Rocky Mountain Way [Omeo/Open]

[tingara]

There was something chasing her, hidden in the snowgums and it only compelled the bay filly to run further and faster. Out of the corner of her eye she saw it again; a ghostly white horse in the darkness of the gum forest. She squealed with terror and galloped with all the strength she could muster. Her hooves pounded as she galloped, ringing as they hit solid rock. Away from the valley Alinta climbed, thoughts only of getting away where a great stallion’s bones lay bleaching, the same stallion that she thought was chasing her.

It was only when she stumbled and fell did the bay filly stop running. In the dust she lay, eyes wide and coat damp with sweat and fear. Never before had she been so overwhelmed, well not this overwhelmed anyway, with horror. The thought she had to keep going forced the filly to her feet but the fall had lamed her and she could not go on. What a mess Alinta was, bleeding and lamed she began to shake and huff in a way that sounded something like weeping.

[Tiggs]

Chasing her was a colt, though he was hardly the ghostly white stallion Alinta imagined. That ghost was in fact his father, but the resemblance was faint. He was surefooted across the country, not hindered like the bay filly with fear. He called after her, but she was too frightened to hear him.

Suddenly she fell up ahead, and Omeo squealed in surprise. By the time he reached her, she was up on her feet. He slowed quickly, coming to her side and snuffling at her coat. He pulled back quickly when she flinched, muttering apologies. “Alinta, it’s Omeo.” He explained, nickering softly. She was shaking, and it was heartbreaking to see. “Alinta? Don’t worry, you’re safe.” He reached out his nose, but did not quite touch hers before he pulled away. “What’s the matter?” The bay dun roan asked softly, dark eyes brimming with concern.

[tingara]

Now that she was alone and out of the valley the fear subsided slightly but the filly still shook terribly. The whisper of the wind through the leaves of the snowgums and scrub played tricks on Alinta’s eyes and ears. He was there, somewhere just out of sight watching her, she could feel it. Wildly her head spun around trying to catch a glimpse of the ghost horse instead she came face to face with his son.

”Omeo!” she whinned shrilly, shying away when he touched her. For a moment Alinta tried to move away but her lamed leg limited her movement. ”I know I’m safe but that’s not the point Omeo. I saw him, he ran beside me; a stallion ghostly white. I couldn’t stay in that valley, not with him watching me. Nepelle is trespassing where he lies, that is why the King’s herd is not there, to give peace to the dead while his bones bleach into nothingness,” the bay filly babbled, leaning on Omeo for support and comfort.

[Tiggs]

Omeo touched his dark nose to hers, wishing he could stop her shaking. She really did look as if she had just seen a ghost. He lipped at her whiskers comfortingly. “His name was Nevada.” He told her with reverence. “He was my father, you know.” He gave a sad smile, his dusty tail swinging slowly behind him. “I didn’t really know him,” He added as clarification, “But my mother and aunt have told me enough about him.”

It occurred to Omeo that he knew more about Alinta than she did about him through all her mother’s boasting. “Nevada lost a fight against your father before I was born – that’s why I never met him. It was when my father came again to win back his mares than he lost before, that he died.”

The roan lowered his head to sniff at her knees, making sure they were not bleeding. Visibly they seemed fine – if a little dirty – but they way she held one leg told not all was well. He tried not to let his worry show as he comforted her. “If his ghost is still here, I don’t think you need to worry – he’s not angry with you.”

[tingara]

Nevada, she knew that name, Fira had told Alinta of the stallion named for the snowfall. He had been the rival of her own father but that’s all she knew of him. The filly had not known that the ghostly stallion had been the father of the colt that stood beside her. ”I’m sorry Omeo,” she whickered quietly, lipping at his ears and mane. New and confusing feelings made the bay want to stand closer to him; the curse of being a two year old.

Alinta’s mother had told her of these feelings but had always stressed that it was for Nepelle she would have the feelings of a mare for and yet here she was with Omeo. The filly felt guilty about feeling attracted to the colt, not because he was younger but because of her father. He had killed Omeo’s father and it was hard for her not to dwell on that fact. ”My father was the one that killed him and I know he’s not angry at me. It’s still frightening to feel the presence of one passed on,” she whispered with a shudder. ”Thank you for coming after me, I much prefer your company over that of Nepelle’s or Mother’s.”

[Tiggs]

The smaller and younger horse gave the filly’s forelock a friendly nibble. “You don’t like Nepelle?” He asked, surprised. He thought it was rude to dislike any horse, though he could understand why Alinta did not want her mother to come after her. This was the second time Omeo had followed Alinta when she was frightened, and the first time Fira had caught up and rather than comforting her daughter, she had scolded her! Omeo could never imagine his mother would discipline him for being scared.

Omeo was still a little young to feel anything adult toward Alinta, but he recognised that warm flush of happiness when she showed affection toward him as friendship. He enjoyed her company, and even though she belonged to Nepelle – as Fira often screamed at him whenever he ventured too close – he hoped they would be friends forever. The yearling looked up to meet her deep brown eyes with his own, and he was glad to see she was calming now.

[tingara]

”He’s okay, I mean he’s nice and all but my mother wants him to become my stallion and well, I don’t really want to be his mare. And I miss my family, all my brothers, sisters, aunts and my father,” Alinta chattered, nuzzling Omeo. She liked the colt, he was all ways willing to talk to her even at the risk of Fira’s angry bites and kicks. Yes the young bay filly was very much aware of how her mother treated Omeo and although she found it deplorable there was nothing she could do about it, it was not her place to question Fira –or anyone for that matter.

”Thank you for coming after me, I feel less-scared now but I don’t think I will be able to walk back to the valley for some time,” she said quietly, drop her head to nose at her lamed leg. Oddly enough the filly was thankful for it, Yarraman’s valley was still frightening, with the ghost of Nevada galloping through it, and being lamed gave her an excuse not to return to it and her mother’s ranting for at least a little while. ”Will you stay with me? I understand if you want to go back, I’m sure my mother wouldn’t be happy to see you here with me.”

[Tiggs]

“Of course I’ll say!” He exclaimed as if there was no other answer. “Your mother is frightening, but I wouldn’t leave you alone just to avoid her.” He smiled wryly, “I don’t think I could get in any more trouble with her. Just by existing, I seem to anger her.” He nosed his friend’s cheek. “Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.” The roan bay concluded softly, flicking his tail and resting his nose on hers.

“I don’t understand your mother. She wants you to be a lot of things. Why can’t you just be you? Why do you have to be what your mother wants you to be?” He mused, “I like this you.” He said sincerely, meeting her eye with his to convey his seriousness. “If you don’t want to be any other way, then you shouldn’t have to be.”

[tingara]

”Thank you dear Omeo, you are a true friend,” the slight bay filly whispered appreciatively, giving the colt an affectionate nip. Deep down, instinct yearned for the bay dun to be than just a friend but, for the moment, Alinta chose to ignore it. She had to get it through her head that she was Nepelle’s and that she shouldn’t throw glances Omeo’s way when her mother wasn’t looking, or daydream of frolicking with him over the mountains.

”My mother is many things, and I guess frightening is one of them. It is not your existence itself that makes her angry, merely the interference your existence ensures of her plans for me,” Alinta said thoughtfully and with wisdom one would expect only an old mare to have. ”She is ambitious, pushing Nepelle to take the High Country from my father and I to be his mate over my half sister. I do not agree with her but I have no choice but to follow her. It is the way of the bush; all young must know their place and respect the decisions and motives of their elders instead of questioning it.”

The bay filly bowed her head solemnly for she had broken this unsung law. By voicing her dislike of Fira’s plans she had shown disrespect to an elder, her mother no less. As if in response she saw him again, Nevada, but only fleetingly amongst the shadows of the snowgums and then it started. A breeze rustled through the leaves but to Alinta it sounded like voices whispering in the gloom. Stallions, mares, colts and fillies alike; all their voices filled the young horse’s ears. Wildly she tossed her head, wanting to run but unable to due to her lame leg. What was happening to her, first Nevada’s ghost and now this?

[Tiggs]

Omeo was enamoured by her speech. So eloquent were her words! She was wise beyond her years, thanks in part to her abusive mother. It was sad and ironic really that she had to endure such cruelty to gain that wisdom. The roan colt nuzzled her, at a loss of words that could even rivals hers. Instead he comforted her with soft nuzzles.

It was unfair that her life was under such utter dictation. She was not allowed to express free will, yet her heart and soul surpassed any he had ever known. If she were free, she would soar like a bird! To release her would be the ultimate gift. Omeo felt that slight twinge of what h could ony describe as jealously whenever she mentioned Nepelle. He respected the chestnut stallion, but if Alinta did not want to be with him, why should she have to be?

His train of through was interrupted by her shivering, and Omeo instantly lipped at her nose and ears, nuzzling along her neck to nibble at her withers. The ghosts were haunting her again. Her ears were flickering to sounds he could not here, and all he could do was try and ground her with his grooming. “Hush.” He murmured, draping his head over her back.

They stood that way for a while, Omeo hearing nothing but the bush creatures chattering. Alinta’s heart was racing, and he was too preoccupied listening to it than to the new sound approaching them.

Fira fought her way through the scrub, her flaxen filly following. The chestnut mare was furious, and her eyes were bloodshot and rolling. Nepelle had disgraced her! How dare he ignore her in favour of his other mares! She had done him a great favour by following him, and this was how he repaid her!? Well, she would not stand for it, so now she was leaving with Wallina and once she had collected Alinta, she was leaving this place to find a worthier stallion.

Nepelle was then promptly forgotten as she came into sight of her bay daughter. Draped over her was that infernal colt! The one belonging to that horrid new mare of Nepelle’s. Screaming with rage, Fira rushed in and planted a heavy kick on the colt’s rump. The colt squealed and moved away from Alinta to face Fira, but did not flee. The chestnut mare screamed again and charged, this time biting the colt above the eye.

He shied and backed away, but still he would not leave. This completely infuriated Fira, so she readied herself to strike again. She’s warned this colt time and time again, and this was the last straw! If he would not leave, she would see him kicked to a pulp!