Okay, I just have to say this: for those of you wondering when this story is going to get exciting, this is the last slow chapter! I promise! After this one things will totally pick up and the adventure will begin. So yeah... anyway. Thanks for being patient!
Disclaimer: I don't own Spirit, just my Oc's and story idea.
Okay here you are...
With no other choice but to heed the stallion's command, Esperanza neighed to the rest of the herd, insisting they do as Spirit said, and they wheeled on their heels, all taking off the same direction. Esperanza however only ran a few yards before stopping once more to watch where her son was going. He had turned, darting off into the other direction of the woods. Then... she saw them. A group of fast brown horses with strange creatures riding on their backs, pulling on their faces with long lines and whooping and hollering, making quite the frightening racket. But Esperanza wasn't about to leave her son in peril.
She darted after them, while the dust kicked up from the brown horses hooves was still in the air. A few other mares, the two that were close friends to the palomino and three others, noted the lead mare's change of direction and decided to follow her. The rest of the herd, including Breeze, had continued into the field. In fact, it wasn't until the herd had run a ways into the safety of the open grass that Breeze looked about and noticed the lead mare was in fact gone! Spinning around in a quick circle, head high and eyes wide in search, Breeze's heart beat began thudding with fear. She blew quickly from her nose, unsure what to do next. Where was Esperanza?
The herd circled restlessly, their canters slowing to choppy trots as they looked about, anxious for their leader to call and reassure them things were alright. But no such assurance came for a good while. Breeze was on high alert, ears swiveling this way and that, searching for any sign of the palomino and other missing mares. It seemed like a long time, but Esperanza was finally seen cantering across the field with the missing mares, rejoining the main group with a neigh. She looked distressed though.
The usual brightness in her eyes had been dampened, as if the very spirit inside her had been snatched away. Little did Breeze know, that was what had happened. Spirit was gone... with little hope of ever returning. Timid and caring, Breeze walked forward carefully, nickering a soft inquiry towards the lead mare. Esperanza didn't respond aside from lowering her head further and walking away. Breeze was now feeling very concerned and she turned her head to see all the other horses were now struggling with uncertainty as well. They glanced back and forth between one another, wondering what was going on.
During the next many days, all was quiet as usual. So far, no bachelor stallions had happened upon them or had tried to take the herd under their own leadership. The herd was lucky to have such a wonderful, safe field to spend their time grazing and playing on. But winter was coming... Breeze knew Esperanza would more than likely start moving the herd closer towards the mountain sides. It was in a specific gorge that they could take shelter from the harsh biting winds that would begin blowing come the next full moon. The stallion was still not back, and Breeze was beginning to except the fact that Spirit was not ever going to return.
It was hard, for though she'd never been extremely close to her half-brother, Breeze remembered fondly watching him grow from a foal to adult and how much of a kick he'd been, not to mention the trouble he'd gotten into! Unfortunately, his adventurous nature was what had gotten this whole herd into this mess. Without a proper stallion to stand guard there would be no rest for any of them, especially Esperanza. The poor lead mare would now have to work double time in all her duties, getting no rest. She could NOT go on like this, and neither could the herd! Breeze contemplated quietly the possibilities of finding another trustworthy stallion...
Alrighty then, so that will now lead to the adventure! As usual, please review and let me know what you're thinking so far!