A/N Antonio's story is his spin on a Mongolian legend about the origin of an instrument called a morin khuur, or horse-headed fiddle. The tale exists as a children's book in Japan, Sūho no Shiroi Uma (スーホの白い馬) or Suho's White Horse, by Yuzu Otsuka.
Genre: Tragedy.
Galloping Home
"Now what are they doing?" Dolores grumbled as she marched down Abuelo's stairs.
"No idea," replied Mirabel from one of the hammocks. "But it's been going on for a while. Can't you shut sounds out now, anyway?"
"I can, but it dampens everything. I need to hear the piano..."
"Too bad your gift can't make them quiet, right?"
'That would be nice', Dolores thought to herself as she left the Casita.
.
Dolores had seen some sights since her uncle rejoined the family and Isabela started to experiment with the parts of her personality she'd been forced to suppress from a young age, but this had to be one of the strangest yet.
"Weep, weep, weep, weep, weep, weep, weep, weep, weep..."
Isabela had made what resembled a hedge maze, but rather than it being flat on the ground, it was balanced on its side, like a series of two-dimensional platforms that began with an opening at the top and then continued down towards a doorway of roses at the bottom. It was as tall as the first two floors of the Casita and sturdy enough that Isabela, Bruno and several of Antonio's friends from town, were able to walk on the hedges. They were stepping together in single file and singing an annoyingly repetitive march to which the only word appeared to be 'weep'.
"BRUNO! BLOCK!" shouted Antonio, from the ground below. His chigüiro friend, Chispi, was sat at his side, thoughtfully watching the scene.
On Antonio's command, Bruno stopped and held out his hands, separating Isabela and the children. Isabela was now trapped between him and the 'wall' so just kept walking back and forth merrily humming that same repetitive tune. The five children turned and continued marching in the opposite direction. The hedge stopped before it reached the wall, so they hopped down onto the platform below.
Dolores sidled up to her little brother. "Care to explain?"
Antonio jumped. "Jeez Dolores! Can't you wear a bell or something?" It wasn't a bad suggestion. Dolores did have a habit of accidentally startling people. "We're playing 'Cavies'."
"Cavies?"
"You know, the little rodents. Did you know they're a lot like horses?
"No... I can't say I did." She didn't much care either.
"They live in herds and their babies have a longer gestation period than other rodents. That way, they're born with fur and their eyes open so they can run and keep up with the adults. Just like foals."
From his sudden use of big words, Antonio had clearly been busy in the reference section of Bruno's library.
"Weep, weep, weep, weep, weep, weep..."
The children had now all arrived on the lower platform and were also walking back and forth.
"Are they just going to keep doing that?"
"PAUSE!" Antonio shouted, and everyone instantly stopped moving. "AT EASE!"
The kids sat down with their legs dangling over the side of the hedge. Isabela created a vine to help lower herself and Bruno gently to the ground.
"Hey, Dolores!" Isabela said cheerfully as she approached. Her hair was green and her dress blue and pink.
"I was just explaining the game!"
"Yeah, 'Cavies'. Sounds thrilling," Dolores lied. "Is there any chance these cavies could be a little less..."
"Stupid?" Isabela suggested.
Bruno answered. "Not really... It's the herd mentality you see," he explained, obviously just repeating what Antonio had recently taught him. "They just blindly follow what the cavy in front is doing..."
A common misconception. Mere propaganda perpetuated by humans as a means to justify eating an entire species to extinction... said Chispi. Although of course, only Antonio understood her.
"Noisy. I was going to say 'noisy'."
"Oh? Well, we need to hear Antonio's orders or we won't know what to do," said Isabela. "Cavies can't think for themselves..."
They most certainly can. Or should I say, 'could'?
"And he has to shout if we're to hear him over the singing," added Bruno.
"And the singing is absolutely necessary?"
"Absolutely!" Bruno affirmed.
"Then could you maybe wrap this up soon? I need to finish writing a song before I see Mariano."
They understood how important songwriting was to Dolores, so although a little disappointed, they agreed to finish their game and find something quieter to entertain themselves with.
"Weep, weep, weep, weep, weep, weep, weep..."
The monotonous singing started again as Dolores headed back into the Casita. She looked over her shoulder and saw that they had all resumed their positions. 'It sure would be great if I had the power to magically silence noise', she thought to herself with a sigh.
.
Dolores had just sat at the piano when there was a knock at her door. "Come in," she called, although the door had flung open before she spoke.
"What did you do?" demanded Antonio, barging in.
"What?"
Isabela and Bruno entered behind followed by the kids, two of which were silently sobbing.
Dolores sighed and softly closed the keylid. "Oh, come in everyone. Don't mind me," she said sarcastically. It seemed her family was really determined to stop her from finishing her song.
"They can't speak! After you left, they stopped being able to make a sound."
"What? Is this another game?" she said, throwing an accusatory glance at her cousin.
Isabela shook her head and tried to say something, but no sound came out. There was genuine concern in her eyes.
"I don't know what's going on. But even if I could take away your voices, I would never..."
"Well you did," said Isabela. She looked delighted as she realised she could speak again.
The children cheered; they could speak too. Either the effect was temporary, or Dolores's desire not to have harmed her loved ones had undone whatever had been done.
"Please, don't do that again," said Bruno. His relief seemed too genuine to be another of their games.
"I didn't do it on purpose."
Many trickling fountains lined the walls of Dolores's room, providing gentle white noise that helped to cancel out sound. She focused on one of them and willed the water to be silent. Sure enough, the sound stopped. It was too subtle for the others to notice, so she willed ALL of the fountains to be quiet. That got everyone's attention.
"Did you do that?" asked Isabela, looking around at the silently cascading water.
"I think so..."
It seemed that being able to control her sensitivity to sound, wasn't the only way that Dolores's gift had changed.
.
Midnight...
"I have story!" Antonio announced when the vision cave fell predictably silent in response to the question of who will go next.
A faint glow appeared around Pepa. "You do? That's wonderful!" Her little man had gone from being so painfully shy that he was almost mute, to having the courage to tell a story in front of eleven people. Although she now had full control of her gift, sunlight filled the vision cave as she momentarily lost herself in the feeling.
"Well, okay. If everyone's ready..." said Antonio, and then he launched into his story without a hint of hesitation.
.
"They reacted the instant the wolves attacked. Despite the cold and the absence of moonlight, their muscles flinched into action and I was stirred awake by a flurry of hooves. My herd was legendary on the Steppe, revered for their exceptional beauty and unmatched speed, but I was not like the others. Although my long legs were built for running, I struggled to keep up with the adults, and my coat lacked their cheerful colours and intricate patterns. I lacked any colour at all in fact. I was slow, bland, and completely unremarkable.
"Hundreds of hooves thundered past and I became lost in the confusion, separated first from my mommy and then the rest of the herd. I cried out for help, but it was no use. My loved ones continued to stampede as the wolves gave chase, and I was left alone.
"Tired and cold, I kept on walking and calling out to my mommy, hoping to hear her beautiful whinny in the distance. But my calls were never answered.
"Then came a terrible growl and I realised my calls had attracted the wolf pack. I ran away as quickly as I could but my foot slipped from under me and I found myself sinking into a patch of soft earth. The wolves drew closer. So close that I could smell their rotten breath on the wind. My life was over. I braced myself for their teeth. My short and pointless existence had come to an end.
"That's when I heard him. A strange creature that walked on two legs and wrapped his body in the skins of other animals. He made the most unusual call and it frightened the wolves which ran off across the Steppe in fear. The creature drew closer and I wriggled to free myself, curling my lip and calling out for help. Something padded then brushed against my neck, and the creature made a soothing sound like nothing I had heard before. Somehow I sensed this creature, which even the wolves feared, meant me no harm. He wrapped his limbs around my body and with much effort, managed to free me from the pit.
"I never saw my herd again after that night. The boy, who I came to learn from the horses that lived with his clan was a human, had taken me home to live with his people and the sheep and cattle that they tended. The boy had a special sound that the other humans used to identify him, and it was Suho. He gave me my own sound too; I was Ayanga. I came to love Suho like a brother, and I'm sure he felt the same. We spent many wonderful days riding together across the Steppe. My dearest Suho and me. I felt as though those days would never end.
"As we grew, I came to recognise more of the sounds Suho made. Each had a unique meaning and I could eventually understand his communication. He would tell me how poor he and his grandmother were, and how he wished he could improve their situation. He would talk of a competition that the Governor held every few years; a race and a test of horsemanship for which the winner received a handsome sum of gold.
"The shepherds often entered the competition but none had ever won. The prize always went to someone close to the Governor. After all, only the wealthiest humans could afford horses from my bloodline, which they called the 'domogt morid' and no other creature in Mongolia could move as swiftly. It was a quality I had sadly not inherited, as even the regular old horses of Suho's clan could leave me in the dust.
"One night, Suho came to my post, upset. He told me his grandmother was sick. There was a clinic in a settlement a few days' ride away, but it would cost more than Suho's entire flock was worth. They simply did not have the money.
"I made up my mind that night. I would become faster, and we would win that race and earn that gold. Whenever Suho let me and the other horses free to stretch our legs and graze, I ignored the grass and I ran. I would not stop running until I heard my human brother's sweet voice singing me back to him. When we rode together, I pushed myself harder than ever. I ran as though those dreadful wolves were closing in, threatening the one thing I loved more than anything in the world. I ran as though the life of that beautiful soul on my back depended on it. And soon, there wasn't a single horse in the clan that could keep up with me.
.
"'Ayanga!' Suho called out excitedly one day. 'We just received word from the Governor. He's to hold an extra special competition. This time, the prize is not only gold but the hand of his daughter!'
"This was our chance! I snorted excitedly to let Suho know my feelings, and he continued.
"'Do you know what that would mean? I would have power and wealth beyond my wildest dreams. I could demand a higher price for wool, mutton and lamb. My clan would be wealthy at last, and Grandma will get the best medicines money can buy!'
"That sounded like a dream. I had no idea if I was fast enough to rival the other horses from the domogt morid bloodline, but for Suho, I was willing to try. I owed him my life and would have gladly given it for brother Suho.
.
"We set off a few days before the competition with several other shepherds, who despite knowing their horses were no match for my speed, wished to try their luck. Arriving early meant we could set up camp nearby and conserve our energy for the big race.
"There must have been over a hundred horses and riders gathered at the starting area before the race. We had arrived early so were close to the rope that would be dropped when the time came to begin; a favourable starting position. The tension in the air was more fearsome than the wolves on that fateful night. Our ears flattened firm against our skulls and our eyes rolled around, flashing their whites as though checking for danger. My muscles were poised to burst into action the second that rope dropped... Until I heard a whinny I had not heard in many years.
"'Mommy?'
"'My boy!'
"I spun around, dancing on my hind legs, and Suho relaxed my reins, with unconditional trust. Letting me take control. Then I spotted her. I had never forgotten that chestnut coat, or the thick wavey main, like golden sand. I immediately recognised the way the white of her slender legs reached almost to her flanks as a memory returned of the little fleck on her belly, that I'd watch as I suckled her warm milk. But if I had been in any doubt at all, that I was looking at the mare that birthed me, the lightning-bolt-shaped blaze across her face would have put those doubts to pasture.
"By the time I had pushed my way towards her, other horses and riders had closed in behind us, blocking our path back.
"'Mommy! What happened? Why are you with the humans?' I asked, but she could not reply. Her rider yanked her reins so hard that her head was forced away from me, and he jabbed her ribs with the heel of his curved boot, pushing her to struggle through the crowd, closer to the rope.
"'Mommy!'
"I realised it was hopeless, and tried to turn back around, but we were packed in so tightly that I could not move. I had squandered our best chance at an early lead. I wanted to tell Suho how sorry I was, but I could not make human sounds. I threw my head back in angst and my tail tried to swish, knocking up against the riders to either side.
"Then I felt the most wonderful sensation. That soft, padded hand tapped against my neck, then stroked my mane.
"'It's okay Ayanga. We've got this,' came Suho's voice.
"We weren't even facing the right way, and there were now several horses between us and the starting rope, so I did not share his confidence. If we lost, it would be down to my compulsiveness, and I felt dreadful.
"There came a deafening crack and a panicked frenzy ensued as we all flinched at once. Hooves raised into the air as some of my fellows began to scramble over the horses around them, kicking their riders and scraping hoof against flank. I twisted into the spaces that were opening up around me, struggling with all my might to turn my body around.
"'Hold on tight!' I said, and despite knowing Suho could not understand me, I felt his hand grip my mane at the base of my neck. This was about to get dangerous.
"I reared up and hopped on my hind legs until I was facing the right way, but my forelegs became caught on the hind quarters of a bay filly. We were dragged forward for several paces until my legs slid to the ground and at last, I was free to gallop.
"There was little space to move around to begin with, but with Suho's help I was able to zigzag through the stampede, and soon found myself near the front. I tilted my head slightly to catch more of the scene behind in my peripheral vision and noticed that we had now split into two separate packs. The larger pack behind, and then the smaller pack in front to which I now belonged. Several horses lay on the ground where the race had begun, with others limping from the scene, but to my relief none had a chestnut and white coat.
"The pack in front quickly began to thin. Ten became eight, eight became five, and then five became three. It was now just myself and two other horses.
"'Ayanga! We might just win this!' came Suho's voice from behind, muffled by the wind.
"'We WILL win this,' I promised.
"I flattened my ears and stretched my muzzle as far in front as I could. I could see the blur of my legs as they peeled across the grassy earth, kicking up soil in my wake, but there was no sensation in them at all. It felt as though my body was merely floating on air.
"Then the finish line appeared. There was now no sign of the other two horses, as we flew towards our goal. My mind went blank and I felt as though my hooves were striking against notes of music and we were being carried forward by the most beautiful melody. I was then snapped back to earth by a sudden roar as hundreds of humans began to whoop and walla, and Suho gradually guided me to stop running.
"'You did it! You did it! Ayanga, you're the greatest horse on the Steppe! And now we're rich!' Suho called out, patting and stroking my neck with elation.
"A crowd of people gathered to greet us, and several remarked on my beauty. Beautiful? Me? I was fast, I was beautiful. I was finally worthy of the domogt morid name.
.
"Our celebration was cut short as the Governor himself approached with several of his men. He wore an unpleasant expression and I could sense ill-ease in the air.
"'If I am not mistaken, that is one of the domogt morid,' he said with wicked malice. 'Tell me, what is a poor shepherd boy doing with such a beast? Did you steal it?'
"'No. I didn't, I swear. I rescued him from wolves as a foal,' Suho replied hastily. I could feel the panic travelling along my reins from his trembling hands.
"'A likely story. Guards! Remove him from this stolen animal.'
"'No! You've got this all wrong. Please. Ayanga!' Suho cried as two men grabbed my bridle and several others dragged him from my saddle. 'We won the race. You promised gold and the hand of your daughter.'
"The Governor laughed cruelly. 'A thieving shepherd boy, marry my daughter? You may take the gold, but you will never have my daughter's hand. And the horse stays with me.'
"'No... Please. He's all I have. Give him back!' Suho struggled free of the guards and ran towards me, but he was grabbed again before his hand could reach my bridle. I reared up and whinnied, kicking my forelegs in an attempt to free myself but the guards had too tight a grip. There was nothing I could do but helplessly watch as the other guards began to beat Suho.
.
"That was the worst night of my life. Worse than losing my herd. The Governor boasted to his men that he would put on a parade and ride me into the town the following morning. He wanted to show off his newest prized possession. The finest of the domogt morid. I had been measured and fitted with an ornate saddle and bridle, and the ones given to me by Suho were thrown aside like trash.
"When I was finally left in the stalls with the other horses, I heard a familiar voice again.
"'My boy.'
"'Mommy? It's really you!'
"'I never thought I'd see you again. I thought the wolves had taken you,' she sobbed, nestling her head over my withers.
"'They nearly did, but Suho saved me.'
"'Suho? Is that your human? Is he kind to you?'
"'Very much so. I love him, Mommy. That's why I can't stay here. I must return to him.'
"'There is a way, but it will be dangerous. You might not come out of it alive,' my mother said solemnly.
"I was not afraid of death. I was afraid of being apart from Suho. I looked my mother square in the eye. 'Tell me.'
.
"It took several men to get me ready the following morning. They cleaned my coat, groomed my mane and tail and even polished my hooves. Every last hair was carefully attended and the saddlery perfectly arranged. When I was eventually deemed worthy of bearing the Governor, they led me to his regal home where he was waiting by the door. He mounted using a block, slumping his weight heavily into my saddle. I stayed completely calm as he took up the reins. He gripped more harshly than Suho ever did, but I did not flinch. The Governor jabbed my ribs with his heels and I dutifully stepped forward. Satisfied that the Governor had firm control of me, his guards stepped aside.
"That was my chance.
"Once I had some distance from the guards, I reared up as high as I could, balancing on my hind legs for a beat until I felt the Governor's seat dislodge. I then slammed back down and flung my head between my forelegs, kicking out behind. The Governor managed to hold on, but not for long. Up I reared once more, and I kicked out my hind legs again, far more quickly than before. This time, the Governor fell to the ground. I dragged him a few paces until he let go of my reins, and then I bolted, with all the determination of the previous day. I was heading home.
"I hadn't gotten far when I heard the rumble of approaching hooves. I was the fastest horse on the Steppe, but I was tired and these were domogt morid. Ten or more of the Governor's best riders drew steadily closer and I felt a dull, tearing pain in my rear. One of the riders had struck me with an arrow. Then came another arrow, and another, and I felt my body slow.
"'Don't stop now!' I heard my mother's voice as a fourth arrow struck me and my legs buckled for a moment. 'I'll buy you some time.'
"My dear mother then raced in front of the other horses. She pretended to trip and stumbled to the ground, dislodging her rider and tripping the other horses as they trampled her body. With a spurt, I seized the advantage she had given me and continued to race towards home. Looking back, I saw that the fallen horses were back on their feet. That was, except for my mother who remained motionless where she fell.
"The men did not continue their pursuit, but I did not dare stop running. I galloped until the sky grew dark and eventually, I saw the fires up ahead. I was home.
"Suho reacted immediately. He called out to his grandmother that I was hurt, and she hurried from their tent with what basic medical supplies they had. Then I buckled to the ground, my tired legs no longer able to support my body.
"'You'll be okay,' Suho sobbed, holding my head in his lap. My hindquarters were now soaked with red and I felt weak. 'You'll be back on your feet in no time. You'll see. We'll be racing together across the Steppe. Just you and me. Like we always did.'
"But his words were nothing but a wish. The world went black, and I took my last breath in brother Suho's arms.
.
"The following night, when the exhaustion from hours of crying finally forced his sleep, I appeared to Suho in a dream.
"We were standing alone, face to face on the Steppe without so much as a single sheep for miles around.
"'Suho, I may have died, but I am not gone,' I began. He looked surprised to hear me speak, but he let me continue. 'I want you to make an instrument from my body. Give it strings from my hair, carve a head from my bones. Together, we shall make the most beautiful music. When you play, we shall always be together, connected by the melody.'
"And so Suho did as I asked. He crafted the first horse-headed flute; the morin khuur, and people would travel from all across Mongolia to hear him play. When he did, he would forget about the crowd around him, as he was transported back to his younger days, galloping across the Steppe with his little white horse.
"Then eventually, after many long and fruitful years, it was Suho's turn to pass into the world of spirit, where I had been patiently waiting to greet him. We were together at last, and will be forever more. To this day, whenever a morin khuur is played, we are there, galloping together upon the notes.
.
With that, Antonio stopped speaking and for a brief moment, even the silence itself seemed to be holding its breath.