Post by Aria Elladyr on Jan 31, 2012 20:39:09 GMT -5
The mid-afternoon sun beat down over the grassy field. With few clouds in the sky to block the rays it was hot, and the wind was barely a whisper today. I followed the stallion through yet another field, and started to get edgy. No one had settled this far out, not this close to Deystem and all its dangerous inhabitants. I kept one silver eye on the tree line, watching for any signs of coyotes, or worse. The other tracked the horse’s slow journey until it came to a halt near some bushes. I stopped then, and let my muscles relax. This was my chance. Or, another chance anyway. Having already blown a few too many over the past two days I was close to giving up. He was beautiful though. Soft and grey like a cloud, with floaty movements to match. His tail faded into a light blonde, and he had an adorable snip on his nose. He was perfect, and tall if I was correct that my head would reach just to his shoulder. I’d been checking in on him for weeks, and had finally decided to try catching him two days ago. At first he’d taken off every time I got within twenty feet of him, but as of today it felt like he was almost ready to accept me. Keeping my eyes down I started moving glacial slowly towards his shoulder, hands held out low so he could see them. I was so close now, ten feet and closing. I heard him snort and watched him prance on the spot, still suspicious. “Shhhhh,” my voice was quiet and soft, and I reached up slowly to touch his shoulder. Yes. His skin spasmed under my hand, obviously not used to it. “You’re okay,” I promised, and started to massage his neck. I couldn’t keep the smile from my face as I worked my way closer to his head. I had actually gotten him. This perfect horse, and he was letting me touch him. Just as I was nearing his ears a crow burst out of the bush, its caw loud in the otherwise quiet field.
I knew, even as the bird was registering in my senses that it was over. Just as I expected, the stallion startled into motion and took off a good hundred feet before stopping again. “You terrible, terrible, bird,” I half-heartedly accused the black form as it flew away. All that hard work, and I was going to have to start over. Admittedly, I was getting tired. It had been a hot, humid few days and I had left my bag back with Daoine when I’d realized we were headed for the border. My legs were scratched, cut, and bug bitten from walking through all sorts of tall grasses, and short glasses. Next time I would sacrifice staying cool for leg protection. My long creme tunic and cut off leggings just weren’t doing it. Sighing, I reached up and wrangled my ashy blonde hair back into a bun. Maybe I should just go back to my spotted mare, let this one go. I looked back at the grey horse, and seeing him still there just watching me, decided to give it one more shot.
I knew, even as the bird was registering in my senses that it was over. Just as I expected, the stallion startled into motion and took off a good hundred feet before stopping again. “You terrible, terrible, bird,” I half-heartedly accused the black form as it flew away. All that hard work, and I was going to have to start over. Admittedly, I was getting tired. It had been a hot, humid few days and I had left my bag back with Daoine when I’d realized we were headed for the border. My legs were scratched, cut, and bug bitten from walking through all sorts of tall grasses, and short glasses. Next time I would sacrifice staying cool for leg protection. My long creme tunic and cut off leggings just weren’t doing it. Sighing, I reached up and wrangled my ashy blonde hair back into a bun. Maybe I should just go back to my spotted mare, let this one go. I looked back at the grey horse, and seeing him still there just watching me, decided to give it one more shot.