-->>and you seem to break like [T I M E]

[Swifthoof]

Oh, I...I lost my sense of direction. Momentarily

[/color]

The white brute couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Nombre's words, but he said nothing. It was obvious that the other wasn't telling him something, but Kiba wasn't one to pry. Nodding, he then turned his gaze back to the path ahead, his ears pricked for the cougar he had spotted earlier. The scent was still fresh, but he could tell that the cat was moving off toward easier prey.

A small sigh of relief escaped the stallion and he continued on. He could tell that Nombre was rather hesitant in these parts, not that he blamed him. It took a tough horse to live in this area. One wrong step and it could mean death. When he first lived here, it took him a few months physically to get used to the terrain and a few more mentally. With the towering walls on either side, a horse could feel trapped, but vulnerable out in the open. So either way, nowhere was completely safe. Unless they were in the human fort that is, where a horse was cared for. Or at least that was what he had heard.

The path ahead now was fairly easy to navigate and he could even run the rest of the path if he wanted to. But he supposed a slower route wouldn't hurt. And it had been awhile since he had had any company.

So...Nombre. How is it in herd life? I bet its a lot easier than having to deal with this everyday..[/color] he asked, a friendly grin crossing his face. [/blockquote][/size]

[[esperanza]]

His mouth was parched. When would they reach water? He glanced from side to side, but couldn't see anything but the rusty brown of desert canyon walls. The cougar scent was beginning to dissipate though; that at least brought comfort. Also, they were now walking on flat ground. Nombre quickened his pace to catch up with the other stallion.

So...Nombre. How is it in herd life? I bet its a lot easier than having to deal with this everyday...

He flicked his tail, thinking before answering. "Well...it's not bad. You always have other horses around you, so it's safer, I guess. You watch out for the other horses and they watch out for you." He knew he was painting a picture of herd life that was far too idealistic. It was true that he wasn't cut out for being a loner, but life in the Darksun had been troubled most of his life. With a moment of hatred he remembered the bay stallion that was responsible for it all. When he got the chance, he would destroy Alasdi.

But not now. He wasn't ready now.

Will you ever be ready? There it was again, the nagging voice that brought self doubt. Yes, he answered himself, but he wasn't sure.

[Swifthoof]

Well...it's not bad. You always have other horses around you, so it's safer, I guess. You watch out for the other horses and they watch out for you

[/color]

A small smile crossed the white stallion's muzzle as he processed Nombre's words. Sounds picturesque[/color] he answered, chuckling. It sounded good to him, but he didn't really think he was cut out for herd life. He guessed being alone for so long could do that to a horse. He wasn't even sure if he was capable of leaving these parts and much less live in a herd. No, he was a lot happier and better off where he was now; in this canyon.

His eyes were soon then fixed on a rusted spot along the wall and he immediately recognized it as blood. It was dry and the scent was stale, but it still made Kiba wonder what happened. A fight no doubt, but over what was the question. No use wondering... he thought to himself as he passed the stain. Sooner or later, it would slowly get washed away by the wind and water. It was what usually happened and the bodies, if there were any, would decay and get picked clean by vultures and coyotes before succumbing to the earth. Such was the way of life in this canyon.

The white stallion slowed and looked up at the sky to see the sun just beginning to reach its highest point. He felt sorry for any living thing that was caught out in the open in this heat. Luckily for them, the canyon walls provided some shade and it was at least a few degrees cooler in the canyon than out in the surrounding desert. A small sigh escaped his maw before he saw the trail start to go downward again. Fortunately, there were walls on either side making it a bit easier than the other previous paths. Tossing his head, he let out a soft snort as he kept on, senses alert for any dangers. He was sure that the cougar had left them, but in case it decided to come back, fighting in this area would be difficult from lack of space. [/blockquote][/size]

[[esperanza]]

Ivory ears flicked to the other's words, but Nombre said nothing. Just talking about herd life had seemed to reopen an old wound in his heart. The stallion was scared of both the future and the past, and there was nowhere to turn but the present.

That present was currently plodding down the canyon paths, letting the sun constantly beat down upon them. His mane, although cut even, was matted with sweat, and flocks of flies were swarming around him. He flicked his tail, hoping to drive them away. When would the heat relent? He glanced up at the sky; there were a few dark, towering clouds on the horizon. Still a long ways off, but the thought of being caught in a storm in this canyon frightened him. Future storm or not, though, he was stuck with the heat for now.

He followed Kiba with head and tail low, dragging his hooves on the ground. He had almost forgotten about the iron shoes on them. The nails were beginning to loosen. One on his right hindleg came off altogether. The sound of metal rolling down the rock path spooked him, but he calmed once he saw what it was. He snorted at the shoe with pinned ears before moving on.

Time was seeming to drag on most uncormfortably. Sooner or later, though, his mouth began to get dry again. He smacked his lips, looking around for water, but the path was too narrow for him to see much beyond Kiba. He flicked his ears, listening for the sound of rushing water; it sounded no louder than it had before. Or maybe it was louder? He couldn't tell.

"How far?" he asked in a hoarse whisper.

[Swifthoof]

The sound of the metal rolling down the path almost seemed eerie and Kiba couldn't help but look back and watch as the shoe rolled down before curving and hitting the wall with a faint clank. A small snort left his nostrils before he turned and kept on walking, his gaze flicking up to the sky every now and then. It looked a storm was possible but he prayed that the clouds would hold their moisture for a little while longer. In the spot they were in, getting caught in a storm wasn't such a good idea.

How far?

[/color]

An ear flicked toward Nombre while the other was forward toward the sound of the rushing river. Kiba tilted his head trying to estimate the distance and he hoped it would be short. By the sound of Nombre's voice, he could tell the stallion needed it and badly. Tossing his head, he galloped toward the end of the path seeing the trail start to get wider and wider before it ended at an outcropping of rock. He skidded to a stop and looked down to see the river closer and louder.

Not far now, Nombre. Just hold on a bit longer he called back, flicking his eyes back to the weary white stallion. Water would do him good. Looking down, he saw that there were other rock outcroppings below the one he was standing on that steadily went downward, forming steps before it went it off into another trail that he was sure lead to the river.

The outcroppings weren't really that far from each other and he knew that he could reach them with just a single leap. He half reared before he began doing so, watching carefully where his hooves landed so that he wouldn't slip. Once he had reached the last rock, he looked back toward Nombre to see if he would any help. In the state he was in, Kiba wondered how long the other would last before he gave out from exhaustion. He hoped the stallion was strong enough to make the descent, however he was ready just in case Nombre landed wrong and fell. [/blockquote][/size]

[[esperanza]]

Nombre was surprised when Kiba started to gallop, and he quickened his pace to a trot. The river was closer now, he was sure of it. Maybe just up ahead...

His heart sank to his knees and his stomach started feeling queasy when he saw the abrupt end of the path. He had never liked heights, and in his weakened state, the sight of the ground suddenly dropping in front of him made him a bit dizzy. He spread his legs out as if he were a foal trying to graze, as if that might prevent him from fainting.

"Not far now, Nombre. Just hold on a bit longer."

His ears flicked foreward, but he gave Kiba an incredulous look. How were they going to get down to the river now? Sprout wings and fly?

Well, close enough.

Nombre watched with widened eyes as Kiba lept from outcropping to outcropping. "Are you insane?" he shouted, drawing his head up. Miraculously, though, the other white horse didn't have any trouble. He must be half mountain goat, he thought to himself.

He shifted his weight nervously as the sinking feeling in his stomach grew. Often he had boasted about his long, powerful legs with which he could gallop across the plains at a speed faster than most other horses; now he cursed them, feeling that they would be an awkward disadvantage in the canyon.

Nombre shook his head at the other stallion. "I ca--" he cut himself short. He was going to say I can't do that, but he changed his mind, not wanting to admit any more weaknesses. He wasn't ready to die of thirst in this strange place, and if leaping from rock to rock was the only way of getting to water, then so be it.

He backed up a pace or two, struck the ground with a hoof, closed his eyes, took a deep breath. Then, before he even knew what he was doing, he was galloping toward the edge of rock, he was in the air! For a short moment, he was lost in the reverie of flying through the air before landing in a rather undignified heap on the other side.

{and you seem to break like time}
s o f r a g i l e o n t h e i n s i d e
{you climb these grapevines
would you look now unto this pit of me on the ground?
and you wander through these
to climb these grapevines}

The white stallion groaned as he heaved himself up. He wasn't going to give up so easily, not if he had a friend waiting for himself on the other side. Somewhere in the last hour or so, Nombre had indeed decided to call Kiba his friend; and maybe friendship was something worth living for.

He tossed his head weakly, and leaped to the next outcropping. This time he almost slipped, but he didn't fall. Leap after leap, he made his way to the same rock as Kiba.

Nombre was beyond exhausted now. He was soaked all over with sweat, and his legs were shaking violently. At the moment, all he could do was close his eyes and breathe.

[/color][/center][/size]

[Swifthoof]

Are you insane?

[/color]

Ivory colored ears pricked forward to catch the other's shout and a small smirk couldn't help but cross his snowy white muzzle. At times he thought he was, but it took a hardy horse to survive on his own and give no thought to the voices that sometimes haunted his dreams.

His mind instantly came back to the present as he watched, tensed, Nombre make the first leap downward. He was suspended in the air for a heartbeat before he managed to land. It was a rather sloppy landing, but who could blame him? He was exhausted and most likely dying of thirst and if Kiba had to carry him the rest of the way, he would. To him, Nombre was more of an acquaintance, but maybe somewhere down the path, he would be glad to call him a friend.

Kiba let out a small snort, taking a step back as Nombre had finally managed to reach the rock where he was at. A tiny smirk crossed his muzzle before he lowered his head and nudged his shoulder. Nice work. The river's just beyond this path now[/color] he said as he turned toward the said path and stepped off the rock and onto solid ground. He turned back to Nombre and waited patiently for the white stallion to collect himself.[/blockquote][/size]

[[esperanza]]

He was alive.

Alive.

The stallion concentrated on breathing in and out, letting air fill up his lungs again. He didn't even notice when the other nudged his shoulder, and Kiba's words fell on unhearing ears. He didn't know how long it took for him to open his eyes again -- was it seconds, minutes, hours? -- but when he did, the suddenly bright sunlight pierced him and he took a step back in surprise. A few pebbles, unsettled by his hooves, fell down into the chasm below. Nombre glanced over his shoulder, eyebrows lifted in surprise. He had survived that? Wow.

It took him a minute to realize that Kiba had stepped off the rock. Nombre wasn't sure whether he could trust his legs to carry him anymore, but the trembling had subsided. He took a hesitant step foreward, testing the ground with his hoof before moving on, as if afraid that the earth would disappear beneath him. But it didn't. The ivory stallion walked slowly foreward until he was on solid ground, glancing behind him once again in disbelief.

[Swifthoof]

Bone colored ears flicked back and forth to study the sounds of the area but the sound of the nearby river blocked everything else out. He took a step forward to scent the air and the normal smells of the canyon filled his nostrils. Nothing was out of the ordinary..so far at least.

A small gust of wind flowed through the canyon and the snowy stallion closed his eyes to prevent from getting dust in them. Tossing his head, he looked to Nombre to see that he had gotten off the rock and had taken some slow steps forward as though testing the ground beneath his hooves. Kiba could definitely relate to his movements since he had done the same thing when he had first made the descent. It was a scary ordeal for any horse to have the ground break up in front of you, but he had gotten used to it over time.

Snorting, he walked began walking beside Nombre in case the other horse needed support as he kept his gaze in the direction of the river.

[/size]

[[esperanza]]

Nombre lowered his head against the wind. Back home, he had often relished in it, loving any and all cool summer breezes that came his way.

It was a different story when the wind brought a million stinging grains of sand flying his direction. They felt like whips. Like spurs.

At least in captivity he hadn't been starved or dieing of thirst.

But he didn't regret having his freedom again. He couldn't wait until the moment when he could once more gallop wildly across the plains, unconstrained, fenceless. Maybe life as a rogue wouldn't be so bad. Maybe, hahah, he could start a band. The sun's getting to my head, he told himself. Before he partook in any wild gallops, he needed water.

Tread careful, one step at a time...

"Almost there?"

[Swifthoof]

Almost there?

[/color]

White auds pricked to the other's words and he nodded, his brown eyes gleaming in amusement. Yes..just around the corner[/color] he answered, nodding in the direction of the river that could be heard a few feet away. Rounding another rock face, the sight of the water soon entered his line of vision as he walked up to the shallow end of the river where it wasn't so fast. Be careful and watch where you place your hooves. Even if you're standing in the shallow end, the speed of the water could sweep you away[/color] he said, flicking his tail as he lowered his head and began to take a long drink, [/blockquote][/size]

[[esperanza]]

To eyes that had grown accustomed to yellow sand and red canyon walls, the stark contrast of the blue-and-white river was something that caught Nombre by surprise. He didn't, couldn't comprehend it at first, and merely tilted his head to one side, staring at this strange sparkling ribbon with wide eyes. It wasn't until Kiba was already drinking that he remembered that this blue stuff was called water, that he was thirsty, and that he needed the water to stop being thirsty.

The white stallion broke into an uneven trot; his legs were still trembling, but he didn't even notice. Keeping pink hooves on the very edge of the water, he dropped his tired head, plunging his muzzle into the river.

What relief! The liquid heaven wet his parched lips, ran down his throat, cooled the fires in his chest. He drank for a long time, concentrating on getting as much water as he could. When he could take no more, he stood back, lifted his head, closed his dark eyes, and focused on breathing. The beads of sweat clinging to his flanks seemed to turn cold, and he involuntarily shivered. It felt terrible and wonderful at the same time. Was that even possible?

Having recovered a bit, Nombre ducked his head again, this time to scratch his muzzle on a foreleg. Some black flies were gathered around his tail; he hadn't even noticed them until now. With a flick of his tail, they scattered.

Immediate needs gratified, he lifted his head to take in the landscape. With wild exhiliration, he realized that there wasn't a fence in sight. Only the canyon walls defined the horizon. Was...was this real? The ropes and the horseshoes were gone, the brand mark nearly unnoticeble...he...he was free.

Free.

What a beautiful word.

[Swifthoof]

The cool liquid was heaven to his dry throat and mouth and Kiba couldn't help but close his eyes in relief. The stallion raised his head and pawed at the water, making it splash upward to his chest and part of his belly, cleaning it free of the dust that managed to accumulate there. Nickering in relief, he stepped out deeper into the river until it was up to his knees, making sure to watch his footing.

Turning his head toward Nombre, he saw that the stallion had taken full advantage of the river seeming to have recovered some of his strength. Brown eyes then looked toward the rock arch that was a few feet away from the pair. From what he had guessed, the sand and the river had managed to form the opening making it look like a gate to the expanding desert that came after.

Snorting, he dipped his whole head into the water before lifting it back up again, the cool water trickling down his neck, cooling his skin. Satisfied, he then turned and waded back toward shore as his ears pricked for dangers.

[/size]

[[esperanza]]

Nombre tossed his head. His forelock, soaked with sweat, flopped into his eyes. There didn't seem to be any wind in the canyon. The air was still, stagnant.

His ears flicked around, listening, but he couldn't hear anything above the din of the river. He shifted his weight, awkwardly. Eyes darted back to the other white stallion. Nombre, liking to fancy himself as self-sufficient, wasn't used to having to thank others, but he felt it was necessary.

"Thank--" his voice was a quiet, hoarse whisper. He cleared his throat, and could speack clearly again. "Thank you, for...just...thank you," he said, glancing at Kiba, and then back at the ground.