Brook Walker & Ladybird
It was beginning to get colder outside as the valley was closing in on winter. Today, there was a dusting of frost on the ground, delicately covering each tall colorful blade of grass with the same silvery shine. It was about ten in the morning, so maybe a bit early, but the perfect time to get out and do a bit of riding nonetheless. There was an undeniable chill in the air, but one that could be easily withstood by preparation.
The fourteen year old sat in the saddle upon the chestnut mare and rocked along gently with each step the horse took. She was wearing dark jeans with a pair of old yet stylish western boots, and wore a large furry coat to combat the oncoming chill. Her long brown hair had settled messily about her shoulders. She sat casually and held onto the reins rather loosely as she looked about the area and took it all in. She wasn't sure exactly where they were, but according to the map, they were in a prairie. Just in case, she carried a cellphone in one coat pocket, with her sisters' numbers on speed dial, and a small can of pepper spray in the opposite. One could never be too careful, although she couldn't really picture another person being out here.
Ladybird took dainty steps over the small dirt path they were on, her dark eyes flickering lazily this way and that. She would occasionally reach out to swipe a blade or two of grass, which only caused Brook to give her a firm "No," and nudge with her heels. She would respond by tossing her head, but continued on. The grass looked so good, so fresh. How could one not eat it? She sure hoped Brook would let her eat some later. Then she would think back to her warm cozy stall at the corral and snort, sending a stream of puffy steam from her nostrils. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy the ride, but she wasn't quite ready for this weather.
Will & Kree
Sattle in hand he strapped his horse. putting the reins on. ''Ok this is what ive been waiting for. Work with me'' he whispered and jumped on. He felt good of course this was his normal day come out in the prarie, ride Kree home and eat and come back out riding. He smiled ''ok now.'' he said and took the reins in his hand.
Soon they were off. They passed a girl on a horse. ''woah'' he said and turned kree around. The 16 year old boy was very sweet once you got to know him. ''Hey stranger. Why are you out so early havent seen you around before. Names Will short for William call me Will or ill kill ya. Whats your name stranger'' he asked and made Kree go foward til he went around the back of her horse and to the side. ‘'Nice horse you got here. Whats her name. My horse is called Kree.'' he said. He was wearing a tight t-shirt that revealed abs through it and jeans that were a bit faded he also had on western boots.
Brook Walker & Ladybird
It was sometimes a bit of a struggle to keep Ladybird focused on the task at hand, but Brook managed it. The sneaky mare had tried to swipe that grass about ten times already since they arrived, and she was getting tired of it. She directed the horse over a little more so that the grass was no longer in reach.
Just then, a shrill sound drifted to her ears, startling both her and Ladybird. Brook looked around but couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. She could have sworn it sounded like a person whistling, but she wasn't sure. It could have also been a bird, she figured. Shrugging it off, she nudged Ladybird into a trot, which the mare picked up graciously.
It wasn't until a couple more minutes down the path that something appeared. Shielding her brown eyes from the sun, she could make out the form of a running equine. It drew closer and she could then tell that someone was on its back. Ladybird lifted her head and pinned her ears-- not very happy about the sudden intrusion.
Suddenly the horse and rider were circling around them, causing Brook to pull back on the reins and bring Ladybird to an abrupt halt. It was some guy, rather young but older than herself. She remembered her pepper spray immediately but went along with it. She wasn't sure of this character as he seemed to just shoot off words at her. "My name is Brook and this is Ladybird," she stated firmly, "and we're just out for a morning ride." She watched him intently, wondering what he wanted. Ladybird was also a bit on edge, even more so than Brook, as she gave a little side step to avoid the new horse.
Will & Kree
Kree snorted as Will made him stop. He wanted to run his legs were itching to do so. Will looked at Kree. ''No,'' he whispered.
Will looked at Brook, ''Very pretty horse'' he said ''and very pretty name Brook'' he said smiling. He looked at her.
He did miss his sister who was 21 and off somewhere in the world. ''Care for some company?'' he asked. He looked at Kree ''No, we arent moving yet'' he whispered and patted his neck calming him down.
Brook Walker & Ladybird
Brook raised a brow as she tried to steady her mount. "Whoa," she said, holding tightly onto the reins and keeping her legs firmly against the mare's sides. Ladybird didn't want much to do with this other horse but she couldn't disobey her human. Giving a deep snort she tossed her head before reluctantly quieting, showing her distaste for the situation.
Brook shrugged the horses antics off before looking back to Will. "Thank you," she replied when he complimented Labybird and herself. Then he asked if she cared for some company. She gave a small shrug, apparently indifferent, but personally unsure. "Sure, why not," she answered him, looking from him to his horse, "I'll be out for a little longer." Meanwhile, Ladybird stamped her hoof in frustration. Brook simply rolled her eyes at the mare. The horse would be wanting to get back to her stall, and eat some tasty sweet oats, right? Besides, her twin sister would be waiting for her there.
Will & Kree
He looked at Brook and then Ladybird. He got off Kree and went over to the back of his saddle. He pulled out a apple for kree and some oats for Ladybird. He walked over to Kree and gave him the apple. Then he walked over to Ladybird ''Mind if i gain her trust a little? By giving her these oats its how i gain a horse's trust. Make them feel more relaxed around people they dont know.'' he said.
He got back on his horse after giving the oats to Ladybird and looked at Brook. ''Ready?'' he asked.
After that he rode off. Brook, he hoped, was following. If not he would look really stupid.
Brook Walker & Ladybird
Brook watched intently as Will dismounted and headed to the back of his saddle. She didn't know why she must feel so distrusting, but she had her reasons. He pulled out an apple and even some oats from the saddle, to which Brook raised an eyebrow. Ladybird would surely get a crick in her neck from reaching back if Brook tried such a thing. Then the girl found herself trying to stifle a small giggle that was directed towards her own thoughts.
Brook shook her head, "I don't mind." she stated, looking on as he fed the apple to his horse and then offered the oats to Ladybird. It wasn't necessarily Will that Ladybird had a problem with, but she sure loved her oats. She lifted her large head and wasted no time in gobbling up the oats from Will's hand. Her dark eyes seemed to gleam for more as her ears pricked forward. This boy had food!
Brook chuckled at Ladybird's reaction, although it was typical of the mare to love her food so much. She looked at Will again, deciding a little more that he wasn't such a bad person. A confused look came over her face as he spoke next and then suddenly rode off. With the edge of her mouth turned upwards just slightly, she dug her heels into Ladybird's sides. This prompted the mare out of her daydream and suddenly they were off. They wasted no time in catching up to Will and Kree and were now moving swiftly alongside them. Brook held tightly onto the reins and gave a small laugh, although wondered where Will was heading.
Will & Kree & Daniel
Will looked over at Brook and wasted no time. He dug his heals in once more, making Kree go faster. He knew where he was going and wanted Brook to find out. He was letting Kree take them to Pike's Lake. All of a sudden a figure came running toward them. ''Woah!''he yelled, Kree stopped.
As the figure came closer, Will dismounted and headed to the back of his saddle. He pulled out another apple and oats giving the apple to Kree settling him down. He gave the oats to Ladybird and looked at the figure. He looked at the figure. It was his brother, Daniel. ''Daniel! Whats wrong!?'' he said.
Daniel looked at Will ''Kristi...Shes back!'' he breathed heavy from running here. He looked at the girl and her horse. ''Look Daniel, I cant come back not now at least. Ill be there later when i have time.''Will said and got back on Kree ''Go home Daniel!'' he called as he made Kree run again
Brook Walker & Ladybird
Brook didn't have much practice with her galloping, but she felt she was ready to give this guy a good run. She dug her heals into Ladybird's sides again, causing the mare to move even faster. However, Will and Kree still seemed to be quicker.
Brook looked to the side when the unknown figure came out, wondering who it was. Guessing that Will knew him as he was now stopping, she pulled back on the reins and brought Ladybird to a stop before trotting her back around to them. The mare's sides heaved with effort but she certainly wasn't cold anymore. The run had warmed her up.
Brook listened quietly to what they had to say to each other as she sat there. Just then, Will mounted his horse again and took off. With a raised brow, she kicked Ladybird again and followed after the pair. I wonder what that was about... she thought to herself, barely even paying attention to her surroundings.
Just then, a sharp neigh could be heard followed by a quick human squeal. Ladybird tossed her head as her body continued forward, but one of her forelegs were caught in the ground. She had stepped into some kind of hole. Brook was unprepared for the sudden force and was nearly sent over one of Ladybird's shoulders. She was now holding onto the saddle and trying to readjust herself before noticing Ladybird's injury.
Brook quickly dismounted, all the while breathing heavily, and bent to look at Ladybird's leg. The mare was lifting her leg and placing it back on the ground, as if she didn't want to apply any weight to it. Worry overtook Brook as she examined the particular leg, although she had next to no authority in this kind of thing. She looked up, searching the area for Will and Kree.
Will & Kree
Will pulled the reins back and Kree came to a sudden stop. He dismounted and ran over to Brook and Ladybird.
''Dont worry, ok? Ive been through this with one of my other horses back at the barn. It will be ok.'' He said. Will whistled and Kree came trotting toward them ''Woah, boy'' he said quietly. He went to the back and pulled out a long band like thing. He walked back over to Ladybird ''This will help her'' he said.
With that he started wrapping it around her hurt leg. After he looked at Brook. ''Dont let her gallop or trot when you or someone else gets on her. Only let her walk for about a month when you take her out to ride. Then after you can trot and gallop on her.'' He said
''Dont worry it will be ok. Shes not that hurt. At least it wasnt worse and both of you get hurt. When my horse got hurt, I did too. See..'' he said. He lifted his shirt up to his neck, revealing a long scar on his abs. He let his shirt drop. ''Nothing to worry about'' he said
Brook Walker & Labybird
Brook's worry subsided somewhat when Will said that she would be alright. She had heard of these things happening but never thought it would happen to her own horse-- but like he said, it could have been much worse. When she saw his scar, she could only cringe. She really was lucky.
She patted Ladybird's shoulder in a reassuring manner, letting the mare know she was still here. Ladybird tossed her head and gnashed her teeth together, still feeling the stinging pain that seemed to be lingering. Will came over and wrapped her injured leg up. Brook was amazed at how prepared he was, and better yet, he seemed to know what was wrong. "So, you think it is a sprain?" she asked, a hint of worry in her voice as she ran her hand over the mare's limb. She should get her back to the barn. Her sister would be waiting there, anyway.
Gathering up the reins, Brook stood and looked at Will. "Thank you for helping," she said, grateful for his quick assistance. She would remember his instructions. "I should be getting back to the corral-- my sister is probably waiting." Still shaken, she decided to just walk Ladybird for now. "You can come along if you want," she then suggested, in case he had nothing else to do. It would certainly be nice to have company on the way back.
Ladybird was still moving her head about, and favoring her leg. She side stepped again, seemingly restless. A deep grumble emitted from her throat. What just happened? the mare asked herself.
Will & Kree
Kree stood waiting for Will. Will looked at the mares limb, ''It depends on if it gets worse. If it does then let me know and ill get my brother or sister to help. Their both older then me.'' he said and took Kree's reins and led him along with Brook.
He looked at the ground. ''Sure, dont have much else to do really.'' he said and walked beside brook. He kept looking back at Ladybird's hurt limb. Thinking. About what to do for it.
Brook Walker & Ladybird
Brook smiled and nodded when Will said he would come along. "I'll watch her like a hawk," she stated, the worry in her voice having left, although her grip about the reins was still quite tight.
She was also thinking about Ladybird's leg, but felt more confident that she could handle it. Her sisters would help as well, no doubt. Now silent, she walke on toward the corral.
Will & Kree
He walked along side them with Kree. ''If you want i can help you with her maybe?''he said.
Kree stomped his hoof he wanted to gallop through the prairie. But he couldnt. He had to stay with Will