Arkell flew over the treetope, the wind ruffling his feathers. The young eagle landed next to his farther. The humans were driving forward their horses and train. Homeland was doomed. The two eagles flew off to find Spirit and Legend. The dun and palomino were standing with Essy (Esperanza), Halt and Rain. The eagle landed on Spirit's shoulder, "The men are even closer, they'll be here by morning and we'll all be caught." Legend looked at Spirit meaningfully and the dun sighed, "We have to leave." Essy gave a cry of despair, "When? Us old ones can't go as fast as the rest of the herd." Arkell flew down from his perch on a branch and landed on the grass. "We'll have to leave tonight."

Later that night the herd moved slowly to East to cross over the mountains. The young colt Spirited slept and didn't wake as the mares moved past him. The herd eventualy made it to the mountains and crossed over as the crisp wind blew. There was going to be a snow storm. The Cimarron herd and Halt/Legend's herd vanished into the mountain side like ghosts. Arkell flew over homeland one last time and saw a dun figure on the ground. The storm was getting closer at an alarming rate, "Come young colt we have to leave." The eagle said as he landed. Spirited looked up at him and snorted, "I will leave in the morning. I'll be fine until then." And with saying that Spirited put his head behind his body so the wind could not disturbe him while he slept. Arkell looked around nervously. He knew he couldn't leave the colt alone but it was dangerous here- not only because of the men but because of the snow storm thatwas coming. Oh why did this colt have to be so foolish! Arkell pulled on Spirited's mane and said, "At least come with me to find shelter." Spirited sighed and struggled to his feet.

Arkell led him to a large rock that was jutting out of a small hill. The colt sat down under the rock and went back to sleep immediatly.

Arkell kept glancing at the moon. His eyes could make out things that other animals could not see. What he could see told him that the storm was going to be huge. The rock wouldnt protect them from the weather. Arkell flew into the sky, flying against the strong, cold wind to find better shelter for the colt and himself. Soon Arkell found trees that were tightly packed together. The black shadow flew down to the trees and landed in the long grass beside a startled mouse. Arkell didn't have time to chase the mouse so he left it be. He hopped over to thick bushes and found a small opening. It was big enough for Spirited to hide in and if Arkell couldn't fit he could shelter in a branch. Arkell flew back to Spirited and pecked at him until he got up and ran after Arkell. After about thirty minutes of the duns fastes cantering and Arkell's easy pace the two companions arrived at the bushes, Spirited sweating and shivering and Arkell's feathers ruffled. Spirited shuffled into the bushes awkwardly and Arkell roosted in a tree.

Spirited huddeled in the bushes while the wind holed and shook his shelter. He would fight any stallion when his time came but this was the most fearful enemy a horse could have for one could not fight the wind. Well i fight Whirlwind and he is as swift as it. Spirited thought to himself. He started as a black shape hopped into his shelter. Then, realising it was only Arkell, he went back to thinking himself out of his fear.

Akell watched the colt with interest. He had never spoken to Spirited before he had just been there all the time. Often as a trouble maker. Arkell sensed the storm was in its final stages (by now it had been going for ages) so he flew back into the storm to try and find good grazing for the young stallion before the strom ended. He flew for some time in the harsh but dieing wind until he found a pasture in between two grea mountains. Arkell flew back tp Spirited to bring him to the pasture when the wind died.

Spirited plodded along tiredly. He was exhausted from his fear and the mountains were so far, "I need to rest bird." Arkell landed and looked at Spirited. Each animal was important in the world and had its own wisdom if rain had tought him this he would not be rude to another animal especialy not the wise, leadership prone eagle, "You need to come with me and find food, if you don't now you will find yourself too weak to go anywhere later. Trust me, im an eagle...... Horse." he had to add the horse because this little brat had infuriated him and Arkell had not quiet developed patience for young ones. Spirited layed down so Arkell hopped over to him and pulled on a piece of his mane. Spirited tried to nip him but otherwise did not move. Arkell bit him on the flank with his sharp beak, leving a small gash. Spirited tried to nip him again, this time successfully. Arkell kept biting and pulling on Spirited's mane until the colt finally gave up and shakily stood up. Arkell plunged into the air and gave a loud cry that meant, "Come! Follow me, it is this way!"

Once Spirited and Arkell had both eaten and Spirited and Arkell went to rest under some large snow covered trees. A few hourse later, Spirited, who had not doe as much as Arkell, woke and decided to look around the pasture. At the end of the pasture there was a small creek. Only a few trees dotted in the grass area. the mountaines on the sides would be good getaways if a human or predator tried to attack but Spirited was foolish and would never be smart enough to use this escape. He would remember this place, if he fought his father and lost he would create a herd and come back here. Spirited drank at the little creek then roamed around the grassy area. He stopped when he smelt another horse. Spirited arched his head and walked around some more acting as though he did not know anyone was there. When Spirited came close to a shadowed corner of the valley, black hooves struck out at him and Spirited turned and nipped savagly at his invisible attacker. Spirited backed up and a speckled, dark grey colt followed. The colt was not as handsom as Spirited or any of his family members with his white spots here and there, and his mostly white head. The grey screamed a challenge and Spirited reared in acceptance.

For about a minute the two colts circled one another. Spirited lost his patience and lunged at the grey who lept aside easily then jumped forward and bit SPirited savagly. Arkell who heard the screams came to watch the fight, although he rarely observed Spirited he knew that he never had had a serious fight. He watched the grey carefully and began to realise that the grey, although young, was an experianced fighter and was going to wear Spirited out. This didn't occur to the Spirited's foolish and cockey mind. The grey spun around and kicked at the surprised Spirited. Spirited stumbled and fell. The grey ran up to him and reared, Arkell flew down quickly and flapped around the greys head giving Spirited time to get up. The dun lept off the ground and bit at the grey, he turned and slammed his side against the greys. After sometime of the two horses gaining on one another then losing their advantage Spirited had somehow managed to wear out the slab shouldered grey. Spirited reared and nipped at the stallion who then bowed his head in submission. Spirited was practically jumping in pride and joy, "What's your name challenger?" He asked out of protocol. The grey replied, "Shrike-Thrush, named after the bird itself. What is your name..... champion?" He said the last word slowly and iwth injured pride. Spirited arched his neck, "Spirited. Do you have a herd?" Shrike-Thrush pinned his ears against his head, "Yes." Arkell flew down and said, "Spirited you cannot take a whole herd with you." Spirited thought for a moment then said to Shrike-Thrush, "I will take no mares today but one day i will return and if you are still the stallion of your herd then i will claim my prize."

After Shrike-Thrush agreed, Spirited and Arkell went on their way again. Arkell had only just realised how far they were from the mountains. It was only a small indent in the horizone and the two of them still had to find the herd when they crossed over them. Arkell landed on the colts back, obiously angering him, and said, "I need to teach you." Spirited looked at him, "No one needs to teach me anything." Arkell came as close to raising an eyebrow as an eagle could, "One, i need to teach you how to judge a good fighter, two i need to teach you to honour the rule of the world and three, i need to teach you to hold your own head and use the wisdom of the horse." Spirited snorted but didn't say anything more.

Arkell began teaching the colt straight away. The first lesson was to respect every animal for its charactaristics. Arkell spent days drilling this into Spirited's head, despite how extremely stubborn Spirited was. Arkell flew ahead again to find a place to rest and find food. He decided to just go deep into the forest with Spirited. He turned and went to retrieve the colt. Spirited was searching for some grass that wasn't dead when he heard a sharp cry. Recgonising the call Spirited threw up his head and strted trotting to where Arkell was circling. Once Spirited was beneath him, Arkell took off for the depths of the forest. Once the two of them reached a fairly grassy. Arkell went hunting and Spirited grazed.After about ten minutes Spirited heard a howl. The sound pierced the darkness and sent a shiver down Spirited's spine. The howl was echoes with another and another. Spirited began grazing again nervously until he looked up to find glowing eyes in the darkness. Spirited whinnied and one coyote jumped at him. Spirited lept aside clumsely.

Another coyote ran up to him and Spirited reared over it, stricking out his hooves. The coyote snarled and another ran up and jumped on Spirited's back, digging its short, but still painful claws into his flanks. Spirited cried out and started bucking. The coyote fell off but more were waiting.

Arkell heard whinnies and growls and flew back to Spirited. He saw a pack of coyotes attacking the cokt and he dove down to help him. Arkell slashed open one coyotes head with his claws and pecked at others. His massive wings were flapping constantly, bruising anyone who tried to attack him. Eventualy the coyotes had had enough and melted away into the forest. When the last of them dissapeared Arkell sighed in relief. Spirited stood shaking and sweating. He had alot of bites but the only serious injury was the deep gash in his leg. It would eventualy heal and would be forgotten but it would stiffen soon and Spirited would slow down considerably. He may perhaps stop walking altogether for sometime because this was his first injury that would stiffen. Spirited started to roll in the grass to clean out the sweat. When he tried to get back up he found it extremely difficult. Arkell hopped over to Spirited, "Try and follow me, i need to find a place with grass and a river." Spirited followed Arkell slowly, never before had he felt such discomfort! Arkell couldn't find a river but he did find good grazing land so he and Spirited stopped in the open for everyone to see.

About 3 weeks later....

Spirited was able to walk again for he had stopped walking as Arkell had assumed and his gash was mostly healed over. Spirited had spent most of his time in the one spot untik the grass around him ran out. When this happened he would struggle to his feet and lay down again a little away from his old spot. But now the handsom dun was well again and he could run, if not a little slower then he liked. Arkell and Spirited moved on again always aiming for the mountains, always keeping their concentration on the distance of them. Which was very unwise, especialy for an eagle. One morning it was pouring so Spirited decided to run in the rain and kick mud aroun like a foal. Other young colts and even a few fillies, from a nearby herd decided to join him so for some time a group of young horses played in the rain. Sprited looked over some of the fillies. He had been angry when Arkell had told him to take no fillies, however any foal born of the ugly grey would have no grace or beauty. One filly caught his eye more then the rest. She was a light grey with a draker grey mane. She would not birth extremely silver horses but she would still birth fine foals overall.

Spirited arched his head and walked over to the young mare. He extended his nose to her but a large strawberry roan horse ran up to Spirited and bit him on his neck. The two colts started fighting but Arkell had started teaching Spirited fighting techniques. Spirited would never be a great a fighter as Whirlwind was nor would he be as swift but he would be a good enough fighter to survive. Eventualy Spirited won against the colt and he trotted to the filly again and simply said, "Come." The filly followed him hesitantly and Arkell watched the two young horses walk toward him, with dissaproval. When the colt was in front of him Arkell said crisply, "I told you that we couldnt take fillies!" Spirited's ears went back and he replied, "I'm a colt, i'm supposed to have mares!" Arkell took off into the air and headed toward the mountains again.

While the two young horses galloped below Arkell, Spirited said to the pretty filly, "What is your name? I am Spirited." He raised his head proudly and the filly replied shyly, "I am Mist." she dropped her eyes from his and continued running. Spirited stared at her dumbfounded. He had fought for this mare and she wouldnt even talk to him! He pulled up in front of her, "So... your my first mare." was all he could think to say. Mist stared at him with one eyebrow raised, "I igured that." She walked aroun him and started following Arkell again. Spirited stomped his hoof angrily and ran after her. Once beside her he said, "I think as your leader you should show me more respect." Mist just snorted.

That night Spirited was restless. He had his first mare and he was male after all. Arkell had said he would fly ahead that night so he would be gone for a long time. Spirited walked up to Mist who was grazing on the coars shrubs. They had to stay in the open because there was no forest for miles, "Hey." Mist raised her head at the sound, "Hi...." Spirited started flirting with her, trying to seem casual but mist had been hit on by many colts. When Spirited shuffled closer to her she bit him on the flank then turned and kicked at him. Spirited whinnied in surprise and walked off to find a nice spot to sleep.

Arkell flew on ahead. His wings ached and his mind was wandering. He was no closer when he turned back to where the young horses were resting. Arkell had no branches to roost on so he just dropped to the ground in exhaustion and slept. It was sunny the next day, much to Mist's dissapointment and as soon as the horses awoke they lept up and went at their fastest toward the mountains. Arkell continued to teach Spirited his ways and the young colt was becomeing a much kinder horse now. Even Arkell didn't notice that they were becoming friends. Soon the small group reached the forest so Arkell flew down to the horses, "Ready to enter the unkown forest?" Spirited nodded so the moved forward. Arkell flew beside the horses and at times had to rest on Spirited's back. Arkell decided he should look ahead so her flew out of the trees and looked around. He couldn't see much past the clustered leaves but he thought he had seen the glimmer of metal and dull sheen of black leather.

Arkell shot back through the trees with a cry. Spirited who had dropped his head to graze, started with a shrill whinnie and suddenly the sound of heavy hooves pounding on the ground came to them. Mist and Spirited turned and ran in the opposite direction but the sound of hooves were in that direction also. After running in all directions the small group realised they were cornered. The sound of men shouting, hooves pounding and a dog barking, was far closer. Spirited saw from his peripheral vision , the smallest movement in the shadows of the trees. Suddenly from that spot a cattle dog burst from the cover and bit at the horses heels. Arkell flew down to it and bit its temple leaving a dead, long gash. The dog yelped and bit Arkell in the wing. Arkell cried out and ripped at the dog's sides with his talons. Spirited reared at the dog and struck his hooves on it's back. The dog had had enough, it turned and ran back into the trees. While the three animals were watching the dog run off a man came up behind them and threw a lasoo over Mist's neck. The filly screamed and thrusted against the rope. Spirited ran toward the man but a rope tightened around his neck also.

Spirited thrusted against the rope constantly while more men surrounded them. There were six in all. Spirited stopped thrusting and dropped his head, sides heaving. He waited for a few moments then gave a huge jerk at the rope. The man cried as the rope burnt his hand. Spirited ran up to the human who was trying to control Mist. Spirited reared at the men but had to keep snaking his head so no ropes would fasten around his neck. He struck at the mans arm then turned and kicked at his horse. The horse reared and Mist's rope came loose from the mans grip. Spirited and Mist looked around, they were surrounded by men on horse back and Arkell was on a branch with a bleeding wing. Spirited caught the eye of a chestnut. The chestnut dipped his head slightly then neighed and all of the horse reared or ran off suddenly. The filly and Colt bolted off. Behind them a chestnut smiled and watched them dissapear into the green. He remembered what it was like to be free.

Arkell flew after Spirited and Mist painfully. Blood dripped onto the land below him. After a few minutes of flying, Arkell dropped from the sky with a sharp cry. The two young horses that were ahead of him stopped and turned. Spirited bolted after the eagle quickly. He soon came to Arkells body. The eagle had blood staining the whole right half of his body. Spirited nudged Arkell who struggled up to fly again, "No, don't fly Arkell. You can't like this." he dropped his weight onto his front knees and crouched before the eagle, who gratefully jumped onto the colts back.

A young Lakota who was watching this show of friendship decided to follow the two friends and the filly.