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Chapter 33

Promise

"Your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away all the sanity in me"

– My Immortal by Evanescence

"A black stallion?" Esperanza repeated in a whisper, something had changed in her warm, liquid eyes. She didn't know what rushed over her, but her heart started to beat fast against her chest, as though a precious memory, deeply pushed back in her mind, surfaced up again.

"Yes." Quietly confirmed Bolder.

"Pfftt!" Misty giggled. "A black phantom horse. Was he a mythical equus unicornius or equus pegasusius?" She derided, not even attempting to retain a mocking laughter.

"Son, are you even listening to yourself?" Flint questioned, his voice coming off stern and unamused. "You sound deranged. I fear the mare is right:" He glanced at Misty, before regarding Bolder once more. "You've lost your mind."

"Look, father, I know how this sounds, okay?" The young stallion sighed, feeling of helpless frustration submerging him. He himself couldn't explain the oddness of the situation and the strange 'ghost horse' that had been appearing to him lately, but he wanted to be honest nevertheless. "Believe me or not, there really was some kind of a mystical shadow stallion that frightened away the cursed bear. And the truth is, I would've died if that ghost hadn't shown up."

"A ghost?" Scoffed Azogar, shaking his head, disbelief evident on his smug countenance. "A grizzly bear carrying the mad wolf's curse is on the loose and yet, you are wasting our time by telling us bunch of fairytales! Why are we even listening to this lunatic?" He stared at the other horses, snorting disdainfully at Bolder's direction. "It's clear that he's gone mad."

"I suppose this is what happens when a horse roams in solitude for too long." Cloud spoke in disappointment.

Bolder exhaled heavily and dropped his finely formed head, his thick auburn forelock covering the half moon shaped marking on his forehead. Why did he bother telling them anything at all? Now his unbearable uncle would never run out of reasons to mistreat and bully him. As if he needed reasons to begin with.

He could see how skeptical and confused Flint, Cloud, Azogar and Misty had become after hearing his eerie claims, but the beautiful mother of Spirit had the expression of someone who had just received an emotionally stirring news. Before Bolder could analyze and study what she could've been thinking, she was the first to speak up.

"H-how did you end up on our territory?"

The way the lead mare had asked that question made the young blood-bay realize that she anticipated his exact answer, but still wanted to ascertain it from him.

"He led me here." Lowly nickered Bolder, affirming her suspicions.

That had done it. Esperanza didn't require to hear anything else. Her inner emotions rose high and were now overflowing her. Tears suddenly spilled out of her chocolate pools, her lips trembling, heart soaring.

"Strider." Unable to keep it together, she gasped and swinging round, hurriedly galloped from their presence.

"Esperanza!" Cloud called, immediately running after her. "Wait!"

Bolder was stunned at the lead mare's unexpected reaction and so were the rest of the spectators. "Was it something I said?" He asked, hating to be the cause of the lovely palomino's distress. "I was only–"

"It seems like she thinks your 'ghost' horse is her deceased mate, Strider." Misty explained with a slight smirk. "Nice job, Moonshine. You just gave her false hopes."

Bolder's jaw almost hung open at that statement. Strider? Could it be? Spirit's sire? The magnificent black stallion was quite fabled around the untamed lands for his tragic sacrifice. However, it had never occurred to Bolder that perhaps, it was indeed Strider's phantom that he had been seeing all this time, until now.

"I cannot believe it." He murmured. "It...could be... Strider." Bolder's mind went back to when he spotted a wraith-like image of a certain black stallion leaping from a cliff, all the while the two-leggeds almost raced him over to his death, right before Spirit had jumped in to save him. Was it truly the spectre of the mighty Strider?

"This is an absurd!" Cried Azogar, completely outraged. "What the hell is wrong with all of you?!" He shouted obnoxiously.

"Azogar for once, please, simply shut up!" Flint snapped at him at last, his patience reaching its limit.

The sun seemed so happy that day, as it illuminated the shiny, golden pelt of a beautiful filly. The sweet smelling flowers of spring were on their way, swaying to the colours of life and everything was so calm and bright. There was no need to feel the fright for the new beginnings were approaching the lands. The creamy filly stood with poise on a high plateau, overlooking the territories below. In spite of the gorgeous surroundings and the warmth of the season, the little mare had slight anxiety in her heart. She turned to the handsome young stallion, who was positioned by her side. His dark coat was silky black as though made out of the feathers of raven wings. He was strong, yet nimble and lightly built, with certain elegance and nobility about him that really gave him the impression of a natural born ruler, even though still so young and probably inexperienced.

"I don't know about this." The filly nickered nervously to her gallant companion. "Maybe it would've been wiser if we had stayed in our old band?"

"Our old band scattered." The young stallion told her with a gentle demeanour. It wasn't the first time he had heard such conflicted sentiments from the little beauty. In fact, the first time, they got separated from their original herd, the filly had insistingly tried to find them. "And there's no point in searching for them. We always wanted to discover a new home for us anyway, where we could be together. Well, now's our chance."

"I know, but–"

"No buts, my love." He cut her off, smiling warmly at her. "It's going to be okay, I promise. We will find a peaceful valley, where there's plenty of grazing areas, mountains, rolling hills with waterfalls and rivers nearby. That's where we'll start a new life...our new free way of life." He told her, painting a wonderfully scenic picture before her and nuzzled her neck lovingly. He knew that this was a big step for them both, but he wholeheartedly believed that they could withstand even the scariest of storms together.

"And so, we'll establish our own herd," The golden filly added, lively enthusiasm awakening in her as she expanded on their dreams. "and we'll have a hundred of foals and we'll live happily ever after."

"A hundred?" Chuckled the black beauty in amusement. "That's a lot of work."

"Are you afraid?" She teased with a mischievous grin.

"No, I'm excited." He leaned in, brushing his muzzle on her soft nose. "I love you, Esperanza."

"I love you too, Strider."

"I'll always be with you." The black stallion whispered to her as the tranquil, spring breeze swept their gorgeous manes and tails. "No matter what happens, we'll never part."

"Never." The creamy young mare shook her head. "Together, forever."

While the golden filly was cheerful, and spoke out of carefree innocence, the young stallion was serious in his conviction. "I mean it." He said firmly, his dark gaze looking into her gentle eyes. "Even if something were to happen to me, I'll always be here. You may not see me, but I'll be with you, forever. I promise." He gave her his word.

"Strider, why are you saying such things?" The golden filly frowned.

"Because we must be ready for anything that comes our way."

"If you won't be here, then... I don't want a life like that. I'll never part from you. We'll die together." The filly announced in stubborn determination.

The black colt smiled softly at that, shaking his head. "There's no such thing as death. There's simply a transformation, where an individual becomes a heavenly spirit. Just because you can't see them, doesn't mean they're gone." The young horse went on to explain philosophically. "You can feel them everywhere... especially your loved ones. In the stir of the wind, the movement of the soft grass, the endless sky up above, the changing whispers of seasons. Everywhere."

"You won't leave me, will you Strider?" The filly whinnied with a naivety of a foal.

"Never. I will always be with you, no matter what happens. I will guide you and protect you and our herd forever." He vowed.

"Promise?"

"I promise." He told her sweetly and pulled her into a tender embrace.

"Esperanza!" Cloud found the palomino lead mare weeping at the leader's position, also known as the Cimarron hill, where Spirit usually guarded the herd. The stallion worriedly trotted up to her. "Please, don't pay attention to what that fool colt said. He hit his head hard and lost all sense of reason."

"Could it be... Strider?" She lifted her chin, tears still streaming down her face. "How could I forget his promise." She wept silently.

"He's messing with your head." Cloud insisted. "He doesn't even know what he's talking about. There's no such thing as ghosts and phantoms, alright?"

Esperanza shook her head, unwilling to listen and heed the words of the stallion. "No, he promised that he'd always be with me and our band. Perhaps, I too will be able to see him?" Her eyes suddenly brightened at that thought, as she became full of hope and optimism.

Cloud looked startled at Esperanza's last sentence. "Let's not get irrational now. Don't let the Lone Stallion's nonsensical claims, blind you from reality. You cannot listen to that horse, he was cursed. He is delirious." Cloud attempted to explain in a logical manner.

"He didn't know if the ghost was Strider or not, only I recognized that." Spirit's mother argued passionately. "You know why? Because I remembered his promise to me."

"What promise?"

"He assured me once that no matter what happened, no one would separate us and even in death... he'd be here." Esperanza's voice chopped, she was shaking all over and was completely overwhelmed with racing emotions.

"Yes, but why would he appear to Flint's son, of ALL horses?" Questioned Cloud, very confused at the mere idea of it. "Don't you think that's bit random? If anything, he'd look out for you and Spirit, not some odd, lone colt."

"It is strange." The elegant palomino agreed, sniffing sadly. "Oh, goodness...how I miss him." She broke down, unable to hold her composure.

"I do too." Cloud admitted, letting her sob for a moment and get it out of her system, before speaking up again."But this is all make-believe and superstition." He clarified, very confident in his utterance. "Please, instead of focusing on mythical ghosts, let us concentrate on what's important. The cursed grizzly is still out there, ready to attack anyone that comes his way. Thankfully, so far, we are prepared since we discovered the herb that can heal us, but sooner or later, we'll have to find a way to get rid of the source. That's what Strider would've wanted too."

"Yes, you are right." Nodded Esperanza, forcing herself to cease crying. "Spirit should be back in couple of days and we'll think of what to do together." Sucking in her tears, she assumed a dignified air once more.

"Exactly, we are in this together." A gentle smile spread across Cloud's lips, as he pulled the mare into a hug. "It's gonna be okay."

Still, despite pushing her thoughts away, Esperanza could not stop pondering about the promise that had been given to her by the love of her life. A promise that he said he would keep forever.

In the wondrous star-sown night, in the first sweet warmth of spring, Rain watched her day old colt peacefully lie in the soft grass and sleep soundly. He was the only one who could make her sadness wash away. Before meeting Spirit, Rain thought that she would never love anyone more than her human and guardian, Little Creek. Then came Spirit, who conflicted her in every way possible and ultimately stole her heart. He also managed to shatter her heart a few times too, and presently, she became absolutely convinced that she would never love any other individual as much as she loved her sweet, little son. Is that what motherhood was all about? She mused as her blue eyes observed the resting foal in front of her. Rain stood, towering over him protectively; she was fully awake as she listened to the glad song of the earth. Murmuring of the soft breeze could be heard, as it gently moved the lush grass. The Lakota camp was peaceful once again. The horses were all resting in the fields nearby, while the humans were retiring in their teepees as usual. Rain had taken her spot close to Little Creek's sleeping tent, while the song of the tranquil night continued. Only the wise heart – the one willing to listen – could hear the thrilling note of the tree-frog under the hill. And the clear and watery treble of his brother, silvery shrill. And then, Rain's mind wandered away, unable to stop herself from thinking about Spirit and about what the wild mare, Nova, had said to her that evening.

"Rain," He heard a familiar whinny of Great Conquest. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

The paint mare turned around as the grey stallion neared her. "Shh...my son is asleep and I have to rest as well. Maybe next time." She spoke to him coldly and averted her eyes.

"Oh please, Rain." Implored the grey war horse in a whisper. "You've been avoiding me today and I–"

"You hurt Spirit." She interrupted, snorting angrily at him. "I really don't feel like talking to you."

"Come on, we didn't hurt him at all. We simply held him down till he relaxed." Justified the stallion in his defence.

This only produced a negative effect. "All four of you jumped on him?" Rain gasped in shock. "Are you savage predators that you'd do a thing like this?"

"He was the one that started it." Disputed Great Conquest. "He was the one that hurt you and when I asked him civilly to leave, he attacked us. We had no other choice but to be slightly more aggressive. But we didn't do anything too crazy."

"Nova said that you threatened to mutilate him."

The grey stallion scoffed, dismissing that claim almost immediately. "Yeah, right. I mean, okay, maybe we did. But it was just a warning, we weren't actually gonna go through with it. I don't even know how that's done, I'm not a big cat. I mean, Red is more informed about those punishing techniques." He explained – as if it made things any better – while he looked innocent and naive. "And anyway, Rain, he deserved it. He broke your heart."

"Still, you had no right to behave like a beast." Rain's blue gaze was swelling up. "I can't stand the thought of you hurting one another because of me. That will only inflict more pain on me, you understand?"

"I get what you're saying, but like I said, I won't let anyone disrespect you." Great Conquest argued, persisting his point. "Whoever it may be, they will face my wrath, be it Spirit or some other idiot."

"That's the problem." Rain rolled her eyes, sighing in frustration. "You need to learn to control your temper. You are notorious for crossing lines in the name of defending me and I don't like it. Besides, this is Spirit we're talking about. He would never –"

"Hurt you?" Cut in Great Conquest with a wide, mocking stare. "That's exactly what he did. Why the heck are you protecting him after all he put you through?" He demanded, scoffing in disbelief.

Rain lowered her head, her sapphire eyes shifted over at her sleeping colt for a moment, as the flaxen forelock covered her pretty features. "Because...I...he is the father of my foal. That's why." She blurted, sounding somewhat unconvincing. "Please, promise me that you won't hurt him ever again, or anyone for that matter, because of me?" She looked up at the grey stallion with hopeful gaze.

"Oh, alright. I promise." He gave in at last.

"Thank you." Smiled the mare, her blue eyes sparkling brighter than the stars.

"Come here, you." The stallion pulled her in a tight hug. "I love you, you know that? Obviously, not that way." He quickly added.

"Right." Giggled Rain, burying her nose in his neck. "I love you too, and did I mention how sexy you look tonight?" She stepped back, admiring him with a teasing wink.

"See, few years ago, I would've died to hear that comment from you" Admitted Great Conquest. "and yet, now I feel a little grossed out."

"That's exactly why I said it." Rain chortled, laughing at the disturbed expression of the grey stallion. "My job here is done."

"Are you trying to put me off on purpose?" Chuckled Great Conquest, snorting at her with an amused smirk. "Not cool!"

"Oh, what are friends for?" Jested Rain light-heartedly.

"With that being said though..." The stallion paused, playfully eyeing the beautiful paint mare. "you have to promise me, as my best friend, that in ten years, if I won't find anyone, we'll get together. Horse alone can't exist and frankly, I don't want to end up all lonely and miserable."

Rain snickered, glancing behind her shoulder with an uncomfortable smile.

"What?"

"Here's the thing...I already promised River."

Great Conquest gasped, very offended as his mouth formed an O shape. "Ah! Excuse me? River's a gelding."

"Precisely." Laughed Rain and nodded at him, a huge grin spreading across her lips.

"Johnny! Johnny!" Cried the flustered man, as he eased his galloping horse into a standstill and dismounted.

"What is it, Gus?" The young man asked with slight disinterest, while he continued fixing up his broken fence. "I thought you was gonna help me today."

"I was lookin' fer yer Diablo." The stout friend informed him, taking off his cowboy hat to wipe sweat that had formed on his forehead.

"Well, any sign of him?" Johnny's eyes finally acknowledged him, as he regarded the chubby man demandingly.

"No, nothin', but I found somethin' else that might interest ya." Cunning smile tucked Gus' mustached lips.

"Like what?" Johnny crossed his arms.

"I was out spyin' on the Injun's village. And guess what? His little mare just foaled."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and guess who was there for a visit?"

The sharp, grey eyes of Johnny widened at that last question. "The devilish Mustang?" He smirked triumphantly.

"That's right. I don't think he plans to stick around, but we might see him often since his mare and foal are both in the camp."

"Ain't that sweet?" Johnny commented, his face was lit with delight for a second, but it suddenly darkened again. "Ugh! Just when things start to get easier, my stallion disappears!" He threw his hands in the air, kicking dust with his boot angrily.

"We'll find Diablo." Gus assured him. "He can't be far, he'll come back to his familiar place sooner or later."

"Yeah, and when he does, I'll get me that Mustang. I swear on it." Johnny proclaimed confidently.

In the wild soft spring darkness, the frail white stars moved softly over the sky. The two free spirits had been galloping swiftly for hours, but as the night overtook the evening, they slowed themselves down to a trot, searching for a secure place to rest for a little while. The stallion led the mare along the curving pathway, and down a hill they bounded quickly. Right at the bottom was a peaceful looking glade with one sheltering tree uprooted in the centre. Not too far from the area, a streaming sounds of fresh water could be heard.

"This is a great spot for the night." Nova nickered ecstatically, waving her silver tail like a banner in the breeze. "It's so quiet."

"Yeah, a little too quiet." Spirit observed as he scanned the surroundings in alertness.

"I think it's fine, relax." Nova shrugged and jogged over to grab a bite of fresh grass.

"If you say so, m'lady." Joked the stallion, throwing his black forelock up and from his eyes, as he joined her by the sheltering tree. Its branches were already blooming, sweet scent of their fragrance filling the warm night. Some of the petals from the flower blossoms swayed in the breeze, gently falling and tangling in Spirit's long mane.

As Nova comfortably grazed, she noticed that the young stallion was consumed with deep thoughts, and utterly lost in his contemplations. She guessed where his mind was lingering, yet still asked him.

"Are you okay?"

"So, how bad is it that I actually wanna turn back and drive both my son and Rain to where we belong?" He announced, breaking his train of thought.

Nova bit her lip, not wanting to burst into fits of giggles. "Probably quite a normal behaviour for any band stallion, but I think Spirit knows better." She winked.

"Grraah..I hate Spirit!" The stallion snorted furiously, pounding his strong foreleg in the ground. "Why does he always have to do what's right?"

"Making right decisions is annoying." Groaned Nova in agreement. "Such is life though. Bad choices are always easier."

"Tell me about it." Muttered Spirit, loathing his inner conflicted struggles.

"Speaking of bad choices, tell me about Misty." Nova suddenly changed the topic, curiously leaning forward with a cheeky smile on her face.

"Misty?"

"Yes, is she your former flame?" She asked expectantly.

"She's my pain in the... you know...where the sun don't shine."

"And yet you two are going to have a foal together?" Nova stated and raised her brows. "Great Conquest might've mentioned something about it." She immediately added, once noting the surprised expression of Spirit.

"Wow, he talks a LOT, doesn't he?"

"Oh, just tell me." Eagerly presisted the filly, unable to reign over her curiosity.

"Well, there isn't much to say...one moment I was free, and the next, she shows up and tells me that I'm gonna be a father. Yay me!" He remarked sarcastically.

"I meant the beginning." Nova let out a sharp exhale. "How did you two meet? Was she your mare?"

"I won her from the blue roan stallion, known as the Killer. And then, we became close. Not very close, but close enough to consider her a friend of mine. What a mistake that was." Spirit narrated with a certain amount of reluctance. "She's a piece of work to put it lightly. I suppose, I never blamed her for it because of all she went through, and that's exactly why she grew worse and worse over time. One thing she's excellent at, is that she can seduce anything that moves."

"Wow! A skill of a lifetime." Laughed Nova, shaking her head. "I should ask her to give me some lessons."

"Oh, and she adores to show off her 'wisdoms' too." Spirit chuckled, before continuing. "She's crazy, evil and drives me mad almost all the time. A real shrew, I tell ya, but... lately, we haven't been at each other's throats as much, so who knows? Perhaps, the birth of our foal can change her stoned heart." Spirit's eyes wandered towards the dark sky that was lit with the beaming moon and the shiny stars. "In a way, I hope so. I really hope so."

"Would you ever...consider to re-establish your relationship with her?" Nova questioned.

"I never had a relationship with her...well, apart from...you know, physical stuff." He cleared his throat, slightly self-concious. "But that was only during springtime."

"I see..."

For a moment, a calm, peaceful silence fell over them as the night wind blew through their ears, bringing a recognizable voice of a soaring creature.

"Son of Freedom!" Cried the Bald Eagle, spreading his magnificent wings in the boundless sky. "I bring news!"

"Hail, my faithful friend!" Spirit reared up to him in sudden excitement, very happy to see his majestic companion. "I too have great news to share!"

"You go first, Child of the West-wind." Said the Eagle, flying down to his four-legged friend and using his claws, playfully pulled on the stallion's thick forelock as he had done to him since Spirit were a trouble-making youngster.

"Rain and I share a son! She had a colt!" Spirit danced in one spot, twirling around the wise bird.

"What an excellent news that is! And much needed, for I bring you unfortunate tidings."

Both Spirit and Nova frowned at that declaration, anxious feelings rising within their hearts.

"Speak, O, wisest creature of the land." The stallion told him, after a short interval.

"A grizzly bear is carrying the curse of the mad wolf. He is on a rampage and must be stopped before he transmits the deadly curse to other species. I wanted to let your herd know it first, but in the end, decided that it would probably be for the best if you knew first, considering you are their leader. Please, hurry home, free Spirit!"

The stallion didn't need to be told twice, as soon as he heard the words of the King of the Sky, he and Nova instantly forgot all about their resting plans and snapped into a rapid gallop, racing back to Cimarron homeland as fast as their hardy legs could take them.

Next chapter will be posted on Sunday! Share your thoughts :)