Chapter 18

I See Nobody Else But You

Little Creek was at it again.

His relentless quest to ride the untamed stallion never seized to stop. He just wouldn't give up no matter what. That's what astonished me most about my brave owner, and I could tell that Spirit was quite surprised as well. At moment, he was in the corral with the mustang while me and his two human friends were watching them from the outside.

Both Long Knife and Singing Eagle set on the fence, enjoying Little Creek's failings a little too much.

Spirit refused to be handled in any way, hating the navajo blanket that Little Creek attempted to put on his back. He bucked and reared in a mischievous manner, running around the paddock as my frustrated human chased after him. I observed this hopeless display with an amused smirk. Certainly, this was getting old. What was new?

When would my boy finally realize that Spirit would never allow him on his back?

Long Knife and Singing Eagle kept laughing at their friend, giving unwanted and unnecessary advises along the way. Little Creek huffed and grunted, completely out of breath as he stopped running after the stallion. He wiped sweat from his forehead and walked up to us, leaving Spirit triumphantly standing across from him.

"Alright," Little Creek panted. "He is a handful, I'll admit."

"A handful? He's a devil, I tell ya!" Cried Singing Eagle with a big chortle. "Look at you! You no longer resemble a human!" He joked, laughing louder.

"I don't think you'll ever ride him with methods as these." Long Knife added, trying hard to not burst out into a laughter.

Little Creek rolled his eyes. "Ugh, I'm just trying to be gentle."

"Sometimes that doesn't work." Insisted Long Knife, clearly thinking of himself as some sort of an expert. "You gotta show him that you're the alpha."

I raised my eyebrows, curiously looking at my boy, wondering what would be his next move. He shrugged his shoulders; even though he disagreed, he was obviously too tired to argue with his friends.

Exiting the enclosure, Little Creek came up to me. "What you say, girl? Wanna go out for a ride?" He asked, with his sweet and warm voice. My heart instantly began to soar with happiness. I neighed excitingly, as my human hopped on to my back with one swift motion. "Alright, mustang..." Little Creek turned to Spirit. "You win today. But tomorrow is another day. I'm not giving up just yet." He announced in determination.

Spirit raised his brows with an "you don't say" look and snorted. I chuckled slightly as Little Creek asked me to lope towards the open country and in seconds, we were gone.

As usual, my human and I rode across the Lakota territory, galloping in the wide open spaces, letting in the beautiful Autumn day's breezy air. I had missed spending time with him. Ever since Spirit's arrival, Little Creek had been a bit distracted, trying his best to have time for everything and everyone. I felt for him and understood him. But it was still so nice when he and I went out on fun adventures. It was like the old days again.

We stopped by a small, flowy stream, where I lowered my head to get a drink. Everything around us was so quiet and peaceful. That's what we needed. A small getaway. Lately both of our frustrations had been caused by Spirit! We needed to forget about him and relax a little. Just the two of us together as always.

Before I could continue to appreciate our alone time together, there was a horrible crushing sound and a hard neighing of a horse coming all the way from the village. I jerked my head up, as Little Creek jumped in realization. "That's the mustang!" He cried, urging me into a fast gallop.

On we ran, quickly and swiftly, back to the camp and towards the round pen. To our great shock, we arrived on a dangerous scene. Long Knife was in the corral with Spirit; he lay flat on the ground as the powerful stallion towered over him. If it weren't for Little Creek's fast thinking, Long Knife would've been dead by now. Before Spirit could apply further damage, my human instantly jumped to move his friend to the safety, while I leaped right in front of the stallion, my striking blue eyes all narrowed at him.

"Spirit!" I screamed in rage. "Are you insane? What on earth are you doing?"

"Tell that to your precious humans!" Spirit sneered back furiously. "That worthless skeleton thought he could strike me! Well, I struck him back!" He neighed harshly once more.

My eyes widened in shock. Confused, I turned back to see what Little Creek and his two friends were doing. To my surprise, I noticed a long whip lying on the ground while my human was arguing harshly with Long Knife. "Why would you do that?" He exclaimed in dissatisfaction. "Who told you?" Little Creek continued angrily as Singing Eagle tried his best to calm both of them down.

I shut my eyes in annoyance. Oh great! So Long Knife had done something extremely foolish and paid for it. I stared back at Spirit apologetically. The stallion however, continued glaring at the humans with disdain and hostility. Little Creek finished his fiery speech with his friends as they left his presence. Shaking his head in disappointment, he entered the enclosure in his usual gentle and soft manner. "I'm so sorry." He began sweetly, but Spirit was having none from the two-leggeds anymore. He furiously charged at my best friend causing me to flip in outrage.

"Stop this madness!" I yelled at him, standing in front of my human, shielding him from the stallion's fury. My ears instantly pinned backwards, my nostrils flaring. "He has done nothing wrong." I warned dangerously. "Leave my human alone."

Spirit's fiery eyes were throwing daggers, as he kept glaring at me in utmost irritation. "Why don't they leave me alone first?" He snorted.

"Hey Rain, it's okay, girl." I could hear Little Creek's soft voice from behind me. "He won't hurt me. I'm gonna be fine." He assured, as I turned to face him in concern. There was a small pause. Little Creek looked this way and that, deciding what to do.

"Why don't you both go enjoy yourselves in the fields?" My boy suggested after a while gently, realizing that this would be the only way to calm the stallion. Grabbing the rope and tying it on my neck, he cautiously moved towards the mustang next.

Spirit kept staring at us with an untrusting expression, questioning our motives with his intelligent eyes. "He won't hurt you." I stated firmly as Little Creek managed to successfully loop another part of the rope over Spirit's neck. He was somewhat eased up now.

Afterwards, the gate was opened and the stallion and I trotted out of the corral and towards the lush meadows.

Little Creek gazed at me with one last look of hope. Alright. He was putting his trust in me in hopes of calming agitated Spirit.

I would try my best.

"Spirit," I nickered softly, once the anger of the stallion began to slowly abate. "I wouldn't have let them do what they did to you if-"

"Oh, sure you would've." Spirit interrupted coldly. "You have this annoying tendency to do anything he tells you to do." He finished with a pound of his hind leg.

Ouch! Again, I pinned my ears at him, clearly hurt and upset at his coldness. "Little Creek had nothing to do with it. He was just as angry as you were at Long Knife." I explained, trying to make him understand and see the truth. "I think you've been here long enough to know that my human is the most gentle and kind-"

Spirit rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "I've never met a mare like you." He huffed. "All you do is talk about him...as if you're in love or something. It's downright unnatural." He pointed out, his head held high in pride.

Alright! He had gone far enough. "Oh and if I threw myself at you, that would be a natural mare behavior right?" I snapped, angrily glaring at him.

Spirit paused, gazing at me in surprise, his eyes never leaving mine. "No," He whispered quietly. "I just never thought I'd be envious of a two-legged." He admitted.

I silenced, a small coy smile appearing on my velvety muzzle, as my long, creamy mane slid over, covering my face.

I couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked at the moment. His golden coat shone in the striking sunlight, highlighting all the strong muscles on his body. His thick, black, richly mane was almost grown to its full length. He was so much more stunning now. I tried not to stare too much in fear of being caught.

Averting my gaze, both of us slowly made our way towards the bustling Lakota camp. Something interesting was happening today. Everyone was heading down to the river. It was a laundry day!

Spirit followed them curiously, cocking his head to the side as he observed the humans washing their clothes in the water. Some of the children splashed around for fun with their dogs.

"They're amusing." He grinned, as a small boy threw a stick in the river and the tiny puppy jumped right in to get it.

I smiled warmly at him. Part of me happy that his previously aggressive manner was softened again.

"I love watching them." I nodded, my eyes following three females as they draped their buckskin clothes over a long rope, drying them.

"You know," Spirit started gently. "There's something so different about this place. Even though, horses live here with the two-leggeds...they still retain their bright, spirited freedom. Very unlike those cavalry horses." He said as he watched Wind, Dawn, Blossom and Blaze race each other in the fields nearby. Upon noticing Spirit, Wind acknowledged him with a courteous smile.

Spirit smiled back with a small nod, and turned to face me with his deep, penetrating gaze. "Everything here is so...beautiful." He finished, not daring to rip his eyes away from me. His intimidating gaze, made me feel so embarrassed. I shyed away from his presence once more, moving towards the tiny children.

Just then, Wind, Dawn, Blossom and Blaze jogged up to us, greeting and nickering in friendly manner. Both Wind and Blaze were war stallions like Great Conquest, and yet neither of them seemed hostile towards Spirit. But then again, they both had mates. Wind had Dawn and Blaze had Blossom.

We hung out with the them for a while, as we grazed in a peaceful and friendly atmosphere. Spirit appeared to be enjoying their company and playfully conversed with the two stallions. If it weren't for the mutual rope over our necks, he would've gladly wrestled with them. As for me, I noticed how both mares, Dawn and Blossom kept looking at us with a sly look. "What?" I whispered at them, slightly annoyed.

They shook their heads, hiding their girlish giggles. Can't say I wasn't irritated at them. What were they getting at?

The sun began to set slowly over the horizon again, the four horses left our presence to go to their human companions. Spirit and I were left alone.

I gazed after Wind and Dawn, as the two nuzzled one another and disappeared from our sight. They looked so cute together. I couldn't help but smile at their sweet display. Sighing, I looked back at Spirit, who kept watching me with his clever and handsome expression.

"Horsey." We heard a very small, chubby girl, walking up to us. Spirit looked down at the tiny human in surprise, curiously raising his brows. The girl lifted her cute fists, wanting to touch him. "Horsey." She giggled. The stallion lowered his head to her height, and she laughed happily, grabbing his nostrils. Spirit shook his head and snorted, jerking his head up. This sudden movement, caused the unbalanced toddler to fall down and she began to cry. Almost instantly, Spirit's eyes softened, as he reached out to comfort her and gently nuzzled her. The girl smiled, wrapping her chubby arms around his nose, as the stallion lifted her above the ground and sweetly let her down again. "Bye, bye horsey." She waved her hand at us, marching back to her mother.

Throughout this exchange, I had a huge grin plastered all over my face. What an adorable sight it was! And this Spirit never failed to fascinate and surprise . He glanced back at me, catching my eye and immediately adopted his proud, cocky and confident exterior again. I could tell that he was bit embarrassed that I had witnessed his soft side.

We silently continued walking past the Lakota camp and making our way towards the corral, where Little Creek was probably waiting for us. Before anything could happen, suddenly in a flash, in front of us, stood the powerful Great Conquest. He was fuming, his eyes threw blazes of fire, his nostrils dilating, his breasts heaving with rage.

It was a frightful sight. I only saw him like that during battles. Instantly, all of my muscles tensed in panic, sinking my tail between my legs, my ears flattened and eyes grew wide. Spirit froze, skin on the back of his neck prickling. He glared at Great Conquest with resentment, his eyes showing the same fierceness.

"I've tolerated your insolence long enough!" Growled Great Conquest at the dun mustang. "What rights do you have to claim this mare from me? She's supposed to be mine!" He insisted, striking his forleg on the ground, letting out a loud cry.

I could detect that Spirit wanted nothing more than to charge at the aggressive stallion and teach him a lesson. But for some reason, he pulled himself together and gazed back at me softly. "Is that true?" He whispered hesitantly. "Are you his?"

Before I could make a reply of any sort, Great Conquest cut in, blinded with crazed jealousy. "Of course she is! And you, stallion, instead of being latched onto MY mare, find someone else! There are plenty of others around here to please you. If not, then I will have to defend what's mine." With that he reared, and started trotting in circles, shaking his strong neck and challenging Spirit.

"There's not going to be a fight!" I screamed, gaining courage. "He is not stealing me from anyone!" I hissed at the grey stallion in fury. "Nobody has rights to claim me! I'm neither his or yours."

"Rain, I love you!" Squealed Great Conquest, nearing me anxiously and resting his head over my withers."Come with me please, and I won't fight. I believe in everything you say." He became all soft again, as he tried to nuzzle me lovingly.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Spirit tensing up at this, not approving this behavior at all. It looked as if he was about to lose his temper in seconds.

As unwanted Great Conquest's caresses were, I felt really sorry for him. He loved me? Why didn't he admit that all this time, instead of making me blunt proposals? I couldn't possibly reject him harshly anymore and besides, if I went along with him, there would be no fights between him and Spirit. "Alright," I nickered in resolution. "After my human unties us, I'll come to you tonight...if there won't be any fights." I promised him gently.

That seemed to satisfy him, as a wide smile spread across his face and he instantly forgot all about the challenge. He couldn't even see Spirit anymore. Prancing around like a young colt, he nodded at me happily. "It's a deal!" He neighed, galloping over to the high hills. "I'll be waiting for you, Rain! And sorry for the inconvenience, stallion." He added smugly, feeling very proud that he had 'won' me at last.

For a while Spirit seemed to be rooted in the ground, as he glared after the triumphant and disappearing Great Conquest in the distance. His heart seemed to fail, his head lowered in despair.

"Let's go, Little Creek is waiting." I reminded him softly and quietly. Why was he frozen like a statue?

Spirit's eyes sank, he looked up at me with a pained expression. "What have you done to me, mare? How many more ways are there for you to rip my heart out?" He spoke out of pure anguish, shocking me greatly with his words in the process. Without waiting for my answer, he quickly loped towards the round pen where my human was waiting patiently. I had no other choice but to follow his suit.

Little Creek was very surprised at stallion's sorrowful look, as he unfastened the rope from between us. He was no longer observing a ferocious, spirited mustang from earlier. Something was different about him and Little Creek understood it. I stared after Spirit in confusion, my heart pressing me to ask him questions but I couldn't bring myself to talk. My human led the mustang back into the enclosure, and reluctantly left his side, taking me along with him, knowing that Spirit was in no mood to endure his 'overbearing' presence...at least not today.

As we were leaving, I looked back at the stallion and our eyes met. His fiery gaze was now filled with sadness, and averting his gaze from me, Spirit hung his head in defeat.

What did I do wrong?

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