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Description

Desvelado walked calmly along across the field, ears tilting this way and that to catch every sound. He snuffled at the ground, but didn’t find any grasses he cared to eat. Trotting forward, he surveyed the valley from atop a small hillock. It really was a beautiful place to live, and he smiled at his home.

“Firefoot, I swear on the sun that I will trample you if you don’t stop.”

“I’m not doing a thing! You’re the one annoyed by nothing.”

In the few short weeks since he had joined up with Breigo and Firefoot, he had become a near master at tuning their quarrelling out. They were nothing more than a slightly unpleasant buzzing, like so many flies. But, some days were harder than others. Des sighed and shook his head, continuing to look around. His eyes widened.

Down in the valley, grazing placidly, were four horses. Lifting his nose to the air, he could tell immediately that they were three mares with a single stallion. Des nickered in surprise and turned to look back at his companions.

“Hey--”

“You really are impossible.” Breigo growled, his ears pinned back in their customary position.

“Are you talking about me or yourself?” Firefoot retorted, dancing away from Breigo’s kick.

“Guys, really, come look-”

“I’d like to let the wolves have you one night!” Breigo nearly shouted.

“Well they’d probably be better company than you!” Firefoot cried.

“BE QUIET!”

Both horses looked up in surprise at Desvelado’s shout. The gelding was normally so soft spoken, it was more than a little startling to hear him raise his voice.

Des snorted, tossing his head over his shoulder. “There are mares down there.”

Breigo’s ears immediately went forward and he loped to the edge of the hill, peering down with bright eyes. His nose told him that they were definitely mares this time, not geldings in disguise. A low noise bubbled up out of his chest at the sight of the other stallion. The stranger hadn’t noticed them yet since they were upwind. He pawed at the ground, nerves already starting to make him guess himself.

“What are you still doing up here? Go down there and save the damsels!” Firefoot whispered excitedly.

“Easy for you to say.” Breigo grumbled. “You’re not the one who has to fight.”

Brego took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Well, it was now or never. Breigo lifted his head and trumpeted his challenge down into the valley before picking his way down the hill, lifting his legs high and letting his tail trail out behind him.

All four horses looked up in surprise. The stallion immediately curled his neck and tossed his head, trotting out to meet Breigo. The mares nickered softly among themselves, gathering closer together to watch the duel.

Breigo and the other stallion paced back and forth, sizing the other up. The other stallion was younger and on the skinny side. Breigo wondered how he had managed to claim three mares but wasn’t going to let his guard down. The defending stallion struck first, head snaking out to take a bite out of Breigo, who danced away and kicked out with a rear foot. Things quickly became more serious as both stallions reared and began crying out as hooves and teeth struck home.

Breigo was so caught up in the fight, he didn’t notice two more stallions come galloping their way.

“Oh, the devils! They mean to overpower him!” Desvelado cried from his vantage point with Firefoot. “We can’t let them gang up on him! He could be grievously wounded or worse.”

“Then there’s only one thing to do.” Firefoot intoned, stepping up to the edge of the hill. He took in a mighty breath and reared, shouting “FOR BREIGO!” before charging down the hill at full tilt.

With only a moment’s hesitation, Desvelado was hot on his heels. The geldings cut the other two stallions off before they could get too close to the duel. Clearly not expecting this sudden onslaught, both stallions changed course, instead running at the mares to herd them away. The mares whinnied in alarm, side stepping around each other as the two stallions began to nip and kick at them.

“Enough, you curs!” Firefoot shouted, biting at the black stallion’s rear and narrowly avoiding a kick to the face.

Two of the females were also yelling and kicking out at the stallions, clearly not enjoying this onslaught of tooth and hoof. Outnumbered and bruised, the stallions took off, followed closely by one of the mares who didn’t even bother to look back as her friends called out to her.

Desvelado and Firefoot chased the three horses for some distance until they were satisfied. They made their ways back and stood with the two mares who were watching the increasingly violent fight between Breigo and the remaining stallion.

Both horses were frothed with sweat and bleeding from various scrapes and bruises. But Breigo’s size and age advantage were clearly showing as the younger stallion faltered, falling heavily back onto four hooves. Finally, with shaking legs, he bowed his head, accepting defeat.

Breigo stood over him, entire body expanding and contracting as he sucked in air like a bellows. He regained his breath and tossed his head in acknowledgement of the other’s acquiescence.

“You fought well.” he said through breaths.

“And yet not as well as you.” the other replied, trying to sound strong and composed.

“Go with honor.” Breigo said with a nod.

“And lead with valor.” the stallion replied, finishing the old saying.

Turning on his heel, he loped away in the opposite direction of the other two stallions, setting off on his own. Breigo wished him well.

Turning to the four horses gathered to the side, Breigo approached with his head held high, placing each hoof with purpose.

“You fought well.” the blue mare said with a smile.

“Yes, quite a handsome fight.” the brown mare nodded.

“And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?” Breigo said with a charming smile.

Desvelado and Firefoot exchanged glances. Since when was Breigo charming?

“I am Windfola and this is my cousin, Corona.” replied the blue mare.

“But please, call my Corey.” said Corona with a laugh.

“Windfola and Coro--Corey.” Breigo began. “Will you join my herd?”

“And what is your herd called?” Windfola asked. “I’ve never met a stallion accompanied by two gelded before.” she looked at Des and Firefoot with interest.

“A name? I didn’t think our herd had a name.” Firefoot muttered with a shrug.

“It didn’t have a name because we weren’t a herd.” Breigo said tersely. “But after today...I’m glad to call you both friends. Thank you.” he finished a little awkwardly.

Desvelado smiled widely. “Of course, Breigo. You are our leader after all.”

“So what shall we call ourselves?” Corey piped in excitedly. “I’ve always wanted to be part of a real herd! Those damn bachelors stalked us for days before bullying us together. But I guess poor Blossom fell for that grullo fellow…” she said with a sigh, clearly meaning the third mare.

“We will be the herd of Summer Stars.” Breigo said confidently, having already picked the name for his herd when he was still a colt.

“Summer Stars. I like the sound of that.” Windfola said with a happy nod and wink at Breigo, who immediately flushed.

“Where to now, boss?” Firefoot said with a laugh.

Breigo couldn’t help by smile at his herdmates.

“Where ever we want.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stallion: Breigo (#85)
In response to: Encounter Stallion + Encounter Stallion + Find Mare - 3 - Fight off bachelor
Art Features and Story Features: Breigo (#85), Firefoot , Desvelado , Sicario (#85-2), Bachelor 33 , Bachelor 53 , Mare 267 , Corona , Windfola
Word Count:1,261

Other Notes: Can this count for a raffle ticket?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I...can't feel my hands. Hopefully anyone who read this found it enjoyable. It was fun (until it hurt) to put this little pseudo-comic together. But...I'm probably ok never drawing this many horses at once again. ^___^;

Description

Desvelado walked calmly along across the field, ears tilting this way and that to catch every sound. He snuffled at the ground, but didn’t find any grasses he cared to eat. Trotting forward, he surveyed the valley from atop a small hillock. It really was a beautiful place to live, and he smiled at his home.

“Firefoot, I swear on the sun that I will trample you if you don’t stop.”

“I’m not doing a thing! You’re the one annoyed by nothing.”

In the few short weeks since he had joined up with Breigo and Firefoot, he had become a near master at tuning their quarrelling out. They were nothing more than a slightly unpleasant buzzing, like so many flies. But, some days were harder than others. Des sighed and shook his head, continuing to look around. His eyes widened.

Down in the valley, grazing placidly, were four horses. Lifting his nose to the air, he could tell immediately that they were three mares with a single stallion. Des nickered in surprise and turned to look back at his companions.

“Hey--”

“You really are impossible.” Breigo growled, his ears pinned back in their customary position.

“Are you talking about me or yourself?” Firefoot retorted, dancing away from Breigo’s kick.

“Guys, really, come look-”

“I’d like to let the wolves have you one night!” Breigo nearly shouted.

“Well they’d probably be better company than you!” Firefoot cried.

“BE QUIET!”

Both horses looked up in surprise at Desvelado’s shout. The gelding was normally so soft spoken, it was more than a little startling to hear him raise his voice.

Des snorted, tossing his head over his shoulder. “There are mares down there.”

Breigo’s ears immediately went forward and he loped to the edge of the hill, peering down with bright eyes. His nose told him that they were definitely mares this time, not geldings in disguise. A low noise bubbled up out of his chest at the sight of the other stallion. The stranger hadn’t noticed them yet since they were upwind. He pawed at the ground, nerves already starting to make him guess himself.

“What are you still doing up here? Go down there and save the damsels!” Firefoot whispered excitedly.

“Easy for you to say.” Breigo grumbled. “You’re not the one who has to fight.”

Brego took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Well, it was now or never. Breigo lifted his head and trumpeted his challenge down into the valley before picking his way down the hill, lifting his legs high and letting his tail trail out behind him.

All four horses looked up in surprise. The stallion immediately curled his neck and tossed his head, trotting out to meet Breigo. The mares nickered softly among themselves, gathering closer together to watch the duel.

Breigo and the other stallion paced back and forth, sizing the other up. The other stallion was younger and on the skinny side. Breigo wondered how he had managed to claim three mares but wasn’t going to let his guard down. The defending stallion struck first, head snaking out to take a bite out of Breigo, who danced away and kicked out with a rear foot. Things quickly became more serious as both stallions reared and began crying out as hooves and teeth struck home.

Breigo was so caught up in the fight, he didn’t notice two more stallions come galloping their way.

“Oh, the devils! They mean to overpower him!” Desvelado cried from his vantage point with Firefoot. “We can’t let them gang up on him! He could be grievously wounded or worse.”

“Then there’s only one thing to do.” Firefoot intoned, stepping up to the edge of the hill. He took in a mighty breath and reared, shouting “FOR BREIGO!” before charging down the hill at full tilt.

With only a moment’s hesitation, Desvelado was hot on his heels. The geldings cut the other two stallions off before they could get too close to the duel. Clearly not expecting this sudden onslaught, both stallions changed course, instead running at the mares to herd them away. The mares whinnied in alarm, side stepping around each other as the two stallions began to nip and kick at them.

“Enough, you curs!” Firefoot shouted, biting at the black stallion’s rear and narrowly avoiding a kick to the face.

Two of the females were also yelling and kicking out at the stallions, clearly not enjoying this onslaught of tooth and hoof. Outnumbered and bruised, the stallions took off, followed closely by one of the mares who didn’t even bother to look back as her friends called out to her.

Desvelado and Firefoot chased the three horses for some distance until they were satisfied. They made their ways back and stood with the two mares who were watching the increasingly violent fight between Breigo and the remaining stallion.

Both horses were frothed with sweat and bleeding from various scrapes and bruises. But Breigo’s size and age advantage were clearly showing as the younger stallion faltered, falling heavily back onto four hooves. Finally, with shaking legs, he bowed his head, accepting defeat.

Breigo stood over him, entire body expanding and contracting as he sucked in air like a bellows. He regained his breath and tossed his head in acknowledgement of the other’s acquiescence.

“You fought well.” he said through breaths.

“And yet not as well as you.” the other replied, trying to sound strong and composed.

“Go with honor.” Breigo said with a nod.

“And lead with valor.” the stallion replied, finishing the old saying.

Turning on his heel, he loped away in the opposite direction of the other two stallions, setting off on his own. Breigo wished him well.

Turning to the four horses gathered to the side, Breigo approached with his head held high, placing each hoof with purpose.

“You fought well.” the blue mare said with a smile.

“Yes, quite a handsome fight.” the brown mare nodded.

“And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?” Breigo said with a charming smile.

Desvelado and Firefoot exchanged glances. Since when was Breigo charming?

“I am Windfola and this is my cousin, Corona.” replied the blue mare.

“But please, call my Corey.” said Corona with a laugh.

“Windfola and Coro--Corey.” Breigo began. “Will you join my herd?”

“And what is your herd called?” Windfola asked. “I’ve never met a stallion accompanied by two gelded before.” she looked at Des and Firefoot with interest.

“A name? I didn’t think our herd had a name.” Firefoot muttered with a shrug.

“It didn’t have a name because we weren’t a herd.” Breigo said tersely. “But after today...I’m glad to call you both friends. Thank you.” he finished a little awkwardly.

Desvelado smiled widely. “Of course, Breigo. You are our leader after all.”

“So what shall we call ourselves?” Corey piped in excitedly. “I’ve always wanted to be part of a real herd! Those damn bachelors stalked us for days before bullying us together. But I guess poor Blossom fell for that grullo fellow…” she said with a sigh, clearly meaning the third mare.

“We will be the herd of Summer Stars.” Breigo said confidently, having already picked the name for his herd when he was still a colt.

“Summer Stars. I like the sound of that.” Windfola said with a happy nod and wink at Breigo, who immediately flushed.

“Where to now, boss?” Firefoot said with a laugh.

Breigo couldn’t help by smile at his herdmates.

“Where ever we want.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stallion: Breigo (#85)
In response to: Encounter Stallion + Encounter Stallion + Find Mare - 3 - Fight off bachelor
Art Features and Story Features: Breigo (#85), Firefoot , Desvelado , Sicario (#85-2), Bachelor 33 , Bachelor 53 , Mare 267 , Corona , Windfola
Word Count:1,261

Other Notes: Can this count for a raffle ticket?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I...can't feel my hands. Hopefully anyone who read this found it enjoyable. It was fun (until it hurt) to put this little pseudo-comic together. But...I'm probably ok never drawing this many horses at once again. ^___^;