Kassypen's Azcarraga Herd Entries

[Kassypen]

Dnp!

[Kassypen]

The day was chilly as a northern wind blew down from the mountains. It was the time of year where horses said that if you stood still long enough the wind would stick your mane and tail out like a stiff flag. All but the foals knew this wasn’t true. It was just a ploy to get the young ones to stop bothering the rest of the horses in their pasture.
As Artegon walked down the hard pavement road surrounded by acres of luscious pasture, an odd feeling overcame him. He felt as though he was being watched. But it wasn’t normal. It felt like two holes were being burned into his side. He looked towards the pasture to his right but the only horses that could be seen were chatting away and swishing their tails at the occasional fly. Artegon’s face dipped downwards into a small frown.
To the left was three foals who were playing across the open, grassy field. One, a stocky bay named Tarek, reared up on his hind legs and pawed at the air. His best friend, a black filly named Maeve, pranced around him laughing. The last foal, a palomino colt, Georgie, was fast asleep amongst the clover. “Hello little ones.” Although Artegon hadn’t yelled, the wind helped his voice carry easily and the foals quickly stopped their play to look up.
“Artegon!” Maeve smiled and quickly galloped over to the edge of the pasture. Tarek followed close behind, though his thicker build meant he wasn’t nearly as fast as his friend. Georgie didn’t wake, he instead twitched from a dream.
“Hello Maeve,” he nodded towards the filly, “Tarek,” then to the colt. The two grinned and nodded back excitedly. “I must ask… have you seen any odd horses around? I can’t shake the feeling one is near.” The two foals looked to one another and dropped their heads.
“There is a weak mare resting at the base of the Black Cloud Mountains. Her voice sounds like an angel’s, Artegon.” There was a worried look in Tarek’s eyes as Maeve spoke. Their playfulness had been replaced by complete stillness.
“You’ve talked to her?”
“For only a second. Our mother’s said we couldn’t ever again, though. They said there was something weird about her.”
“Was there anything weird?”
“No Artegon. That’s the thing, there truly wasn’t.”
The stallion lowered his head and sighed, “Thank you little one. Please, go back to your mothers now.” He noticed the three mares had just appeared over the hill. The foals followed his eyes and saw their moms. They said a quick goodbye before waking Georgie up and running across the grass.
~~~
The mare’s entire side was riddled with infected cuts and bruises. Her forelock, mane, and tail sank to the dirt in matted clumps. Her dull coat was supposed to be black, but it was so caked in mud, dust, and flies that you could barely see any of it at all. “Hello?” Artegon made his presence known, if she was hostile he wanted to be able to prepare himself. The only response he got was a small movement by the mare’s head so she could see him.
After staring for what seemed like seconds strung into hours, she croaked out a greeting, “Who’re you?” Her voice was thick with an accent the stallion had never heard before. But the foals were right, it was like an angel’s.
“My name is Artegon. I live at the farm down the path.” He kept his voice soft and melodic, as not to spook her.
“My name is Clarice.” Although her physical appearance showed lack of care, her eyes were still bright and full of life.
“Clarice, you should come down to the barn with me. We’ll help you and your injuries.” The stallion’s face and tone were only sincere.
“I would love that, thank you.”

{645/500}

[Kassypen]

[Kassypen]

The day was bright as Azuli looked out at the rolling hills and white picket fencing. A smile played at the corner of his lips as he began to run. The wind rushed past his ears making a loud swoosh and his tiny hooves dug into the fresh soil, pushing him faster. But he knew he wouldn't be able to go far. His fathers liked to always have an eye on him, but he hoped maybe they'd let him drift a bit further today.
He could hear the song birds sitting on top of all of the trees. He pretended they were cheering him on, urging him to beat his imaginary opponents. This made his heart swell and he pushed to go even faster than he already was. Soon, the stretch of grass between the trees disappeared. Now, he had sand under his hooves, and the forest had become lines of fans in shiny silver bleachers cheering him on. There were signs that read, "Go Azuli !", "Beat them all!", and "You can do it!". They all had his logo, a blue horseshoe.
All around him were professional racers with bulging muscles. Steamy, hot breath came from their open mouths and flared nostrils. He knew he'd have to run faster then he ever had to beat them. With that though, he charged forwards. His little colt legs pumped faster than they ever had before. Slick sweat gleamed from his sides as he neared the finish line. He was so close, so close!
But then, a large cremello and buckskin stallion came up from behind and knocked him over with a quick, but hard, shove. Azuli was sent crashing into the ground. His legs got tangled and as he sat, splayed out on the grass, his racetrack disappeared. In every way but one. There really was a large stallion standing over him, his father.
"Azuli." Dusel's voice was stern, but not angry. He was rarely angry. "Look ahead." The foal did, and to his surprise a large cliff could be seen about ten feet down the path. "You could've gotten yourself killed, son!"
Azuli lowered his head in shame, "I am sorry.." He knew the amount of terror he must have caused his father by blindly running towards a cliff.
"I know you are, just don't do it again." Dusel's voice had calmed. He hugged his son quickly before walking back. Azuli watched his form get further and further away, full of shame. But that was when a beautiful blue butterfly drifted past the very end of his muzzle. His attention was immediately taken away from his father and the guilt he felt. He instead started to follow the butterfly around as it flew.
The wings were a bright blue, similar to his eyes. The edges were covered in small black dots that shimmered in the light. As it flew, it landed on many different flowers. But then it landed on Azuli' back. He couldn't contain his excitement and grinned widely. He also did a small hop but the butterfly left afterwards. So he followed it around, his day having gone from awful to wonderful by one small creature
.

[Kassypen]

[Kassypen]

Azuli couldn't help but feel overwhelming joy as he pranced around his paddock. Not eleven minutes earlier he had pulled the best prank on his friend Cali. The rules to the prank were simple:

1. Don't get caught
2. No funny business (but you can laugh afterwards)
3. Make it look like a mistake
4. Go ALL out

See? The rules were simple. But it had taken him quite a long time to plan. It all started last week when Cali dumped a bucket of worms into Azuli's hay. It wasn't his best moment. He hadn't realized they were there until way too late. He could feel they squirming and oozing all around in his mouth. Although apparently Cali didn't abide to the four rules because she had been watching him with a grin on her face from the moment he stepped over to the hay. He had certainly thought it was odd, and probably should have realized something was wrong from the beginning.

But now it was his time to get her back. The plan had started when he noticed Cali having a greater deal with flies then she normally did. They were all over her coat. She looked like more of an appaloosa then a gray. To try and fix the problem, she rolled in the red clay. Afterwards, she looked even worse. Not only was she now caked in dirt, she had squashed some of the flies against herself. They were also sticking to her. It was awful.

Azuli knew she would have to bathe quickly after the incident. That was when the plan formed in his mind. He would steal some paint from the supply shed and mix it with her shampoo! It was brilliant. No better plan had ever been created. But first he had to actually get the paint. And that’s when the rules were set into place.

He couldn’t get caught with the paint or everyone, especially Cali, would know it had been him who set the trap. He had to focus, if he got too silly he could get it all over his own hooves and again, all fingers would point to him. The third rule was optional, and could be thrown out in this instance. And finally, go all out. That one was no problem. Azuli always went all out.
~~~
As he walked towards the supply shed, a small bay mare named Tootsie noticed him walking slyly. “Azuli? What are you doing?” She was always a curious horse, Tootsie, and it was terrible for his plan that he had run into her. “Nothing, Tootsie. It’s all fine.”

She nodded, shrugged her shoulders, and went on her way. Quickly, Azuli grabbed the paint and made a run for the washstall. He poured the paint and went to hide behind the barn corner. Just as he had anticipated, Cali appeared. She started to bathe but quickly realized something was wrong. Instead of being gray, she was blue. Azuli burst out in laughter before running away, Cali at his tail.

[Kassypen]

[Kassypen]

The night was cold and stormy. Large claps of thunder and whistling wind could be heard while flashes of lightning slid through the outer cracks of all of the stall doors. Azuli stood in the corner of his stall furthest from the plexiglass window as to limit any chances of getting hurt. Mash had been put in everyone’s buckets to keep them occupied while the storm raged outside. The appaloosa stallion had finished his quickly, but the sweet smell still drifted throughout the entire barn. He knew many were still too scared to eat.

Whimpers of fright darted through some of the stalls. Azuli wasn’t afraid of storms, he’d recently been transferred from a barn where a large storm hit usually once weekly. He knew the protocol and had been prepared, unlike seemingly all of the other horses in his barn.

Although Azuli moved barns quite often, his owner Rory never liked to stay in one place too long, he liked this one and hoped they’d stay for longer then a couple of months. He especially liked it because of a pretty mare he’d noticed. Azuli wasn’t picky per say, but he could be sometimes hard to impress. But this mare, Minthe, she was amazing. Her coat was a stunning blue roan. It seemed to glitter in the light and was always spotless. Azuli sometimes found himself lost in her deep green eyes. They reminded him of small emeralds, and he was very partial to gemstones. One was his namesake, afterall. His fathers had taken the L out of Lazuli.

But she never seemed like she even knew he existed. He never caught her looking at him nor had she ever struck up any conversation. He’d offered countless hints, though they were never paid any attention to. He just blamed it on himself, certainly if he really put himself out there she was bound to take notice.

That was when he heard a small cry coming from a few stalls down. A large thunderclap had just shaken the roof and it had clearly spooked one of Azuli’s barn mates. The appaloosa stallion tried to peer through the bars to see who was crying. It was Minthe. His eyes widened and his heart fluttered. Seeing her in pain hurt him. He knew he had to do something.

The horses in between the two were all asleep, and Azuli knew that if they tried to hold a conversation now they’d just get yelled at. So instead he opened his stall door as quietly as he could. He had noticed early in the night that Rory had forgotten to lock it. She often did that kind of thing, and the stallion loved her for it.

He crept down the aisle, nodding encouragement who all that looked scared as he went. Their eyes widened at seeing him out, but he just gestured to his door. When he finally reached Minthe’s door, she’d been watching him for a while. She looked at him, confused as he unhooked her stall and walked inside. The stalls in this barn were large so it didn’t feel cramped.

“What are you doing?” The mare spoke sharply, and Azuli winced. Had he made the wrong decision? Did she really not want him here? He was worried, thinking to himself, I’ve completely ruined my chances. But when he raised his eyes to her own, he saw how they had relaxed the moment he joined her. She didn’t want to admit it, but she was happy he was there. He breathed a sigh of relief.

“My name is Azuli. I noticed you were scared from the storm. I was thinking maybe I could just lay in the corner? If it would help you fall asleep…” His voice drifted off, his attention and focus already moving to try and gauge her reaction. He could tell she was thinking. For a while he thought she would kick him out and never speak to him again, but instead she nodded. He smiled and laid down.

Many minutes later when she thought he was asleep, Minthe laid down next to him, using his shoulders as a pillow. It was only when her breathing relaxed that Azuli opened his eyes, smiling from ear to ear.

[Kassypen]

[Kassypen]

The night was cold, colder than it should have been. No, nothing should be going as it was. The weather should have been crisp and clear, not a rocking lightning storm that shook the earth with each clap of thunder. The moon was supposed to be full, all creamy and bright, a beacon of light in the midst of darkness. But the astronomical form of rocky matter was nowhere to be seen in the sky. All was dark.

No birds say from their starcoated branches in the trees. No frogs croaked from pools of crystal water that should’ve been reflecting the moon, making it ripple and twist. Lindor shook as he stood under the large pine tree. Each needled tendril hung low, mostly hiding his delicate coat from the harsh rain pour. His shivering skin was freezing, he was freezing. His only thought was It should not be like this.

The large stallion was awaiting a package. He didn’t know what it was or who to expect it from. He only knew he had to keep it a complete secret.

Earlier that week Lindor had received a letter poorly taped to the inside of his stall door. He hadn’t known why no one had touched it, or who put it there. All he knew was that he had to do what the letter said. Inside many words were written. They went as follows:

Dear Lindor,
A package is being delivered under the largest pine tree on Memorial Swan Lane. It will be delivered quietly, easily, and without a hitch. You will be there to accept it. And you will. Regardless what it is. Because if you do not, if you ask any questions, or tell anyone about this letter, you will be sorry. Very sorry. Extremely sorry. Do not test me Lindor. Be there. Or else.
Gift

Lindor had been terrified when he read it. It was why he was standing under a tree, freezing, and scared. The stallion rarely felt scared. He prided himself on his strength in tough situations. But there was something about the way it was written, that truly shook him to his innermost core.

It was then that Lindor heard a scream, a twig snap, and a heavy rustling of trees. He trembled like a leaf before peering out from behind the needles. In front of him, at the bottom of a grassy hill, was a black mare. The same mare that Lindor’s barn mate Artegon had seen many weeks ago. Her sides were covered in healing cuts and abrasions, but new gashes littered her side as well. The largest was slashed across her forehead and face, over an eye. It had dyed her black face red. A pool of blood started to form around her. Lindor immediately ran to her aid. Was this the package?

“Excuse me, miss, are you alright?” He didn’t hear a response. Upon further inspection, he realized she had multiple gunshots down her hind legs and more cuts on her chest and side. She was in terrible, terrible shape and very unconscious. The stallion checked to see if she was breathing. She was, but barely. Only small puffs of air escaped her lips.

Panicking, Lindor attempted to lift the mare onto his back. He could feel his sides were slippery from the rain and he tried to balance her as best he could. But the stallion knew that if she didn’t get medical care soon, very soon, she would die.

He began to run through the woods as evenly as he could. Tall grass and weeds whipped past him, stinging his sides. He could barely see through the rain and he tired quickly, not realizing how truly far he was from the stables. Not only that but the mud was deep, and made it very hard to gallop. He was still very far from the main road back.

After seeing a dry spot under a root heavy tree, Lindor made the split decision to put her down. He was just injuring her further by running like he was, and with the storm there was no way he’d be able to make it back in time.

He stopped slowly, making sure not to shift her too much. Walking under the intertwined roots and leaves, the rain stopped for the most part. Only small drips squeezed their way through the roof. Lindor shoved together some of the fallen leaves to make a makeshift bed for the mare. He placed her onto it as gently as he could, but with how slippery his coat was from the rain and blood, she hit the ground quite hard. But she remained unconscious.

As Lindor backed away, water dripped from his mane and tail in rivers, making the floor more damp then it already was. It was then that he truly realized everything that had just happened. This had to have been the package. But who sent her? And why? Was it a message? To him or his barn? Many questions flashed through the stallion’s mind as he stared at the bloody mare. Never in his life had anything like this happened, truly. Lindor was truly stunned.

He couldn’t bring his eyes away from her for many minutes. That was until he realized he should check out where they were both resting. He raised his eyes and noticed all of the dips and curves the ceiling made. Everything was dependent on the structure of the roots. Mud and light brown dirt was packed to make the floor and fill the holes around the leaves and parts of the tree.

The black mare coughed and Lindor jumped. She raised her head to look around, her eyes glazed over. Lindor immediately jumped to support her saying, “My name is Lindor. Who are you? Who hurt you?”

Instead of replying in english she said, “L'étalon noir et ses sujets. Aucune jument noire n'est autorisée à naître. Ils m'ont finalement trouvé.” before closing her eyes, and dying. Lindor blinked, confused, before realizing what had happened, and bursting into tears.