling all this to Nova.
"Why are you here?" He finally spoke to the young mare, changing the subject. "Do you make a habit of spying on every stallion, or is it just me and Spirit?"
Nova blushed hard as colour rose to her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Bolder...I don't even know. I guess, I was just, uhh ...you were right about everything. And because you were right, I got so mad. You clearly understand my motivation as to why I joined your uncle's herd. It's true...I'm so hurt and I'm not thinking straight." She whimpered in sadness and lowered her head, trying to hide her tears. "I've been behaving like an immature little foal lately. The fact that you risked Azogar's fury to get through to me really...touched me. And I wish to know why you did what you did. Why did you stand up for me, even when I was so rude to you?"
Bolder smiled faintly at that. "Isn't it obvious?...you are my only friend, Nova, and I care about you a lot."
Liquid water escaped from Nova's lovely eyes. "And it seems like you are my only friend. I care about you too, Bolder." She cried softly. "I'm sorry for being so difficult. You don't deserve to be treated that way."
"It's okay...it's all in the past now." Bolder comforted and went up to her, gently pulling her in his embrace. "I'm glad you finally realized that my uncle is not worth your time."
Nova sniffled, burying her nose in his neck. "Thank you."
"Would you like me to escort you to your natal band?" Bolder suggested sweetly, after the two broke apart.
"Yes, I would love that." Gratefully nodded the filly.
"What happened this time...with you and Spirit, if you don't mind me asking?" Bolder's mind drifted back to the appearance of Misty, who had claimed that she was carrying Spirit's foal. Could it be that her arrival shattered hopeful Nova's heart? But then again, why would she care? Every normal band stallion always had more than one mare and a lot of offspring. Nova was probably accustomed to ordinary harem rules.
"I no longer wish to be in Rain's shadow."
"What does that mean?"
"It means that no matter what, Spirit's heart and mind are still possessed by a mare that abandoned him." Elaborated Nova, her voice rising in agitation. "I know you are in love with her too, and my words are probably hurting your heart, but I simply can't stand her."
"You don't even know her." Gently spoke Bolder, holding no judgement on the devastated filly. He perceived her feelings perfectly. In a way, they were both so similar.
"Well, do you like Spirit?" Nova raised her brows. "What do you think of him?"
Bolder sighed, realizing where she was headed with those questions. "No, I don't like him. I find him to be conceited and very arrogant, despite his heroic deeds."
"See? That's exactly how I feel about that mare. She strikes me as vain and selfish."
"But she's not though." Insisted Bolder. "You can't say that without knowing her."
"I can argue the same thing about your feelings towards Spirit. You don't know him either." Nova challenged confidently. "So, you see? We are both in the same position."
"I know Spirit more than you know Rain, alright?" Bolder said forcefully. "But there's no point in discussing this because it will only bring disagreements."
Nova agreed quietly and let out an ironic scoff. "How can we be so alike? You and I? It's kind of crazy when you think about it."
"I don't think we're alike. We're just in a very parallel situation."
Nova smiled sadly at that. "What are your plans?"
"Nothing...I'll continue my peaceful life..." Bolder shrugged simply.
"...As the Lone Stallion?" Chimed the filly.
"I guess so. And how about you?" Bolder stared deeply into her eyes.
"I'm not too sure."
Bolder took a heavy inhale before softly letting out his breath. "Listen Nova...you were named for the large increase of brightness that a star can suddenly display in the night's sky. Please, don't let anyone take that glorious brightness away from you. Not my uncle, not Spirit...not even me. Don't hesitate on calling me out on my bullshit if something like that ever happens." He winked at her, chuckling lightly.
The young mare couldn't stop herself from giggling. "Deal." She promised with a beautiful grin.
Pleasant, harmonious atmosphere that seemed to encompass both Bolder and Nova rapidly dissolved when all of a sudden, a frantic horse came into view, galloping in disorientation, darting here and there in utmost panic and urgency. The sight of the stranger shocked Nova, as she instinctively shied behind Bolder. It was clear from the scent and figure, that this grey coloured horse was a stallion, but he was unlike anything the filly had ever seen in the wild before. His masculine form was tinted with odd painted symbols, his long mane was adorned in eagle feathers and beads. What a fascinating sight it was for the young mare, who had always heard about the infamous 'warrior' horses and yet, never got an opportunity to see them in full flesh. However, the grey stallion did not appear very proud and stoic as was generally expected of the war horses of the two-legged tribes, he was rather distressed and agitated. He was so engrossed in his own troubles that barely noticed that the two wild mustangs were observing him curiously. He would've stormed past them blindly, had it not been for Bolder, who recognized the alarmed stallion.
"Great Conquest!" He called, snapping into a canter to get close to him, while Nova immediately followed his suit. "What are you doing here?"
The grey war horse jolted in response, his eyes were still surveying all of his surroundings mistrustfully. It was quite evident that he was lost and confused. "Who are you? What's going on? Where am I?"
"I am–"
"Oh right! You're that Mustang Rain brought in our homeland last summer." Quickly spoke Great Conquest, panting hard as sweat continued to drip from his forehead. "Listen, I need you to tell me where I can find Spirit! I can't discern these unfamiliar territories and I can't find my way back to the village! I've lost all sense of direction!" Great Conquest's dismayed trepidations startled Bolder.
"What's going on? Is everything alright?" The Lone Stallion questioned, as he began to comprehend that no tribe horse would ever show up on the untamed lands unless something dire had transpired.
"Little Creek ... Little Creek and I...We ahh... went on an expedition to find a white buffalo a few days ago..." Anxiously puffed the frantic war horse, attempting to steady his petrified state and compose himself somehow. "...it all proved unsuccessful. We couldn't find the herds and when Little Creek finally decided to return back to the village, we were met by the pale-faced two-leggeds: they have taken Rain! They shot Little Creek with their firearm and before they could catch me as well, I bolted from the scene in hopes of getting help, but I can't find my way home or anywhere...I don't know how to navigate through this vast wilderness! I'm lost! Both Rain and her human have been captured!" Exclaimed the flustered stallion, powerless to control his racing emotions. "I have to get Spirit!"
"What?! They captured Rain?" Bolder cried, overwhelmed with utter dread and horror.
"YES! Are you deaf?!" Screamed Great Conquest. "I don't have time to repeat myself, I have to get help right away!"
"Who were these men?" Instantly threw in Bolder.
"I don't know. They were pale-faced!"
"You must lead me to where you last saw them right now." Anxiously cut in the young, lone stallion again. "We'll be able to find them if we follow their trail."
Great Conquest scoffed, rolling his eyes at him. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I scarcely know you. I'm not trusting a stranger." His gaze then focused on the timid Nova, as he finally acknowledged the filly's presence. "If either one of you know where Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron roams and share it with me, I'll be much obliged."
"Spirit?!" Bolder neighed in shock, pounding his strong legs in protest. "Are you crazy? We mustn't lose time! Before you get to his lands, Rain might be gone forever."
"It's true." Softly nickered Nova, stepping forward and locking her pretty eyes with Great Conquest. "The Cimarron homeland lays far behind the blue mountains. It will take you at least a whole day to get there."
Great Conquest's former hopeful expressions fell. "So it's over..."
"No! I'm still here, aren't I? Show me the way, I think I know the cruel two-leggeds you're talking about." Interfered Bolder in desperation. "We may just be able to find them."
"What about her?" Smugly said Great Conquest as he glanced over at Nova's direction. "We can't possibly let a little filly be part of this dangerous mission."
"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thank you very much." The daughter of Raven and Sirius snapped angrily, feeling very insulted by the grey stallion's demeaning words. "I'm a wild mare. I am a mustang, my heart is made of the wilderness." She said indignantly. How dare he call her a 'little filly'?! Who was he to tell her what to do and what not to do? Ugh, the nerve of this human pet!
Great Conquest couldn't stop himself from smirking at her in amusement, but before he could actually say something in response, it was Bolder that beat him to it.
"Alright, it doesn't matter. We must get going right away!" He said at last and motioned the war stallion to start moving along. "The longer we carry on with useless conversations, the more time we waste. Let's just go."
"You're right." Great Conquest nodded and broke into a fast canter. "Try and keep up, ladies!"
Bolder raced after him without a second thought, his mind was only filled with the necessity of rescuing Rain, however, Nova huffed in annoyance at the war stallion's high and mighty attitude. "How ill-bred." She muttered under her breath and followed the two horses, unsure of what was expected of her and yet determined to be of any help for Bolder, who without doubt, required at least some assistance. For once, she would ignore her disagreeable feelings towards the painted mare and do the right thing. Although, the overconfident, domesticated, war stallion made her less than enthusiastic about the entire undertaking.
When the two men and their new prisoners reached the lonely, little hut at the first daybreak, the dejected Rain felt Little Creek rudely shoved down from her back by one of their captors. Grunting in pain, Lakota boy balanced himself on his legs, his hand was pressed against his wound in efforts to stop the bleeding. Johnny, the younger of the two wranglers, immediately untacked and led his liver chestnut stallion in a small corral and afterwards, turned his attention back on the struggling Native American. Before Little Creek could move off to defend himself or to come to his senses, he was abruptly grabbed by the shoulders and forcefully dragged inside the cabin.
Rain wished to object and hinder them from hurting her human, unfortunately another man was right around her, she felt the touch of his whip then his horse's shoulder was beside hers: she even felt a man's leg against her, and she was hurriedly urged to trot onwards again and suddenly she was left alone. She heard a sound behind her of timber thudding on timber. She slowed up then, propped to a standstill, her chest and neck against the timber rails of a high fence. She turned wildly towards the hills that encircled the area, but the fence was there too. Round she went and round, but the high fence enclosed her. She was trapped in the pen and there was no way of escaping! She smelt the smoke of the pale-faced humans' campfire and it only added to her frenzy. She neighed with a desolate cry, paying no heed to the fact that there was a quiet, brown gelding in the corner of the inclosure too, who was staring at her in curiosity.
"Hey, it's okay. They won't hurt you." He nickered to her softly, trying to comfort and calm her down.
Rain's anguish and concern was so great that she could not even hear the tranquil horse. She ceaselessly continued to prowl round and round the tall, stout fence. Neighing and whinnying, her blue eyes were only focused on the cabin where the humans, no doubt, were having a heated discussion. The older, stocky man had dismounted his own horse as well and tied him to a nearby post, right before entering the hut. Anxiety rose in Rain's racing heart as she wondered what these villainous two-leggeds were planning to do with her poor human friend. Night came, and heavy darkness along with it. After a while the moon rose, full and round, to illuminate all the living creatures that lived under its sheltering gleam. Paint mare's flaxen mane was lit with silver star-like shimmer as she plodded on round the yard, hour upon hour, as the immense moon flooded the eastern horizon, as it swung up and up the sky, and as the hours of the night wore away and it went lower and lower in the west. Plodding and trotting on tired and aching legs, Rain went round and round the yard...pacing, worrying, hoping that somehow she'd wake up from this utter nightmare.
Once she raised her nose to the moon and neighed a wild cry to Spirit, to Great Conquest, to Bolder, and to anyone really...it was a cry for freedom, and throughout the wilderness every animal and bird stirred uneasily, looking with fear into the night.
Slowly, her beautiful blue eyes seemed to tire from staring at the cabin so long and she was exhausted from all the pacing. Sniffing sorrowfully, she allowed herself to inspect the brown horse that was silently keeping her company in the round yard. He looked gentle and kind, unlike the demonic stallion that trotted in his own corral right across from her.
"What are they going to do to him?" She snivelled like a foal, shuddering at the mere idea of anyone hurting her dear Little Creek.
"Don't fear, the master simply wants to talk to him." The horse replied calmly.
Rain snorted, not buying his words for an instant. "I have a hard time believing in that lie. He shot my human and nearly killed him."
"Trust me, he wants your owner alive." The brown gelding assured.
Rain furrowed her brows. "Why? I know you...you and that man have been stalking us for a while now. Why is he doing this? I don't think my friend is even acquainted with your owner. So why has he come for us?"
"Because my master wants to obtain the Ghost Horse."
"A what?" Rain gasped in confusion. "Did you say, ghost horse?" She repeated.
"Yes..." Hesitantly nodded the brown gelding. "Ever since hearing the legends, my master has become obsessed with the idea of catching the phantom stallion."
"I don't think I understand." Mumbled Rain, growing even more confused. "Who are you talking about?"
"Do you mean to tell me that you haven't heard of the wondrous tales that have been told about a wild, ghost stallion?" The horse asked in surprise, his jaw almost dropped to the ground.
Rain shook her head, very taken aback. "No, I have not." What 'ghost' stallion? Where was this horse going with this nonsense?
"Have you been living under a cave? Almost seven summers ago, a group of wranglers such is my master, came together to catch themselves a beautiful, wild stallion, who was quite frankly, an undisputed King of the West." The brown gelding began to narrate the fascinating story that had been circulating amongst the domesticated horses and cattle. "He was cunning, crafty, extremely fast ...some say he was swifter than the eagle and was often seen in the dark hours of the night during the full moon. Many two-leggeds attempted to claim the magnificent beast as their own, but none proved successful. Until one day...when a bunch of cowboys got together with an important agenda: To hunt down the famous, King of the West once and for all."
Rain's colourful ear-tips perked forward, she was suddenly struck with a deep sensation of intrigue and there was something so recognizable about the story she was hearing.
"And so, after a long chase across the prairies, the mighty stallion fell victim to the most dreaded predators in this world: Man. But even as he was caught, his untameable spirit would not be broken. With one last desperate gallop, the stallion dashed on and leaped from the cliff, seemingly choosing death over captivity."
Rain's mouth formed into an O shape, but the brown gelding continued without slowing down the narration of the mysterious tale.
"While those wranglers came back empty-handed, the story about the tragic hero was wide-spread among the domestic horse herds and even among other ranchers. One of the cowboys that heard this incredible tale was my master. Now, master is a very confident and driven individual. He takes pride in the fact that there is no horse in the world that he can't tame. And in some ways, I consider that to be true."
"How so?" Rain asked, her tone conveying irritation at the blatant statement.
"For starters," the brown horse paused and tossed his head, gesturing towards the corral where the liver chestnut was staying. "you see that stallion over there? He has an evil, demonic spirit, I tell you. The first moment he arrived here, he almost tried to murder me. He aggressively lashes out without any reason and enjoys hurting others. I don't know if you noticed or not, but he comes from a different place. He is a desert horse, raised in the far East were the sun and the moon first rise over the lands. Shaytan...they called him in the native language of the country he comes from, but now my master refers to him as Diablo. It essentially means the same thing: Devil."
Rain felt a cold shiver run down her spine and she shuddered violently as she heard his name. There was truly something really frightening about that stallion and his calling seemed to describe him perfectly.
"Despite his horrific temperament, my master managed to tame him with his expertise and skillful handling. Even though, everyone, including the previous owner, were completely terrified of him... as they should." Carried on the brown horse with his explanation."Don't get me wrong, Diablo is still as evil as before but now he subjects to my master's wills and desires only. At least it seems like he does." He quietly added, smirking slyly to himself. "So back to the tale of the ghost horse...my master sees that phantom as the next challenge."
"But why do you call him a phantom? Didn't you say he died? And what's my owner got to do with any of it?" Rain bombarded him with further questions.
"Well, here's the catch. My master is actually convinced that the horse did not jump to his doom but rather faked his own death."
"That's absurd!" Exclaimed Rain in disbelief.
"Listen to the entire story before jumping into conclusions." Cautioned the brown gelding calmly, right before continuing. "Two summer's ago...almost every creature on the land heard of a certain wild stallion that was captured by the wranglers and sold to the cavalry. Nevertheless, this stallion not only managed to keep his unbreakable spirit intact, but also managed to escape from the grasps of the two-leggeds, unleashed a forest fire, rescued other captured horses, and on top of that, flew over a canyon and finally earned his freedom. After hearing these legends, my master became convinced that the only wild stallion capable and cunning enough to achieve such great deeds, would be none other than the infamous King of the West, also known as the Ghost Horse.
You see, he did not leap to his downfall and die that mysterious day...how could he when he has the ability to fly? Even I know that he is no ghost, although he does seem to vanish like one. After all, I've chased him couple of times and I know that he is as real as you and I standing here. And now, to answer your previous question...your owner apparently is the only human that successfully earned his trust and even got to ride him. He and the Wild Spirit soared over that canyon together, which is why my master has captured your human in hopes of gaining some sort of information regarding the stallion's whereabouts."
Rain couldn't believe what she was hearing. She gawked at the brown gelding as a frozen statue would, her blue eyes round, her mouth wide open. "He wants to capture...S-spirit?" She gasped, after the first wave of shock was gone from her. She fluttered her long lashes, still processing every single thing she had heard a moment ago.
"So you know the ghost horse?"
"Spirit is no ghost." Rasped out the stunned Rain.
"Well, yes...some call him Spirit-Who-Could-Not-Be-Broken." Nonchalantly agreed the gentle gelding. "But they are mostly the ones that aren't familiar with his suicide story, or else they'd name him a Ghost too. You know, some actually claim that he really is just a specter, but my master and I know better."
This time, Rain did not say anything in response, she was way too perplexed to speak up and anxiety doubled inside her soul. All of her previous worries for Little Creek came rushing back, but now they were accompanied by the agonizing concern for Spirit. What was going to happen? This insanely obsessed two-legged man seemed so determined to reach his goal to the fullest, that even mercilessly went so far as to capture her and Little Creek without considering repercussions for his vile actions. However, something told Rain that he was indeed very calculated, cunning and extremely dangerous. Getting away from him was not going to be easy. What also bewildered the young mare was how this brown horse and his master had combined two different events together. They had obviously confused the father and the son into one being. There was no such thing as phantom stallion. That unfortunate, but courageous Mustang had indeed leaped to his death. Spirit however, had soared in the sky with victory, not with tragic doom.
Ghost Horse... well, if he truly existed, he was definitely nothing compared to Spirit. In Rain's mind, no horse would ever come close to her beloved stallion.
Not a single one.
Thank you to all who took time to review my previous chapters. Please, do not apologize for having your own opinion about this story and characters. I love hearing different sides to it. And don't worry; you guys can ship whoever you want. lol... please, no more apologizing.
Also, huge THANK YOU to everyone that has complimented me on Bolder. It really makes me happy to hear that you're enjoying and loving my original character and I take it as a huge achievement. I mean, some of you even said that he is better than Spirit and I wasn't expecting to hear that. Thank you guys so much.
I hope you liked this chapter and I can't wait to hear what you all have to say about this one. :) Keep the reviews coming, they are motivating.
