lush, green grass. But further ahead the foliage began to dwindle, and any that was left was brown and dry. The nutritious soil had turned to baked dirt and dust, turning eventually to raw rock. Beyond that lay a great icy lake, with four waterfalls of different heights creating a haze of mist. The water was deep blue, showing incredible depth caused from the falls carving into the bedrock. As Spuro had predicted, shallowed rivers ran out of gullies of rock, one on the left, one on the right, providing the perfect trapping station. From their vantage point they spotted a small group of horses drinking by the lake, half hidden by the entrance to the gully on the right.

They made their way bac to the cover of the trees and began discussing strategies. Spuro managed to get his nose in before anyone else. "If we position the defences at our end of the gullies, and have the attack squad on top of the ridge we were at before," he explained, looking between the other captains, "we can force our way down the rivers and the hill while cutting off any sneaky retreats.To make sure we have them trapped, we can send the scounts onto the other side of the rivers to make sure there aren't any secret passages or valleys we could lose them down.

"Once they're spotted in from one gully, the closest team halts. The other two continue to advance and so the herd spot them first, and take the closest exit, falling right into the trap. The defences from the other river can follow them and block them in place while the attackers separate the stallions from the group."

"Not just the stallions," Pirate said, "I want the colts to be removed too."

"Sir?" Spuro asked. How could he be expected to kill a child?

"We don't want any of them growing up and rising against us," he explained. "They shall all go."

Spuro's plan went ahead and the horses positioned themselves. He vowed to himself that he kill an adult if he had to, but he refused to harm a foal. He saw why Pirate wanted them to be 'taken care of', but it was just another reason to revolt. The horses walked down the hill in an unpenetratable line, forming a barrier. As they got closer to the base of the hill they moved into two lines that fitted into the narrow valley. They heard the sound of galloping hooves on rock, and stopped until the defences on the right ran from their hiding and trapped the herd in the eastern gully.

Once the fighting was over, the mares were rounded up and taken back to the camp. Spuro had ordered the attackers, but resisted from fighting himself. He no longer wanted to be a part of it all. The time for the Resistance to act was nearing. Under the shade of the poplars, most of the mares were crying, mourning the loss of their sons. Spuro was put on duty to watch them and let them get used to the strange stallions, and he hung his head in shame, turning his ears to the sides.

He noticed a flash of dark and light, and gave chase to the silver grullo mare as she sprinted away. He jumped at her, tripping her up and bringing them both to the ground in a tangled heap. He got up quickly and put his front legs over her back and his hind legs at her belly, locking her on the grass. "Let me go! I'm not going with you beasts! I saw what you did to my herd!"

"You're the one who escaped from us last time," Spuro said sadly, looking her calmly in the eye, "none of us are going to let you get away again. My friend was meant to keep you locked up, and if you give us the slip again he'll probably be executed."

She kicked on her side a few times in frustration,then lay still. "I don't want to go," she cried. Spuro nuzzled her gently and helped her up, keeping a close eye on her movements as they headed back to the camp.

"We were wondering where you went, missy!" Shot snarled at her, "You're not getting away that easily!"

Spuro ignored him and approached Pirate, who was sorting out the mare claims. "Sir, I've chosen my mare," he announced. She glared at him - he had just put on an act of kindness to get her to follow him back. She had fallen for his tricks and now he was expecting to start a herd with her! No way!

Pirate seethed. "I was hoping to reserve her for myself, Spuro." She didn't like the look of him at all. He was a harsh, scabby old stallion, covered with scars. His orange eyes seemed to glow with evil.

"Er... me too, actually," Ghost added.

James and Nickle joined them. "And us."

"Ahem," Shot said, sliding up to the scene, along with several officers.

The mare looked around in shock. Why her? She had always been teased as a foal for her 'dirty white' coat - the other foals had never seen a silver grullo before, they had all thought that she was a grey who was caked in dirt. And now she was the prize mare? She eyed each of the stallions closely. The giant one was far too old for her, and she had seen how the blanket appaloosa had been flirting with every other mare at the camp. The black stallion was a bully - ha had just taunted her. She looked through the crowd, searching for a dark brown horse. He should have beeen there, he had been last time.

She looked back up at the chestnut who had caught her. He was the kindest out of them all, even if he did trick her. She wanted nothing to do with the others, and if it was her only way out, maybe she would end up liking him. The dunalino, who was clearly in charge, coughed. "I should let you know that I am the lead stallion of this herd. I hold the most power, I can make you special. Think about it - lead mare of the most powerful herd in the world. What do you say?"

"I say that I should have the choice between you all, instead of you picking me," she answered. "If I'm that sought after, I should be happy, don't you think?"

The leader nodded. "You'll be very happy-" he murmured, certain that she was his for the taking.

"Then I'll stick with him, thanks," she smiled, nudging Spuro on the shoulder. He glanced at Pirate, afraid that he would be killed on the spot for taking his mare, but his leader did and said nothing to object, though the anger was clear on his face.

Naturally, Spuro received no other mares that time because he caused no kills. But James had proven himself once more by finishing off the lead stallion, earning himself three females from one battle alone. Nickle ended up with two that time. The four unselected mares were rounded up in a group while on the journey back, but the more tender captains and officers took the time to get to know their new ladies. It turned out that Spuro's latest mare was called Willow. On closer inspection, he saw that she had slate-grey eyes and a star and snip marking. It was true - she was a beauty. But he still had no idea why she had taken a shine to him.

When they returned to the Band a defence officer reported straight to Pirate that mares were missing - three in all. Spuro recognised him from the Resistance, but said nothing trusting his follower's lead. He claimed that the mares got away with the help of two of the sentries, and they had been sent to Van as traitors. They had both perished in the fight.

Before he could slip Willow away to his quarters, the messenger gave a wink to Spuro, letting him know that it was all under control. Releaved, he introduced the new addittion to Celestia and Cygnus, not realising that they already knew each other.

"Willow!" Celstia cried, "Thank goodness you're safe!"

"I'm fine, Auntie," she smiled, resting her head on her neck.

"Auntie?" Spuro said to himself.

"Willow is my sister's daughter," Celestia said through tearing eyes.

"Sig!" she cried, jumping about with the filly, "You were allowed to stay with your mum?"

"No, but Spuro chose me and mum together so we could! Isn't that nice of him?" she neighed, rearing and planting her hooves on Willow's chest. The grullo looked up at the captain quizically.

"You did that for them? When you could have just chose two young mares?"

"Hey!" Celestia shouted. She was young - young enough anyway.

Spuro shrugged. "I have standards. And, believe it or not, I didn't just choose you for your looks - pretty as you are." She blushed. "I picked you because some of those stallions were never taught how to treat their women - gently and kindly without being overprotective. I grew up with a sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. I'm used to ladies. But the real question is, why did you pick me?"

"Uh," she said, ears flopping down to the side of her head, embarrassed. "Well, you seemed closest to my age, I guess."

"Oh," he said, lowering his head. "Well, I've got to go and speak with some horses, then I'm training my class for the rest of the day. I hope you settle in quickly."

He went straight to Sun to hear about what had happened while he had been gone. All of their recruits were still in the field, but three of the regular mares had managed to get away from the Band at last. She explained to him that the others were reluctant to go, so they only managed to send off three before the guard came back round, and even then one of their own had to kill a sentry.

"Don't worry, you did well," he smiled, "but I'm not planning on letting as many mares get captured as before. It might take a while, but we'll reduce the numbers brought in."

He said goodbye then galloped off to catch up with his