Eyes Like Stars

[Ehetere]

Winter seemed loathe to relinquish its grip that year. The pale stallion did not know whether to be glad or not: while hunger pains were far from enjoyable, there was something comforting at simply being able to melt into the snow, unseen by prying eyes. The round little mare trotted along happily at his side, and Jirrand couldn’t remember the last time he’d only had to worry about hiding one colour of horse from enemies. Like himself, Cooinda was nearly snow white, though had strange striping on her legs and back that Jirrand found very unusual. After spending so much time in solitude, her bubbly nature was doing the troubled creamy good.

Even so, food was a necessary thing.

Pawing at the packed snow revealed nothing much more than dead grey leaves left over from the year previous, so Jirrand pressed on, hoping that he would find a place to rest and eat before he found another stallion. With spring rolling around again, the cries of hormone filled colts would likely fill the air again as they challenged each other for supremacy. Jirrand could have joined them, for though he was aged his body was still more than sound he had mellowed somewhat; peace was what he strove for now, not glory or victory.

The pair crested Dead Horse Ridge as the sun broke over the hills in the east, momentarily blinding the aging stallion in a flash of golden brilliance. Despite both their hides being painfully obvious now there were fewer patches of snow to conceal themselves in, Jirrand had little fear of man at this time of year, certainly not after such a winter. Man and the seasons had a mirrored relationship; if the winter was slow to go, man would be slow to come.

Soon enough his eyes adjusted from the possum light they had been travelling by, and he surveyed the mist-shrouded valley below, still and unmoving save for the family of grey kangaroos grazing a safe distance from the hut in the distance. Butting the pale mare playfully with his muzzle, the creamy stallion leaped forward and tore down the other side of the ridge with reckless abandon. He might not wish to go fighting for the sake of it, but the flight down the mountain side was exhilarating and free. Freedom was something he would never grow tired of, as he let out a wild ringing call in the morning sunshine. The day was theirs to own.

[byrch]

Spring was late in coming. The snow clung to the high country. A spring snowstorm had left a new blanket to cover the dirt and tracks that had been ingrained throughout the winter in the old snow. A couple patches were completely free from the white blanket, though they were just earthly blemishes on the crisp mountainside. Small shoots were poking through the thinner parts of the snow, reaching for the sun to bath them in golden light.

The air chilled against the silvery mare, a breeze caressing her hide. It moved her fluffy coat this way and that way. Her ribs were still visible through her thick fur, food had been scarce, and Jirrand had kept them in a constant flow of motion. She hadn’t minded at all, as long as she was with him, she was happy. She had never been happier, not even when she was a little foal by her mother’s side, frolicking in meadows of snow grass with the other foals.

She trotted just a little behind him on the left side. Looking up at him, she saw his blue eye, searching out a path up the ridge. Her heart fluttered at the sight of him. Though he sported a winter coat, it was by far not as thick as hers, and one could clearly see his lithe muscles underneath.

It seemed like in just a moment, they were at the top of the ridge. Cooinda couldn’t believe her eyes. The sun spilled in from behind the distant mountains, overflowing the valley below with light and shadow. The sudden change in lighting left her a bit blind; she turned her head toward the lean stallion, shielding her eyes. She cracked them open a bit, and looked down into the valley. A man’s hut stood empty and alone, with a few kangaroo’s a distance away. Cooinda’s breath caught, men were dangerous. She looked up at Jirrand, but seeing him just watching, relaxed. If he thought it was safe, it must be. She trusted his judgment, better than her own.

As she looked back down at the valley, she felt a playful nudge on her shoulder. A breeze flew past her, as her stallion did. Startled, she let out a high whinny, and took off after him. She saw him make turns and bucks and rears, rejoicing in the golden light. She let out another whinny, and started she kicked out and chased after him, eyes alight with joy and happiness.

Sprays of snow were kicked up by her heels, and reflected the gold light from the dawn. Racing down the ridge, she jigged right and left, reveling in this play. He was an older stallion, having seen the world. During their winter together they had rarely played like this, racing around in reckless abandon.

The small family of kangaroo’s scattered as Cooinda caught up to the stallion. She reached, quickly giving him a soft nip, and took off ahead of him. She looked back to see if he followed, turning her head back and flicking her tail.