Chapter 16

Different From The Rest

Since Autumn was finally and yet slowly approaching the lands, the sun began to rise slightly late over the horizon. This meant that, the humans had extra few more hours to rest before starting their usual busy activities. As for us...me particularly, I didn't care much about the new change brought in by the new season. I was very relieved however, that the extremely hot days were in the past.

It was a wonderfully sunny and at the same time, breezy cracking noon, when I found myself grazing with four other mares in the meadows. The two-leggeds had started their general hustle that somehow never seemed to end until evening came. This morning, things seemed a little more chaotic around here than before. In fact, my human had been so involved in the tribe's disoriented behavior that he didn't even have time to see me. I tried not to worry too much, assuring myself that things would get better. Last couple of months had been hard for the whole tribe as I mentioned before, but I knew that it would fall into place soon. Things get better...they always do. We were survivors, we were strong. We'd get through anything.

I have to admit that even though, my thoughts had been fairly occupied by my beloved homeland, another part of me somehow, kept thinking about...yes, you guessed it right: Spirit. That wild, untamed, cocky, and oh, so very handsome stallion. My goodness! What was happening to me? Ever since he saved me from Great Conquest's outburst and ever since I got to know the mustang better, I couldn't stop myself from thinking about him. It was so odd!

Truly, I was looking forward on seeing him which was so strange. After all, I used to hate spending time with him...and now here I was, already hoping that my human would tie us up together again. Oh Rain! What has gotten into you? I shook my head, snorting loudly in frustration. This needed to end. Pushing my mind off of the handsome Spirit, I decided to focus on my old friends. It had been a while since I played with one of my buddies.

I lifted my neck up from the tall grass gracefully and began to prance in delight, hoping to encourage other mares to join me. I playfully neighed at Dawn, Blossom, Midnight, and Silver Moon. They stared up at me curiously, some of them letting out gentle nickers.

"Come on, let's race!" I suggested in excitement, ready to outrun them all.

"Someone's feeling extra energetic today." Silver Moon remarked. She was the eldest and most mature mare from the five of us. She had an extremely pretty dappled grey coat. She was also the only one from us that had given birth to a foal.

"What's the matter?" I tilted my head, my eyes sparkling with mischief. "Afraid to lose?"

"I won't put up with your pride." Remarked Midnight, the jet black mare. She was the youngest and possibly the feistiest from the five of us. Her owner had a hard time training her. She wouldn't put up with anyone's smug attitude. "I won the last time we raced, gonna do it again." She raised her head confidently, showing off her fancy moves.

I rolled my eyes, slightly chuckling to myself. Yes, her overly-confidence would be the very reason she'd lose today.

"Oh I'm ready to take you out." Squealed Dawn, especially eager to defeat Midnight.

"Let's do it then." Blossom confirmed with a nicker, rearing slightly.

I could barely contain my exhilaration and enthusiasm, trotting around in circles, the mares and I decided to race over from the south fields towards the hill top that overlooked the entire village.

The challenge had been accepted, the rest of the horses moved over to watch us, and the five of us were all ready to gallop. Lining up at the edge of the meadows, we remained still, waiting for a signal from Wind. The gentle stallion who was attached to Dawn, had overheard our conversation and decided to aid us and make sure no cheating was involved. With a loud neigh, he ordered the commencement of the race. Almost instantly, we leaped forward and towards the hill top. I ran as fast as I could, already noticing that Dawn, Blossom and Silver Moon all fell behind me easily. Great, the only one I needed to outrun was the proudest and fastest Midnight.

With determination, I pushed my legs harder, pulling the ground from underneath me and using it to propel myself even more forward. In seconds, I found myself gliding alongside Midnight. We were both galloping like there was no tomorrow. As I continued to run, my speed began to increase, trying my best to be the first one to reach the hill. Noticing this, Midnight seemed to put on a burst of speed; she was in no condition to give up the first place to me. But that's what I had been waiting for, as I mimicked her and spread my legs even wider, making my stride even larger. This special little move pulled me right in front of her, overtaking Midnight once and for all.

Neighing in victory, I met my opponents on the hill, rearing up to greet them in confidence.

"Today was your day, Rain!" Cried out Wind, as he loped over to us. I lifted my head in pride, loving the attention I got from the other horses, who cheered loud.

"Looks like you're my new rival." Midnight remarked bitterly, walking past me, clearly upset about the loss.

I rolled my eyes, ignoring her smug attitude and continued bragging about my impressive win. It had been a while since someone put feisty and proud Midnight to her place. I sure was glad it was me. Dancing around happily in celebration, I didn't notice how one and only Great Conquest suddenly stood in front of me. All of the horses silenced, remembering our last encounter. I stared at him a little surprised, I didn't expect to see him so soon.

"Congratulations." He let out a soft nicker.

I nodded my head at him slowly yet gratefully, still feeling uneasy.

"Can we talk in private?" He asked, once noticing my distant behaviour.

I let out a sigh, deep down wanting to stay away from him, at least for a little while. We needed to take time and heal first. It's been only two days since the unpleasant outburst between us. However, I didn't want to degrade him further by rejecting his request. So I agreed to follow and listen to what he had to say.

We moved a little distance away from the band and once Great Conquest was sure no one was eavesdropping, he began. "Rain, I know I messed up, okay? I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to hurt you. I don't know what got into me."

"Studly hormones?" I suggested, feeling unaffected with his apology.

Great Conquest snorted, pawing the ground with his forleg. Clearly, he was expecting a different reaction from me. "I know what I did has no excuses. But you mean so much to me." He added desperately, his eyes softening more. "I shouldn't have forced you to become my mate. So from now on, I shall wait whenever you're ready."

I huffed at the last sentence. "You don't get it, I might never be ready to become your mate." I didn't want him to have false expectations and unrealistic fantasies about us. The truth was obvious, I didn't have feelings towards him. Sure, I always liked him as a friend, brother...even though, that too was beginning to be difficult.

Great Conquest quieted, staring at me all shocked with his honey-colored eyes.

"We could try to put this behind us and work on our friendship." I continued gently and softly, hoping I didn't hurt him too much in the process. "But please, don't expect more from me."

Again, Great Conquest remained silent. I noticed how his previously soft expression now hardened, his nostrils flared up in agitation. "It's because of him, isn't it?" He asked at last, whinning bitterly.

Him? I knitted my brows in confusion. Who's ...him?

I didn't have a lot of time to wonder about it, in seconds Great Conquest revealed who he was talking about.

"Ever since your human brought that wild mustang in our midst, he's been trying to claim you." The grey war horse carried on in anger. "Who the hell he thinks he is? I'll show him!"

"That's not true!" I argued anxiously, my ears pinned back at him. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Rain!" Fumed Great Conquest. "If you actually took time to pay more attention to your own kind for once instead of frolicking with a two-legged, you'd understand things better." He neighed, anger rising in his eyes.

It was one thing to diss me, or Spirit, but to bring my Little Creek into this? Oh he had gone too far!

"You know what? I'm tired of listening to this nonsense!" I snapped at last. "You know nothing!"

"I noticed the way he looks at you and if he decides to take my mare away from me, I'll fight him to death!" Great Conquest declared in fury.

"You are relentless!" I squealed in rage. "I can't believe I actually thought of being friends with you again. And I am NOT your mare!" With that, I spun over and galloped away from him as fast as possible.

Ugh, I was so angry at him! How dare he? The nerve! I couldn't bear to look at Conquest right now. He was acting so crazy these days. Why did he see Spirit as such a threat? Why would he suggest that he'd claim me? No one had rights to claim me as their own! I belonged to Little Creek...and him only! I stopped at my favourite place: The apple trees. Hopefully my anger would cool down soon.

My thoughts returned to Spirit again. If nothing was going on between us why would Great Conquest act so insane? He must've had a reason. He'd never been so possessive before. Maybe he was just going through some hormonal changes? Studs...they always act studly around certain seasons. But then again, it wasn't that time of the year. So what was it?

Spirit...Spirit! Again and again Spirit!

After our conversation the other day, and after he saved me from the furious stallion, I had become so drawn to him. It was so strange! Why? I never liked him before? What was happening now? I couldn't stop thinking about his stunning golden coat, his fiery eyes, and athletic movements. And the way he looked at me at times...was Great Conquest right after all? I had never felt like that about any other stallion. What was it about that mustang? His story, his personality...everything touched me. He had gotten under my skin.

He was different. Oh, so different from the rest. I had never met anyone like him. My heart longed to see him again.

Little did I know then that Spirit too was tormented with the exact same thoughts as I.

Looks like Rain has a crush! Lol

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