The Horse Clan

The Elder Mare's real name was Gray Rain, because she was all gray and black. She had recieved the name Elder Mare for being the eldest in the clan and for being the most wisest in the valley. She knew everything; about humans, dogs, wolves, anything.

Lunar Eclipse and his mate Freedom Rings stood by each other as they stomped the ground and swiveled their ears. Lunar turned back to nip at a fly that had landed on him while he was standing there. He looked off into the distance and watched some moving figures before the Elder Mare started talking again. Her pelt gleamed brightly in the sun. Freedom looked at the Elder Mare's eyes intently as she spoke.

Lucky Charm and Free Spirit were racing each other across the prairie. Their hooves thudded against the hard ground, kicking up dirt. Lucky Charm skidded to a screeching halt and turned back to see Spirit tagging along rather quickly but still slower.

None of them could wait until the beginning of summer. That was when the mates in the Horse Clan had their foals. The only time, as a matter of fact. Everybody started chatting loudly. Lucky Charm and Free Spirit didn't have mates but soon would, very soon. They all chatted about names.

Songa

A small, leggy mare with a dusty-hued coat and coal-black mane and tail spotted the clan. She stood at once from her rest in the tall grasses. She wanted a dust bath. but feared rolling to do so for two reasons. For one, her mate had been killed and she had no one to look for danger while she did this.

Now she tossed her funnel ears forward and flared her nostrils wide to take in the scent of these strangers. She could hear their talk on the breeze and she longed for companionship and a home. A ragged halter was still rested across her muzzle, although it had been many months since she had last been in contact with a human. Staying where she was, the dusty mare gave voice to a loud neigh, calling friendly attention to the group in hopes for an equally friendly response.

The Horse Clan

Apache Outlaw caught the new scent first, his own nostrils flaring. He lowered his head, letting his forelock fall onto his forehead. He wondered whom this mare was, but he didn't quite feel like talking at the moment, for it was a time to head to the ranch to observe the "owned life". They wouldn't risk getting captured, though, for the
Horse Clan was too smart, or so most of them were.
Outlaw let his tail drift easily in the wind as he eased his way forward slowly. His hooves pounded the ground very hard as he went. His beautiful frame glistened in the sunlight as his frame moved across the land to the mare. He stopped short and snorted. "Hello. This is the Horse Clan. What brings you here?" he asked with much curiousity.

Libertys Ride galloped up beside her mate, and nickered softly. Her eyes turned to the other mare. She bared her teeth just enough to see them shine greatly in the sun. She was to be cautious all the time. She wasn't usually an actor of this tense spirit, but she knew she had to be careful.

The rest of the clan silently grazed nearby, hardly noticing the mare, for their Leads were blocking their view.

Songa

Songa's eyelids came down slightly as did her tail, showing plane submission to these two; especially at seeing the lead mare's fangs. "Hello." she replied lightly, flaring her nostrils heavily, trying to pick up their scents better. "I'm Songa. I..." she bobbed her head slightly, trying to see past the two leads before continuing, "I've been on my own for many moons now, ever since I... well, escaped from my humans. I was looking for a herd to join..." she trailed off, not wanting to out right ask, in fear of direct rejection.

The Horse Clan

Apache Outlaw nodded slightly, listening carefully to the words spoken by this seemingly "wanderer". Not having a true home could be tough, especially for a lone animal. But the Horse Clan stayed here, in the prairie. Not wanting to have an actual home terra for fear of it being stolen.
Outlaw glanced around, not exactly knowing what to come right out and say. Soon he found the mixed up words and spoke them in a fair line: "Well, you could live with us in the Horse Clan." he added, "We stay and pretty much live here in the Tall Grass Prairie." He pounded the ground with his large hoof, ignoring the noises made by the others in the background. He wondered if her answer would come happily or rude. All he could do was wait for a fair decision.

Libertys Ride only stood there, partly not believing her mate's offer and half believing him. She wasn't one to make the largest and wisest decisions that could change their lives. With a greedy snort she stepped forward and walked away, body tense and ready for some action incase the mare did something drastic, such as attack, or even so bare her own teeth. Libertys Ride wouldn't let the Clan fall under dangerous attacks.

Lunar Eclipse and Freedom Rings caught the new voice of the mare and quickly started forward at a quick pace. Their hooves kept beat with each other as well as their paces so they looked wonderful out in the open together. Lunar stopped a ways from his Leads and slightly lowered his head. Freedom did the same. When Lunar brought his head back up he looked at the mare hard and curious. He studied her and said something to Outlaw but it couldn't be heard by anyone around them. He kept silent, only looking back and fourth between Lead and newcomer.
Freedom stared impatiently and slowly walked off into the open to graze. Her body was tense just like Libertys Ride except she was a lot more cautious of this situation. She sometimes wondered when that dreadful day would come when Outlaw would meet another stallion, they would get into a big fight possibly, and the Clan would be... Either broken up, seperated, or half dead. Freedom didn't enjoy the thought, but she couldn't help but think when she could do nothing else. She kept her body angled at the group so her eyes could look up and watch them.

Gray Rain had another gathering around her, this time of Lucky Charm and Free Spirit. She again was off to tell. She was like an older mother to all.

Songa

Still her ears were back slightly and her eyelids half-closed in her submission, but then her ears perked up and her head raised, "I would be greatful to have a home with you. I've been on my own for too long..." Her dark, soft eyes flashed after the lead mare, sensing the tension and thus making herself much more tense and anxious.

Songa arched her neck slightly but once again adopted a submissive gaze, trying to look her best while at the same time showing respect. She felt highly akward having the worn halter around her muzzle and head still, but being on her own, she couldn't get it off.

The Horse Clan

Apache Outlaw nodded. "Okay..." he trailed off. There was a new scent on the air... Of a different species of deer? He raised his head to catch the scent better. "A new scent... We must be going now. There is a newcoming species of deer in the valley." he called out as he signaled to the clan to move out. They all joyously followed behind their leads, eager to see what was new.

Songa

Songa pricked her ears up, testing the wind and indeed catching that new scent. Never had she scented red deer before, but at least it was the odor of the herbivors, so the mare wasn't as spooked by it. Songa hesitated a moment as the clan began to move out. Then she trailed after them, pacing steadily and careful, not wanting to upset the leads. And being behind them, she read all about the scents that she caught.