*Red Deer*

A huge herd of Red Deer had recently entered the valley after crossing through a series of low valleys in the Ochotona Mountains, near the edge of the sea that bordered Sparkling Creek Valley to the eastern side. The herd had left their home lands from various reasons, one being humans. The herd hadn't traveled all in one monsterous group, but had split up here and there to spread themselves out and get accquainted with the new land.

Here was a group of 32 deer; 14 hinds and 12 fawns, and 7 stags in velvet.

Vevisca

New things had always interested Vevisca to quite a degree; and these Red Deer were no exception. They reminded him of elk, but their striking reddish coats were what really caught his eye. He began to saunter casually up to the group, then headed for one of the stags, just wanting to test their reactions.

*Red Deer*

The stag gave a deep bark "Wolf!" This quickly alerted the hinds, fawns, and other stags that the creature was drawing near. A hoof was stamped to the ground as his large, funnel ears directed themselves at the threat. His whole body pointed to Vevisca, showing the others just where the wolf was. Soon, the entire herd was gawking at the lupine.

The stag lowered his head, shaking it and the velvetine antlers at Vevisca. He pawed the ground as well, warning the wolf to back off or face an attack. A nearby stag, a bit younger than the first, began to spring towards the first, wagging and tossing his head in a visual threat.

Vevisca

Vevisca stopped abruptly, watching the display. He snorted lightly, taking a step back as he watched the long antlers thrash. He could tell they were soft in velvet, but that didn't mean they couldn't do some serious damge. The wolf growled as he watched the younger stag approach. This was the first time that any prey animal had so threatened him before, yet as uncomfortable it had first made him, the wolf grew more bold and intruiged.

Calling a bluff to the stags' threat, Vevisca bared his fangs and snarled loudly. He rushed at the two; but his own attack was partially feigned. He hadn't intended on getting too close to those antlers, but he wanted to try and scare the deer into running.

*Red Deer*

A sharp bark was issued from the larger stag and he suddenly charged forward, lowering his antlers and thrusting them at Vevisca's head.

The other stag came forward as well and caught the wolf at the side of his shoulder, flinging him to the ground and gouging the flesh. They were not in an mood to play around.

Vevisca

Veivsca yelped as he was thrown down, but pulled his head back so that he wasn't struck by the larger stag. In a flash, he pulled himself up, drawing his leg up slightly as he did. The pain seared, but the imminent death that must lay in those powerful hooves overdrove the pain. With his ears back, Vevisca began to run, but his wounded shoulder slowed him down.

Famine

..organized chaos

..The black equine galloped down, breaking up the herd of the deer. He reared, squeeling at the top of his lungs, lashing out with his sharp talons. He tossed his mane, and shook his head. As he turned he kicked out at the deer.
Leave him alone!
The powerful brute stood infront of the other. His ebony hide has sweat within it.

*Red Deer*

The two stags haulted abruptly, taken aback by the assualt by the horse. The herd slowed down and stopped after another buck had herded them up and calmed them a bit. Soon, five of the seven stags approached the horse, ringing Famine with a line of dangerous antlers.

The largest of the stags, boasting a full rack, was the one to speak, "What are you trying to do? You are one like us; surely no friend to a wolf!" he exclaimed in a sharp, authorative voice. "You are lucky you harmed none or our hinds or fawns." The others nodded gravely around him, ignoring the wounded Vevisca more or less. They were ready to attack Famine if given a command, but their herd leader hadn't ordered them to yet.

Vevisca

The wolf stopped after a panicked few moments of running. He heard the strange squeels of the horse and thought it was the deer still coming after him because he had never been around horses before and didn't know what kind of noises they made. But as soon as he realized they weren't after him, he stopped and looked back.

Vevisca was startled to see Famine attacking the herd. He turned to face them, utterly curious, if not a heck of a lot more respectful for their power. He didn't know what Famine's intentions were, but was was certainly thankful for his intervention.

Famine

.. the steed arched his muscled boa.
He had not gone after you! Nor has a wolf come after me or any of my herd. Attacking something thats running away, what kind of creatures are you? Threatening something that has not yet been threatened, and something alot smaller than you aswell.
He pinned his thorns, as a black fem wolf made her way to the scene. Shadow glanced at the other wolf, but made her way beside Famine.

Shadow

The fem smiled.
He is not one of you, you are cervidae, he is equine. Nore does he have horns on his head like a devil.
She smirked.
Though his ears look like horns.
She felt a thud by her as he stomped his hoof, telling her to hush.

*Red Deer*

The stag's eyes narrowed, "I was speaking of fellow herbivors. We have far more in common than those flesh-eaters." He snorted indignantly as those around him muttered to each other.

"He's as bald as a hind, I can see that." The stag went on, brining up a snicker of laughes from the others. When the brief mirth subsided, the lead went on, "I don't take kindly to predators lurking about my hinds and fawns. Any lead in their right mind would protect their herd, unless you equines prefered to be chased about without retaliating? Well..." the stag continued, being sarcastic now, "Seeing how your kind takes to humans, you're use to being pushed about."

The Horse Clan

Apache Outlaw, the lead of the Horse Clan, galloped swiftly to the scent source. He skidded abruptly to a halt near the others, ears laced back against his head. He noticed the horse protecting the wolf... Unusual. Horses weren't sopposed to be protecting preditors; it was almost like saying you supported them. Outlaw let out a high-pitched, shrill whinny. He wondered why these new deer were here. It was far beyond him, but it usually meant more to talk to, though he always kept himself and the Clan away from talking to most preditors, but sometimes they did. Outlaw studied the unusual situation hard.

Outlaw's mate, Libertys Ride, galloped up beside him. She stood with a questioning gaze. Her ears were forward, listening to all that was now said between the two groups. She was quite startled, but kept a wary eye on the wolves. She kept close by Outlaw's side, not moving, but in a stance ready to run if need be.

Gray Rain, the Elder Mare, slowly walked up to Libertys Ride. She nudged her daughter on the shoulder. The Elder Mare looked intently at the wolves. She was wise and knew of every trick a wolf, or in fact any preditor, could pull. Her eyes focused on the scene. Libertys Ride was as smart as her mother, almost. The Elder Mare was the wisest around; knew of every animal. But this Red Deer population was one she would have to study on. She stamped a hoof on the ground, leaving her slight signature in the dirt.

Lunar Eclipse, the beta, and his mate, Freedom Rings, stood next to each other with wandering eyes. They stood behind their leads, keeping alert. They listened to every word so that they could know what was going on. They paid attention to every but the wolves, which they figured were covered by the keen scences of Outlaw.

Lucky Charm and Free Spirit, the two bachelors of the Clan, stood nearby and nipped each other playfully. They were young adults, but still had a big mind of a foal. They didn't know that there was another horse in the Clan, for they hadn't seen the lone mare yet. The leads were blocking their view at the time. They didn't pay much attention to the chitter chatter that they could hear. Everything was just like a game to them, but a bit more serious. They whipped each other with their tails and let out fun whinnies of delight.

*Red Deer*

The lead stag turned his attention to the new herd approaching. Tilting his muzzle to the air, he picked up on their scents and concluded quickly that they were of no relation to Famine. Deciphering scent, especially of blood relatives, was keen in equine and deer. Hoping to hit a better note with the new arrivals, and more importantly to establish whether they were a threat to his herd or not, the stag spoke out to them, "Are there many of your kind here? I've never seen many free-roaming horses where we are from."

The hinds had settled down once more, keeping their fawns close to flank. They didn't dare go near the others; they left that up to their stags. But they were terribly curious and gossipy creatures and soon began to speak excitedly but a bit fearful amongst themselves. Two stags patrolled the group of hinds and fawns, making sure to keep them calm and safe. Stampeding was in their nature, and dangerous to do when they had young fawns around.

The Horse Clan

Outlaw cocked his head. He thought over the question. He indeed did relax a bit, but was still very wary of the wolves and the others. He kept one ear turned to the wolves and other horse and the other to the Red Deer. "I would say there are many. Not all are alone though. We are pretty new around here still but we are quite familier with this land and most of the different creatures in it." he said. He turned his large head to the wolves, then turned it back to the deer. "We stay away from dangerous preditors though. It's not always worth going up to them." he then said. He knew about wolves. With his giant size compared to the preditors around the area he could easily crush them. He knew hooves of horses were rather dull and not very sharp and couldn't actually cause blood, but he still favored them, as well as teeth, despite them not being sharp at all. He lashed his tail out and looked around.

Libertys Ride and the Elder Mare stood side-by-side now, both in stances ready to run. Of course the Elder Mare's age slowed her down greatly, but she always had the others that helped her while escaping something. Libertys Ride stood uneasily beside Outlaw. Her ears were still pricked. She stood closer to Outlaw, feeling uneasy. Her mother eased over closer too, being in her protective manner.

The rest of the Clan eased together also. No telling when the other stallion or the wolves would attack, if they ever did.

Songa

The dusty-hued mare stopped a short distance behind the heard, leaning her long muzzle up to the breeze. It was always comforting to have a steady breeze where information came and went regularly. Her large, dark eyes turned to the wolves first and she shuddered, remembering what had happened to her mate. True, one wolf had actually befriended her somewhat, but never would she trust a wolf again after what they had done. She longed to move in closer with the Horse Clan, but didn't feel properly aclimated with them yet to do such a thing.

Her gaze strayed from the predators to the young stallions in the herd now and she watched them curiously for a moment while they had played.

Famine

His thorns laced back at the stag. How dare he insult his kin.
Perhaps no wolves have ever chased me because I have never chased them. I prefer to fight things my own size.
He hissed. His nares flared. His blood was boiling under his black pelt.

*Red Deer*

He turned to Famine again, his eyes blazing but fierce and determined, "Maybe you haven't, but that sulking wolf over there just rushed and snapped at me. If I didn't fight back, that flesh-eater could easily take a fawn or hind." He eyed the mustang, who was larger than him by a good deal. But the stag wasn't daunted at all. Not when he had antlers and four other armed stags around him, as well as two others flocking the hinds.

He shook his antlers at Famine's face now, stamping his hooves in the ground in a threat, "I hoped to make peace with the Aras of this land, but you are making yourself a quick enemy." The lead warned, using the term 'aras', meaning the deer and deer-like animals. This herd had different terminology that had been adopted in the land they came from.

The Horse Caln

Apache Outlaw laced his ears back more, now they were flat against his head. He turned his angry face to the other stallion, and pawed the ground, dirt and grit flying. He hated these kinds of animals like this other equine. He lashed his tail out and turned to Libertys Ride. He said some quite words and then looked back to the others. His attention was quickly tuned to Songa, the new mare of the Clan. He didn't know what to say, and so kept silent. He thrust his head forward and let out another high-pitched whinny that just seemed to come out of nowhere. His glare turned to Famine. "You don't need to have a reason for a wolf to not attack you. It is the way of all preditors, to attack and kill, like it or not." he said to the other stallion, frustrated. He stamped his hoof on the ground again.
Libertys Ride shuddered but stood up beside her mate. She had learned to be somewhat strong the past years, and now she wouldn't let a couple of wolves and another stallion make her turn away. She arched her neck and stood at an angle, keeping an eye on the wolves, then turned her own stare to Famine. "You should know the ways of the wild by now." she said to him. She lashed her tail out and stood strongly. She wouldn't stoop to a low level.

The Elder Mare stood ready for the next words. She indeed approved of her daughter's high intelligence.
Lucky Charm and Free Spirit looked to Songa, but stayed silent. They never knew how to approach other horses that were new in the Clan, especially mares. They only stared hard at her, unsure of something. But the Elder Mare slowly walked up to Songa, wanting her to feel more comfortable around the Horse Clan.
She let a low nicker echo around the horses as she stopped in front of her. Her wise brown eyes studdied Songa as she tilted her maw up to catch her new scent better. Then she lowered her head back down. "Hello. I am Gray Rain, known better as the Elder Mare. So you are new I am guessing?" the Elder Mare said in her nice tone. She didn't know that Songa was accepted into the Clan, for she was busy telling her stories at the time. She patiently waited for her reply as she gently pounded her hoof on the ground.

Lunar Eclipse and Freedom Rings stood side by side still, Lunar keeping on every alert around this other stallion. He stood tense right next to his mate, ready to gallop. Freedom Rings wanted to step forward and protest about Famine's words, but she held it back. She didn't want to attract all of the attention; the leads had that oppertunity all of the time and therefor Freedom would let them do their job, if you could really call it that.

Vevisca

His fangs were bared silently and he backed off several paces, favoring his tender front limb. Vevisca's ears perked at the conversation the others were having, emensely interested in it but knowing it wasn't wise to participate any further. He had learned a hard lesson and wouldn't soon forget it.

Manov*Ice*Dakota

The once alpha brute had been wandering around when he picked up a familier scent. He carried his body along the ground, seeing that Vevisca was in a bit of trouble. Manov bounded over to him and stood by his side. "Your safe now." He assursed him. Looking over his shoulder a large cougar and a smaller then himself fem came troting over.
Ice looked at the deer and the horses and snarled, he didnt trust any of them. The deer were only for food, not to fight against. He snarled and stepped infront of Vevisca and pushed him away from the croud. Dakota looked to Vevisca and nodded for him to follow. "Come home with us, you'll be safe." She smiled towards him then turned and walked to Opake Mountain. Manov and Ice stayed as they were to make sure that none would come and attack them from behind. "Maybe someday we can have most of our pack back to how it ust to be... before.." Manov didnt finish what he was saying, but he knew that Vevisca would understand. Now that the other had been found, Manov was in search of the rest of his old pack, to reunit them.

The Horse Clan

Outlaw turned his head to the wolves. When he seen the cogar, he snorted and stomped the ground as hard as he could. His glaring eyes studied them. Preditors were no more than the devil's animals. Hearing their words, he neighed loudly and reared. "You better get out of here! You mongrels!" he screamed out angrily. IOt wasn't actually a scream, but a VERY high neigh. He landed on the ground with a loud thud. He make some unusual noises and reared again. He threatened them. He was going to attack if they didn't leave, and now. He wasn't playing. A horse was probably the worst animal to have after you. His giant size compared to them was a big advantage.

Libertys Ride reared also. She neighed and nodded to Outlaw. He shook his head and she stopped but she still pawed the ground angrily. Outlaw dashed to the wolves and started thrashing his hooves about the ground, frustrated and tired of the preditors. He quickly retreated back to the Clan and stood boldly. His sides heaved as he glared at them intently. He would trample them if they didn't leave. They should have minded their own business for the most part.

Songa

Again she showed her submission by use of her lowered eyelids, "It's nice to meet you, I'm Songa." She flicked her tail lightly, contently. She could sense the kind nature of this older mare and it comforted her more. With humans, she didn't have a whole lot of time to interact with other horses, besides talking from stall to stall. Suddenly she threw up her head and turned slightly, hearing and seeing the new wolves. The white of her eyes showed and her ears laid back. Horrible memories nearly caused her to panic now, but she remained where she was, and even offered a warning to the beasts by stamping the ground and tossing her head vigorously.

Famine

His talon scraped the earth. He snorted.
How smart can they be?They but heads and get their antlers tangled in fights, in the ends they both would die.
He flinched not at the deer's antlers, for they were in velvet. He could easily bite the skin, and leave a painful bloody mess.

Famine

His attention took off the deer as they left. He was waiting for his mare, Desert Rose. His orbs looked for a gray mare. He snorted, as she hadnt yet shown.
Where do you all live?
He asked the clan, tilting his left hind hoof.

The Horse Clan

Outlaw turned his head to Famine. "We live here, the prairie." he said in a reply. He was in a rather bad mood now. He tossed his mane and shook his head.

Libertys Ride left her mate's side and walked to her mother. She eyed Songa with a wondering look and stopped next to the Elder Mare. "Hello." she said, eagerly. She didn't know why she was so eager, but she was for something. Perhaps summer.
The Elder Mare turned her head to her daughter. "This is Libertys Ride, my daughter." Her attention was drawn by the increase of wolves. She snorted. "I wouldn't be bothered much by them; Outlaw usually keeps a good eye on them when they are around." she said. She pawed the ground and lipped up some grass. "This prairie is the best place to be that we found before. The grass is tasty." she then said, nibbling some more blades. She turned her head toward the group of animals.

The rest of the Clan stood quietly.

*Red Deer*

His eyes narrowed, "That has never happened in my herd before, but in any case it is a small price to pay for all the protection offered by them." He glanced to the wolves, but saw that the Horse Clan was dealing with them.

"Have you ever heard of a Switch? We've got a switch stag in a herd that was following after ours." A murmur went up in the group again and the lead nodded gravely, "They are also known as Killer stags, and for good reason. They have no tines upon their antler beams, so their antlers are more like spears." Even this stag, lead of the herd, was terribly reluctant to fight a switch.

Famine

Famine laughed at the cervidae.
Stupid deer such as you may fear something like that.
He turned his attention back to the clan.
I am Famine, lead stallion of Shimmer Valley.

*Red Deer*

"Laugh all you want Hummel," the stag scoffed, "You'll be eating those ignorant words if you mess with the Switch. An antler beam through your eye or neck will surely change your attitude towards us."

A second stag huffed impatiently, "Why don't we teach him a lesson ourselves? A hornless Aras like him should be put in his place."

The lead nodded lightly, "When Candence comes around, our blood will be high and our antlers at their peak. Maybe we shall seek out this Shimmer Valley and let the young prickets test their new weapons on this pathetic creature." The stag spoke casually to the other, glancing coolly at Famine all the while.

The Horse Clan

Outlaw stared at Famine. He was somewhat lost in thought, but this seemed very interesting. "I am Apache Outlaw, lead stallion of the Horse Clan." he said coldly. He was feeling tired and hungry. It was a while since he had last ate. The Clan seemed to almost always be greeting animals that visited the prairie. It was a nice thing to do. Preditor or not, he usually talked to them. He stood impatiently.

Libertys Ride left the Elder Mare's side and stood next to Outlaw. "And I am the lead mare, Libertys Ride." she said to Famine. She glanced back to the Elder Mare and the others.

Famine

The steed laced his ears back. That was it. He'd had enough of the red deer. He galloped at lightening speed towards the one who made all of the crude remarks. He reared up over the cervidae, as his tallons lashed out at the deer.

Shadow

The fem watched. The wolfess loved it! She jumped right into the action.

*Red Deer*

The lead gave a roar, seeing the imminent attack. He knew his anters weren't their strongest at this point, so he used a strategy that the hinds often did. The stag backed off a few steps, evading the dangerous hooves of the horse. Then he reared up, lashing his out suddenly. He swung his head forward where it was out of reach of Famine's hooves. They swung right for the stallion's head.

A second stag came at the horses side, rearing up and throwing his head forward so that his antlers were peirce the horse's side and flank. A third went for Famine's other side, trying to gouge the flesh with his antlers. All three stags would possbily injure their growing racks, but they were willing to do it.

The forth stag buffeted Shadow, sending his antlers straight at her head with overwhelming force.

The hinds were frightened again, lifting their head and snorting fearfully in the distance. They readied for flight.

The Horse Clan

Outalw looked to Famine as he galloped for the stag. With an angry neigh, he charged straight at the stallion, head down, eyes closed, body ready for a powerful hit. He tried to slam into Famine. He had had enough of this animal. Horse or not, he wasn't one to just stand there and watch an animal get attacked by something, especially another equine. After trying to slam into Famine, he turned abruptly around to face hi, eyes staring intently at the other four-legged. He ignored Shadow. His attention was completely focused on Famine. He was in the charging stance, legs slightly out, head down, like a bull ready to ram into something.

Libertys Ride galloped with a loud gasp back to her mother, tail lashing out. The Clan fanned out and around the other way of Outlaw so they wouldn't be included in this.
The Elder Mare neighed and turned away to the others. "Come over here!" she called back to Songa, eyes staring straight ahead. She walked over to the others, Libertys Ride standing right by her.

Desert Rose

She trotted forth, watching the scene before her unfold, confused at what was happening. She stood, unsure of whether to continue to Famine's side or not. She nickered to him letting him no she was their.

Vevisca

Vevisca was surprised by their appearance, but very much releived. He nodded to Manov, "I wish for that too. Someday we will have it." he replied softly, then turned to following Dakota out of the prairie. He snarled low at the horses but had a painful reminder of what damage the big creautre like them could do.

Famine

Famine bit one of the deer at the shoulders, the one tha attacked his left side. Shadow had jumped over the deer that charged after her, and attacked the deer that was attacking famines right side.

He laced his thorns at the one dubed Outlaw. He arched his thickly muscled boa, and began in a prance. If the stallion wished to fight, he would surely engage in battle.

His blood calmed as he heard the nicker of the mare named Desert Rose. Lacing his ears at the other stallion once more, he cantered over to the lovely fem to explain the problem. For the other stallion did not have this area as a terra, rather it was neutral land.
Hello, sorry you had to come into this...
He took a deep breath.
Those deer caused trouble amongst a wolf that did not threaten them, I defended it, and that horse clan came over. We exchanged our words, the equine the lupine and the deer. One went to far, and thats where you came in.

The Horse Clan

Outlaw dodged away, furious. He reared and struck his hooves out at Famine, hard. With how close he was it was impossible for him to miss. He quickly moved back. "You had better learn to respect. Or someday you'll be wound into the ground, by me!" he neighed out screechingly. He lashed his tail out and turned back to the Clan. He slightly turned his head back around. "Go get yourselves back to your terra. You have no business here." he said, angrily. He went back to stand by Libertys Ride and glared back at Famine. "And a wolf should know whether or not to approach an animal, especially these ones, eheh..." he said. He completely turned his attention back to the Clan. He would continued to ignore Shadow. She had nothing to do with this fight, but if she proved treatening to the Clan, he would attack.

Famine

His nares flared.
Excuse me madam,
He departed from Desert Rose. His muscles rippled underneath a black canvas as he approached the other stallion. His ears were laced against his cranium, his eyes wide with fury. His tassle swished in an agitated way. His nares flares. Indeed he threatened the other stallion.
Why dont you just try to prove it?

The Horse Clan

Outlaw flung around, enraged with fury. He reared up to his fullest hieght and aimed to come knocking down on Famine, eager to get him out. "You just try to make it out of here alive!" he neighed out in his hasrh voice. He meant business. And no other stallion was going to say what happened. He wasn't playing follish like Famine, he meant everything, and he would fight just to prove it.

Libertys Ride neighed, tossing her head upward and lifting up onto her forelegs, bringing her hindlegs up to strike at Famine's face. He was, after all, behind her. She quickly dashed away and wheeled around. She had had enough of this. This other stallions comes and disrupts the peace. Nobody did that to the Horse Clan. She charged straight at him, ready to dash along his side and knock him off balence.

*Red Deer*

"Learn some manners from you fellow horse!" The lead edged, pulling back and signaling his followers to do the same. They stood a few yards from the clashing equines, keen not to get in their way. The lead was eager to talk with the Horse Clan when this business was over.

Famine

Famine kicked at the mare. This was not her fight! He wheeled around, and was very close to Outlaw. He kicked out, nearly sure to cut his sensitive flank.

Songa

Songa followed Elder Mare's lead, being influenced by her senority and kind attitude. Her tassel was held up now and her ears came back as she watched the fight, warning all that she'd attack now if provoked. "Quite an unusual gathering..." the mare murmured looking from deer, wolf, and horse.

The Horse Clan

Outlaw dodged away. He quickly shoved Libertys Ride out of the way of Famine. Instead he took the kick. He turned his head back angrily and examined the wound. Some blood slightly leaked from it. He thrust his head back around and glared harshly at Famine. "I will ask you once more, to leave this land. Or else..." he neighed out. He lashed his teeth out at Famines' head. A sure hit. He would at least get a scrape. Outlaw wheeled around and stepped over to his mate. The pain in his side throbbed a bit but he ignored it completely. He nudged Liberty and let out a low nicker. Then he turned his angry head to Famine. "Now go back to your terra! As long as you are here you will respect the Clan or leave!" He meant it this time. This was going too far and the other stallion had completely caused it, as well as the wolf that first came along. Outlaw stood there is a stance like a bull ready to charge again.

Libertys Ride turned around, angrily. She could just sence what this Famine was thinking. Or she could tell. "This is my fight as long as Outlaw's in it!" she neighed out, angrily. She stood strong beside Outlaw, brown eyes glaring.
She quickly signaled to the others to leave while this other stallion was here. They would need to be directed to another place in the prairie.

The others quickly turned away, wide eyed, and they all galloped swiftly to the other end of the prairie, or near the other end.

The Elder Mare looked to Songa. "We have to go follow. Come." she said, rather quietly. She let out a high nicker and started at her slower pace down the prairie.

Desert Rose

She trotted towards famine, her auds pinned to her crown, at the other equines. She moved to his side, her crown raised proudly.

Famine

As the others enamels caught over his cheek, the blood contrasted nicely with his coat.
I have just as much right, if not more right than you, to be here. 'tis not my fault you are so weak that you yourself can not claim a stronghold.

He bored his teeth as he spoke. His eaves droppers flat against his skull.

Shadow watched intently, as her friend, Forbidden Time, crept up silently and undetected to the back of the equines. He was though, far enough away, so he couldnt get kicked. She understood what he was doing, but she would wait for the opputune moment.

The adrenaline pumped through his veins, and did not yet notice the crimson liquid that made itself know onto his coat.

*Humans*

Two humans moved across the land, each bearing a riffle over their shoulders. The found the prints of wolves, horse, and wolf... curious and eager for something to hunt, they cept a sharp eye out.

Aderyn

The three month pup had somehow gotten separated from the group she had been traveling with, and was now lost. As she walked along, she heard something come crashing through the brush. Not knowing what to think of it, and being frightened anyway, she immediately dodged aside and buried herself in the brush, a few feet off to the side and a good distance in front of where the humans were. She lay there trembling, trying to make her heat stop beating so LOUD. She lay there quiet, and watched them come.

Famine

The steed scented something in his nares.

Humans... He whispered. The blood was still leaking from his cheek.

He nudged Desert Rose for her to stay here. He trotted over the hill and there they were. The humans. He reared, and nickered. He galloped back down.

They're over that hill, and they have those rifles.

Zhener

High in the sky wheeled the giant eagle, gazing intently down at the two bi-peds with great interest. He had spotted his name sake hide in the grass as well, and it was to his utmost importance to keen her safe. Zhener spotted the horses, deer, and wolf as well.

Zhener kept himself high in the sky, as his kind tended to do, so that hitting him would be a challenge if they tried it. He didn't want to assault two armed humans unless he was sure they were going to spot his friend.

Aderyn

Aderyn stared up at the horse, never having seen anythign so big in her life. She quivered in fear, but made no noise. She cringed, certain that either the horse or the humans were going to kill her. She closed her eyes, waiting for death.

*Red Deer & Humans*

The lead turned to see Famine's report. "Firya!" he cried in alarm, using their term for humans. "Move the hinds and fawns! Take to the woods, hurry!" Instantly his guards departed, helping to guide the hinds and fawns down along the grass, taking cover with hills and vegetation when possible. The hinds were fully capable of caring for themselves, and in all actuallity, they would usually dominate over the stags at this point. But because of the journey and other such events, the stags were in momentary command.

The lead snorted and flagged his tail, "We should all run, to the woods. It hinders their sight and weapons."

The humans had spotted the horse and began to head eagerly for the hilltop he had last mounted. They weren't against shooting a horse, for they could sell the meat and hide just like the flesh of deer, although it wasn't commonly done in other places. They were heading straight for Aderyn as well, but hadn't yet noticed her.

Aderyn

Aderyn lay there, trembling, not having seen Zhener's shadow. As far as she knew, she was alone and unprotected. She backed up a little, so that they would not stumble over her, and lay dead still, fear making her unable to do more. She remained quiet, repressing the whimpers that threatened to come out. This was what Abamacho had spoken of: "There is so much to hurt us. We have to fight back. Then you can kill whatever scares you." She was fairly certain she couldn't kill the humans, especially with their guns, but she WOULD have the courage not to whimper.

*Red Deer & Humans*

As she backed up, one human spotted her. Speaking to his companion, they both stopped and leaned over to inspect the pup, instantly recognizing it as a wolf pup of sorts. As hunting-ready as they were, these men weren't the type to kill pups or other such young creatures. But at the same time, they saw an interesting possibilty for themselves. One man bent to pick up Aderyn and carry her under his arm, having made up his mind he was taking her home with him.

The lead stag couldn't wait any longer. He desired to talk with the Horse Clan, but he'd catch them at another time. He turned and headed quickly away, bounding gracefully out of sight. A wolf pup was none of his concern, for he knew they grew and preyed upon the young of his own kind.

Famine

The steed looked. His banner laid flat upon his nape. He stood infront of his mare. He nudged her, they needed to run, and quick. He pinned his thorns after they crept closer and closer.

Desert Rose

She kicked out at him, but started to gallop towards home.

The Horse Clan

Outlaw looked off and galloped up the hill. Now he was glad that he had sent his fellow equines off to another part of the prairie. This place was no infested with the two-leggeds! He reared up on another hill and let out a shreiking neigh. He wouldn't let any of the other equines in his Clan get captured. Famine, he couldn't care less. The stallion had wandered into the land, insulted the Clan, and even attacked his mare! And Desert Rose proved stupidly. She wasn't a lead, so she couldn't act it. He wouldn't ever go near this other stallion if he came, but only if there should be a problem, which was in the prairie. The Clan wouldn't leave this prairie. Outlaw stayed far away from the humans and stared at them. he started rearing again and pawing the air wildly. He continued to do it.

Libertys Ride neighed loudly and dashed to Outlaw, worridly. She neighed out too, after seeing the humans. Horses were not meant for human work, nor enjoyment. The Clan would stay wild forever, and grow wild together, if possible. She stayed silent but only pounded her hoof hard on the ground.

Famine

...The stallion kept running his mare to the edge. Outlaw, he was a fool! Going against two men with guns! The idiot! He hoped they both died.

Aderyn*Karai

As the man scooped her up, she trembled even more. Where was Mama? Where was Joscelin the Shield, Saxton the Sword? Where was Abamacho? Where was ANYBODY?

Silver femme slunk low to the ground, far from where the humans were, but seeing them pick up Aderyn. She growled quietly, stifling it so they wouldn't hear. However, seeing that they hadn't hurt the pup, she kept back and to the side so that she could follow, and not be seen.

The Horse Clan

Outlaw looked to Famine. Now HE deserved to die. HE was the fool! The lousy idiot. Outlaw finally turned around. He didn't care whether Famine OR his mare got out alive. The Famine and his mare BOTH deserved to die. They weren't worthy at all of being equines, to say the least. He quickly turned around and galloped down the hill on the other side. He swept past Libertys Ride and neighed back to her to follow. She quickly turned also and lashed her tail out at the other two horses. She pranced along after Outlaw.

*Humans*

The man held the pup tight, glad she wasn't putting up much of a fight. As the came to the top of the hill, he pointed with his free arm to the horses in the distance.

The other man raised his riffle, squinting his eyes against the long range. Then he fired at the group, seeing if he could bring one of the horses down. Aside from selling their meat and hide, the horses were now seen as a nuisance to the same people who saw the wolves as a nuisance. The mayor of the town, backed by many citizens, declared the shooting of wild horses not only legal, but a good sport too.

Aderyn*Karai

The gun and its closeness made her tremble in fear, and when they shot it she yelped and buried her face in the man's coat, more because she sought comfort than because she liked him. She would have gone to a cow had there been one conveinient. She whimpered, refusing to look at the bullets, hiding her eyes and ears, hoping it would stop soon.

Silver huntress ducked instinctively lower as the gun went off, but she did not flee. Staying completely still, she saw that Aderyn was unharmed, and that the man had her safe. So fae remained still, and silent.

Zhener

Zhener still wheeled about in the sky, but now much closer than before. He let his shadow float over the two men now, betraying his presence to them. His movements became sharp and irritated, hinting to an upcoming attack. He saw that Aderyn was captured, but he also noticed how Karai hadn't yet done anything to attack the humans. So he would wait with her to see what she did.

The Horse Clan

A screeching neigh came from the Clan not too far away; one of the horses had been shot. The horse that had been shot was Free Spirit. He limped badly from a shot at his rump, down more at his hind leg. He neighed and tried to gallop away after the rest of the Clan, but he was stuck. He continued to limp after at a quick canter, not at all a gallop. He tried to keep up with the others, but soon fell behind, but he still limped away after them.

*Humans*

The humans returned to their vehicles after a while, taking Adyren with them and still not noticing the wolfess stalking them. They called their friends before driving off.

It was a while later when they returned with two more men and four dogs. The wolf pup had been placed in the back of one truck, stuffed into a dog crate. The four humans and their dogs set off after the wounded horse, using the dogs to follow his blood and scent trail. Not wanting to leave the pup behind, they carried her along with them.

Karai

Silver daemoness was a little frightened as they drove away with Aderyn, but the smell of gasoline was unmistakable. She waited untli they drove out of sight, and then took off at a wolf's mile-eating jog after them, following them to the Canyon.