The sun was high in the sky, a golden globe of fire. The sky was a endless stretch of blue, laced with different shades of the prism of blue. Thick clouds of pure crystalline white floated by, in different shapes and sizes that one enjoyed staring at and trying to decipher creatures, plants and other aspects that the clouds formed. A cool wind tossed itself across the dunes, carrying the golden sand as it flowed across the terrain, dancing to a silent harmony. The golden sand that made up the dunes were hot to the touch, burning from the heat waves of the sun. A snake slithered in the sand, its yellow scales helping it hide from the birds that would swoop from the sky and devour its sickly sour flesh. A scorpion lay lazily in some desert grass, its tail quivering in case it had to inject some venom into a predator or prey. A gila monster lay under the shade of a large rock, its gold and black scales cooling down thanks to the shade, its pink tongue flicking from its lips. The large lizard was hiding from the afternoon heat. A eagle soared in the sky, banking once as it searched for food for it's hungry mate. Nothing but desert sand stretched for miles, so with a screech, the bird headed home. The intelligent animals were hiding from the baking sun, so did that make myself not intelligent because I was walking with the sun beating at my back without a care in the world? Maybe. I was picking my way across the duns. Water was still dripping from my pelt when I crossed the waters to get here. It had been a long journey, my muscles burning from the strain but I had prevailed. I had not let the waves take my life as it had done to other equines who could not take the swim. I felt a twinge of sadness for those equines who had not made it, but also a sense of accomplishment because I had made it, even though it had been a hard journey. Maybe because my instincts would not let my fail when I was so close to my old home? Truly it did not matter, and it was at the back of my mind now because I had made it across and that was all that mattered. Shaking my crown, I peered around me at the dunes. My orbs took in the sandy land, the grains already sticking to my wet hocks and causing me to wince slightly at the sting of the hot touch. My auds twitched, listening for the sounds of a snakes hiss which was instinctive to my being. Nostrils flared, letting the wind dance through my senses, calming me because there was no true large predator to bring me down, not counting the gila monster which I had not scented yet. I was once again amazed at the beauty of my old home, only one who was desert borne and bred could truly understand the beauty, and I certainly was. Shaking my crown, I continued my small stroll through the land. I let my small, finely boned cranium down so that it hung close to my chest. My auds twitched so they flung back, close to my crown. Lashes fluttered against my cheek, hiding the view of my molten chocolate and gold orbs. My slim neck arched, tassels rolling down my neck in onyx tangles. My small chest lifted and lowered with each breath of mine, hot air rushing down my throat to singe the soft flesh of my lungs. My lean form was muscled nicely, moving up and down with each breath that I took in and released. My long, slim pillars moved with a fluid grace of one who had no fear of the desert life. Small, dainty daggers of ashen gray sank into the hot sand, ignoring the burn or simply used to the feel of hot sand. A long plume of onyx strands floated to the terrain, the ends already dusted in golden grains. Pelt of ruby bay hue was darkened from the sea water, and slowly beginning to lighten as the sun dried my flesh. Stopping upon a small rise, I lifted my muzzle to the sky, letting the wind capture my tassels and plume so that they flowed in the sky like small streams of onyx. A smile flicked upon my black lips, orbs closing to enjoy the simple pleasure of returning to this place. I had once been part of the Desert Dunes, a mare who lived and had her first foal on these very sands. I had a mate, someone who loved and cherished me for who I was. I had been the one he loved above all else and my life was secure, protected in his warmth even though he was blind. He had been my one and only love and I had cherished our moments together before he disappeared. Would it be harsh to say that it I had been expecting it? My beloved, The Blind Poet, I knew would never stay at the Dunes long. It hard hurt at first, him leaving. I had the choice to follow but the Dunes had been my home, the only place I could ever feel like I belonged. In that moment of hesitation, to pick between a place where I belonged and my beloved, he vanished and I never had the true ability to choose. I would soon understand that I had been foolish that I should have never hesitated to choose the stallion I loved, but I had been foolish. I wasn't anymore. Due to my foolishness, I had let him slip from my grasp and soon enough another stallion came to rule the dunes. I did not like him so I was forced to leave, to wander until I found another place to live. Sadly, never again did another terrain, be it have desert features or not, called to my heart and soul. I was left to the crossing, wondering alone and forgotten in the shadows of the forests. Many seasons had passed and yet still there was no sign of that foreign stallion leaving the lands so I could come back and live there again, even if the next stallion would not be better then the one living there. The loss of my home, my beloved, and soon my daughter left me empty inside but not depressed or in total despair. No, I lived my life in the crossing to the best of my ability, aching for the Dunes but never daring to venture forth from my temporary home until I was sure that I would be welcomed. Not days before, I heard rumors that the Dunes were empty even though some mentioned new rulers I didn't pay attention. My mind was focused on the thoughts that my home had rid itself of its ruler! Pleased, I planned to leave the crossing to return to the Dunes and be a part of the desert once again. I had left my friends with tears but my home called and I would not dare ignore. Now I was back home and my soul was soaring with joy and absolute freedom to be returned to the place where I belonged. It felt so right...so complete to be here I instantly knew that never again would I leave. Never again would I take my leave of the lands who reminded me of the desert where I was born and raised before I left. This was my home one way or another. Shaking my crown, I turned away from my thoughts to peer around. The dunes had not changed much in the time that I had left it. I had not expected it to, but the view still knocked the air from my lungs. Closing my orbs, lashes fluttering against my cheeks I whispered softly "I am finally home." It was true....I was home. |
| Mare - Marwari - Bay - V - Dunes ; table code by Katryne |