Post by xx.shuffle on Dec 13, 2014 11:50:35 GMT -5
KODA
He looked around slowly as he entered the lands. The faint sounds of birds chirping way up in the trees drifted down to him. It was warm, and he suspected I would be warm year-round. He would never admit it, but when Ilene had first suggested this place to him, he had had his reservations. Weren't rainforests notorious for being wet and rainy all the time? He hadn't been sure if this was the right place for them to live. Wouldn't it pose a risk to any future foals, to be breathing in all that moist air? But it wasn't anything like he thought it would be.
Sure, there was water falling, but it wasn't bad. Just a few drops here and there. He didn't mind that. It was actually quite comfortable here. Warm, protected, and it had taken him ages to find the territory. How Ilene had found it so easily astounded him. He knew exactly what he was looking for, and he had had loads of trouble figuring out where they were. But he was here now, and he was pleasantly surprised. Before he laid claims to the land, though, he wanted to check around and make sure that there wasn't anything potentially dangerous about the rainforest that would put either of his girls in danger. They were what mattered, and if this place was going to be a danger to either one of them... Well, Ilene would just had to deal with a safer place. He knew she would grow to love any place they settled down. But she wanted this one, so he was tasked with trudging over each and every inch to make sure no one would get hurt living here.
The ground beneath him was spongy with moss. That was new. It would take some getting used to. He could see the potential of that, though. A cushion should anyone fall; quiet, making for a secret getaway incase of predators; it strained his muscles, so he knew they would build up some powerful legs if they settled here. He dipped his head to the ground and took a mouthful. If anyone were to risk testing it out as a food source, it would be him. It tasted faintly of the dirt that clung to the bottom, but it wasn't the worst thing he had eaten. And it was full of the moisture falling from the trees. It might not be his first choice in food, but they had it to fall back on if the lands ever ran sparse on grass. So far, so good.
The trees grew close together. Every few steps, he had to wind around wind around another one. Anyone that didn't know the territory would have a tough time traversing through without being discovered. He was liking this place more and more. Everything that he was finding was more beneficial to his girls than it was a hazard. That was all he could ask for. He cared more about them than he did any lands.
He had been walking for a couple hours before he came up on the watering hole that Ilene had spoke to him about. It was a crystal clear water, and he figured there was an underground water source feeding it somewhere. It was the freshest tasting water he had drank in his life. She had been right about this place. He was amazed. It was almost perfect. The only thing it was missing was his girls. They would complete this place. He would claim these lands for them, so that they had a home to live, and a safe place to sleep at night.
He found the clearest, highest place in the territory, and looked around one last time. He was set on this place. He shifted his weight to his hind legs, and hefted himself into the air. As loud as he could, he called out over the lands, willing anyone to come and challenge his claim. He landed onto the ground, his hooves seeping into the moss, and the water pooled over his hooves. He listened as the wind carried his challenge over the lands, then faded to nothing. Auds perked on top of his head to listen to any other stags answer. Of course, he heard none. There were so few horses populating the lands right now, he would have been surprised if there had been an answering challenge. So the lands belonged to him now. He was proud. He had his girls, and he had a home to protect.
He lifted his head high, and felt his chest swell. Not even at three years, he had a home of his own, and two beautiful mares to stand by his side. It was a proud day for him, and he couldn't wait to share it.