Xena

It was the next day and things had settled. She wasn't amused by Harth really. Only listening when Onok spoke. She didn't care how much this stallion had to learnnn because of coming from humans. He was out of place. But her daughter had her more worried because she was still struggling with her disability.. She just wished she could do something to chear her up to show her she was special that her brother nor the others were any better then she wass but in reality there just was nothing.

Savannah was unhappy. She watch Loki, Thor and brennik run around kicking up their feet doing everything she should be able to do but instead she was stuck falling and stumbling and struggling along. She couldn't fight, She couldn't buck she couldn't kick because if she did any of that she fell over. They had to travel slower because of her and rest more then a herd normally would and she knew that this bugged her brothers. She was currently just laying down. Seeing no reason to be standing.

Loki and thor were sparring

Onok & Others

Onok had remained poised and calm in appearance, but internally he was rattled and on edge over his uncle's appearance yesterday. Part of him wanted to go back and discuss the situation with King and hash out their differences, while another part adamantly refused to take that high road. For the time being, the stallion settled on checking his borders and keeping a close eye on his herd, while sending Nightshade and Daga out to patrol during the night.

At midday, the zorse was standing atop a hill crest, taking in the warm spring breeze that was rustling through the field where his herd was grazing. He watched as Callaquioa grazed near Darkia and a restless Harthrou, while frequently looking up to check on her twins. Brennik was occasionally joining his brothers in sparring, but didn't seem to have quite the same enthusiasm and drive for it that they did, and would spend some of his time investigating plants and engaging with Savannah.

After a while, Onok made his way down the hill to approach Xenarona. He offered a soft nicker to announce his presence before stopping a foot or two shy of the mare, "Xena, can I talk to you about something?" He began, while dark eyes swept back to their daughter, hinting at what topic was on his mind.

Xena

Xena kept an ear out . She lifted her head as Onok came down**of course** she said moving away from Savannah whose ear twitched but didn't move from where she laid

Onok & Others

Onok trotted a short distance away, wanting to be just out of earshot of their daughter. With a quieted voice, he began with a bluntly honest remark, "I'm worried about Savannah." He kept his gaze from roving in her direction now, not wanting the little filly to know they were talking about her, lest she become self conscious about it. "I haven't seen any improvement in her legs, and her mood is getting worse. If things continue like this, I worry for her survival, and what kind of future she has." 'Or doesn't have.' The stallion spoke without hesitation, laying bare his worry for his daughter to the one mare he felt comfortable confiding in about it.

As he looked from Xenarona to their three sons, instinctively keeping track of the herd's most vulnerable members, Onok continued, "I've considered asking Nightshade for help. He's gone through... unusual training in his earlier years, and I think some of that training might help her. Not just physically, but mentally too."

A bit further away, Brennik saw the two talking and turned his chestnut auds their way. He frowned when their words were too soft to be heard, and turned distractedly to where Thor and Loki were fighting, "Hey, what do you think they're talking about?"

Thor

Xena was worried herself and she struggled to find something to help Savannah. She understood her daughters upset state. Seeing her brothers able to do everything she should be able to do but can't due ot her legs being so weak. But how does one chear someone up that has a clear difference then their own siblings? She listened to Onok. possible but you know if it requires movement she very likely to just get frustrated and point out her own flawshe said .

Thor and Loki paused gazing at the adults

Savannah didn't need to hear them to kno w. their talking about me of course always areShe said without looking at her brothers.

Onok & Others

Onok gave a slow nod, understanding their daughter's behavior. It left him feeling frustrated and helpless that he could do so little for her, and his sorrow at her own anguish was outmatched only by his fear for her survival. "That's half the battle right there. We need to work on her confidence and mindset; if she keeps feeling like a failure, she's less likely to push herself like she needs to. I just don't know how to address that problem." And he sighed again, but spoke more resolutely as he went on, "I do think some one on one time with Nightshade may help though."

Brennik's ears flicked in Savannah's direction, and he was quick to answer back, "You think so? I mean it's probably good things, if they are." As cheerfully as the colt said that, even he didn't think that was true. "Oh well, who cares what the adults are talking about, it's usually boring stuff anyway. Wanna tell stories, or explore the beach?"

Xena

She wished so hard that Savannah could of grown out of it by now they were a good 4 months of age. Soon they would be weaned from milk. They'd been eatting grass as well. Nor do I I've never had any issues with foals beforeShe said frowning. She stomped a hoof. could try but she likely to just throw a fit like usualshe said

Savannah snorted yah rightShe said. Lets sneak away that what. Lets go to the other half the territory that we barely go to She said as she got up shakily.

Onok & Others

"We need to work on that." Onok suggested, "Her frustration is certainly justified, but it's only hindering the happiness she could otherwise have. It might help if we each spent some one-on-one time with her now and then, away from her brothers?" He'd noted on many occasions where the little filly seemed to get dejected after watching her brothers run around and spar, doing things that she couldn't easily join in on. As another thought came to him, he looked to Xenarona for advice, "I'd like to find something that she's good at, and focus on that. Have you noticed anything she particularly enjoys, or has a talent for?"

A devilish grin lit in Brennik's eyes when his sister suggested sneaking away. Oh, he knew his parents would be furious, but the naivety of the young colt quickly dismissed any threat of consequence or danger for what they were about to try. His sister found something that she was interested in doing, and Brennik was here for that. "Good idea!" He nickered, then flattened his ears briefly and lowered his voice, "We need to be sneaky though. Hey, Thor - think you can distract the others for us?"

Xena

Xena listened to Onok it could helpShe said calmly. I have not because she doesn't try to do much. If we could find something she can do that her brothers can't do would possibly help to give her something to as much as bragging isn't a good quality brag aboutShe said softly.

Thor looked up and tilted his head. What would you have me do Brennikhe said unsure of how to do that.

Savannah got up slowly.

Onok & Others

"Night is fairly observant, maybe if he spends some time with her he can pick out any special traits she may have." The stallion was looking back to their children now, not realizing that two of them were plotting. He was just happy to see Savannah up on her hooves again, and soon turned back to Xenarona, "Who knows, maybe her hearing or her sight may get sharper with her legs being impaired. Either way, I can speak with Nightshade after our afternoon graze."

When Onok had looked back at them, Brennik froze, wondering if the adults had heard their scheme. But thankfully, his dad was soon turning away and continuing his talk with with Xena. Brennik let out the breath he'd held and looked sharply to Thor, "Umm... uh... oh! Make up like a song and a dance to show them. You know, kind of how like the birds sing and dance for each other? Do one of those!"

Thor

Thor snorted ** hell no you weirdo** he said with a snort. He began sparring with Loki again but moved it so if their dad looked back it be difficult to see anything else

Savannah waited till they weren't looking Again and began moving as fast as she could away

Xena listened and nodded **alright**

Onok & Others

Brennik had snorted and rolled his eyes when Thor called him a weirdo, without actually taking much offense to it. And as soon as he began to spar with Loki, Brennik took his chance and zipped after Savannah, sticking close to his sister's side.

"Hurry, hurry!" He urged in a panting whisper, sticking close to his sibling's side in case she stumbled and needed his support. "There's a ravine right over there, if we can reach that we'll be out of their sight!" The ravine in question was about a hundred yards away, with a shallow-enough edge that the foals could slide down into it without too much trouble. And once inside, the ravine grew deeper as it snaked its way southward, moving through a copse of aspen trees. Where it went past that, Brennik wasn't sure.

Onok was once more looking to Xenarona as they tried to hash out a plan for their daughter. The boisterous play of Thor and Loki caught his attention, and he paused for a moment to watch them, amused at their antics. Still watching the two, he answered Xena back, "It's settled then, I'll speak with Nightshade later, and we'll begin her training later today."

Savanah

She snorted and nipped at him when he said to hurry like he knew she couldn't. They wouldn't get no where if she did. She followedh im though toward this ravine.

Xena nodded **alright**She said.

Thor and loki kep sparring.

Onok & Others

Brennik had nearly given a squeal at the nip, but managed to reign in his surprise to avoid catching his parent's attention. He murmured a hasty apology and continued onward, keeping diligent pace beside his sister, until they reached the start of the ravine.

"This is perfect! If we just go down here, they won't be able to see us." The colt explained with growing excitement, "I'll go first, and make sure it's safe." Dutifully, he stepped forward, bracing his legs and angling his body as he started down the incline. Fortunately, the sides weren't terribly slick, and it was easy enough for him to mince his way down the ten foot slope to reach the bottom. Giving his tail a flick, he looked up and nickered encouragement to Savannah, "Okay, your turn! Just watch your steps, it's not too bad!"

Onok's was on the verge of turning his muzzle back around to look at Savannah, but his attention was once again caught by the show of play between his sons. Wanting to show some attention to them, since he often spent so much time fretting over Savannah, the big stallion called out, "Nice hoof-work, Loki. Thor, keep up the good work on that offense."

Even Callaquioa had paused in her grazing to watch, her focus primarily on Thor as she took pride in the growth and ambition of her son. An ear had switched in Brennik's direction, but the little colt was so often around Savannah that she never considered the possibility that the pair would try to sneak away, let alone be quick enough to do so. Oh, how wrong she was!

Loki

Savannah watched him and then slowly followed after him.

Loki heard his father but kept sparring with Thor without much thought.

Xena was also watching. She didn't fret about Savannah because she was positive her little angel would not go far.

Brennik & Others

The sounds of Onok's voice and the grunts and squeals of his brothers soon grew distant as Brennik began to plod deeper into the ravine. At either side of he and Savannah, the banks grew steeper and higher, and above them, the top of the ravine was often choked with fallen logs, brambles, and overhanging chunks of moss and roots. At their hooves, shallow water trickled slowly around mud and loose bits of rock.

"This would make a good hiding place." He murmured as they ventured on, his ears twisting this way and that. "I wonder where this leads to?"

What neither of them knew was that a predator lurked nearby. Not a wolf, nor a bear, but something far more insidious. High up in a tree blind, Ethan was silently observing the woodlands around him, and had just spotted a curious bit of movement in the ravine a few yards below his stand...

Savannah

Savannah stayed by her brother. Her eyes alight with awe at this place as they never been down ehre wonder why they never bring us down here

Coltrane had noticed the two sneak away and had decided to follow proud of slipping his father and mothers site. The now 7 month old colt was weaned You two are going to get yourselves killedhe said from behind them

Brennik & Others

"I dunno." Brennik answered back as he paused to sniff at a bloom of mushrooms sprouting from the exposed roots of a long-dead tree. "I guess they just don't know how to have fun and explore like we do. When I get older, I-" A voice from behind stopped the colt in his tracks and he whirled around, water splashing beneath his muddied hooves.

"Coltrane!" He gasped, then quickly regained his composure and adopted a confident grin. "Pah, you sound like a stuffy adult saying things like that! Come on, join Savi and I - we're going to see what's at the end of this ravine!"

High above the three, Ethan was slowly climbing down from the tree stand, having slung his backpack over his shoulders. Unlike the foals, Ethan knew where this particular ravine led, and he was going to use it to his advantage. Carefully, quietly, the hunter lowered himself off the final wrung of the ladder and stepped down from the tree. He moved with a deftness that belied his tall stature as he made for the edge of the ravine, some ten or eleven feet above where the three young horses were making their way beneath. Quietly, he waited for them to move a little further down before he'd make his move...

Savannah

She snorted at Coltrane** oh come on your parents are even more over protective then ours** she snorted

Coltrane ears twitch. ** Because their a two legged we escaped from a few months ago** he glanced at the weird brand on his rump

Brennik & Others

"Humans don't come here, they live in the lower Valley, so your parents don't have to worry about that any more." Brennik declared matter-of-factly, parroting what he'd heard from other herd members. His words would have been true, if not for the dangerous man that lurked so quietly above them, who was now angling himself to move down into the ravine with the help of the many roots jutting out from its steep banks. Unaware of the threat, Brennik turned back around and began to trot forward, heading deeper into the ravine, "Follow us! I bet there's a cave at the end of the ravine."

Brennik would be wrong again in his assessment; it wasn't a cave at the end of this branch of the ravine, but a deep ground spring filled with warm, mineralized water. The spring wasn't terribly large, but it would make for a difficult swim for the foals and their spindly legs. And that's exactly what Ethan was banking on when he finally slid down into the ravine behind the three, with his imposing form all but blocking their escape...

Coltrane

Coltrane snorted **you never met a human** he said as he followed it was when they got the spring that he snorted **well there no going for...** That's when his ears heard something sliding down a little behind them and he turned to face the danger. ** No humans** he mumbled faintly recognizing the man. He wondered if he could bulldoze him over problem was savannah wouldn't be able to run as fast .

Savannah followed them sighed she took heard it and turned fast so fast her weak legs temporarily collapsed

Brennik & Others

Brennik paused and turned back at Coltrane's words, and whatever was about to come out of the colt's mouth evaporated when he saw the hulking form of Ethan, standing squarely in their escape route. His pale nostrils flared and his eyes went wide, "Bear!" Brenn snorted, as it was the first answer that popped into his head, having never seen a bear nor a human before. "Run, into the water!" He urged, knowing bears had vicious claws and deadly teeth, and figuring running straight at Ethan would mean a savage death. The colt nudged his sister, trying to help her to her hooves...

There was no panic or rush of movements from the man. He was silent and near unmoving as he watched fear spread between the three little horses, reading their body language and assessing the situation. If they went into the water, he could easily follow after and scoop them out before they reached the other end of the spring. And if they charged at him, Ethan had experience and dexterous hands on his side, and felt confident in his ability to wrangle any of the trio.

When Ethan did finally make a move, it was to set his pack down and send a quick radio message to his hunting buddies, letting them know he'd be needing some support soon. Following that, he was pulling a length of neatly coiled rope from the bag, and preparing a lasso...

Coltrane

Coltrane snorted ** you've never seen a bear either that is a human** he said** your sister will drawn in the water. Brennik I'm going to rush him when I do you need to run past him and get your parents** he said nipping the colt. He then ears back lunged straight at Ethan.

Savannah got up with her brother help **bren do as Coltrane said** she said backing toward the water

Brennik & Others

"That's a human?" The astonished words left his mouth in a murmur, for he was too caught up in panic to really stop and ponder over this strange, upright beast. But he trusted the elder colt's wisdom here, and when given a command - and a prompting nip - Brennik was quick to change gears.

After helping Savannah up, he charged after Coltrane, stampeding behind the other colt, and then veering sharply to the side as tried to squeeze through between the narrow gap between the human and the muddy wall that rose sharply at either side of him. A strange, fur-less paw had reached out for him, but Brennik squealed and pushed forward, leaving Ethan with nothing more than a few strands of fur as he barrelled on by.

Ethan had a bigger issue to deal with, and that was Harthrou's son roaring his way. And where Brennik was trying to run past him, Coltrane was running at him. After failing to turn Brennik back, Ethan turned most of his efforts on the greater prize. He threw his 6'8", 205 pound frame forward, meeting Colt's charge and aiming to wrap his arms around the front of the foal's neck. With strength and leverage on his side, Ethan attempt to lift and then throw Colt on his side, where he could quickly bind his legs...

Coltrane

Coltrane knew little of Ethan only that he is where his father use to belong to he was not expecting him to come at him and he struggled as he fell to his side his nostrils flared he needed to protect Savannah

Savannah was scared she knew she wouldn't be as successful as brennik. Her legs would betray her so she scrambled into the water shallow enough for her to stand hoping that maybe this human would leave her be

Brennik & Others

Years of practice lead Ethan's movements now, guiding his hands as he lashed the rope about Coltrane's legs the moment the foal hit the ground. There was no gentle touch or soothing words; in fact, there were no words at all, except for the grunt of effort it took Ethan to toss the young horse to the muddy ground.

Once Coltrane was snugly bound, Ethan was up and moving with deliberation, heading straight for Savannah. Bypassing any attempts to befriend or lull the filly into a false sense of calm, the man's swift strides covered the gap between he and her in a matter of seconds. The water didn't slow him either; he crashed into the warm spring and lunged for Savannah, scooping one hand for the space beneath her chest, and the other for the front of her neck...

While his siblings were struggling against this radical predator, Brennik was thundering up the ravine, slipping and falling a few times in his haste across the slick rocks and mud. "Momma! Dad!" He called out, not knowing if he were close enough for them to hear or not.

Savannah

Savannah struggled against him as he got her. Her ears back. But she was still so small compared to even her brothers.

Coltrane nostrils flared as he tried to get his legs free to no prevail.

Xena had just now noticed her daughter missing and her nostrils flared as she flicked an eaer in Brennik direction but iunsure what she heard

Brennik & Others

With a bit of maneuvering, Ethan hoisted Savannah under one arm, using the buoyancy of the water to help shoulder her full weight as he began to move along the steep banks of the spring, and away from the mouth of the ravine. Beyond this small pond of warm, thermal water, the ravine walls tapered away and opened up to a gentle forest not too far from the beach, and it was here that he dragged Savannah and attempted to wrestle her to the ground to lash her limbs together. If he succeeded in this, it was only a matter of grabbing Coltrane and waiting for his friends to arrive to help with the retrieval.

While all of this was going down, Brennik was still running frantically back through the ravine, calling for his parents. At one point he'd run down the wrong branch and had to backtrack, a mistake that had cost him precious time. Finally though, the little colt emerged back into the meadow, his coat splattered in mud and little chunks of moss, and his once white face now smattered brown. "Momma! Dad! Help!"

By this point Onok had realized that two of his children were missing and had sent a bellowing call for Daga and Nightshade. The deer began to search in earnest for Savannah and Brennik, diving into the woods while Onok circled the meadow they'd been grazing in. Callaquioa joined in the frantic search, and even the awkward Harth pitched in.

Thirty anguishing minutes rolled by before Daga spotted the muddy foal emerging from the ravine at the far end of the field, "Over here!" The young stag barked, flagging his white tail in the air, "I've found Brennik!"

Darkia

This was when she had also noticed Coltrane missing and her nostrils flared as she tried to find him.

Xena moved toward Brennik sniffing him over **where is savannah?** SHe said he had to of been with her.

Savannah ears were back as she struggled trying to get away she released a call hoping someone would hear her but eventually her legs were bound.

COltrane heard her call and also sent out a call hoping someone would here.

Onok & Others

Ethan had left Savannah laying at the edge of the forest, where it faced a gentle downward slope to the nearby beach. He crossed into the hot spring and skirted the steep banks once more to enter the ravine, and with a great deal of effort managed to hoist Coltrane back out. By the time he'd gotten the second colt out and onto the edge of the forest, Ethan was breathing heavily and working up a sweat, despite the cool spring breeze that drifted up the slope of the hill. A quick check of his phone found two of his friends on their way, moving swiftly on horseback, as very few roads were built along this side of the rugged mountains, and Ethan was nowhere near any of them.

Some distance away from them and on the complete opposite end of the long, branching ravine system, Brennik was doing his best to catch his breath as Daga ran up to him, followed shortly by Xena and his own mom. Enduring the sniffs and concerned nuzzles with flattened ears, Brenn finally caught his breath and answered back, "She's in the ravine! We reached the end, but there was a bunch of water in the way, then this bear... no, Colt said it was a human, yeah a human, it just jumped down out of no where!" His words were flying a mile a minute as he looked from one face to the next, with Onok and Harth soon joining the group. "Coltrane ran at him real fast and told me to get you guys, so I did, and now we need to go back to save them!"

Onok looked with grave concern to Darkia and Xenarona, then to the start of the ravine. It was one thing for a small foal to run along the bottom of it, but it would be even more dangerous for a large, lumbering adult to try and navigate the close confines and slick, muddy floor. Much less a whole herd of them. Striving to maintain his calm despite the panic that was growing in him, Onok spoke, "I can enter the ravine, but I don't want anyone else down there; I don't know how narrow it is, and I don't want anyone getting stuck. Xena and Nightshade, you can follow above. The rest of you I want to stay together in the meadow here and protect the rest of the colts. Daga, keep any eye out for danger."

Not wanting to waste any time, the stallion began his descent into the steep trail that the three little foals had taken earlier, not knowing what to expect, but desperate to save his two kids.

Darkia

Darkia snorted **IF its a human i am coming down there with you** SHe snorted she ahd a bad feeling as she glanced at Harth. It couldn't be him. There was just no way.She wasn't goin to just sit back here whilee her son was potentially in the hands of that monster.

Xena snorted at him And how are we to help you if they are down there with this human Onok. Either I or Darkia go with youShe said.

Coltrane kept calling out as he was dragged.

SSavannah gave up fighting.

Ethan & Others

Harthrou caught the glance from Darkia and fear flashed in his dark eyes. The last thing he wanted was to go near that man again, and wasn't sure how he'd react if it was him out there. "If you scent him, call for me." The stallion said, his voice quiet but adamant.

Onok paused when Xena protested and explained his concern, "You'll be more help from above, where you have more room to move, and a chance to escape if things go bad. Or to deal with the threat if they've climbed out of the ravine. If it's one human, I can easily manage that." The stallion then continued onward, his hooves sliding and his muscles quivering as he struggled to control his descent into the narrow confines of the ravine. The press of the steep walls at either side made the going claustrophobic, especially for the big draft that he was, but this discomfort was far outweighed by the fear for his daughter's life. So onward Onok went, marching down the sodden trench, and heading in what he hoped was the right direction.

Nightshade began a swifter pace into the woods, unburdened by the singular path Onok was forced to take. With ears and nose on alert, he began to scout along the top edge of the ravine, making his way steadily along the edge as he sought for signs of Savannah, Coltrane, or intruders.

Far from the advancing search party, Dan and Tom were rendezvousing with Ethan along the beach, bringing with them an extra horse for Ethan to ride out on. They wasted no time hauling Savannah up onto the rump of one of their steeds, followed by Coltrane being hoisted onto the other one. Once they were secured, the group began to depart, making their winding way out of the territory...

Darkia

When Onok didn't say anything about her she would follow Onok. She was use to climbs down a ravine as is. you don't know humans then if you think you can handle one human and if its him you wouldn't lastShe said her eaers going back at the thought of that man. Glancing at the brand that she had originally taken in place of Coltrane given Colt got one anyways.

Xena snorted at him darkia go with himShe said with a snort and moved to follow the ravine.

Coltrane struggled against them as he was strapped ontop of another horse. His nostrils flared

Savannah kept calling out and crying wanting her mother.

Ethan & Others

Onok turned an ear back, listening to Xenarona follow him down into the ravine. Focusing his breath and hoping that Callaquioa, Darkia, and Harth could handle things above, the lead pressed onward.

Nightshade was already far ahead of the two horses that were trudging along the deep slopes, covering ground rapidly. He'd traveled nearly a quarter of a mile before catching sound of Savannah's cries. The stag took off in a sprint, dashing away from the top of the ravine and beelining for the source of the filly's pleas. Another quarter mile onward, he came across the three humans and their steeds, filing along a worn deer trail with Colt and Savannah fastened and bound behind them.

"By Imre... they're still alive." He murmured, while thinking desperately of a way to help. Having no antlers so early in the spring, Night was no match for the three equines and their human riders. He had to try though, and so the ebony stag bounded forward with a challenging bark, making a mock rush for the mare who had Savannah...

Ethan was ready though. He spun his gelding around and charged at Night, forcing the stag to break away and abandon his efforts. "Go on, get those foals to the trailer! I'll meet you at the lookout." He ordered his friends, and glanced back to see Dan and Tom beckoning their horses into a rapid gallop. Ethan then refocused his gaze on the black deer, while drawing a gun from its holster...

Xena

Xena being right with Night heard her daughter and called out and now raced along the edge as she watched this. Her nostrils flare. She raced after Night and ignored Ethan as she moved toward the two ahead.

Darkia would of gone one way or another. Coltrane was her son and it was either her or Harth would go and as Harth was the only other stallion he needed to stay with the herdd.

Ethan & Others

Dan and Tom continued to spur their steeds on, with branches and vines whipping past their faces and clawing at the hides of the horses as they flew along as fast as their legs could carry them. They were now heading further up into the slope of a shallow mountain ridge, leaving the ocean and ravine far behind, and nearing the drop-off point where the men had parked their trailer.

"We got a deer and a horse on our tail." Tom called out as he rode a few paces behind Dan. The larger fellow had Savannah on the back of his steed, and as Xenarona began to thunder their way, he pulled a pistol from his holster and swung his arm back to take aim at the chimeric mare.

"Wouldn't do that, Tom." Dan chided as he took a moment to glance back over his shoulder to assess the situation. "That one's Ethan's. He'd be pissed if you killed it!"

Tom gritted his teeth, annoyed that his younger companion was right. Taking heed of his words, the larger fellow angled the gun a few feet above Xena's head and fired, hoping to spook her before she got too close...

Nightshade recognized the deadly glint of metal and immediately zig-zagged to the side, trying to put trees between himself and the human's weapon. "Xena, watch out! They have boomsticks!" He urged his herdmate, and flinched harshly at the deafening roar of Tom's gun going off. He was started enough by this that he didn't realize Ethan had never fired at him, despite having clear opportunity to do so.

Ethan had other plans. When Xena emerged from the brush after Nightshade, the man guided his horse after her, coming up along her paler side. He had no rope left to wrangle her after using it on the foals, but he kept close to Xena, using his horse to try and corral her movements and keep her from getting too close to Tom or Dan. Other than this though, he made no moves to hurt or otherwise dissuade the mare from following.

Further away, Onok didn't catch the sound of Savannah's cries, but he did hear the distant gunshot. Down in the ravine, it was nearly impossible to pinpoint exactly where the noise came from, but the sound of it sunk the stallion's stomach like a ton of rocks. With no way to go but forward, and with the scent of the foals hanging strong in the ravine, Onok continued plowing forward as fast as he could, not realizing his children were already nearly half a mile away and moving fast.

Xena

Xena flinched at the gun shot but it hadn't perterbed her from her need to get to her daughter. Thats when Ethan and his horse were beside her and attempting to keep her from them. Her ears were back and she attempted to cow kick at his horse as she tried desperately to plunge toward her daughter.

Darkia ears went back **that was a gunshot**

Savannah saw her mother and whinnied for her.

Coltranee struggled a bit.

Ethan & Others

The gelding squealed and shied back when the kick connected and Ethan was forced to pull his steed aside a few feet while he wrangled his backpack from his shoulders. This short window of opportunity allowed Xenarona to catch up with Tom's horse, but the second she get too close to the mare's rump, the horse kicked out violently. Tom cursed atop the kicking animal, "Dammit you two, help me out will you? I'm gonna get thrown off!" The older man had already hastily shoved his gun back into its holster, but his fingers were itching to pull it back out...

"We're almost there, it's just up around the bend." Dan shouted back as he made no move to slow his horse down or help his besieged friend.

Still saying not a word to either of his friends, Ethan finally retrieved the item he was looking for in his pack, and once again urged his gelding to race up beside Xenarona. When he was close enough, the man leaned out, stretching one of his long arms as he attempted to jab the frantic mother with a tazer...

Nightshade doubled back when he realized Xena hadn't followed, and he couldn't really blame her. Savannah's panicked squeals were hard enough for him to ignore, he couldn't imagine how desperate Xena was feeling. The dark stag erupted back on the trail and began to sprint after Ethan once more, trying to catch up...

Back in the ravine, Onok was struggling to pass the fallen logs and branches that the children were small enough to duck beneath or shimmy aside. He could see the hoof prints and smell the three young ones, and soon enough, picked up Ethan's odor as well. But as he forced his way along the uncomfortably tight space, the foals were still nowhere in sight. An ear briefly flicked back to Darkia's explanation and those rocks in his gut grew heavier. "Nightshade has experience with the humans, he'll know what to do until we get there." Part of him fervently hoped the gunshot had nothing to do with his children, but as they made their way closer to the exit of the ravine and the warm spring that awaited them at the end, there was still no hide or hair to bee seen of the missing foals.

Xena

She snorted at the mare kicked out and she tried to nip her where the foal wasn't. Her ears back. Her attention solely on her daughter and her crys for help. Thats when Ethan was beside her again and the tazer her nostrils flared as she let out a whicker of pain and from the shock of the pain fell to her front knees temporary. her nostrils flaring. She fought against the pain and soon was back up but her gate was slower as she whickered for her daughter again.

Savannah kept crying out for her motherr.

Coltrane had grown exhausted.

Darkiaa just hoped to hell it wasn't him that it was some other human.

Ethan & Others

Ethan's intervention allowed the other two men to pull ahead, and while Xenarona was struggling back up from her knees, the pair were disappearing around the bend. Ethan drove his gelding forward, putting himself up along side of Xena and in front of her, ready to shock the mare again if he got the opportunity. And if only they had more room and equipment than the trailer Tom had brought, Ethan would have been eager to try and capture this unique mare too, having seen glimpses of her from his own surveillance array. For now though, he was happy just to have stumbled across the two foals.

While Ethan was harrying Xenarona, Nightshade had attempted to bypass them both and cut Dan and Tom off around the bend. His springtime lack of antlers and advanced age made him particularly defenseless however, and it didn't take much for Tom's mare to hold the stag off while the two man loaded the foals into the trailer. Tom was quick to hop in the cab and drive off, while Dan was left to grab the man's steed and guide his own back down the trail to see if Ethan needed any help.

Onok had just reached the hot spring at this point, after pausing only a second or two to sniff over the impressions of boot and hoof marks in the mud. There was clearly a struggle here, and bits of Coltrane and his daughters' hair could be seen plastered in the muck. But alas, the two foals were nowhere to be found. Cursing, Onok plunged through the warm waters and finally exited the ravine. With mud flying from his hooves and grime-caked legs, the stallion began to follow the trail Ethan and taken...

Xena

This time when Ethan go close she slun her hind end towards his horse and kicked before taking off again unaware she was too late

Darkia raced after him as she had caught Ethan's sent ** it's as I faired it's harth old owner**

Onok

Ethan and the gelding were a little wiser this time around, and under the man's skilled handling, he steered his steed away from the flailing hooves when Xenarona lashed out, but kept him close enough to continue harrying the mare and giving his men time to transport the foals out.

By the time Dan returned and gave the all clear, Ethan broke away from Xenarona. "Head back to the house, and contact the corral."

"You don't want this one?" Questioned Dan, as he maneuvered his mare to flank Ethan's horse.

The taller man gave a brisk shake of his head while urging the gelding along the trail, aiming to break away from Xena and depart from their territory. "Not today, I don't have any rope left. The rest of the herd could show up, and I don't know their temperament yet."

Onok was racing along the path, an ear still back to catch Darkia's words. "You're sure? Harth has told me some about that human." The stallion shuddered a little at the thought, and vowed the stomp the life out of the predator if he could catch him. Unfortunately for Onok though, Ethan was already leagues ahead of them, and making a hasty retreat from their land.

Xena

Her nostrils flare as she now begins to tire. Her daughter she failed her.

Darkia** I've spent enough time in his hands I know his smell**

Onok & Others

Dan and Ethan were soon out of sight, speeding along the trail that lead up over the ridge, and then back down the other slope of the mountain where Ethan's cabin awaited their return.

It took many long minutes before Onok and Darkia would rendezvous with the exhausted and knee-scraped Xenarona. Sweat soaked the stallion's chocolate and white coat, mixed with the mud and bits of leaf the ravine had caked him with, and foam clung at the edges of his mouth in testament to the effort he'd put in reaching his mare and daughter. And when he saw Xenarona was alone and appearing just as worn as him, distress curdled the lead's stomach.

"Xena, what happened?" He panted out, his breath coming in deep drafts. The terrible stench of automotive exhaust hung in the air, mixed with that of three foreign horses. What he didn't smell, at least, was blood. And that told him the foals might yet still be alive. "Darkia, what more can you tell me of this human?"

Xena

Xena stared off in the direction the two had gone. Her ears were back. She couldn't answer Onok as she just couldn't accept it her daughter was gone. She didn't speak nor move.

Darkia felt Xena pain knowing Coltrane too was gone. He has mangy mutts to help protect him. he sits on horses back expecting them to transport him where ever he pleases. She said.

Onok & Others

He stepped closer to Xenarona, offering her his presence when he didn't know what else to do or say in this moment to console her. He wanted to assure her that he would get their daughter back, but Onok wouldn't make a statement so bold unless he believed it to be true; he honestly had no idea what to expect from the humans, as most predators would have killed the youngsters by now. But humans were strange beasts. The stallion looked to Darkia, the one who had experience with the man himself, "Do you think there's a chance he'll keep them alive then?"

Despite himself, Onok allowed for some hope to linger now. "Dogs we can handle, as long as there aren't too many of them." The stallion nodded to himself as ideas began to formulate in his mind, "Harth says his territory is just on the other side of this mountain. I'd like to talk to the three of you, and we'll formulate a plan."

Darkia

Darkia nodded ** most likely yes** she said

Xena listened to them

Onok

With somewhat of a plan in mind, Onok gave Xenarona a gentle nudge, "Lets return to the rest of the herd and figure this out." He gave a nod to Darkia next, waiting for her to fall in line behind Xena before he'd trail dutifully behind the two.