Snow Filly, Snow Colt

[yaruka]

The young silver mare wandered down the passage to the valley, breathing ragged with anxiety preceding the birth of her first foal. Her beautiful creamy coat was streaked with sweat but she was still nearly invisible in the swirling snow. Barina's first foal had chosen to be born in the last snow storm of the season, the same snow storm in which Nevada had chosen to fight Garrong. It was already Spring, and it worried her that it was snowing so late in the year but somehow it seemed fitting tha the snow she loved so much should protect her whilst giving birth to her first foal. She did worry about the cold though, she would have to try and find as much shelter as possible for the birth. She barely stifled a cry of pain as another contraction racked her body. She had heard that giving birth was painful, but this seemed much worse than what the other mares had described so early in the process. Maybe it was just because it was her first foal. Weakly, she continued. She coud smell other horses ahead and veered off the path, unwilling to meet up with another herd when in such a vunerable condition. Suddenly she couldn't take it any longer, and she collasped underneath a cyprus tree, its bare branches giving poor shelter during the storm. Sides heaving, she clenched her teeth and lay waiting for what was to come.
------------------------------------------

Hours later the foal finally came. He had been breached and his entrance into this world had not been easy, in fact it had nearly killed his mother. But he wasn't to know this, and he squealed impatiently for her attention as she lay motionless on the snowy ground, flakes of snow matting her silver mane and tail. Luckily for them they were both nearly invisible, other wise they would have been supremely vunerable to what ever else was moving around in the dusk. As it was, they were still in significant danger. Thowra must have been smiling down on them, for no dingo , strange stallion or man wandered near by that night.
Barina, roused by her colt's cries, lifted her head weakly and glanced behind her at the perfectly figured snow coloured colt. The wind swept through his mane, and swirled the snow around him so that he nearly disappeared from her view. Kareela, that was to be his name, for it was the South Wind which blew his mane that night, and it was that wind for which he should be named. He, as Thowra had been, was born of the wind and snow. Barina struggled to her feet, swaying slightly, and moved over to the little silver bundle, an almost perfect miniature of his mother though less refined in his legs and head. She licked him gently, warming his body as he lay in the snow. Then she encouraged him to stand, and he drank his fill of her life-giving milk greedily, little tail whisking in delight. When he had finished he flopped back down into the snow but Barina forced him to rise again, they couldn't stay here when they were so exposed to the elements. So she bumped him incessantly with her soft nose until he rose, grudginly, and stumbled after her into the brush. There she let him lie down again and in minutes he was asleep. The silver mare tried to keep watch, but soon exhaustion overcame her once again and she crumpled to the ground, curved protectively around her son. Her head drooped and sighing she fell into the wary and restless sleep of a new a mother.

[tingara]

Maluka was now becoming frantic. He had left Fira and Kimba when Barina had not returned and had been searching ever since. He snorted angrily at the weather. It was supposed to be Spring and that meant less snow, not more! Thanks to the snow Barina would practically be invisible so he wouldn’t be able to find her body until the melt.
Maluka shook his head to relieve himself of such horrible thoughts, of course she was alive, her and the foal.

Onwards he searched, oblivious to the fact that he was no crossing into Yarraman’s Valley. Scents and signs of Tingara lay everywhere but still Maluka ignored them, instead following the small scent of Barina.

Tingara looked upwards; it looked like the snow storm was finally clearing. This would make patrolling his borders a lot easier.
Ever since Garrong’s attack and the whisper of Maluka’s presence Tingara had begun to keep watch a lot more.
“This would be so much easier with Ammi,” he sighed. Tingara had not seen hair nor hide of the dingo in a long time.

He wandered on, not really expecting to see anything exciting.
Out of nowhere a strange scent hit him, there was another stallion about. In the distance Tingara could see a darker shape against the snow and issued a trumpeting warning.

As soon as Maluka saw the black up ahead and heard the warning he knew at once who it was. He roared his challenge at his brother itching for the fight he’d been waiting for.

Tingara heard Maluka’ challenge and roared one back of his own.
Both stallions approached each other necks arched and high stepping to show off whatever muscles they had. Maluka was more heavily built than Tingara, he always had been and last time they’d fought he’d won with that and the help of two others.
This time Tingara had his speed on his side and it was one on one.

They approached each snorting furiously and, face to face, lowered their heads to the ground.
First to flinch was attacked first. The snow stung Tingara’s nostrils and he pulled up his head first. Now the fight took full force, Maluka launched himself into Tingara’s chest, desperately aiming for the black’s withers. He missed but still managed to pierce skin with a savage bite.
Tingara whinnied furiously and flailed his front hooves in an attempt to rid himself of the grey. It worked and instantly Tingara dodged around Maluka and launched an assault on his withers. This time the black found his target and bit down hard.

Maluka let out am outraged roar that echoed through the valley. In the back of Tingara’s mind he hoped that it wouldn’t disturb the ghost of Yarraman.

[yaruka]

Barina slept through the better part of the next three days, waking only to feed the young colt who depended on her for his survival. And though Kareela's birth had almost taken her life, he was now the only thing that kept her alive. For if it wasn't for his frequent need for milk and Barina's newly developed mothering instincts, she surely would have fallen into the deepest of sleeps and have been claimed by the silent snow, to become part of it once and for all.
As she slept fitfully beside her colt, a familiar scent briefly met her nostrils. Startled awake, she flung her head up and gazed around her in disbelief. For a moment she had been sure she had smelt the comforting scent of Maluka. A slight breeze stirred the air beside her and she caught the scent again,ever so faintly. She raised her head to call a lonely call to her mate, but before she could neigh to him she heard the blood-chilling sound of stallions screaming in utter rage. Desperately,she struggled to her feet, nosing Kareela awake,and stumbled, still weak, to the edge of the trees. She peered out of them and could just make out through the snow, the figures of two stallions far off in the distance, preparing for what seemd could be a fight to the death. She looked down at her colt, he was up to travelling, it was her who was weakest at the moment. So she led off delicately, around the border of the trees towards the fight. She planned to hide in the trees, so as not to distract Maluka, and if things looked like they were going poorly for Maluka she hoped to somehow intervene in order to spare his life. She couldn't stand the loss of her beloved mate, though deep down she had known this fight was coming, ever since the grey's conversation with Fira. This must be his black brother, Tingara, that he fought. She had known the fight was inevitable. But surely Maluka must live to see his son grow up into a fine stallion himself, and desperately, she thought to herself that he must also not be a murderer, especially of his own kin. She had seen the gentle side of Maluka, one that she was not aware that few had the privilage to see. She knew that this fight did not have to end in the deaths of one, or both, of the stallions. She didn't know what she was planning to do, but somehow she must spare the lives of the two.

[Tiggs]

Not pleased about being abandoned for the creamy mare -- Fira hoped she had made an impression on the steely grey over the little time they'd spend together but apparently not. it hadn't been hard to follow the beast's trail as he carelessly searched for his beloved silver mare. It almost remind her of the times she'd purposefully wander off so Aleo would come looking for her. She still missed her own grey stallion, and wondered if he would ever return for her and come find her nice again. Fira refused to believe her Aleo was dead, but she hung on to her little delusion.

She had an idea of where Maluka was going as he started heading down into the lower country, and by the time the first stallion scream of rage echoed through the valley, Fira had caught up with Kimba in tow. They emerged from th snow flurries and approached the fight. To any onlookers, it might seem as if Yarraman's ghost had awakened to watch the fight until the snow parted and showed the chestnut was without a flaxen mane and tail and was in fact Fira's eager form. Fira's eyes were riveted to the fight, absolutely transfixed by the two brothers intertwined in their deadly dance. Blood-lust welled up, and her vengeful spite willed Tingara to loose badly. How dare he assume Aleo's position!

Kimba on the other hand - while learning a lot about tracking on their few days of following Maluka - was not so engrossed in the fight. She recognised this valley from a time when she had friends and family. When Fira had taken her away after Aleo's disappearance, she had forgotten this place but now the memories were coming back. She remembered playing games with the colts, though she had played a more vicious game like her mother had taught her. But now she just wanted to chase and dance and play like a real filly. Despite spending a whole year with just her mother for company, Kimba was growing into a caring and passionate mare rather than the carbon-copy her mother was hoping for. Her mother was glad that she had learned other lessons well at least. And when the time came for her to leave her mother's side, Fira hoped that she knew enough to choose a stallion who was worthy.

Fire held back her whinnies of encouragement for the smoky grey, not wanting to distract him from his important task of beating the King to the ground. Kimba busied herself with looking for the colts she had grown up with in the bulk of Tingara's herd who were gathering to watch their stallion fight.

Crayola had been the first spectator. Distraught with the sound of screaming stallions in her ears, she rushed up the valley with her palomino foal following. Tingara had been far from the herd, checking the borders but Crayola put on an uncharacteristic burst of speed and skidded to a halt when she could see the fight. With an anxious whinny, Crayola knew not to approach any closer. Instead, she watched helplessly as Tingara and the unknown grey battled it out.

[tingara]

Unfortunately for Tingara his hold on Maluka’s withers hadn’t been as strong as he’d hoped. With one hard kick to the ribs Maluka dislodged his brother and wheeled around to continue his assault. With a small snort the black stumbled backwards, slipping on the snow as he went.
Tingara knew full well if he went down now he was dead.

The grey watched the other stallion flailing but didn’t realise what an opportunity to finish the fight it had been until after Tingara had regained his balance. Snapping back into action, Maluka launched himself at Tingara, teeth bared and neighing savagely.

Tingara saw the attack coming and dodged out the way of gnashing teeth just in time. Quickly he threw his back legs in the air in the hope of colliding with his brother’s face.

The flying hooves of the black found their mark.
Maluka roared in pain and anger.
He stepped back and began shaking his head to rid his sight of the blinding white light from Tingara’s blow.

Tingara seized his chance and ran at Maluka’s side, aiming to knock him off his feet. He collided heavily with the grey’s side, managing to wind himself as well as knock Maluka off balance, but being heavier, Tingara’s attack didn’t have the full effect he’d hoped.
Out of nowhere Crayola’s whinny reached Tingara’s ears. He was brought out of the fight and saw the entire herd and then some standing around the two of them.

This time the window of opportunity didn’t go unnoticed. Maluka reared from the side, striking fiercely at Tingara’s shoulders and head. As he came down he made sure he landed squarely on his brother’s back.

The sickly, sweet smell of blood began to mix with the scent of sweat in Tingara’s nostrils. He squealed in pain as Maluka came down horribly on his back. As the grey kicked out again his hooves collided with one of Tingara’s fetlocks, threatening to bring the black stallion to his knees. His vision on the right side began to go red from blood pouring out of a deep gash near his ear.

It appeared that Maluka had the upper hand.


Both Burnum and Prisma watched on horrified. Both stuck close to Crayola. With their eyes trained only on the fight they didn’t notice their long lost sister creeping in their direction.

Poor Aroona had no idea what was going on. All she saw was her father fighting, and losing to a stranger. She didn’t know that this fight could spell death for the father she hardly knew.

[yaruka]

Barina watched in distress as the fight raged on, each stallion seemingly as determined as the other to finish the fight once and for all. Frozen with horror she watched the blood run down her grey stallion's pale coat. What could she do? Numbly, she wondered how and if she should shelter Kareela from the scene before his eyes. Surely he was too young to experience this, but truely-how could she hide it from him? Undecided, Barina's eyes never left the fight, though she could quite clearly feel Kareela's trembling silver body against her own, though she wasn't aware that she too shook like a leaf. She waited, watching for any sign of weakness in Maluka's fighting. He would not die here. He could not. She would not let him.

[tingara]

On the battle raged.
The two stallions entwined in the dance of life and death.

Tingara let out half-snorts as he stumbled, blinded by blood. With his blood-free eye he watched Maluka circle him warily, he was trying to sneak around to Tingara’s blind spots. Still Tingara watched him, both horses were breathing hard but both were determined to see this fight out as far as it could go.

Maluka backed away from the black to catch his breath and try to find a new area to attack. Already dark purple bruises could be seen under Tingara’s black coat along his back.
Suddenly, with extreme swiftness Maluka launched himself at Tingara. The grey was once again met with flailing hooves and teeth like his last attack.

After thwarting Maluka’s newest attack, Tingara wheeled around sharply on his hooves and dodged behind his brother. This took the larger stallion by surprise and gave Tingara an open shot at Maluka’s withers before he could be kicked. He sunk his teeth in hard, tasting Maluka’s blood. Tigara stopped himself from gagging, determined not to let go.

The battle was now swinging in Tingara’s favour.

[Valatone]

The last of the snow was still falling. It was touching everyone, a coat of icey water surrounding everyone like magic. The last signs of little life were gone in most areas- dingoes, kookaburras and all the other creatures seemed to have just melted into the earth. For Valatone, it didn't really matter. She felt numb, and cold. But not cold because of the snow, cold because of her feelings. But the perlino mare knew that it was just plain natural that her foal had never lived.

But she couldn't bring herself to believe it. It just didn't seem right, not having a little, warm body beside her. Cobalt was truely gone from her now. But she was back to Earth at least. She had her friends, herdmates and Tingara. Tingara, that was right. That was where she was going. The mare, completely hidden by the snowfall, shook her head and came to her senses.

As she came closer to the scent of her mate, she heard stallion screams. Her ears twitched and her blue eyes became less unclouded. Oh god, a fight? Valatone didn't feel like watching a fight, just more death and pain. But she had no choice, and began to gallop faster towards the scene. She saw Crayola, and came to a halt beside her. She noticed the little foal beside her, and felt a tad jealous.

---

Cobalt had heard the sounds from a while away. His father and another stallion, fighting in the valley. The black colt hadn't seen a proper fight before, so the voices excited him into a sprint. Through the snowfall ran a black spirit, seen purely through it all. The snow hid nothing about him, but the small trees did. Soon he came to a stop, where a steel grey was fighting his almost-identical father to himself.

He could barely stop himself from calling out to his father and running in to help. But he held himself back with invisible reins, and saw his silent mother. By now, he'd grown out of being around her. She meant little to him, but like herself this was something natural that happened to him. He also noticed his old friend, if thats what you could call her, Kimba.

Cobalt remembered how she'd been stuck-up and mean, and he hoped she'd changed. Maybe she'd leave with him? He remembered the other filly, Birubi. Was she around too? He looked around with his beady eyes. Nope, not yet at least.

[yaruka]

OOC: [psssttt Vala remember Barina and Kareela are totally invisible so Valatone wouldn't have been able to see them ]

BIC: Barina trembled as she watched the ongoing battle, her tiny silver colt pressed against her creamy legs. What should she do? What could she do? She saw Tingara grab a hold of Maluka's withers and seeing the blood run down his shoulder she couldn't help but surpress a small gasp of horror. She wished she could run out there and stop the whole thing, but she was worried her appearance might distract Maluka and allow the black to finish him off. But if her appearance distracted Maluka, might it also distract Tingara? Especially if she went unseen. An idea had come to the silver mare but dare she attempt to pull it off? For her mate she must try.
Urgently, she made sure that Kareela was safely hidden in the bush, asking a lone gangang to keep an eye on the colt and call her if there was trouble. Then,ghost-like, she slipped through the trees towards the raging battle, shaking with fear. As she reached the outskirts of the clearing, she began to trot lightly, floating, invisible, through the snow. She circled round so that she was behind Tingara and then, delicately, she reached out to tug on his tail. In a flash she whirled away and froze, hidden by the flurry of snowflakes, brown eyes wide and watching for the black's reaction, body tense with legs spread well apart in fear.

[tingara]

The tug on Tingara’s tail definitely did not go unnoticed.
“You coward!” He screamed through the snow, “Is it not possible for you to fight me alone!?” He wheeled around attempting to catch out Maluka’s helper but there was nothing.
Just the snow.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about little brother,” Maluka panted but he was lying. Indeed he had caught sight of what had pulled on Tingara’s tail. Before Maluka could call to his mate, Tingara launched at him.

The black was now filled with new rage. He knew his brother was lying. Tingara felt like killing the coward as he launched himself into the side of the grey.
Maluka fell and was too exhausted to get back up. The cold snow masked the pain that would surely catch up with the two stallions.
Tingara stood over Maluka breathing hard.
“How is this going to end brother?” Tingara sighed as he stood over the grey.
“With my death I suppose,” Maluka wheezed.