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Description
A sound like a clap of thunder ripped through the valley, spooking the entire herd. The foals all squealed in fear and ran to their mothers, hiding and shaking between their legs. Percy snorted, the whites of his eyes clearly visible as he threw his head around, searching for the sound of the noise. But just as soon as it happened, it was over. The birdsong returned and the day was beautiful once again. The whole herd looked to Perseus, holding its breath.

”It’s alright, everyone.” he called to them with an easy smile.

The mares stomped restlessly but slowly went back to grazing, keeping their eyes and ears alert. Percy trotted over to where Denna and Canary stood with their foals and offered them a sympathetic look.

”I know that sound was scary, but it’s gone now. It’s ok to come out.” he said to the foals, focusing his attention on little Arwyl.

Colden and Calida came away from Canary warily, trying to look less frightened than they really were. Arwyl smiled at her father and came bounding out to him, fear completely forgotten.

”Daddy, daddy! That noise was BIG!” she exclaimed seriously.

Denna and Perseus shared a fond look before he bent his head down to look at his daughter. ”I know, little one. But luckily I’m bigger than any noise and I scared it away!” he said, rearing up to tower over the little filly.

Arwyl’s eyes widened and she squealed with delight, imitating her father and nearly toppling over. Denna nudged the filly with her nose to keep her upright, love and adoration written clearly across her features.

”Are you going to see what that noise was?” Canary asked. ”It certainly wasn’t thunder.”

Percy nodded, face growing serious. ”Yes, I was planning on it. It sounded too close for comfort.”

”Noooo, daddy don’t go! Stay here!” Arwyl cried, nipping at her father’s shoulder.

”I’ll be back before you even miss me.” Percy told his daughter with a wink.

Trotting away, Percy found Jensen brooding by himself away from the rest of the herd. Things had been...tense...between them, ever since Denna had announced her pregnancy. Unfortunately, things had only seemed to have gotten worse with Arwyl’s birth. But that couldn’t be helped right now.

”Jensen, please watch the herd. I’m going to see about that strange sound.” Percy said curtly with a short nod.

Jensen’s head didn’t turn, but his one eye rolled to regard the silver-maned stallion. There was a brief pause before the grullo nodded and headed down from his seclusion. Percy watched him go before heading in the direction the sound had come from. His journey took him into a thick forest. The undergrowth sought to twist and entangle him with nearly every step, but he kept going. At some point the skies opened up and a light rain began to fall, barely reaching Percy through the canopy. The plitter platter of raindrops on the leaves was a comforting sound, especially when the scent of blood drifted Percy’s way.

Coming to a fast stop, Percy’s ears pricked, searching for any sound. A rustling up ahead sounded like a large creature. Carefully, Percy picked his way as silently as possible to get a closer look. As he came to a small clearing, his ears pinned back against his head and he nearly bolted.

A human lay motionless on the ground, claw marks raking its back. A stick-like weapon lay nearby, an acrid smell coming from it. And not ten paces away stood an enormous brown bear, swaying on her feet. Blood pooled beneath and seeped through her fur from a wound that Percy couldn’t see. As he took a step back, his hoof hit a branch and snapped it in half, quickly drawing the bear’s attention. Percy held his breath as the bear’s eyes focused on him and a low growl rumbled from her throat.

”What are you doing here, stallion?” she asked in a low voice. ”Did this human’s gunshot draw you here?”

”’Gunshot’?” Percy repeated, looking back at the foul smelling weapon. Had that been where the sound came from? But it looked so small!

”Yes. This human thought it could make a rug or coat out of my hide.” the sow snorted and Percy thought she smirked. ”But I showed him differently.”

Percy gulped and wondered if the human was truly dead. He didn’t think he wanted to know.

”You and your herd can rest easy knowing there’s one less of these awful things roaming our valley.” the bear stated as she turned and began to lumber away, a trail of blood following her.

Percy watched her go, unsure if she expected a “thank you” for her deed. Hopefully not.

Unsure what to do, Percy slowly turned and began to walk back to his family. His head was filled with the scent of blood and the sound of that “gunshot”. If the humans had a weapon that could injure a bear, what could they do to a horse...or a foal?

He tried to push that last thought from his head as he picked up his pace to a gallop, heedless of the clutching underbrush. It wasn’t long until the familiar smell of his herd brought him comfort and he slowed down until they were back in sight. The mares looked up in interested as he returned and some nickered happily.

Little Arwyl raced over and ran right into his chest, making him let out a loud “oof” at the surprise impact.

”You’re back! I’m glad!” she said, nuzzling his shoulder lovingly.

Perseus smiled and bent his neck so he could gently nip at the top of her little head. ”Yes, I’m back and I’m glad, too.” he replied.

The pair walked down to join the rest of the herd. Percy could feel the uneasiness in his stomach dissipating with each moment. The smell and sound of the rain mixed with his family was extremely comforting and Percy could feel himself relaxing.

Everything would be alright.

Description
A sound like a clap of thunder ripped through the valley, spooking the entire herd. The foals all squealed in fear and ran to their mothers, hiding and shaking between their legs. Percy snorted, the whites of his eyes clearly visible as he threw his head around, searching for the sound of the noise. But just as soon as it happened, it was over. The birdsong returned and the day was beautiful once again. The whole herd looked to Perseus, holding its breath.

”It’s alright, everyone.” he called to them with an easy smile.

The mares stomped restlessly but slowly went back to grazing, keeping their eyes and ears alert. Percy trotted over to where Denna and Canary stood with their foals and offered them a sympathetic look.

”I know that sound was scary, but it’s gone now. It’s ok to come out.” he said to the foals, focusing his attention on little Arwyl.

Colden and Calida came away from Canary warily, trying to look less frightened than they really were. Arwyl smiled at her father and came bounding out to him, fear completely forgotten.

”Daddy, daddy! That noise was BIG!” she exclaimed seriously.

Denna and Perseus shared a fond look before he bent his head down to look at his daughter. ”I know, little one. But luckily I’m bigger than any noise and I scared it away!” he said, rearing up to tower over the little filly.

Arwyl’s eyes widened and she squealed with delight, imitating her father and nearly toppling over. Denna nudged the filly with her nose to keep her upright, love and adoration written clearly across her features.

”Are you going to see what that noise was?” Canary asked. ”It certainly wasn’t thunder.”

Percy nodded, face growing serious. ”Yes, I was planning on it. It sounded too close for comfort.”

”Noooo, daddy don’t go! Stay here!” Arwyl cried, nipping at her father’s shoulder.

”I’ll be back before you even miss me.” Percy told his daughter with a wink.

Trotting away, Percy found Jensen brooding by himself away from the rest of the herd. Things had been...tense...between them, ever since Denna had announced her pregnancy. Unfortunately, things had only seemed to have gotten worse with Arwyl’s birth. But that couldn’t be helped right now.

”Jensen, please watch the herd. I’m going to see about that strange sound.” Percy said curtly with a short nod.

Jensen’s head didn’t turn, but his one eye rolled to regard the silver-maned stallion. There was a brief pause before the grullo nodded and headed down from his seclusion. Percy watched him go before heading in the direction the sound had come from. His journey took him into a thick forest. The undergrowth sought to twist and entangle him with nearly every step, but he kept going. At some point the skies opened up and a light rain began to fall, barely reaching Percy through the canopy. The plitter platter of raindrops on the leaves was a comforting sound, especially when the scent of blood drifted Percy’s way.

Coming to a fast stop, Percy’s ears pricked, searching for any sound. A rustling up ahead sounded like a large creature. Carefully, Percy picked his way as silently as possible to get a closer look. As he came to a small clearing, his ears pinned back against his head and he nearly bolted.

A human lay motionless on the ground, claw marks raking its back. A stick-like weapon lay nearby, an acrid smell coming from it. And not ten paces away stood an enormous brown bear, swaying on her feet. Blood pooled beneath and seeped through her fur from a wound that Percy couldn’t see. As he took a step back, his hoof hit a branch and snapped it in half, quickly drawing the bear’s attention. Percy held his breath as the bear’s eyes focused on him and a low growl rumbled from her throat.

”What are you doing here, stallion?” she asked in a low voice. ”Did this human’s gunshot draw you here?”

”’Gunshot’?” Percy repeated, looking back at the foul smelling weapon. Had that been where the sound came from? But it looked so small!

”Yes. This human thought it could make a rug or coat out of my hide.” the sow snorted and Percy thought she smirked. ”But I showed him differently.”

Percy gulped and wondered if the human was truly dead. He didn’t think he wanted to know.

”You and your herd can rest easy knowing there’s one less of these awful things roaming our valley.” the bear stated as she turned and began to lumber away, a trail of blood following her.

Percy watched her go, unsure if she expected a “thank you” for her deed. Hopefully not.

Unsure what to do, Percy slowly turned and began to walk back to his family. His head was filled with the scent of blood and the sound of that “gunshot”. If the humans had a weapon that could injure a bear, what could they do to a horse...or a foal?

He tried to push that last thought from his head as he picked up his pace to a gallop, heedless of the clutching underbrush. It wasn’t long until the familiar smell of his herd brought him comfort and he slowed down until they were back in sight. The mares looked up in interested as he returned and some nickered happily.

Little Arwyl raced over and ran right into his chest, making him let out a loud “oof” at the surprise impact.

”You’re back! I’m glad!” she said, nuzzling his shoulder lovingly.

Perseus smiled and bent his neck so he could gently nip at the top of her little head. ”Yes, I’m back and I’m glad, too.” he replied.

The pair walked down to join the rest of the herd. Percy could feel the uneasiness in his stomach dissipating with each moment. The smell and sound of the rain mixed with his family was extremely comforting and Percy could feel himself relaxing.

Everything would be alright.