The mountains had always been a great mysterious thing for the animals on the farm. Ever since they were young, the sheep on the farm were taught to never traverse it, and they obeyed it. Least until now. A young black sheep worked her way up the mountain, all because she had heard tales of a mysterious creature, a monster who lived up there. While most sheep would have cowered in fear at such a tale, Jinx was not like other sheep.

Jinx tread carefully as she headed up. She hadn't expected the trek up to be so difficult. Not a lot of footing or even a good pathway. Guess perhaps the mountains were never meant to be visited. But that didn't deter Jinx. No, it only made her more determined to proceed. She wouldn't leave until she got confirmation of this monster.

"Just a little further," She told herself. Repeating it in her head like a mantra.

Honestly, she cursed herself for being so small. If only she were a larger and stronger creature. Not that Jinx was insecure about herself, she was proud of who she was, she just figured a larger body would make it easier for her to make it up, or at least provide better stamina. The only good thing was that she was in good shape for a domesticated sheep. She had to pride herself on that physical aspect.

A rock slid under her hoof causing her to trip slightly. She regained her footing and continued.

"Boy, any higher up and I'll get a nosebleed," She joked to herself. She suddenly missed the companionship of her half-sister Clover. That comment might have gotten a chuckle out of her sibling. "Heh, nosebleed, I kill myself." She chuckled.

She had reached another patch of rocks, mostly tiny ones, so she remained careful as to where she stepped, she placed a hoof upon it lightly. She made certain not to disrupt it by much.

"Okay...careful." She told herself.

One hoof in front of the other, very careful. She placed it upon there feeling the firmness. It would hold. Taking that into account, Jinx put pressure as she moved forward. It was simple, all she had to do was continue on and-. Suddenly the ground shifted and Jinx found her footing wobbling. Then she lost it causing her to fall!

"Woah!" She cried as the rocks slid.

She twisted and turned and she heard the sound of the falling rocks clattering against one another. It was a mini rock slide and as Jinx came to a halt, she felt something hard had striken her right front leg, pinning it.

"Ow damn it!" She cried.

Staring down at her limb, she noticed a rather large rock had trapped it. More than that, she felt a sharp throbbing pain within it. For a moment she paused but then tried to move it. She found that impossible as the more she struggled, the tighter the rock's impact seemed to be. And it only provoked more pain.

Jinx struggled for a few seconds before giving up completely, "Okay, little snag here," She muttered.

Indeed it was a snag. She was trapped like a rat. She struggled but to no avail and moving only brought on more pain.

"Damn!" Jinx exclaimed.

This was not how she wanted her trek to go. Still, she supposed if she remained patient, she could get out. She wasn't one to panic. Just had to remain patient, and she would be out in no time.

"Damn indeed,"

Jinx heard a silky voice just above her. Looking upward, Jinx's eyes grew wide as she saw a large mountain lion staring down at her. The mountain lion glared down with her yellow eyes, giving off a nasty smile.

"Um...hi," Jinx muttered.

"Hi, yourself," Said the mountain lion as she sauntered down, "I had just gone on a little sojourn when to my surprise I encounter a snack in waiting," Purred the mountain lion, "Normally I like my prey having a little "bite" to them, "But this is too good an opportunity to pass up. After all, you so stupidly made your way up here after all."

Jinx shot the mountain lion an indignant look, "Excuse me? I ain't stupid sister, I just have a naturally high level of curiosity!"

The mountain lion narrowed her eyes, "Well my dear, your curiosity has made you my latest meal," Licking her lips, the mountain lion cooed, "Ooohhhh I know this goes against my code! But mutton is such a delectable treat!"

They said that one's life flashed before their eyes as the final moments came. And the same applied to Jinx. This couldn't have been the end, it just couldn't be. But there seemed to be no other alternative. Jinx felt like a soldier waiting for an execution. The only thing missing was a blindfold. But she showed no fear, wouldn't give the big cat the satisfaction. She would face her death with dignity, she would take pride in the life she lead, she would...watch the gray bulk knock the cat out of view.

Everything quickly happened in a flash as something fast and heavy struck the cat. She flew a few feet before landing back in place. The mountain lion's eyes glared furiously at the one who had struck her.

"You!?" She growled.

Jinx continued to stare up, unable to take her eyes off the figure that had rescued her. She wasn't sure what she was staring at? The creature before her was tall, as tall as a deer, maybe even larger. It stood on all fours, hard-looking hooves planted on the ground. Gray fur, or some kind of covering lay around its body, an antelope shaped beast with a peach-colored muzzle, with two large demon-like horns jutting forward.

The creature glared at the mountain lion silently. It was a male, Jinx could certainly see that from where she was laying.

"This doesn't concern you "King"! Leave me and my prey alone!" The mountain lion demanded.

The creature never moved, just continued to stare forward, but at last spoke, "Going after a trapped animal? This isn't like you Selena," The creature chided in a deep, somewhat raspy voice.

"Mind your own business!" The lioness Selena roared,

"Funny, I had some degree of respect for you as an opponent." Said the beast.

That seemed to affect the mountain lion, by the merest flicker upon her face. She let out a growl before she relaxed, "Very well, I see your point "Highness", I do forget myself sometimes," Turning away, the mountain lion shot the creature and Jinx an indignant look, "I would watch yourselves." And then she was gone.

Jinx lay there motionless, eyes shifting from the lion to the creature before her. She didn't know what to say, didn't know what to do. Couldn't do anything in her pinned position. Nevertheless, she managed to mutter out something. Something that conveyed her emotions well.

"Um...hi?"

The creature looked down at her, eyes glaring like daggers. For a moment, Jinx gulped, then smiled nervously. At the moment, she was regretting coming here.

"What are you doing here?" The delivery of the question came so suddenly, Jinx stammered for a moment.

"Why? Well...I-I-I um."

"Oh wonderful," The creature said. He lowered down his muzzle and began parting the rocks.

As if on command they parted away revealing Jinx's injured leg.

"There you're free...leave." The creature said.

The creature was about to turn to leave when Jinx shouted out, "Wait!"

Halting the creature turned to her and asked, "What?"

Jinx looked to no one in particular, then back to the creature, "I-I-I can't move."

The creature gave her this blank look of indifference, "You're from that farm in the valley aren't you?"

Jinx nodded.

Saying nothing, the creature walked over towards the ewe. He lifted his head down positioning himself underneath Jinx. At first, Jinx was worried, but found herself sliding down his neck and landing harmlessly upon his back.

"Don't move," He said.

Jinx did as she was told as the creature traversed upward. All the while, a soft jingle sounded out. That was a feature Jinx had neglected to notice. As she took in the creature's features, she neglected to notice the golden bell that hung around the creature's neck. Jinx remained fixated on it, listening to the soft jingle that came with the creature's steps. Before long, Jinx found her visioning darkening as they entered a spacious cave. They reached a tone wall, and the creature carefully dropped Jinx down, causing her to wince slightly from the pain in her leg.

"You'll need a few days of rest. Don't move or you'll make it worse." Said the creature.

Suddenly a grumble sprang up from Jinx's belly, and she realized she had neglected to fully nourish herself back on the farm.

"You're hungry,"

"Yeah I guess." Jinx replied.

The creature stared at her blankly, "I'll get you food. You don't have to worry about Selena. She and I have an "understanding","

Jinx knew the creature meant the mountain lion paying her a "visit". She wasn't sure if it was because the creature had marked the area, or perhaps some sort of respect between adversaries. Whichever the case, Jinx had a question.

"Wait!" The creature came to a halt, "What's your name?

Staring back the creature said one name, "Chirin." And then he started to leave.

"I'm Jinx!" The ewe called, but the creature, Chirin, just walked out of the cave, leaving Jinx alone.

Jinx felt another throb in her leg. Indeed she would probably need a few days of rest. Not exactly on her list of plans, but every goal had a snag. At least she accomplished her greater goal: she had met the monster.

She just had one thing to comment on, "Better get comfortable.

XXX

Chirin didn't understand why he was doing this? He had nothing for his kind but apathy. Sheep after all were spinless creatures who only cared about grazing and growing fat. At times he was grateful he had broken away from that system, but at times he did miss that old life...for a brief moment. Back when he made that fateful choice that condemned him to solitude.

He pushed those thoughts away. Wor taught him not to dwell on sentimentality. He had to remember at least some of his old lessons.

Nevertheless, he had to admit, coming up here had to imply some boldness. That or the sheep was just plain stupid. Regardless, he continued to hunt for food.

Still, he didn't know why he saved her?