he had never considered himself a top of the line planner. he had always opted toward having a rough idea and then working out the details later. this however, was a huge deviation. he had thought the responsibility of having his own territory would be too oppressive, caring for his own herd too overwhelming. thus far it had actually been quite the opposite. when he had arrived, expecting this beautiful region would certainly not be free for the taking, no one answered his call. it awoke something primal in him, some urge to shudder off his fear of being tied down and make this place his home. from his first steps out of the salty waves onto the beach and up the rugged green slope he had fallen easily in love with this land.
things had been so quiet lately. he had wandered to the main island a few times, open to the idea of bringing home company if the opportunity presented itself, but it seemed the quiet wasn’t reserved just for the ridge. it didn’t worry him. he was in no hurry to take on the responsibility of caring for his own herd. he spent his time learning every curve of the land, mesmerized by the rich fauna and the view of the sea swirling below… eventually, he knew that he would find company and they would love it as much as he did.
this particular day he had spent down below, enjoying the beach and the way the water caressed the sandy shore over and over, the waves making their own music with the birds and wind whispering between the rocks. it was a relaxing sound and he couldn’t get enough of the peaceful atmosphere. it suited him so well. as the sun began to dip lower in the sky and the wind shifted he couldn’t help but notice an alarming scent. he had wondered at times if perhaps he hadn’t been as alone on the ridge as he thought, noticing here and there the stray trail of faint feminine scent but the winds shifted so often up high with the passing summer storms that he could never be too sure, and never caught sight of an intruder. this scent, however, sharp with the tang of blood caused his doubt to vanish. with a sense of urgency he left the beach, tense and wary with the idea of what might await him. he moved swiftly up the green hillside, gliding through the thick tropical foliage and clambering up the rocks with as much grace as a mountain goat.
he followed the trail of scent as best he could, coming to a halt in front of a large boulder that undoubtedly obscured the object of his pursuit. he paused for a minute, clearing his throat loudly and stepped around, preparing himself mentally for the worst. it was a picturesque scene he came upon instead, a content looking mother resting with her fresh newborn. he was entirely unversed in these matters. with a scorch of embarrassment he blurts out, “i’m so sorry to intrude…i thought i had been alone here all this time…. i..uh.. i’m roarke…and i uh suppose i should leave you to your business? though it looks like you’re quite finished…. anyway, i’ll just be.. around the bend there. if you need anything… ” he stammers and stutters, quite shocked to see the mare with a colt still slick with afterbirth. he has no idea the toll childbirth had taken on the mare, no idea that the thick scent of blood was not quite normal in this situation. he waits for a moment, his head low and nervously glancing at the sea and back again toward the pair, wondering if it would be best to duck back behind the rock or to stay and wait for her reply.
lipping flowers and set my teeth in the silver of the moon
R O A R K Ehe is 4 years old, 16 hands tall and is a georgian grande with a bay rabicano coat played by kafkaesque |