Apache/Kinta/Kanto

The paint stallion led his siblings, twin mules, through the tall grass. He was weak. He had not eaten for days and was also quite dehydrated. He fell to the ground with a thump.

Kinta ran to her older brother, about to cry. Apache had let them eat and drink while he watched for predators. "Apache! Wake up!" She cried, nudging him with her muzzle. "Somebody! Help me! Please!" She called out.

"Kinta, no!" Shouted Kanto. "You're going to attract predators!" He ran to Kinta and Apache, keeping an eye out for anything dangerous.

Kachine & Wahkan

There was a faint, strong pounding noise that wrang out through the ground, shaking it with light vibrations from a distance. As it drew nearer and nearer, the form of a running equine appeared over the land, plowing through the tall grasses as though they weren't even there. It was quite cold out, yet it felt nothing but nice to feel the cool air. It would become quite clear that there was a human on the horse's back, and as the pair quickly drew closer to the young mules, the horse began to ease slower into a walk, then a smooth halt a few feet away.
The human, with her long black hair blown back by the wind, sat atop her mount proudly. She was wearing a coat, though it wasn't very thick, but she felt fine all the same. She hadn't noticed the fallen equine in the grass as she quickly flung herself over the side of Wahkan and landed softly, giving the large stud a hearty pat before turning towards the couple mules. What are they doing out here? she asked herself, having never seen such wild mules so young by themselves. Still oblivious to the stallion in the grass, she started to the mules slowly, careful as to not alarm them. She was experienced with animals for the most part, but these were completely new and different areas to her-- the animals could act otherwise.

Apache/Kinta/Kanto

Apache was motionless while the human and horse walked closer. He suddenly woke up and squealed. Trying to get up, he snapped at Kachine's hand. He was only trying to protect all he had left, his younger siblings.

Kanto slowly stepped forward, watching the human carefully. He knew humans, and this one seemed like one of the nicer ones. He put his nose out and touched the human's hand.

Kinta, Kanto's twin sister, was the shy one. She didn't step toward the human, though she did approach the horse. "M-My big brother is hurt. Can you and your friend help us?" She asked with fear in her eyes.

Kachine & Wahkan

Kachine pulled her hand back quickly, making sure it was out of reach of the fallen stallion. He had startled her indeed, but she quickly recovered, finding that he probably couldn't do much anyway. "Whoa," she stated, a bit loud, just so the horse could hear. Wahkan was standing a ways off, making sure his mistress didn't get harmed. He was like her protector; her guardian.
A smile spread across the girl's face as she felt one of the young mule's noses against her hand, and she went to rub his forehead, being careful all the while. "What are you doing all out here?" she asked, as though they could understand, though knowing they couldn't. She would love to take a look at the stallion, but he seemed too fired up at the moment to even try. Yet...

Wahkan was faced in their direction the whole time, not taking his eyes off his human. He couldn't risk it-- not in such a land. New and different, he learned, weren't always positive.
His auds became pricked as the filly spoke to him, and his gave a light snort, "Of course," he answered with a rich voice of adult youth, "He can't harm my mistress, though, or she won't be able to see what's wrong." he stated, giving a small nod. With a swish of his banner, he slowly began to near the other stallion, glancing over to the young filly. He would have to check this out for himself as well.

Apache/Kinta/Kanto

Apache put his head down, trying to catch his breath.

Kinta nodded. "I will tell Apache not to hurt your friend." She said to the stallion. She walked back to Apache and spoke softly to him. "The horse says that you have to be nice to the girl or she can't help you and you'll die." She galloped back to Wahkan. "Apache hasn't had food or water for a long time. We've been walking for days!" Her tone made it sound more dramatic than it actually was.

Okay...I will...not...hurt the...girl." Replied Apache.

Kanto trusted this girl. He lay down and looked up at her, hoping that she could help his older brother.

Kachine & Wahkan

Wahkan gave the other stallion a brief nod, before turning his head around and nipping lightly at Kachine's coat. He knew she always carried around a little purse-like saddlebag around her shoulder that held medical items-- small and flat containers and those things, but also treats and special animal foods. Hah, she even had a little bottle of purified water with her which hadn't been opened.

Kachine, getting the message, gave one last pat the the colt before stepped to Apache with calm movements, although steady. She kneeled down by the top of his head, and pulled out the saught-after bag, and searched through it. She hadn't seen any wounds or marks on him before, and it didn't appear that he was very sore or anything of the sort, so she immedietly figured that he must be wiped out from something. She had learned the signs from all the years of experience. She pulled out an even smaller baggie that had some horse treats in it, and took some out.
For good measure, Wahkan reached over and plucked one of the cookie-like treats from the ground and chewed it up, as if testing it. He really wasn't, though. He was just hungry for something. After all, there was plenty there.
Kachine took the bottle of water and a square container, and dropped about 6 treats into it before pouring a tiny bit of the water with them, and then mashing them up slightly. Whether or not him laying down would be harder for him to eat, she made them soggy just in case. Either way, Wahkan liked them all the same himself, so why not try this horse? Once finished, she went to remove a spoon-like instrument from the bag, and scooped some out. She then held them over the stallion's mouth, and went to lightly tuck them into his lips so he'de hopefully lick them up. This she found out about from one of her first lessons.

Apache/Kinta/Kanto

Apache smelled the good food and licked it off of the spoon. He now knew that this human was good and kind to horses.

Kinta looked at Apache. She then looked back up at Wahkan. "Is the girl going to leave after Apache gets better? I like her. I don't want her to leave." Her big dark eyes were fixed on the stallion.

Kanto stood up and followed the girl, watching her every move curiously.

Kachine & Wahkan

Kachine figured that when the horse has enough to eat, then he'll be good to go again. She wondered why he didn't just eat the grass, but she knew that animals had their ways. "You'll be plump again soon after this," she stated, chuckling to herself. She finished scooping the rest of the pile of mashed treats into his mouth, and then went to retrieve some of the tall grass around them. She ripped them up with her strong hands and arms, and then went to dropping them easily into the opened container, which was then filled with more treats and some more cold water. Hopefully the frost would help as well.
Mashing that up as well, she went to place it by his mouth again. Horses may be able to eat all the time, but when he had just enough then maybe he'de stand.

"We'll be on our way, yes... But I don't see why you couldn't come along. She's not too busy these days, but you wouldn't have a place to stay-- we both just got here, and we don't know anyone." he stated, knowing that he himself and his human always "camped" instead of finding somewhere to stay. She was a human, though, yet was well used to the weather.

Apache/Kinta/Kanto

Apache ate the last of the food. He knew that he would be able to stand again soon. This had happened once before, when he was a pet. He had humans all around him, even though they weren't so bright when it came to taking care of horses.
After a while, he tried to stand again, but fell. He wouldn't give up. He finally stood, but was a little wobbly. He seemed to say "Thank you" to Kachine.

Kinta nodded to Wahkan. "I'll ask Apache if he wants to come with you." She ran to her brothers. "Can we go with the girl and the horse? I mean, can we go with the girl and the horse please?" She asked anxiously.

"What do you think, Apache?" Asked Kanto. He wanted to go with Kachine and Wahkan too, but it was all up to Apache.

"Uh...Sure. If you want, and if the human wants us to come. I'm sure she won't mind if we tag along." Replied Apache, still getting his energy back. He dipped his head and got a mouth full of grass.

Kachine & Wahkan

Kachine stepped back as she watched the horse in his little battle to stand again, and a bright smile lit up her reddish face. She had always felt happy to see an animal recover, no matter what the problem was.
With a sigh, her mind suddenly veered off to where she'de head to next. She had always loved traveling around her home and helping animals along the way, but this was a whole new land, where she knew absolutely nothing.
Pushing a stray strand of black hair back behind her ear, she slowly went to turn back toward Wahkan. ... hope we meet again... she thought in jumbled pieces, though was proud of her work. Leaving an animal could be tough, but Kachine had since gotten used to it, so it no longer bothered her much anymore. However, she knew they'de meet again if they "happened" to go their own ways again.

Wahkan gave the other stallion a nod, and he gave a small grin, "I'm sure she wouldn't mind-- she'de love the company." he stated, bobbing his head lightly as Kachine stepped up to his side. She grabbed a strong hold of his mane and eased herself up onto his back, moving with grace and calm motions. Once on his back, she simply sat there, her dark eyes studdying the trio before her. I wonder... she thought silently to herself, seemingly wondering if they would follow her. It wasn't her choice, but she always enjoyed the unique company of creatures.

Wahkan snorted lightly when Kachine positioned herself on his back, and he sighed lightly. "I'm sure that if you just follow, she'll get the idea. I don't know what she had in mind, though." he stated, his auds swiveling.

Apache/Kinta/Kanto

Kinta reared and bucked and jumped around playfully. "Let's go, then!" She said.

"Calm down, Kinta! Every time anything good happens you jump all over." Complained Kanto. He was about to snap his jaws down on her long ear when Apache butted in.

"Behave, you two. Behave or I'll ground you." Apache said. He was quite calm with his words, but stern. The twins had no choice but to listen to him. He walked closer to the stallion and the girl. "So where did you come from?" He asked Wahkan.

Kachine & Wahkan

Wahkan was a bit startled at the sudden actions from the filly, causing him to take a couple quick steps back to avoid getting possibly hit by anything. He then gave a snort, his hot breath turning into steam and immedietly blowing off and disappearing. That was what they'de better be doing soon if they planned on getting anywhere before nightfall.

Kachine kept a good hold on Wahkan's mane and kicked her heels into his sides, clucking all the while, urging him onward. He started up into a quick jog, streaming his banner behind him proudly. He loved the openness of prairies and whatnot, especially during winter, when everything was coated in a beautiful, glittering white. However, the cold was quite bitter, but thanks to the equine's unique fur, he stayed warm. He emitted a loud whinny back to the trio to follow him, and he made sure that he didn't go much faster in case the youngsters fell back.

Kachine was a bit confused at why Wahkan wouldn't go any faster, but she turned her head and expected to see the three others standing back there. Her thoughts would be proven wrong quite quickly.

Apache/Kinta/Kanto

Apache raced after the pair, with the twin mules following him. "Do you know where your human is taking you?" He asked, the wind blew through his mane and tail, making them look like black smoke.

Kachine & Wahkan

Wahkan glanced over to spot Apache following, and he grinned. "I think we're going to where she left her stuff-- camping supplies and that sort." he replied, still running, though a bit faster than before.

Kachine had left her items back where the grass just started growing taller, next to a tall tree. That's where she was headed, but her mind nearly sidetracked as she noticed the three following her. She felt a sense of pride overcome her, but suddenly remembered what she was sopposed to do now. What would she do with another horse and a couple of mules? Who knows, but she expected that she could travel with them.
Soon enough, the bunch came out of the taller grass and Kachine pulled back on Wahkan's mane, slowing him to a halt near a pile of snowy human items-- a wrapped up tent, and a couple small bags of food and other things such as a pocketknife.
She lowered down to the ground again drew in a deep breath, walking over to the snow-covered wildife decor. She kneeled down, and began getting everything ready to move again. This wasn't the probable place that she had in mind to set up camp.

Wahkan, with his entire underside and legs drenched with frost, he shook his mane to feel the cool air refresh him once again. It always felt good to him during winter. "I guess we'll be moving to another place. Somewhere... With more water. She's very skilled at ice fishing." he stated, but that set him to thinking. She seems good at everything... he thought to himself, recalling her using knives and even boomerangs before, as well as fishing with excellent results. What could be better than being with such a talented two-legged?

Apache/Kinta/Kanto

The three followed. "Your owner seems really neat." Said Kinta.

Kachine & Wahkan

"She is," he stated with a small nod, quite proud of the girl. She seemed so in tune with nature and the creatures within it, wanting to learn everything she possibly could. Not once had she failed to persue that dream of hers.

Kachine quickly drew in a deep breath and heaved up the bags and wrapped tent, carrying them back over to her stallion. The bags weren't that big-- big enough for her to carry them without much hassle. The tent was flat and lightweight-- quite compact.
She used a rope and strung it around Wahkan's midsection, tieing it on both sides, and then clipping the bags on. Her own special little way to "move." She just stuffed the folded tent into the larger bag, which it so conveniently fit in.
Once that was all finished, and she checked to make sure the rope was secure, she hopped on. "C'mon, boys-- and girl," she stated, chuckling lightly to herself once more. That was a new one. Wahkan had been her very first horse, and she never had any others.
With another cluck and kick, the Kiger started moving into a quick canter this time, circling around the tall grass instead of plowing through it again. Then they turned and headed to Pike's Lake.

Apache/Kinta/Kanto

Apache nodded to his siblings. "Let's go" He said. He followed his new friend, and signaled for Kinta and Kanto to do the same.

Kinta and Kanto raced to the lake.