The Valley of the Ghost Horse

[stormsnow]

The full moon shone in the dark night sky, like a jewel. Below, a single mare, as pale and beautiful as the moon itself, made her way down the steep slope. She hit the bottom with a thud, but the soft grass cushioned her.

Getting up, she looked around. Way, way above her was a giant flat slab of stone, overlooking this very valley. She had found it! Thowra's secret Valley!

[stormsnow]

Daku skidded to a halt behind his friend. He too took in the whole scene. The grass below them was rather long, and tickled his belly. The many ghost gums shone eerily in the moonlight. A stream ran through the middle of the valley, gleaming.

The dingo sniffed his way to a large cave. Its floors were mostly covered in moss, and he called to Loorea softly. "Loorea! Come and see what I've found!"

[stormsnow]

Loorea ran over too her friend. He eyes widened when she saw the cave. "Wow! A whole herd could sleep here when they had to!" She exclaimed. "Let's sleep here tonight, shall we?"

Without waiting for an answer, the shining-white mare found a spot to her liking,and collapsed on her side. She was asleep in moments.

[stormsnow]

The next morning, when Daku woke, the cave was empty. Getting up, he hurried out of the cave, and almost ran into Loorea, who had her head down and was grazing. Calling, "Good Morning!" as he passed, the dingo headed for the stream. Sitting by it, he watched the crystal-clear waters carefully. Before long, a huge, lazy-looking trout swam by. As quick as a flash, Daku hooked the fish out of the water with one paw. It wriggled and writhed, and the dingo pounced, sinking his teeth into the fish's throat.

It stopped wriggling and lay still. Daku had a quick drink from the stream, picked up his fish, and trotted over to Loorea. Laying near her, he gobbled down the fish, feeling strength flow back into his body. He lay there, yawning contentedly.

[stormsnow]

Loorea continued to chew the grass, commenting, "The fishing is good around here, then?" Daku gulped down the last bite of fish and replied, "It is very good indeed. This would make a good home for the two of us, when we felt like staying in one place." The white mare nodded. "Provided we make sure no-one ever follows us here."

[stormsnow]

Daku nodded impatiently. "Of course, of course. But aren't you happy to have found this place at long last?" He asked her. Loorea replied, "of course I am! Look around! We could say here all year round. We'd get a bit bored, granted, but other than that it's a perfect place to live!"

[stormsnow]

The dingo growled good-naturedly, "When I'm old and decrept, I think I'll just stay here and do nothing but catch fish and rest. You can keep any predators and man away."

[stormsnow]

Loorea snorted and whinnied teasingly, "You already are old and decrept. I'll have to be your nurse, soon."