To this day, I am not sure of how I managed to escape Ghost's sudden attack. Had he latched onto my throat, he would have snapped my neck and I would be dead. And even if he hadn't broken my neck, I would surely have bled to death, and knowing him, he would have gone with me bleeding to death, because he would have been able to herd my mares right past me. I would have been unable to do anything. Yet, I dodged him, and he nearly fell to the ground as he flew past me.

Magnum, on the other hand, raced forward to take me on before I could get a chance at Ghost. These two were brothers, only one season apart, born of the same mare and stallion. Their many times great-grandfather: Indociss; the deadliest known stallion in the west valley. Not a sunrise had passed without the mournful cry of one whom had been lost to this stallion's cold fury. Not a sunset had passed without the shriek of the slaughtered. Even his father, the great Black stallion had lost his band of mares to his own son. Soon after, he had been caught, and since then, no one had heard anything of the Black.

But there was one of whom Indociss could never have matched. It was in the time of the Black, when the red stallion Flame had been first seen. Many a tales followed him, until he escaped his island prison and sired many foals. And I am proud to say, that in my veins runs the blood of that mighty stallion. In my heart lies the strength of him. But I have never shown this strength.

Magnum had barreled forward, catching me off-guard. He plowed into me full force, causing me to flip over a full time before landing with a thud. Ghost was on his feet by now, and siezed my down time quickly. He charged over to me, and dug his right front hoof into my ribs repetitively. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't think. But something inside of me caused me to get up, and I realized that both Magnum and Ghost were on the ground. I trumpeted in rage and reared as they clambored to their feet. I was furious!

Ghost lunged at me again, but I was too quick for him. I then snatched the crest of his neck and whipped my head around, sending him sprawling into me. We fell. I heard a sickening crunch and looked around to see not Ghost, but Magnum, lying on the ground, unmoving. His head lay upon a jagged rock, and there was a pool of thickening red liquid oozing from beneath his head.

Ghost had hit him when we had fallen, and was clearly angry. But just as he was about to take his fury out upon my bloodied blue-roan hide, I felt something tighten around my neck.

With a violent lurch, the both of us were pulled apart from one another. I instinctively pulled against my binds, and found there to be a rope round my and Ghost's neck. A two-legged creature, something I had never seen before, appeared to be examining Magnum's still motionless form.

I heard the one by Magnum call something to the others, and several of them leapt off of their--horses? It was then I realized that the only reason I was being held fast, was because there were two horses with odd-looking equipment keeping the ropes taught. The same was true for Ghost. One of the two-leggeds pulled something out that looked like a long stick, and it made a clicking noise. Then, they put it to Magnum's chest and it made a very loud and frightening noise. He flinched--he was still alive. But then--after the noise, he flinched no more.

Now very near panic, both Ghost and I began to struggle more than ever. Ghost was clearly stronger than I was--there were four horses holding him in place, and they were having a difficult time doing so. Neither of us had liked the looks of that noise making stick. I noticed though, that it had left a strip of red in Magnum's deep grey chest. Without warning, i felt something stab into my hindquarters, and screamed in pain and fright. The same was done to Ghost. After another few minutes of struggles, I settled against my will, and allowed myself to be led away, dimly aware of Ghost doing the same.