The Summer Sun

[tingara]

Maluka felt as if he was waling on air. Behind him was the most beautiful, stunning, amazing mare he'd ever lain eyes on, and she had chosen him to follow! He walked proudly, and a little cockily, out in front. He was trying to make it look like he knew where he was going but the honest truth was he had no idea where he was. After a little while the sound of water reached his ears. Maluka hadn't noticed how thirsty he was until now. Stepping out of the trees, there was a creek.
"I hope your thirsty," he laughed to Barina. As the summer sun beat down upon his back he drank deeply from the fast moving water.

[barina]

Barina followed Maluka happily, dancing with pleasure as the sun warmed her coat and made her mane and tail glitter as mica did in the sunlight. She gave a playful buck as a small mouse scurried in front of her and watched in amusement as Maluka strode ahead proudly. He had been good to her and she was happy. Soon, the grey stallion stopped to drink "I hope your thirsty," he laughed and Barina nuzzled his neck sweetly then took a sip of the cold water, allowing it to soothe her slightly parched throat. Then she stepped into the water, and nosed it, lipping it so that it made small bubbles. Playfully, she struck out with her left forelimb so that the water splashed up and onto the still-drinking Maluka's face. Snorting playfully she backed away into the deeper water and swung her head into the water and up so that it rained down on her back and cooled her off.

[tingara]

Barina's splashing caught Maluka off guard and he reared with fright but then laughed at his mate's playfulness. He snorted and called joyously before jumping into the water to join her. Maluka pranced and kicked up water, having the time of his life. All thoughts of Tingara were now pushed temporarily from his mind. He was too busy enjoying himself under the Summer sun to hunt down Garrong for his help, or to take down Tingara. Soon Maluka stopped playing and nuzzled Barina affectionately, sharing a few moments of peace with her before suprising her with a sneak splash.

[Tiggs]

The High Country was a large place, a brumby could easily lose himself in the many valleys and jutting ridges at the base of the mountain range. This was also the heart of the man's territory, so the searching mare told her filly to be careful, hushing her when she spoke too loudly. Men themselves were cumbersome beasts, but the animals they caught, the dogs and their tame horses would raise the alarm if they were too loud.

Trotting slowly along the creek's edge, Fira walked in the water wherever possible to hide her tracks, teaching her filly how to stand on the rocks and pebbles on the creek's bed so she wouldn't damage her hooves, slip or trip on the uneven surface. Despite her aggressive nature and her fiery temper, Fira was raising her filly to be sharp in mind as well as tongue.

Halting suddenly, Fira lifted her head and brought her ears forward. Kimba followed suit and after a moment, whispered. "Brumbies." Fira nuzzled her foal proudly and after listening to the pair, decided to approach them. Keeping Kimba behind her, Fira led the way forward. The two chestnuts moved down the creek, clambering onto the bank when they were close.

When they came into sight, Fira sneered and pinned her ears back. There were playing? In man's territory? Foolish beings. Stepping into view, Fira eyes the two with a superior edge. A dark grey stallion and a silver filly. Fira ground her teeth together. Silvers were nothing but trouble. They were prized above all other mares, and all they did was bring bad luck on a herd. Kimba looked at the pair, fascinated by the stallion. Her dam had kept them safe from roaming stallions, so other than Tingara, this grey was the first she'd ever seen. The young filly flared her nostrils, peeking out from around her mother.

By now, Kimba was growing into herself. Her legs were still too long for her body, and her coat was still shaggy with her baby coating but she was growing fast. The little chestnut huffed and nickered to the grey. Fira snorted loudly and Kimba quietened. Fira spoke, "I'm seeking the King, do you know his location?" She asked, raising her russet tail and baring her teeth a little. This was purely business, she clearly did not want to socialise.

[tingara]

Maluka instantly stopped as the stranger announced their presence, all signs of softness now gone. He surveyed the new mare and her foal, both chestnuts. The mother was very handsome but Maluka wasn't interested. Only his brother's mares would fill out his herd from now on.
"I am also looking for the king so I am afraid I can't help you," he said icily.
All three adult horses stood in an awkward silence while the little one made various noises as foals do.

[barina]

Barina felt lighter than air playing and splashing in the water. She was glad Maluka had joined her and gleefully joined in on the continued game. Soon Maluka stopped playing and nuzzled her, she nuzzled him back and stood contentedly in the water with him until he splashed her in the face. Snorting, she jumped back, caught off guard, but simply returned his splash with one of her own. She was just about to nip him playfully on the withers when she caught sight of a chesnut mare and foal. She looked at them curiously, not liking the unfriendly stance and tone of the mare. The foal was cute though. She stood awkwardly until Maluka replied, and then she felt her blood run cold. The harshness in his tone, she'd never heard him like that before. She looked at him in surprise, concerned at his behaviour. Sure, the mare hadn't exactly been friendly, but did was such a icy reply required? And he was looking for the king? That was news to her. Who was the king anyway? She'd never heard of a king. She didn't like Maluka's suddenly aggresive posture and the steely look in his eyes when he mentioned the stallion he was looking for. She shuffled her hooves awkwardly in the water-what was she missing from this picture?

[Tiggs]

Fira snorted, hiding the flash of excitement. So he was looking for Aleo too? That must mean she would find him eventually. "And what exactly do you mean to do when you find him? Glare him to death?" She eyed the three-year-old haughtily. "A colt like you can never hope to challenge the King. He'd slaughter you." She sneered. "Take your creamy and take a walk up the creek. You'll run into the men eventually and at least you'll keep them happy for the season."

The chestnut mare turned to her filly. "Come, Kimba. Let's leave these fools and look for Aleo further to the North. The men prefer the flatter ground, we'll be safer up there." She wasn't directing her voice at the other pair, but it was loud enough for them to catch most of her words.

[tingara]

"I am no colt," Maluka called after Fira irritably. He was five, how could anyone miss that fact? He was definitely not small for his age. Maluka snorted and perked back up at the mention of a new name.
"The old king, Aleo, is gone, taken by men far away," he whinnied, not really caring what the red mare did with herself. He turned back to Barina, "I'm sorry you had to see that side of me, the current king and I have had differences in the past." He looked away suddenly ashamed, something Maluka had never felt before now.

[barina]

Barina looked at Maluka, and listened to his explanation carefully, it sounded reasonable enough, everyone had disagreements once in a while and ran into others they just couldn't stand. She decided just to trust him, after all, what use was there in being with someone if you couldn't trust them? She couldn't help but wonder what disagreements Maluka had had with the king in the past, but decided it was best not to ask. Instead she stepped forward and nuzzled him, then slowly began to groom him at the base of his neck in a sweet and soothing manner to try and relax him and bring back the other Maluka she knew. The fun and caring one that had protected her from Garrong and played with her in the water only moments earlier.

[tingara]

Maluka stood looking serious for a moment and then, with a mischievous spark in his eye, splashed Barina. He shivered, the water was becoming colder and the warm sun disappearing. The season was changing. It was autumn and autumn would soon become winter. Maluka wondered what Garrong was doing, whether he was plotting against the one they called Nevada the silver stallion. Nevada was of no interest to Maluka yet, it was Tingara that he plotted against. Winter would be a good time to strike him. When he and his mares are at their weakest.