Chapter 5
The Mysterious Stallion
I remained wide awake that night, several thoughts running through my head; for some reason I couldn't bring myself to close my eyes. What if Little Creek failed to escape? What if those cavalry men decided to catch us also? Just how long were we supposed to wait? The hours passed and dragged incredibly slowly. And even though, I had been determined to keep on staring and gazing at the wooden fortress where my Little Creek was confined, soon I grew tired and my eyelids became all heavy. I let my head hang gently on the ground and let out a heavy sigh. Come, next day. Come, afternoon.
At last the sun began to rise in the horizon, and my heart began to flatter as the two humans awoke from their slumber and began to bustle around. I didn't know what exactly they were doing but honestly, at this point, I didn't care. My attention was again fixed on the fortress as if my whole life depended on it. In some ways, it did. If my two-legged companion didn't make out alive and well, I would probably die of despair. He was the only one I cared about. I didn't know life without him. Dawn and Great Conquest seemed rather at ease, but from time to time, they would nicker in comfort at me. I appreciated their friendship and positively. Especially, the way the grey stallion fussed over me and tried his best to keep me safe and untroubled. It seemed that the two humans had done all they could for Little Creek, and now it was all up to him. We were waiting for him. He needed to take things in his own hands. Hopefully, my friend would make out of that wooden fortress soundly.
The morning was dead silent as usual, nothing interesting or dangerous for that matter befall on us. We passed the hours by waiting, waiting and did I mention...waiting? That's all that we could do for now. Two small birds flew by as I moved quietly through the tall grass, searching for breakfast for myself.
Suddenly, very unfamiliar and strange sounding noises were heard in the distance, all the way behind the fortress. Instantly, we all became alert, my head was high and my ears pricked. I paid attention to every small detail in the area, hoping that nothing bad was happening to my best friend. Before any of us could make another move, a gun exploded somewhere near or maybe in the wooden fortress itself...and immediately, I flinched and froze in place. The worst case scenario came to my mind and I hovered close to Great Conquest, taking comfort in the stallion's presence.
The anxiety, restlessness, enormous concern and everything that made me shudder took over my body once more. And I looked up at the grey stallion in panic, he snorted slightly telling me to relax and continued to listen. I followed his suit, greatly anticipating any signs of Little Creek's condition.
After the gunshot, crashing sounds began to reach us. I believed a huge commotion was going on behind those wooden walls. Humans yelling and shouting, doors bursting, the chaotic drumming of a stamped of horses echoed across the whole desert and to my ears. I reared slightly, my eyes lit up happily, and nostrils flared up, scenting my beloved rider somewhere there lost in the great commotion. Singing Eagle came up to me and tried to settle me down, but I was becoming jumpier and jumpier by the second.
However, just as suddenly, everything fell silent once more, and I could feel the tension cracking in the air. I quieted and fixed my blue eyes on the infamous fortress. Like an arrow shooting out of its bow, the door to the great wooden fortress burst open and horses flooded out. Bays, browns, and chestnuts-all solid neutral colors-galloped alongside each other. In the middle of them, a handsome dun mustang stallion thundered on, each stride more and more powerful. His eyes flashed with an intense ferocity. And I noticed my Little Creek holding on to the mysterious stallion's neck. I held back a squeal of delight, knowing that I shouldn't make a sound before my rider called for me. But at the same time, there was this sudden, deep suspicion and...(was it jealousy?) when I noticed that my human was hanging onto this wild mustang. Who was he? And why on earth was he with MY owner?! Little Creek wasn't riding him by any means, so that part consoled me, knowing that I was his one and only.
A familiar sound of an owl calling touched my ears. It was Little Creek! He called me! Not waiting for anyone else, I instantly leaped forward, galloping towards my owner and the mysterious mustang...who was handsome without doubt. But I wasn't about to admit it. The stallion's eyes widened in surprise as he saw me. He was different from the other escaping horses, which had split up into other directions. Unlike them, his mane looked as if it had been halfway cut, and his tail was still long. He lacked the 'US' brand on his rump that the others displayed. I forced a smile on my face as I met his stride beside him. My heart soared in happiness as Little Creek jumped onto my back from the running mustang and I felt a change in posture. I skidded to a stop in front of the mysterious stallion, who kept staring at me as if he had seen a mare for the very first time.
It didn't take long for Great Conquest and Dawn to join us and they stopped beside the dun horse. And their riders, without hesitation, threw ropes around the stallion's neck. His head immediately dropped, his eyes darkened, and he let out a snort of displeasure. I smirked and held my head high, watching him. Who was this stud? And why did he give me the feeling of annoyance? What business did he have with MY Little Creek? Oh, he better not take him away from me! I shook my head, that was very unlikely but I was still cautious.
As we made our journey back to the Lakota camp, the mysterious stallion said nothing and yet, at times, he would throw side glances at me. He looked rather unhappy and irritation was written all over him. I just continued walking alongside him, my eyes sometimes darting from him to Great Conquest, who was also quite suspicious and wary of the newcomer. Both Dawn and Conquest were trailing slightly behind us along with their riders. I pretended not to be interested in this new horse...but the truth was, I wanted to know very badly who this mysterious mustang was and where he had come from. What was his story? Was he planning on joining us in the village? Even though, I was very untrusting of him, I found him extremely good looking.
And there was also this mystery and obscurity that surrounded him. How did he come to know my rider? Why did he so suddenly and confidently gallop into our lives? Was he trouble? Certainly, looked like it. Little did I know, that this very stallion would be the one to make me question my life choices.
Yay, enter Spirit!