Doyle*Man

A green truck pulled up on the side of the highway bordering the lands. A trailer was hitched to the back, though it was impossible to tell if there was anything inside it. A door opened and Darkness stepped out, closing the door with a snap. He stepped around to the trailer and peered inside, and turned about suddenly, calling to the truck.

The truck, of course, did not answer. Doyle walked around to the back, standing, waiting...

Tina

Tina, not a mare from here, appeared into view as she cautiosly walked at least 20 yards away. Her eyes were white, and she snorted. Her instncts told her to run, but her curiosity droned her instincts out. She was an all black mare with no markings. It was odd to see a two legged as dark as she was. She nickered softly.

Fauve*Kiran*Avi

Fauve had smelled Doyle easily, and her nostrils flared. She turned to her son, saying, Kiran, stay here! She ignored her son's bemused look and came quickly to see. Seeing Tina, she came up beside her slowly, quietly hissing, Back off! He'll use you for his demon's ills! Don't get close! And she eyed Doyle, watching closely.

A musky scent wafted from the trailer. Fauve's nares flared, inhaling quickly. Her eyes went wide, and she let out a low hiss, full of pain. Avi?

Tina

Tine backed up, her eyes white with fear. Ok. She whispered, watching him. But she couldn't help but just take a step closer...

Moony

Moony smelled Doyle from the center of his lands. He galloped to Fauve. He nuzzled her closely. "We must stay hidden for as long as we can," He whispered to everyone. He eyed Doyle angrily. If he were to touch any equine in his terra he would pay. He remembered the first time he had met Doyle. That awful sycthe. He snorted quietly, so Doyle couldn't hear him.

Kiran*Fauve*Avi

Kiran stood between his parents, watching curiously. He had no idea what was going on, but he could feel his father's anger. It made him very nervous.

Avi shifted nervously in the trailer, not happy to be here. He knew that if Doyle was happy, nothing good could come of it. And then suddenly, he caught a familiar scent: Fauve! Like a speeding train it hit him. Anger flashed in his eyes as he began to rear, cursing fluently in a foreign tongue.

Fauve stayed still, but only just barely. That thunderous whinny was one that she could never have forgotten. She would carry it to her grave. Her voice was almost beyond hearing as she whispered, Moony... he's got Avi.

Moony

He nodded. "I knew he would come with bait for you, Fuave. I will try to get Avi away from Doyle, it is not me he wants," He whispered. "Fuave, what shall we do with Kiran? He's not safe at the moment," Moony whipered in Fuave's ear. He remained still. Moony awaited his love's answer.

Kiran*Avi*Fauve*Doyle

Kiran spoke up quietly, saying, I know where to go, Papa. Mama showed me a little thicket. I'll go. And he dashed away to the agreed upon place.

Fauve lifted her head to catch the wind, sifting the scents. Her nose was not as good as a wolf's, but it was enough. Wait, Moon. There are two of them. Doyle is not alone. Let me come with you. You must be able to put your full attention on Doyle. Let me distract the other. Her eyes pleaded with him. They had been together such a short time. She couldn't bear it if he got hurt... or worse. She shuddered, brushing away the thought.

Avi continued with the ruckus, and Doyle listened with pleasure. It wouldn't be long now...

Tina

Tina stepped back and whispered, Anything I can do to help? She didn't know what they were talking about, but she couldn't just leave them if they needed help. That was just the kind of horse she was.

Moony

Moony nodded to Kiran. "We'll come when it's safe, Okay?" He whispered. He turned to Fuave. "We must wait. Doyle knows what we are going to do. We must wait until he does not expect it." He whispered. Tina's voice rang in his ears. "I do not know if you can help. I fear that Doyle is not the best human with equines..." His voice trailed off softly. He knew if he did not get Avi out soon, Doyle would either go away with Avi, or go looking for them. Moony quietly waited. He was not the one who should answer Tina's question. He nudged Fuave silently. "You know more about him than I do," He whispered.

Fauve*Avi

Fauve half-listened to Moony speaking, and only came to herself when he nudged her. Her brow wrinkled in thought as she paced just a little. Finally, her voice still low, she spoke. I cannot say how is best to do with Doyle. He is night set afoot. I can only suggest that if he means to tease me into the open, we ought to tease him out as well. He brings my Avi as bait. Let me be a bait, then. You wait here, and I will go so that he thinks I am alone. If I cannot free Avi, or if Doyle gets to me first, you can come. But for the moment, let him believe that I am alone.

Moony

He gave her a soft nuzzle in her banner.
"I agree. You're not alone,"
Moony whispered. He turned his dial to Tina.
"If I get caught or if I need help, you can back us up," He whispered.

Fauve*Avi

Fauve returned the nuzzle, clinging to her mate for just a moment before giving Tina a soft smile and trotting away, hoping she looked more confident than she felt. Slowly, she made her way to the clearing, making a show of looking about her to make sure no one was there. The men had long ago backed into the trees, leaving the stallion inside to ramp and sidle noisily, though his struggles were quickly weakening.

Soft-footed, she came to the side of the trailer, raising her head to put her muzzle to the grating between her and the stallion. Her soft voice was choked with emotion as she said, Avi?

The shaking caravan stopped suddenly, and a great thump was heard as the horse inside fell to all fours. A deep, crisp voice from inside came slowly, uncertainly, as though it had grown dusty through years of disuse. Fau... Fauve? It was little more than a gasp. A white-snipped muzzle came into view, and a deep brown eye that matched the mare's exactly.

The bay mare let out a low whinny, nuzzling that bit of nose as best she could through the bars. Don't worry Avi. We'll get you out of there. I promise.

Avi's face lit as he realized it WAS Fauve, and he nuzzled actively through the bars. Finally, though, he had to step back, for the world was spinning about him as his sides heaved.

Watching all through her deep brown eyes, Fauve gasped.

Moony

He watched Fuave, incase Doyle was to come. His mane flowed behind his arched flame-licked nape. He turnde his dial to Tina.

Fauve*Avi*Doyle

Fauve whickered to Avi, sighing quietly. The stallion was gaunt and haggard, almost a ghost of himself.

Avi sighed back, turning his eyes down to where he wouldn't have to meet hers. He hadn't wanted her to know...

Doyle watched the two silently, moving slowly from downwind, rope in hand, moving with the silence of sudden nightfall.

Moony

He sensed Doyle. Moony reached out his dial, bobbing it franticly be slowly. He hoped Fuave would see his signal. Otherwise, he would just have to wait.

Fauve*Avi*Doyle

Fauve flicked an ear back at Moony, hoping he would realize that she understood. She wished she could give a more obvious signal, but she daren't give away her mate's position. Trying to act as though everything were normal, she moved around to the back of the trailer and knocked free the simple hitch, opening the door.

Avi stumbled out, shaking his roan coat to rid it of the perpetual dust. He saw Moony nodding, but didn't understand the meaning. He was about to ask a question when his eyes grew wide and he reared, screaming, FAUVE! LOOK OUT!

A length of rope fell from a tree, encircling the mare's neck effortlessly. It tightened in only a moment, cutting off her breathing as she plunged about, trying to rid herself of it. Finally she froze, completely out of breath, as a deep voice came from the tree. That's right, my pretties. Little Nerysu is coming with me. And if any of you tries anything, my friend here'll take care of you, and I'll take care of the girl. Got it? He grinned over at his buddy, who had casually exited a truck with a shotgun, training it expertly on Avi. He hadn't yet spotted Moony, but knew the stallion was there somewhere, and was keeping a close watch, waiting.

Moony

He watched breathlessly for a moment. He knew something like this would happen. Knowing there was nothing else to do, the stallion nodded slowly to Tina, and moved slowly around the clearing,, making sure that they did not see him. The arabian tried to make his way to behind Doyle and the man. As he got behind them, he threw his legs up and bolted at the man, hoping to get him out of the way. His main target however, was Doyle. The stallion knew Doyle sensed he was there. There was no other way to get Fuave away from Doyle.

Fauve*Avi*Doyle

Fauve held completely still. The rope relaxed enough to allow her small breathing, but not much else. She couldn't even speak to warn Avi.

Avi froze, recognizing the gun from long experience. But he soon remembered an important thing: he was a breeding stud. They would not risk his life. And so he leapt for the man with the gun, flinching as he delivered two rounds into shoulder and withers.

Doyle called down from his tree to Moony, still holding the rope high to restrict the mare's movement. Don't bother, my big friend. One little jerk here... and he tugged at Fauve's noose expertly, making her breathless and dizzy and your little girl here will have trouble living with a broke neck. And white teeth flashed against all that black. So I'd be real careful if I were you.

Moony

He breathed quickly, not knowing what to do. He closed his eyes for a dangerous second. Moony lifting his dial and reared, not moving from his space. He glanced at Fuave with a worried glance. What would happen? The stallion knew he must get the rope off Fuave. He glanced at Fuave's mane. He reached out his neck so Fuave could hear him.

"I need the crystal."

He whispered quietly. The arabian wondered if Doyle would let him get close to Fuave. Even if he showed that he could do nothing...

Fauve*Avi*Doyle

Fauve continued to breathe shallowly, swishing her tail in frustration. Curses of all seven hells on Doyle's head!

Avi pranced back and forth, not really knowing what Moony was talking about until he saw the glint of light in Fauve's mane. Not sure what good it would do, but also knowing that they daren't kill him, he dashed forward and gripped the crystal between his teeth, backing away quickly to a different position, eyes deliberately avoiding Moony.

Doyle cast about wildly, looking for the source of the low whinny. With a hand signal, he sent the other man toward the movement in the trees made by Moony's dare.

At that moment Avi dashed forward, coming up beside Moony and handing over the crystal as fast as he could. He let out another scream as another round got emptied into his rump. Painful, but not fatal. Turning about, he faced the man, grunting as he was knocked aside with the flat of the gun, stumbling away. Now the other man stood a few yards in front of Moony, gun trained directly at the stallion's head.

With the stallion thus occupied, Doyle climbed down, fighting Fauve's frantic rearing and dragging her toward the open trailer.

Moony

Moony gathered his strength and lifted his front legs, quick enough so the gun couldn't shoot, he tried to jump over the man. In mid-air, he flung the sharpest end of the crystal to the rope by Doyle, so there was no way it would hit Fuave.

Fauve*Avi*Doyle

Fauve was still rearing and plunging, seeking a way to throw Doyle off of his feet. The dark man had paced about to bring himself in front of her, beginning to use his weight and strength to shove her back into the trailer.

At that moment, Fauve reared, and the well-aimed crystal did in fact break the rope, but her sheer frantic pulling sent her reeling, falling back into the trailer as Doyle leapt forward, slamming the door to.

The trailer was oddly silent as Doyle hopped into the truck and, pulling that long braid in after him, began to drive away.

Avi kicked into a frantic gallop, chasing after the truck as it pulled out onto the road and out of sight, still screaming for the mare. Finally, sides heaving, he gave up the chase, and came trotting back to Moony, head low. Fauve...

Moony

His muscles tensed. He galloped after Fuave. His mighty sides were wet with sweat. His banner lifted up into the air. He would not gve up. Not yet, and not soon. The trailer kept in sight. As he galloped faster, the trailer was beside him. He was tiring quickly, but he would push on. Moony kicked at the latch that held the trailer. It would be dangerous for him and Fuave, but Moony would not let Fuave go without a fight. He whinnied over the wind to Fuave.

Fauve*Avi*Doyle

Avi had almost given up hope when Moony suddenly bolted after the trailer. The other stallion's faith spurred something in him, and he kicked back into a gallop, soon coming even with the trailer as well.

Doyle saw the two stallions approaching in his rear-view, and began to swerve erratically, trying to either scare them off or hit them. There was a startled, muffled answer from the back of the trailer as it was jerked about and the sound of a great weight slamming into the sides.

Moony's aim was true as he managed to dislodge the latch, and the bay mare let out a startled whinny that turned into a scream of pain as she flew out the back of the trailer to land in a graceless heap in the road.

Avi, the combination of poor nutrition and the exertion finally catching up with him, skidded quickly to a halt, sides heaving and barely on his feet.

Creative cursing was heard from the truck it continued on its way with no room to turn around between the trees. They were safe... for now.

Moony

The stallion skidded to a halt. He moved his pillars in a halfturn and trotted worriedly to Fuave. Sweat poured down his sides. Moony lowered his dial to nuzzled Fuave, hoping she was okay. His knees slowly gave way beneath him so he could lay by Fuave, nuzzling her. His mind moved cursingly to Doyle. He wondered how the man could be so dark. With a soft snort, Moony pushed these thoughts to the back of his mind.

Fauve*Avi*Kiran

Fauve leaned heavily against her mate, eyes closing, half in pain and half in relief that he was okay.

A new warmth on her other side caused her to look up, and Avi was there. His knees had given way as soon as he knew that they were safe. He was horrendously out of shape and that brief run had cost him dearly. She smiled kindly up at the taller stallion, and then closed her eyes again, a soft whinny her only complaint.

A small, buff body came in, nosing frantically at her. Fauve looked up at her son and let out a soft whinny. Kiran folded his legs and came to rest with head up under his mother's and hocks before Moony. He was trembling. Mama... Papa. What happened?

Moony

He glanced at Fuave. Should Kiran know? Should he know what he was up against? Or would it frighten him. His soft eyes were turned to Fuave, wanting to know her answer. Moony hadn't been able to thank Avi for his help.

"Thank you for helping us Avi. I am grateful."

His voice came. For this moment, he let out a smile upon his maw. Moony knew the road was not safe, but they had to stay a little longer, so that Fuave could get some energy. Moony turned his dial back to Fuave, and then Kiran. He gave Kiran a soft nuzzle, happy that he was okay.

Fauve*Avi*Kiran

The dappled mare caught her mate's concerned gaze, and her brow furrowed in worry. Her head was light and she was still half-stunned, and did not relish having this kind of discussion now. And so she shook her head, hoping that her eyes sent the rest of the message. Later... And then she turned to Kiran, smiling softly. Another time, little one. We haven't time to discuss it now. And her harks perked at the low, repressed moan from Avi. Grunting a little as she turned, her soft voice was urgent. Moony... the herb. For bullet wounds. Is there any nearby?

Avi smiled softly across at Moony. How could I not? Blood runs very thick here. And he grunted again as several of the wounds pined. Fauve is very dear to me. I could have done nothing else.

Moony

He nodded slowly. The herbs were everywhere. Most animals do not know how to use it. Keeping his harks were pricked forward, alert for any traffic. Moony then looked back to Fuave.

"I don't know if I told you this, but they grow everywhere, even in the desert. I'll go and dig up some of them."

He offered. The tired stallion stood up, and began to walk off to where the road ended. He looked back at his beloved family and Avi. Moony smiled at looked back. His legs slowly moved into a trot. his hooves hit the ground with a clip-clop. The arab son reached the end of the road. He sighed deeply and lowered his dial close to the ground. Moony lifted one black dagger and pawed the ground with the edge of his hoof. Making a small hole, he saw a green herb. Moony picked it up with his teeth and turned around. His feet moved into a trot again, making the smae sound on the road. As he reached the group of horses, his pistons slowed to a esy hlat and Moony dropped the herb by Fuave. His maw moved it forward.

Fauve*Avi*Kiran

Fauve nodded absently, eyes keeping up a watch for traffic as she waited for her mate's return. She smiled up at him as he dropped the herb at her feet, and she quickly began to chew it up, smoothing the paste over the worst of Avi's wounds. There now. That should help. Can you get up, Avi? We really oughtn't to stay here.

Avi gave a slow nod and got unsteadily to his feet, stumbling a little but firm once he had managed to rise. Fauve too rose, balancing deftly on three legs as though she had done it all her life. Tossing her head toward the trees, she led the little group away from the road as it began to rain.

Coming to a halt, her eyes widened a little as a thought came to her. Laughing just a little in spite of herself, she turned between the two stallions. It occurs to me that you two haven't been properly introduced yet! Avi, this is my mate, Unknown Moon, or Moony as I call him. Moony... well, this is Avi... my brother.

Moony

Moony smiled at Avi and nodded. His banner swayed in the cool breeze. He lifted his dial, hearing a roar of a car in the distance.

I hear one of those cars. Can you make it to the other side of the road?

He asked Avi. Now alert, Moony nuzzled his family, and gave Avi a welcoming nicker. He knew that Avi couldn't stay here for long. Only because of the life-long stallion tradition - drive stallions out. He could make an exception though. Avi could stay until he recovered completely and had spent his time with Fuave. Family was family.

Fauve*Avi*Kiran

Avi smiled back, knowing himself that long-standing rule: one stallion to a terra. He nodded to show his understanding and took a small bow to reassure Moony that he had no intentions of trying to take his territory. And then, with a halting step, he began to wobble off the road, Fauve and Kiran close behind.

Fauve nuzzled her mate, a thank you in her eyes for his tolerance.

Moony

Moony returned her nuzzle. The roar of a car grew louder. He scrambled off the pavement. His ears twitched as he watched the car zoom by. Reckless Humans He thought. He turned his dial to Avi.

"Avi, do you have a terra of your own?"

If he did, then the stallion could be allianced with them. Forever friends. He gave Kiran a soft nuzzle. He was a bit older now. At that moment Moony was lost in thought. Bad thought. Doyle would come back. Were they ready? He had no idea that Kiran existed. But what would happen if he did? They would have to keep him hidden. No harm should come to him. Quickly Moony snapped back to reality.

Avi

Avi shook his head slightly, frowning a little in thought. I have been trapped in the terra of the two-legs for three years now. I've had no chance to claim anything. I intend to find one soon, however. Start living my life again. And he tossed his head, thinking hard.