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Chapter 29

Child Of The West-Wind (I)

"Here I Am, this is me,

I come into this world so wild and free"

– Bryan Adams

Strider and Esperanza's son was said to be the fastest horse in the west.

Not only was he as swift as the racing wind, but he could move with such rhythm that at times, he resembled the gliding, winged-spirit from ancient myths that had the ability to fly across the land with very little effort. So it was truly no surprise that upon receiving the grandest news of his existence, the young stallion easily caught up and outran both of the Lakota horses, arriving at the camp before either River, Blaze or Nova could get there. He was met by the pacing Great Conquest, who was so flustered and so out of breath, that for a moment, Spirit actually thought that he was the one giving birth.

"Spirit! Oh thank goodness, you're here!" Gasped the war horse, quite relieved to see him. "I thought we'd be too late!"

"Where is she?" Spirit's eyes quickly surveyed the area, as he hoped to catch at least a glimpse of his beloved. He was barely paying any attention to Great Conquest's rumblings, his mind was filled with just the thought of Rain and their coming foal.

"By the apple trees– "

The wild stallion didn't need to hear anything else, he immediately broke into a canter and Great Conquest hurriedly followed after him, with Blaze, River and Nova finally catching up to them.

"It's important to know that she's in a transitioning stage right now." The grey war horse went on to explain in a frantic manner. "Uh, that's when the fetus engages the cervix, and OH! I almost forgot about the explosion of fetal membranes! And the placenta! The premature separation of the placenta!" Great Conquest panted like an utter lunatic, scaring the soon to be father with his bizarre outbursts.

Spirit froze in his steps and gaped at him with a dumbfounded expression, his face conveying confused fear at the frenzied state of the war stallion. "Um...?"

"Placenta is a bright, red velvety, intact chorioallantoic membrane between the vulvar lips before foal is delivered." Hysterical Great Conquest continued to explicate in graphic details.

"Ew. W-what's wrong with him?" Spirit looked decidedly frightened of the grey horse's abnormal actions, as he stared at River and Blaze questionably.

"Ignore him." Aranda trotted, she and the rest of the mares, meeting the group half-way to the apple trees. "He's just very excited."

"He's been mentoring Rain for the winter." Silver Moon added. "Thinks he's some kind of an expert on pregnancy. There, there, Conquest. Take deep breaths." She told the flushed war stallion, who was about to pass out with overreactions.

"I can't help it, I'm losing my composure." He puffed air out of his chest, wheezing like a maniac.

"Oh-kay...relax, buddy." Spirit forced an awkward smile on his countenance. "Inhale and exhale. You're making me nervous too."

"Sorry, sorry." Gulped Great Conquest, nodding at him eagerly. "I understand. I'm just so anxious."

"It's gonna be okay." Spirit assured and turned to the mares. "Where's Rain?" He asked urgently.

"She's lying in the shade." Aranda informed him.

"Careful..." Red interjected with a wicked smirk, as the other Lakota horses drew near. "I suggest you stay few feet away from her, in case she decides to bite."

Spirit rolled his eyes at the annoying chestnut stallion and ignoring his words, rushed to where his beloved was reposed.

"There's really no getting rid of him, is there?" Red commented distastefully.

The afternoon spring sun was brightly shining down on the young paint mare. The luminous rays blinding her vision and adding to her irritation. She was glad to be getting some shade in her favourite place; the gentle breezy air was swaying and cooling her over-heated body, but unfortunately, it did not relieve her from the severe ache that always accompanied the nature's most miraculous event. She thought fondly of her mother, even if the memories were far too distant and wondered how she was able to pull it all off. She remembered what it was like to be next to her protective presence as the rain poured on her hide. She recalled the warm nuzzles and soft love that her dam showered her with as soon as she was able to stand up. Would she be as sweet, caring and perfect to her own foal as her mother, Sierra had been to her? What if she was too inexperienced to handle such a huge responsibility? And what of Spirit? ...would he come to her after all the terrible things she had said to him? She had intentionally and quite ruthlessly shattered his beating heart just mere hours ago. He probably wanted nothing to do with her or her foal ever again! He had compared her to none other than Misty. To that monstrous, shrewish Misty! That's how much he hated her now.

A sharp pain rippled through her body, abruptly putting an end to her contemplations. She groaned as she squeezed her crystal eyes closed and the agonizing throbbing sensation worsened. She attempted to take deep breaths to somehow soothe herself from panicking with anxious thoughts. Her bowels churned and contracted in discomfort, forcing out a yelp to escape her lips. Grunting with great effort, the paint mare tried her hardest to push, but nothing happened. Her contractions were so strong, the next being more intense than the last, yet never making any progress.

"Rain!"

A familiar voice rang out, as the beautiful, young mare fluttered her lashes open and found herself staring into Spirit's tender gaze.

"Oh, Spirit..." She nickered feebly, disbelief written on her pretty features. He had come to her despite everything that had happened between them! "I'm very sorry for being so rude and hurtful-" she commenced, forcefully lifting her head to extend her nose to him in a greeting.

"No, my love. Don't even think about that." Spirit shook his head, nuzzling her softly and gently pressed his forehead against her neck, pushing her back on the grass. "You must concentrate on our foal now. You're doing amazing so far." He encouraged, half of his heart melted right then and there when he realized that she was apologizing to him during such a critical time! Maybe not all was lost? Maybe she still harboured feelings for him? Maybe they could get through these difficulties somehow and be a real family? No time for that, Spirit! Focus on the present! He told himself.

"Yes, Rain, concentrate on your breathing." Anxious and over-excited Great Conquest joined in. "This is the moment where the cervix dilates. I think it needs to be at least 10 centimet-"

"Conquest please!" Spirit snapped at him impatiently. "Stop that right now."

"Okay, I'm shutting up."

"It hurts...I can't..." Gasped Rain, as she tried to push hard again and again, but with no positive results.

"That's it. You're doing perfect." Spirit comforted her, his tone coming off calm and composed. From the outside he truly did appear collected, especially compared to the frenzied Great Conquest. Inside however, he was restless, nervous, excited and happy all at once. He was experiencing so many emotions that it was incredibly hard to explain what exactly he was feeling in that unforgettable moment.

"You're in a transitioning stage, Rain." The grey war horse spoke up yet again, unable to stay still. "This is where you have to gather all your strengths and push and push and push and push–"

"CONQUEST!" Spirit and Rain both yelled at him simultaneously.

"Aaand shutting up starts...now." The apologetic grey stallion bit his lip.

"Alright, all of you just give me some space." Rain panted, as she came to a very irksome realization that she was being swamped with curious onlookers once more. She felt crowded again and it only added to her discomfort.

Aranda turned to the other horses and pinning her ears, she directed them away from the apple trees. Not too far that they couldn't see the wonderful event, but enough to let Rain have the much needed solitude. "You as well. Conquest, Spirit." She called them, as both the grey and the dun reluctantly began to withdraw.

"No, Spirit!" Rain suddenly changed her mind. "You stay...stay with me."

The golden stallion didn't need to be told twice. That's what he desired the most in the world - to stay by her side... forever. "I'm right here, love." Her assured, moving closer to her and stroking her cheek affectionately. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Just tell her to breathe, okay?" Great Conquest reminded anxiously, not ready to abandon his 'mentoring' post just yet.

"I've got her, don't worry. You need to breathe as well." Spirit responded to him, as the frantic grey stallion jogged off to where Aranda, Nova, Silver Moon and the other horses stood, patiently waiting for the arrival of the little bundle of joy.

How strange! Marvelled Nova. She had never seen mares in labour allow stallions to get so near them up until now. They would always snap at anyone that came too close to them, be it a band sister or a mate. In fact, once the time for foaling approached, heavily pregnant mares went off somewhere secluded from the herd to deliver their foals in peace and quiet. This was truly an unusual sight, but nevertheless quite heartwarming. Perhaps, things were different in domesticated environments? Or perhaps...Rain loved Spirit too much to let her instincts guide her?

"I can't believe this is finally happening!" Fussed Great Conquest, powerless to stop himself from overreacting. "I can't breathe! This is way too nerve-wrecking!" He paced back and forth in front of the stunned Nova. "I wonder how big the foal will be? Will it be a colt? A filly? Ahh! The suspense is killing me!"

Were all domesticated horses this weird?

"Try to remain calm." Nova said, even though she knew that her words weren't even heard by the euphoric stallion.

Spirit stood next to the labouring mare; for the first time in quite a while, feeling completely useless. He could do nothing but watch her struggle to give birth to their offspring...well, except for uttering comforting words here and there. He had never witnessed foaling so close up before. Scarlet had delivered her twins away from the herd and so did every mare that lived in the Cimarron band. This was truly new to him, incredibly exciting, different, and way more special. After all, Rain was giving birth to not just any foal...it was his foal.

Even though the late afternoon sun shone favourably upon her gleaming, sweaty pelt, deep within her heart, Rain knew that something was wrong. There's no lying to a mother's intuition. She was tiring by the second, the hours had been dragging on and on and yet, there was still no sign of her little one.

She raised her head with a soft groan. "Spirit, I thought I could do this on...my own." Her voice came out of her throat very weakly. "But I can't." She cried, tears slipping out of her blue eyes.

"You're doing great, Rain. Don't get scared now." Spirit reassured boldly. "I'm right here. You can do this." He caressed her sweetly and once again, let his muzzle press her head back on the soft grass. "Try to push more."

"Please, just...take a look and tell me if you see the foal." Rain sniffed, drawing a deep inhale and exhaled air from her lungs slowly as she attempted to relax her body. "Tell me if something's wrong."

"Okay. I will, my beauty." Spirit nodded right away. "But I want you to stay calm. Don't worry too much." He nestled her lithe neck and walked over to her hind end a bit hesitantly. He was really nervous. Spirit knew very little about pregnancies, but he sure knew they were quite painful. He definitely was not as informed as Great Conquest. How on earth did that war stallion gain so much knowledge about this subject anyway? He wondered to himself, as he slowly and reluctantly took a peek. While the view was certainly too much for his inexperienced self, he knew that it would be ridiculous to shy away from such things. He was the father of this tiny creature and this was all natural. It was the miracle of birth!

If you can make a foal, you sure as heck can look at the full delivery. He told himself. For a second, Spirit stood absolutely still as he studied the situation in slight confusion.

"Well?" Rain nickered with a frail tone.

"Like I said, you're doing perfect." Spirit went over to her and forced a smile on his face. "Just relax and...I'll be right be back." He told her quickly, trotting towards where Great Conquest, Nova and rest of the Lakota horses were stationed at, observing and waiting for the good news.

"What is it?" The grey stallion jumped excitedly.

"Look, I'm no expert on pregnancies," Spirit started, feeling uncomfortable as he faced Great Conquest. "but even I know that there should be a head sticking out of there by now."

"There isn't?" The war stallion's eyes almost popped from its shells.

"Well...no, I didn't see it."

"What did you see?" Nova questioned in concern.

"Uh, lots of stuff that I won't be able to unsee, but definitely not a head." Spirit explained awkwardly.

"What about legs?" Great Conquest asked suddenly. "Did you see tiny legs?"

"I did see tiny legs."

"Okay, that's a good sign." A bright grin animated the grey stallion's countenance. "The head will follow."

"Yes, but I think..." Spirit responded, his expressions conveying nervousness and worry. "...I think it were the hind legs."

"What?!" Cried Great Conquest, overcome with horror.

"Oh no! Not that!" Dreadingly exclaimed Aranda and similar sentiments could be heard from the other mares.

"Why? What's wrong?" Spirit became even more concerned and anxious.

"The foal is breech."

"Simple words, Conquest!" He burst at him in frustration.

"It means the foal is facing the wrong direction." Aranda explained.

"What can be done?" Spirit questioned desperately.

"I...I really don't know." Great Conquest looked hopeless, panicked and ready to drop unconscious from all the stress he was experiencing.

"Foals like that don't make it in the wild." Nova spoke, her voice shaking in terror.

"Maybe not in the wild, but you are forgetting we're with the humans." Aranda replied optimistically as she shifted her gaze on Spirit. "The foal will need to be turned before it can be born."

"Got it!" Spirit nodded right away, comprehending what the older, wise mare had indicated and rushed back to his beloved's side. He was going to take control of the situation! One way or another, they would deliver a healthy foal that day.

"S-spirit, what's going on?" Whimpered Rain. "Is our baby alright?" She winced in pain, barely able to keep herself from crying.

"Listen Rain, you can do this." He gazed into her blue eyes meaningfully. "I want you to stay strong and I need you to trust me." He nuzzled her, giving her a soft brush on the nose.

"W-where are you going?"

"I'm gonna go get Little Creek." Spirit told her soothingly. "I'll be real quick, I promise. You won't even know I'm gone."

Too hurt and exhausted to argue or question him further, Rain decided to do as he asked and trust him. She nodded and closed her eyes, keeping her heavy breathing under control. Spirit gave her a one last kiss and galloped towards the camp, but not before ordering Great Conquest and Aranda to go and comfort Rain in case she required assistance.

The grey stallion was too freaked out to comfort anyone; he needed calming down himself. However, the tranquil Aranda and Silver Moon were there for Rain, while Great Conquest kept panicking on the sidelines.

"Oh! This can't be happening! I can't! This is too much for me!" He panted and fretted, completely overwhelmed with anxiety.

Nova wanted to help him relax some way, but she didn't know how. She was just as confused and worried as everyone around her. She was also incredibly wary of being so near to the domesticated horses and people. She started to feel like a fish out of water as she hoped and prayed for Spirit's foal to finally be born without further complications and relieve everyone from this utter stress.

I'll be evil Misty and I'll terminate this chapter here! :D Next one will be posted on Sunday and I will also announce the winner of the contest! Thank you to all who participated and to those that continue to motivate me by sharing their thoughts!