The Wide Open Prairie
The white mare had an amused glint in her eyes as she took in the sight of the normally stubborn and aggressive mustang rendered mute with shock. Unknown to Dynasty, the white mare had been watching her ever since the first night she had arrived at the rodeo ranch. The black mustang had intrigued her and she had admired the spirit which the younger horse had shown when so many other horses would've cracked under the strain of the brutal treatment. Dynasty began to feel immensely irritated at her own reaction at seeing this horse. It's not as if I've never seen another horse before, I really should hate this horse! Her thoughts only served to make her increasingly angry and she slowly drew herself up on shaky legs.
"You better get the hell away from me, if you know what's good for you!" her whinny was full of aggression, "Don't think I have forgotten how you called me weak the first night we met." She stumbled slightly, groaning as a jolt of pain shot through her bound leg. Turning her head, she was surprised to find the white mare supporting her, helping her take some weight off her broken limb.
"Easy, there, I think you should get all four legs underneath you again before you challenge me," her reply wasn't angry or aggressive but soft and light, "We're in this field together along with a herd of other horses, why don't you make the best of it? Let's start with what your name is and I'll tell you mine." Dynasty lay back on the ground, her head trying to make sense of this strange situation she had somehow ended up in. After so long of having nothing but horrible men for company, it was strange to once again be with other horses, let alone a horse that she had clashed with in the past.
"I'm Dynasty," she whickered softly, "if you know of my father, Wild Wind, then it's fair to assume you are a mustang too. Am I right?" The white mare stood lazily beneath one of the trees close by, but not too near Dynasty for respect of personal space.
"You are perspective Dynasty, I am a mustang," she confirmed, "as for my name, I am called Purity. This was the name I was given by my mother before we were captured. I was a very young foal at the time, much younger than you were when you first came to the ranch." Dynasty couldn't help fight the pang of sadness at the tale of this horse she now knew to be called Purity. She couldn't help but wonder if this white mare ever wanted and craved the freedom that she did, the very thing she fought every single day of her life for. At the back of her mind there was a constant, a satellite of sorts that her thoughts and instincts revolved around, which was compelling her to get back to her wild home. Not really knowing how to respond, she nibbled at some of the grass surrounding her before lying her head down and drifting into a doze. It soothed her spirit considerably to be in the presence of another horse that had experienced a similar trauma to her, another wild spirit imprisoned by the greed of man. Over the course of her time in captivity, Dynasty had dreamt often of her previous life of freedom when she ran with Wild Wind and her birth herd. However, for some unknown reason, she had not dreamt of Opalana since her first night in the field her captors took her to. It amazed her when, in this sleep cycle, she found herself face to face with her old friend. The palomino approached slowly and gently laid her head over Dynasty's neck, cuddling into the young mare before pulling back and cantering away. Unable to resist the primal urge to run and feeling sheer joy at the sight of her dear friend, Dynasty raced after Opalana, matching her pace for pace as she did all those years ago. In this place, her leg wasn't damaged; her spirit wasn't spoiled by the hands of men, she was just free to run in her physical prime with her old friend.
I had a dream - of the wide open prairie
I had a dream - of the pale morning sky
I had a dream - that we flew on golden wings
And we were the same - just the same - you and I
Follow your heart - little child of the west wind
Follow the voice - that's calling you home
Follow your dreams - but always, remember me
I am your brother - under the sun
We are like birds of a feather
We are two hearts joined together
We will be forever as one
My brother under the sun
Wherever you hear - the wind in the canyon
Wherever you see - the buffalo run
Wherever you go - I'll be there beside you
'Cause you are my brother - my brother under the sun
We are like birds of a feather
We are two hearts joined together
We will be forever as one
My brother under the sun
After a short time of running, both horses stopped and drew breath. The sky was a golden hue, similar to the way it was the first day Dynasty met Opalana. Memories of her past life as a free and wild being flooded through her mind, coursing her with a relentless sense of restlessness. As she turned to watch, Dynasty saw Opalana walk away from her and not look back. Heart pounding, she couldn't help but gallop after her old friend.
"Don't go!" she neighed frantically, "I've come so far to find you! I've already lost you once; I couldn't bear to lose you again!" Opalana turned and looked back with a look of complete tranquillity in her eyes and wisdom.
"You never lost me to begin with," she whickered in response, "I've never been gone, even though we've been apart for so long. It's a wonderful experience; no-one is ever gone. You can never lose anything you love. Things all go away, but whatever you hold in your heart, always stays." With these enigmatic words, Opalana and everything around herself and Dynasty began to fade into darkness.
Lifting her head up sharply, Dynasty looked frantically around the field she had been resting in before she had gone to sleep. Everything had felt so real, like she was really running again with Opalana. Eyes darting around, the mustang saw that it had indeed just been a dream and she was lying in the field with a broken leg. She was more than a little surprised to see Purity still standing watch over her under the trees. The sun had set since she was last awake and the tranquil night air was occasionally broken by the cries of coyotes out hunting. The other horses in the field were resting and enjoying the peace that night time brought in.
"Have you been watching over me all day?" Dynasty whickered softly. Purity dipped her head in obvious embarrassment, nibbling at some grass for a moment before responding.
"I meant what I said to you before, about being a friend," her response was soft and gentle, "I know we've not always got on, but really, you're the only horse I know here and the others are forming a herd among themselves." Dynasty was about to respond when she noticed the young woman who had brought her here from the ranch approach her, whispering gently. Clambering to her feet, the mustang's first instinct was to break away or snap for all she was worth. Her ears went back, her lips curled as she got ready to bite if the opportunity presented itself. Her injury prevented fleeing, but she still had a set of teeth that could deal a painful bite. However, Purity looked at her and trotted over to the woman, letting the girl rub her hands over her pale face. These small actions reassured the mare and she relaxed visibly as the woman walked over to her, arms outstretched.
"There now, its ok, Blackie," her voice was as soft and reassuring as her hands, "you're looking in better shape than you were a few days ago, I guess the herbs are working on your leg. I see you've met up with your old friend from the rodeo ranch. I've brought you something." Dynasty was amazed at the sense of acute loss she felt when the girl took her hands away from her face. However, this quickly dissipated when she saw the apple half that the girl had brought with her. Letting out a whinny of joy and hunger, the mustang thrust her nose into her new owner's hand, trying desperately to reach the juicy apple. The girl, laughing at the horse many had claimed was the most vicious creature they had ever encountered now nuzzling her for an apple half, relented and gave the treat to Dynasty. She devoured it with relish, watching as the young woman walked away to the gate she had entered the field through.
"She's a good human," Purity's voice caught Dynasty's attention, "I sensed it the first time I met her back at the ranch. From what I've heard, the other horses she's got are all mustangs that were caught from the wild. This is why she keeps us all in a field rather than inside."
"I know what you mean, I couldn't believe how gentle and soothing her touch was," Dynasty agreed, "it's been so long since I was shown tenderness like that from any creature. I'd forgotten how good it felt." She lay her head down sadly as more memories of the past came back to haunt her. The atmosphere between the horses had shifted to become more tense and morose. Purity had never seen this side of Dynasty, she had only ever seen the mare aggressive or detached from everything. It now really hit how broken the black horse was inside, she had really hit rock bottom.
"You should get some rest, Dynasty, you've got some healing to do," Purity whickered, not sure what else to say at that point, "I'll still be here in the morning." Dynasty couldn't respond, as the effects of what had been in the apple were taking hold. She was asleep within minutes.