Onok & Others

"This is it." Nightshade announced as he neared the back edge of Ethan's yard. The midnight stag took a few ginger steps forward, where his cloven hooves scarcely made a sound each time the connected with the ground. Ears fanned out like two giant radars atop his inky-blank head, twitching and shifting about to catch each and every noise that came their way. A tongue flicked once or twice over his glossy nose, helping to bring odors in. Every sense the stag possessed was on high alert, as he knew just what this particular human was capable of, and that a single well-aimed shot of his boomstick could end any one of them in the blink of an eye.

"I don't hear him or the dogs." The came after several minutes spent at the edge of the yard. The only major thing that had come to his nostrils was the stench of exhaust lingering very faintly in the air, and the scent of Coltrane and Savannah, among others.

Onok's steps weren't so quiet as his scout's, thanks to his solid daggers and heavy build. But he did his best to follow Nightshade's lead, and when they reached the yard his heart seemed to skip a beat. He could smell Savannah! And more importantly, he did not smell death or blood on the breeze - she must still be alive.

The stallion's eyes glistened in the darkness as he looked to Darkia, "They're here. Do you know where they might be kept?"

Daga was still behind them, alert as ever. Knowing what his main task was, the young buck kept an eye out for the notorious hounds.

Darkia

She had to be careful or Ethan might get her again and then he'd get harth. She smelt the foals. Without answering she began toward the corral area she had been kept in. Stopping at any sound or new smell

Onok & Others

The yard remained quiet as Darkia ventured across it, followed dutifully by Onok, and then Nightshade and Daga. The scent of canine permeated the area, and if Darkia's senses were keen enough, she might pick up the distinct if faint odor of Haunters that had been here recently.

The group made it from the safety of the trees to the edge of the barn, and past that, the small corral that sat a few dozen yards past it. Inside they would find Coltrane and Savannah, with both now bearing foal halters on the faces.

Onok gave a snort and then sprinted up to the corral, eyes darting about the thick rods of metal that kept him separated from his daughter. "Savanna!h Colt... are you okay?" He nudged forcefully against the fence, but it didn't budge, even against his weight.

Darkia

Darkia did smell the haunters but it was dissipate so didn't think they were lingering. She moved to the corral** he's changed the corral it use to be wood this isn't wood**

Colt has tried to rub the halter off to little success.he had been dozing only a little too scared to fully sleep. His ears flicked as he heard Onok and faintly saw his mother. ** We are alright** he said moving to the fence line

Savannah had struggled to free herself from the halter. She heard her father and struggled to her fight. She moved to the fence

Onok & Others

Onok's expression soured at Darkia's news. This human predator was clever, and though Onok wasn't entirely familiar with metal, a few solid strikes from his hooves told him it was far stronger than wood. "How were you able to escape last time?" He questioned as he surveyed the round structure, baffled at how the foals were able to get inside of it if it was so tall, and the space between the bars so limited.

An single chocolate aud remained on the children as he felt some relief that they were uninjured. But the strange wraps on their faces made his blood boil, and he pressed his nose through the lower bars to nuzzle Savannah.

Daga cautiously drew closer, taking slow, ginger steps with muscles taut and ready to spring should he catch sound of a dog bark or the click of a human's boomstick.

Nightshade had paused halfway across the lawn, letting the others investigate the corral while he kept watch of the perimeter of the yard.

Darkia

Darkia listened **IF i remember he had opened the gate and Harth got me and colt out** She said she move to the gate area but again it was metal.

Savannah wanted out so bad but she couldn't fit

Coltrane ears twitched

Onok & Others

'Gate' was a whole new concept for Onok when it came to human structures. He followed the mare's movements, withdrawing his muzzle from the bars to approach the strange contraption that Darkia now stood before. "So this opens?" He tested it with his hoof, then turned and leaned his rump against it, trying to use his bulky weight to force the door open - or break it. Neither happened. A few thunderous strikes with his hind hooves did little but rattle the metal.

"You need the fingers of a human to open that." Came the seasoned suggestion from Nightshade. The stag was moving along the edge of the woods, stopping every now and then to flash a studious look to the pair of horses.

"Guys.." Daga breathed out, a spark of fear tainted his words. "I hear something." His giant ears were pushed forward and his slender neck stretched up and alert. Far off, the rumble of a vehicle could be heard. And with but one road in the immediate area, it could only be the road that lead back to Ethan's house...

Darkia

She snorted**there is no human to open it**. Her ears flicked at the sound

Onok & Others

Onok knew of no humans that could help them, other than the one curious two-legger he'd met at his birthlands. Still, he had no idea where she lived or how one would even convince a human to aid them. No, humans weren't a reasonable option here. "There has to be another way!" The stallion insisted as he threw another frustrated kick at the door, only for it to rattle defiantly back at him as it had in all the previous strikes. His ears went back and he reared up, tossing his head and lashing again at the metal, and again it rebuffed his deadly strikes.

Daga shied back at the horse's display, edging a few steps closer to the sheltering trees. "If I could suggest something?" He spoke lightly, hoping his words could be heard over the clashing strikes of hooves against metal, "What if we find another creature with nimble paws? Or... or we could wait for the two-legger to open the gate himself, and make a run at it. That's what Harthrou did, right?"

"Whatever we do-" Nightshade tagged in, his ebony head now directioned toward the approaching rumble, "We need to decide quickly."

Darkia

Darkia heard it her ears flicked **let's go in the woods just there. If the two legged opens the corral well charge in. Savannah I know it will be very difficult but you need to do your best to run without falling as soon as there a chance**

Savannah ears were back ** I'll try**

Coltrane would make sure savannah got free

Onok & Others

"That's a good ploy." Onok said in agreement. He lowered his head and nudged his muzzle through the bars again, trying to reach out to Savannah once more. With courage in his voice that he hoped to convey to his little one, the stallion offered his final words, "You can do this, Savannah. Just focus on running darling, and if you fall, get back up. Just keep moving."

The rumble grew louder as the vehicle neared its destination. Onok turned to Darkia, giving her a knowing nod before he trotted back to the woods, going in just far enough to conceal himself while still being able to see the corral through the newly emerging spring leaves. Quietly, he lowered his voice for the mare, "The stags and I can fend off the humans and dogs. Please do what you can to lead the foals back home, and we'll catch up."

Nightshade and Daga disappeared like ghosts in the night, slipping into the cover of foliage. They knew their task without having to be told.

Darkia

She pawedd the ground nervously as shen uzzled colt before following Onok to the woods. She was very nervous being back here. just becarefulshe said as she watched teh corral. Hopefully the dogs wouldn't catch their scent coming this way.

Colt again positioned himself between the gate and Savannah.

Onok & Others

It wasn't long before a truck rolled down the lane, hauling a small trailer behind it. A bright light flooded the front yard, shining from a place in front of the house, and chasing away the shadows as Ethan stepped from the vehicle. The man moved to the trailer to open it, where the hounds he'd taken hunting now poured out in a stream of eager whines, wagging tails, and ears that flattened instinctively whenever Ethan's gaze fell on them. From there the fellow turned to the bed of the truck, where he hauled out the lifeless form of a silvered male wolf. He slung the carcass over his shoulder before walking towards the barn.

Carrie initially followed after her master, while Dip, Blue, and Daisy began to fan out over the yard. It was just as Blue was reaching the corral, where she'd almost certainly hit the scent Darkia and Onok, that Nightshade barked. The night-hued stag flagged his tail, one of the few white patches on his ebony body, and began to run noisily in the opposite direction. Taking cue from this, Daga uttered an alarm bark and began to run in a different direction. Onok held his breath as the hounds jerked their heads up from the ground and, after a wavering moment, took off after the fleeing deer.

Onok released a breath. The deer had bought them a few precious minutes alone with Ethan, but they still had to wait for the man to engage with the lock.

The man soon returned from the barn, with a gun in hand. Moving with caution, he began to cross the yard, moving past the corral without showing much more than a passing interest in the foals to make sure they were still there and okay...

Darkia

Darkia knew this was risky for her. She began to think... if I thought letting him catch me would get him to open the same Corral i would do it but I don't think he wouldShe whispered. She watched the man with hate.

Coltrane snorted at the dogs.

Savannah hid under Colt

Onok & Others

Onok's racing heart sunk in dismay when Ethan had only paused beside the corral, but made no move to engagte it. Their entire plan hinged on the man opening that gate, and the moment was quickly slipping away. Darkia's suggestion further worried the stallion, but he had no better answer for their dilemma. Uneasily, he whispered back, "You have more experience with him, if you think it could work..." The words trailed hesitantly from his maw, "I trust you."

When it appeared to Ethan that the foals didn't need any sort of care or attention at the moment, Ethan continued on his path towards the house. The tall man's head remained on a swivel though, and with a hand firmly gripped to his gun, he was ready at a second's notice to defend himself should he need to.

Darkia

She wasn't sure if it would work. She had only known that corral herself but it didn't mean he'd put her in it again. Especially since it would make it hard for him to get to the foals in the end. Her ears twitched. Its the only option left to try to get him to open it but I can't guarentee it eitherShe said as she took a wary step forward desperate to atleast get Savannah free if not her son as well. She'd forfiet her own freedom for theirs.

Onok & Others

He didn't like the idea of one of his mares potentially sacrificing herself. It went against his very nature to protect, but there was little else to be done now if they wanted their children back. With his chocolate auds pressed forward, he stared hard at the man through the veil of leaves and twigs that concealed them, vowing to crush the creature to powder before he'd let him steal away Darkia too. "I'll have your back if things go wrong." Onok promised and took a slow, careful step back to further hide himself from the human's sights.

Off in the distance, he could hear the hounds baying.

Ethan froze. His keen gaze had caught the movement of Darkia as she stepped from the shadows of the forest. There was immediate recognition in his eyes, and a look of grim satisfaction. Slowly, and as Onok held his breath, the man reversed directions and moved back towards the barn where he could retrieve a coil of rope. All the while, he remained alert of Darkia's location and her body language...

Darkia

She nodded and moved out into the open. Her ears were back as she moved now with purpose again toward the corral as Ethan moved back. She began to pick up pace as she grew closer.

Onok & Others

Ethan was gone for but a moment before reemerging from the barn with a coil of rope in hand. The gun had been holstered at his side, and the steps that he now took were carried with the same kind of purpose that Darkia's were, only his intent was to add the fabled mare to his collection for good.

Onok watched in silent dread, having to remind himself to release the breath he held and strive for calm rationale in this moment. It was all up to Darkia now, and how she handled the man that was stalking towards her like a hungry fox to a helpless mouse.

Ethan readied the loop in the rope and let it hang free from the coil, ready to be thrown at Darkia when the moment was right. Closer he came, not directly at the mare, but towards the corral where she too was moving. So far she hadn't charged at him or shown any serious aggression, so his goal was for an easy capture by luring her into the corral with her foal. With a plan and a back-up plan in mind, the wily man reached for the gate and unlocked it, then slowly began to open it. His eyes were mostly for Darkia, but he kept note of Coltrane's position too; should the foal be too close to the gate, or try to bolt, Ethan would be quick to respond...

Darkia

She watched Ethan carefully as she moved toward the corral he was doing it. He actually was opening the corral. Did he really think she was alone? Did he not assume Harth was with her... well maybe not cause Harth probably would of charged him. She bolted straight for them now her tail swishing as if to signal onok. She lunged at the man now and turned her hind end toward him and attempted to kick him in hopes to send him flying away from the corral now that the gate was unlatched.

Ethan & Others

In the time that Darkia took to charge and spin about with her hind legs, Ethan dodged skillfully into the corral through the now opened gate to escape what could have been a fatal blow from the enraged mother, or at the very least a nasty bruise the next day. He listened as those solid weapons cut through air less than a foot from his swerving frame, and in he next moment, he was sending a coil of rope spiraling in her direction. A loop landed soundly past her face and around her neck...

Onok had taken this opportunity to charge. He'd caught the mare's signal and came barrelling with with an enraged trumpet. But as he tore across the yard, Ethan had slipped inside the corral, and out of his range. Just as the stallion was trying to figure out his next move, the hounds descended on the scene, baying and barking, and Onok quickly engaged with the mongrels...

Darkia

Her nostrils flare as the rope landed around her neck. **Savannah,colt now!** She said

Savannah tried to run for the gate at darkia words but her legs were tired that it was more of a walk

Colt moved behind savannah giving her encouragement by nipping her

Ethan & Others

"Bay!" Ethan barked this order to the attentively perked ears of his hounds. A sharp click of his tongue followed, and that's all the dogs needed to know to understand their role. As they went to work, the man cautiously held his end of the rope in hand, knowing Darkia had strength on her side, so he would have to be careful how he played this out, especially since she wasn't yet inside the corral.

The foals were running now, or at least trying to, with the little filly struggling and moving slowly, and the elder colt trying in vain to hasten her along. As they attempted to move past him, Ethan was far quicker and lunged for Coltrane, wrapping his arms tightly around the youngster's neck. With a great heave, he reeled backwards and to the side, trying to muscle the growing foal off balance and throw him to the ground...

Outside of the corral, Onok was beset by the hounds who had given up their pursuit of the deer. He snorted and dashed his hooves at the myriad of snapping and slavering fangs that came at him, but Ethan's hounds were well trained. Every hoof that he threw met dirt and grass before it had time to strike any of the creatures. Here and there, a stinging nip would be delivered to his haunch or shoulder; never anything serious, but enough to enrage and occupy the big horse, and prevent him from reaching Darkia or Ethan for the moment...

Darkia

When she saw her son get pulled down to the ground she couldn't resist any more and she bolted barely dodging around Savannah as she lunged into the corral and at Ethan.

Coltrane squealed as the mans arms went around his neck and he fell to the ground.

Savannah fell over as Darkia ran past her.

Ethan & Others

Ethan grunted as he hit the ground with Coltrane. The sound of the foal's squeals was exactly what he wanted to hear, and he was prepared to hold onto the youngster just to further enrage Darkia and entice her into the corral. And it worked just as he'd hoped it would... perhaps a little too well, in fact.

Darkia came roaring into the enclosure. Ethan released Coltrane and sprang to his feet. He saw Savannah toppling to the side as the mare barrelled past her, and beyond that, heard the scream of an irrate stallion as the hounds were more than enough to keep the draft-mix busy. He timed his movements and calculated those of Darkia, as he had done multiple times before with numerous other horses. As she lunged, he dodged... and then the rope that he'd dropped from his hands snagged at his leg, tripping the agile man and giving Darkia the perfect chance to land a stunning strike to his side.

It all happened so fast, Ethan was bouncing against the ground before his mind caught up with what had happened. Rarely was he ever caught off his guard, and now he found himself gasping for air through what had to be broken ribs. The crippling injury didn't stop him though; instinct and years of animal wrangling had him up and on his feet, moving rapidly despite his shallow, rasping breaths as he bolted for the gate. He reached it as stars danced along the edge of his vision, and made to yank it close to trap Darkia and the two colts inside...

Darkia

When a hot landed it pleased her a lot but when he got up she saw where he was going and spun around to kick him or the gate with her hind feet. Given the distance it would hurt Ethan more then do anything much to the gate. Her hope was he'd leap toward the gate causing it to open

Coltrane got to his feet shaking himself off

Savannah was getting to her feet she was close to Ethan and the gate and narrowly missed darkia hooves herself

Ethan & Others

Facing forward as he was, Ethan hadn't seen the hooves coming his way, but years of handling horses told him such an attack was likely, and even in his wounded state, the man had instinctively drawn himself to the side as he sprinted in a pained stoop from Darkia. Hooves punched forcefully at the air, less than two inches from his backside, but fortunately for Ethan they made no contact with flesh.

With a resounding 'clank!', the corral gate slammed close and the locks fell into place, with Ethan on the opposite side.

But the man wasn't entirely out of danger yet. Onok was still raging nearby, kicking and snapping, wheeling about in a mad frenzy to fend of the dogs that harried him so aggressively. His chocolate and white coat was already tarnished by small spots of crimson.

Ethan bolted for the house, his breath still coming short and shallow. From somewhere behind him, Daisy yelped as she was caught by a hoof and sent spiraling. And then the ground reverberated with the sound of Onok's hooves as he made a break from the hounds and went in pursuit of Ethan...

Darkia

Her nostrils were flared when the gate closed. Her sides heaving with breath from the attempt at freedom. The rope still hanging from her neck. ** Onok go it's futile go back and make sure harth doesn't come**

Coltrane moved to Savannah

Savannah watched her father she wanted her mother.

Ethan & Others

Onok had thundered towards Ethan, only to be stopped by a white-hot pain at his side. When he turned to snap at the hound that had set fangs into his flesh, Blue was at his snout, bringing a squeal from the big male as a series of punctures were left in his sensitive snout. When he tried to raise his head and stomp the she-dog, Carrie was scoring a wound across his lower shoulder.

'Slam!'

The cabin door closed with a resounding bang, signalling Ethan's safe escape, broken ribs aside. Darkia's words reached the male's ears a few beats later, amid the maddening snarl and bark of the hounds that continued to harry him. "Darkia, I can't-"

"She's right." Nightshade's somber bark echoed across the yard that was still bathed in artificial light. The black stag made a false charge towards the dogs, followed by a more hesitant Daga, who'd circled back after realizing the hounds had figured out the decoy. "We have to regroup, before the two-legger comes back with a boomstick."

Onok couldn't bear leaving without his daughter, but what could he do? Darkia was right; he had to return to the herd and stop Harth from getting himself caught too, and take time to plan another rescue. "We won't abandon you. We will be back!" The stallion vowed, his words coming between harsh breaths and flailing hooves. "Darkia... keep her safe." With this final message, and lingering gaze on Savannah, Onok beat a hasty retreat, galloping back into the woods, with Nightshade and Daga fanning out on either side.