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Description
With spring on the horizon, the herd had ventured out into the middle of the valley. The sun shone warmly on their backs as they grazed at the new grass beginning to peak out of the dirt. Perseus wandered through the mares, nodding in greeting and smiling kindly. He glanced up and saw Jason and Denna standing closely together, occasionally bumping one another with a hip or shoulder, playfully giggling like two young foals. Percy’s smile became slightly sad. He wished he had something like that, had a special mare in his life...He shook the thought from his head and bent his neck to nip at the grass unenthusiastically.

A cold wind rushed past them. The horses startled at the suddenness of it and stood snorting in place as another blast of cold air rocked them on their hooves. Percy looked up to the sky and saw dark clouds rapidly racing over the mountains.

”Everyone, let’s move back up into the foothills.” Percy called out, keeping the panic out of his voice.

Before the mares even knew what hit them, a snow squall came roaring into the valley, bringing with it howling winds and stinging sleet. Carter, the only foal, whinnied in fear and raced back to his mother, Pigeon, who herded him quickly away with the rest of the group. Mello and Bowie struggled to keep up, their bellies swaying heavily beneath them.

Jason, quick on his feet as always, rounded everyone up and began pushing them hard upward, shouting to be heard over the wind. Percy squinted against the sleeting snow and trotted after his herd. But something caught his attention. He whirled around to see a group of men on horseback running toward them through the storm. Percy balked at the sight of them. Were they using the storm to their advantage? To capture his herd? The thought of his mares tousled in ropes woke him from his fear and he reared angrily, yelling taunts to the men’s horses. With a leap, he raced to meet them head on. Bucking wildly, he cut through their ranks and managed to knock one man off his mount. The others quickly turned their horses and began to chase Percy.

His heart was beating so fast and loud, Percy was sure it could be heard throughout the valley. Trying to stay calm, he zigged and zagged across the valley--but still the men followed. Percy could feel himself tiring. A moment of hesitation was all it took--a rope flew through the air and encircled his neck. Percy was violently yanked back and almost lost his footing. With a roar, he tried to break free, but it was no use. He fought against his restraints for as long as he could, but eventually he became exhausted. He glared at the men and their horses as they ushered him away.

”How can you betray your own kind?” Percy hissed to one of the geldings.

The gelding snorted and turned his face away, clearly ignoring Percy, whose lip wrinkled in disgust. He didn’t know how long they walked for or how far they went, the miles turning into a blur. But eventually they reached a small huddle of human dwellings with their wooden fences. Percy was shoved into a small, circular pen with higher-than-high walls. He gazed up in despair, knowing he’d never be able to jump out to freedom. The men provided him with food and water which he absolutely ignored.

Days passed. Percy was mostly left alone by the humans, who so far only provided him with the necessities for life. Percy held out for as long as he could, but eventually the pain in his stomach wore out and he nibbled on some of the provided food and drank deeply from the water. He was beginning to wonder when he’d be wearing one of those saddles and chasing down his family when Sigyn, Dove, and Kite showed up one night. Percy blinked in surprise at their sudden appearance--it was like they were ghosts. Or maybe he was losing his senses in this strange place.

”We’re here to help.” Sigyn whispered through the bars of the fence.

Percy stuck his nose out as far as he could, nuzzling each mare in turn. ”I don’t know how you will. This fence is high and strong.” Percy sighed back.

The mares puzzled over it for several minutes, walking around the enclosure and testing it for any weaknesses.

”We’ll bring Jason with us next time. Maybe he can figure this out.” Dove muttered to Perseus, ears twitching in every direction to catch anyone approaching.

”We’ll come back soon. We promise.” assured Kite, nuzzling Percy once more.

Percy watched them go with an aching heart. His hopes rode with them as they left him alone in his cage, watching and waiting.

Description
With spring on the horizon, the herd had ventured out into the middle of the valley. The sun shone warmly on their backs as they grazed at the new grass beginning to peak out of the dirt. Perseus wandered through the mares, nodding in greeting and smiling kindly. He glanced up and saw Jason and Denna standing closely together, occasionally bumping one another with a hip or shoulder, playfully giggling like two young foals. Percy’s smile became slightly sad. He wished he had something like that, had a special mare in his life...He shook the thought from his head and bent his neck to nip at the grass unenthusiastically.

A cold wind rushed past them. The horses startled at the suddenness of it and stood snorting in place as another blast of cold air rocked them on their hooves. Percy looked up to the sky and saw dark clouds rapidly racing over the mountains.

”Everyone, let’s move back up into the foothills.” Percy called out, keeping the panic out of his voice.

Before the mares even knew what hit them, a snow squall came roaring into the valley, bringing with it howling winds and stinging sleet. Carter, the only foal, whinnied in fear and raced back to his mother, Pigeon, who herded him quickly away with the rest of the group. Mello and Bowie struggled to keep up, their bellies swaying heavily beneath them.

Jason, quick on his feet as always, rounded everyone up and began pushing them hard upward, shouting to be heard over the wind. Percy squinted against the sleeting snow and trotted after his herd. But something caught his attention. He whirled around to see a group of men on horseback running toward them through the storm. Percy balked at the sight of them. Were they using the storm to their advantage? To capture his herd? The thought of his mares tousled in ropes woke him from his fear and he reared angrily, yelling taunts to the men’s horses. With a leap, he raced to meet them head on. Bucking wildly, he cut through their ranks and managed to knock one man off his mount. The others quickly turned their horses and began to chase Percy.

His heart was beating so fast and loud, Percy was sure it could be heard throughout the valley. Trying to stay calm, he zigged and zagged across the valley--but still the men followed. Percy could feel himself tiring. A moment of hesitation was all it took--a rope flew through the air and encircled his neck. Percy was violently yanked back and almost lost his footing. With a roar, he tried to break free, but it was no use. He fought against his restraints for as long as he could, but eventually he became exhausted. He glared at the men and their horses as they ushered him away.

”How can you betray your own kind?” Percy hissed to one of the geldings.

The gelding snorted and turned his face away, clearly ignoring Percy, whose lip wrinkled in disgust. He didn’t know how long they walked for or how far they went, the miles turning into a blur. But eventually they reached a small huddle of human dwellings with their wooden fences. Percy was shoved into a small, circular pen with higher-than-high walls. He gazed up in despair, knowing he’d never be able to jump out to freedom. The men provided him with food and water which he absolutely ignored.

Days passed. Percy was mostly left alone by the humans, who so far only provided him with the necessities for life. Percy held out for as long as he could, but eventually the pain in his stomach wore out and he nibbled on some of the provided food and drank deeply from the water. He was beginning to wonder when he’d be wearing one of those saddles and chasing down his family when Sigyn, Dove, and Kite showed up one night. Percy blinked in surprise at their sudden appearance--it was like they were ghosts. Or maybe he was losing his senses in this strange place.

”We’re here to help.” Sigyn whispered through the bars of the fence.

Percy stuck his nose out as far as he could, nuzzling each mare in turn. ”I don’t know how you will. This fence is high and strong.” Percy sighed back.

The mares puzzled over it for several minutes, walking around the enclosure and testing it for any weaknesses.

”We’ll bring Jason with us next time. Maybe he can figure this out.” Dove muttered to Perseus, ears twitching in every direction to catch anyone approaching.

”We’ll come back soon. We promise.” assured Kite, nuzzling Percy once more.

Percy watched them go with an aching heart. His hopes rode with them as they left him alone in his cage, watching and waiting.