The snow began to melt as if overnight everything had changed in a heartbeat. It was mid-March and the weather was beginning to change to something a bit warmer. Marcus spent most of his time holed up with the members of the Alliance and local towns, going over supply lists and what was needed for the near future. They had a game plan in place and were just waiting for things to clear a bit more before they headed out to act.
The council meeting was in session when Marus received a call from the front gate about an issue they were having that needed his attention. He sighed and when he couldn't get details out of the guard as to what the issue was so he gave the members a break so that he could see what was going on. The others, out of curiosity, simply followed him up and out to the front gate.
When the gates opened, they were met with a sight that could have made anyone feel they had stepped back in time. Scattered in the area before the bridge was a herd of brown, tan and black mustangs. Upon the backs of a handful were Indians, dressed in leathers and jeans, riding bareback and carrying spears or bow and arrows. When they saw Marcus and the others come out through the doors, they let up a war whoop that sent shivers up everyone's spine.
Three of the Indians broke off and walked their horses across the bridge to stand in front of Marcus. Mal was one of the three, her eyes constantly scanning the surrounding area. When the three came up to the council, she drew up and looked down at him with a slight smile. "I said I would return and I have. These are the other Chiefs of the other two towns within the Horse Tribe. We bring horses and warriors to teach some of your people to be scouts. We feel they will be vital in your war against the Eastern Demon." She remained quiet then and the other two men nodded in agreement.
Marcus knew he had to be the diplomat and nodded. "We welcome any and all help. Please, come inside and take your ease. We have called a meeting of the Council and Alliance leaders to go over final strategies before we begin preparations. The horses can go anywhere you wish them to be. We will try to provide as much fodder as we can for them." Marcus motioned to the large doors and the three Chiefs of the Horse Tribe entered and led their horses to the makeshift stables set up for the teamsters.
Once the horses were settled, the Council and the Chiefs began to make their way back to the meeting room. Marcus lingered behind just a bit as he saw Mal checking over the hooves of her mustang. She finally made her way out from the stall and went to fill their troughs with water. As Marcus approached her, she didn't seem to notice that he was there until she quickly turned on him, grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him into a deep kiss.
His surprise kept him from responding at first but when he realized what had happened, he blinked and then relaxed, feeling her lips upon his as he responded in kind. When she pushed him away a little, her hand still on his shirt, she looked up into his eyes. She said nothing as he stared back down at her. Finally he spoke up, "Wow…" was all he could sat at first, then "Mal…I've missed you more than anyone here could understand."
Mal bit her lip a little, "I came back as soon as I could. I…Do you remember what I told you happened when I first set eyes on you?" she asked, her face puzzled a little.
Marcus blinked, leaning towards her, "Well I dreamed that you told me you fell in love with me the first time you laid eyes on me when I came through those big gate doors."
He saw her give a little shiver and looked away for a moment. "I dreamed you told me that you felt you would never love another after Marsha gave her life to save all of us. You said that you didn't know what it was about me but you couldn't get me off your mind and you had fallen in love with me…you were just afraid to admit it."
Marcus blinked and let out a soft moan as his head met her forehead. "I wasn't going crazy. I thought it was all a dream but I didn't know if I should trust it or not…" He couldn't finish because Mal had pulled him back into a deep kiss that he quickly responded to. When the kiss was broke, she seemed breathless and her pupils were dilated some. She took several deep breaths and then regained her composure.
She looked up at him again, "When this is all over, we will be free to make choices for our own lives. But until then, the others need us both." She said, taking his arm and guiding him toward the elevators that would take them to the council chamber where the others were waiting on them.