HOME | DD

Description
You flee away from the vicious pack of wild dogs, they weren’t far behind you but you managed to disappear down into the tree line. Slowing to a walk to catch your breath you hear rushing water and head towards it. Coming out to a running river you,

A] Follow the river up-stream

and

While Solomon rests, a male Elk comes wondering up, clearly injured. He asks for help, saying he can offer something in return. You;

A] Help the Elk

first
image

Solomon gasped for air as he tried to ignore the burning of his muscles, he had to have out-run the dogs by now, right? At the very least he could no longer smell or see the creatures. With a thankful cry the slate colored stallion collapsed into a trot, followed after five strides by a lumbering walk.

The horse was so tired he did not notice the changes in his surroundings; the grasses that had begun to grow, changing the landscape. He only locked his knees and fell into a light sleep as soon as he felt safe.

Woken with the morning sun, Solomon finally noticed how the red-brown landscape has changed to gray brown and gold flora. The stallion spun, attempting to get his bearings before setting off in a completely random direction. Having no idea where he was, or how he had gotten here Solomon wandered around the unchanging landscape until mid day.

When he heard a flowing river he finally stopped, ever since he had almost drown as a foal he avoided running water. The dirty puddles, oasis's and the occasional drizzle of the desert were fine-but running water was dangerous and would sweep you away in an instant.

This time, turned around and lost as he was, Solomon needed some kind of landmark. A river was about the best he could do. Begrudgingly the stallion followed the sound.

It was not long until the foam speckled water revealed itself, rushing and leaping over rocks. The air was sweet with the smell of spring though fish skeletons littered the rocky bank. If Solomon had not already decided to walk along instead of through, his plan would have changed immediately.

Already on edge from being chased, Solomon frowned at the dead fish. Hopefully whatever ate them was nowhere near. There was no scent indicating predators, but there was no such thing as being to careful. Stopping only for a short drink the young stallion turned upriver and began walking once again.

The only noise for a long time was the flowing of the water. Here and there a bird sang, or a small mammal chattered. Mostly Solomon occupied himself with his own thoughts, thinking of the mares that had come then gone, his mother, and what the future could possibly hold.

Suddenly, a cry of pain pulled Solomon out of his thoughts. He stopped abruptly, legs bracing involuntarily. The air was still and Solomon could not sense any danger. He remained still, ears swiveling.

Slowly, in the distance, a shape emerged. Immediately Solomon could tell the creature was not a carnivore, it was too large and had a majestic rack of horns that sprouting from its crown. Instantly the slate horse's legs unlocked. The animal was moving much too slowly to be chased, but was heaving and grunting with every step he took.

Solomon could smell the foresty musk of the Elk as he carefully approached. As he grew closer a single arrow revealed itself, protruding out of the elk's shoulder. It's muted rust coat dripped red from the spot and Solomon moved into a trot to reach the elk sooner.

“Please.” The elk's voice was deep and gravely, “Help me. I can return the favor to you. You do not know me, and have no reason to trust me, but I promise saving me will be worth your time!”

Solomon remained frozen for a moment, process the scene before him, “Can you walk? If you can make it to the river I can clean your wound. Come, lean against me.”

The elk was nearly as large as the stallion, and Solomon groaned with effort as he guided the stranger to the RIVER.

“Here, lay in the river. I will pull out this......thing and then you should roll your wound into the water. It will wash out the toxins and cool the burning pain.” Solomon explained as they reached the rocky bank, “It will not be comfortable, but you will be better off then you are now.”

Solomon tried to hide his disgust as the running water swept around his hooves. He and the elk would have to be knee deep for his half baked plan to work. In truth Solomon didn't know much about healing. To him, the biggest factor in recovering from injury was luck. He couldn't just let this elk suffer though, he had to try!

Once situated in the water Solomon circled the elk, worrying. A simple yank should remove the wood, as long as the elk didn't move as he pulled there would be no extra damage. Could it really be so easy?

Water droplets splattered Solomon's legs as he got into position, “Just try not to move until this is out....okay?”

The elk remained silent as the liquid ran around him, soaking his coat. Solomon gripped the arrow with his teeth, and in one swift pull removed the wood. The elk grunted in relief and rolled over into the water as Solomon hurried back to shore to be rid of the object.

word count: 676

Description
You flee away from the vicious pack of wild dogs, they weren’t far behind you but you managed to disappear down into the tree line. Slowing to a walk to catch your breath you hear rushing water and head towards it. Coming out to a running river you,

A] Follow the river up-stream

and

While Solomon rests, a male Elk comes wondering up, clearly injured. He asks for help, saying he can offer something in return. You;

A] Help the Elk

first
image

Solomon gasped for air as he tried to ignore the burning of his muscles, he had to have out-run the dogs by now, right? At the very least he could no longer smell or see the creatures. With a thankful cry the slate colored stallion collapsed into a trot, followed after five strides by a lumbering walk.

The horse was so tired he did not notice the changes in his surroundings; the grasses that had begun to grow, changing the landscape. He only locked his knees and fell into a light sleep as soon as he felt safe.

Woken with the morning sun, Solomon finally noticed how the red-brown landscape has changed to gray brown and gold flora. The stallion spun, attempting to get his bearings before setting off in a completely random direction. Having no idea where he was, or how he had gotten here Solomon wandered around the unchanging landscape until mid day.

When he heard a flowing river he finally stopped, ever since he had almost drown as a foal he avoided running water. The dirty puddles, oasis's and the occasional drizzle of the desert were fine-but running water was dangerous and would sweep you away in an instant.

This time, turned around and lost as he was, Solomon needed some kind of landmark. A river was about the best he could do. Begrudgingly the stallion followed the sound.

It was not long until the foam speckled water revealed itself, rushing and leaping over rocks. The air was sweet with the smell of spring though fish skeletons littered the rocky bank. If Solomon had not already decided to walk along instead of through, his plan would have changed immediately.

Already on edge from being chased, Solomon frowned at the dead fish. Hopefully whatever ate them was nowhere near. There was no scent indicating predators, but there was no such thing as being to careful. Stopping only for a short drink the young stallion turned upriver and began walking once again.

The only noise for a long time was the flowing of the water. Here and there a bird sang, or a small mammal chattered. Mostly Solomon occupied himself with his own thoughts, thinking of the mares that had come then gone, his mother, and what the future could possibly hold.

Suddenly, a cry of pain pulled Solomon out of his thoughts. He stopped abruptly, legs bracing involuntarily. The air was still and Solomon could not sense any danger. He remained still, ears swiveling.

Slowly, in the distance, a shape emerged. Immediately Solomon could tell the creature was not a carnivore, it was too large and had a majestic rack of horns that sprouting from its crown. Instantly the slate horse's legs unlocked. The animal was moving much too slowly to be chased, but was heaving and grunting with every step he took.

Solomon could smell the foresty musk of the Elk as he carefully approached. As he grew closer a single arrow revealed itself, protruding out of the elk's shoulder. It's muted rust coat dripped red from the spot and Solomon moved into a trot to reach the elk sooner.

“Please.” The elk's voice was deep and gravely, “Help me. I can return the favor to you. You do not know me, and have no reason to trust me, but I promise saving me will be worth your time!”

Solomon remained frozen for a moment, process the scene before him, “Can you walk? If you can make it to the river I can clean your wound. Come, lean against me.”

The elk was nearly as large as the stallion, and Solomon groaned with effort as he guided the stranger to the RIVER.

“Here, lay in the river. I will pull out this......thing and then you should roll your wound into the water. It will wash out the toxins and cool the burning pain.” Solomon explained as they reached the rocky bank, “It will not be comfortable, but you will be better off then you are now.”

Solomon tried to hide his disgust as the running water swept around his hooves. He and the elk would have to be knee deep for his half baked plan to work. In truth Solomon didn't know much about healing. To him, the biggest factor in recovering from injury was luck. He couldn't just let this elk suffer though, he had to try!

Once situated in the water Solomon circled the elk, worrying. A simple yank should remove the wood, as long as the elk didn't move as he pulled there would be no extra damage. Could it really be so easy?

Water droplets splattered Solomon's legs as he got into position, “Just try not to move until this is out....okay?”

The elk remained silent as the liquid ran around him, soaking his coat. Solomon gripped the arrow with his teeth, and in one swift pull removed the wood. The elk grunted in relief and rolled over into the water as Solomon hurried back to shore to be rid of the object.

word count: 676