by Violet Inkpen, age 13

CHAPTER 9

Star awoke to see Wilderness falling towards her. She screamed and tried to move, but her head still spun and she couldn’t make out which was up. Ebony saw the danger the foal was in and threw himself forward, placing himself between Wilderness and Star. Wilderness fell against Ebony and recovered quickly, unharmed. But Ebony felt the other stallion’s weight like a hard blow and he was breathing heavily. Star finally managed to stand and Tess pushed her far away from the stallions.

“You saved her,” Wilderness whispered, pausing to look at Star. Star peeked at her father form behind Tess, then looked away, ashamed of her father’s anger with Ebony.

Ebony looked confused. He didn’t know if Wilderness was thanking him or just angry with him for pushing him in the first place. He didn’t know if there was anger left in Wilderness or if the fight would go on. Was the other stallion giving in? Was he rewarding him for saving the foal and giving up?

Ebony looked at wilderness with curiosity, no defiance showing in his body language. Wilderness himself looked confused. Finally he shook his mane and narrowed his eyes. “Let’s finish this,” he growled.

Ebony sighed and dipped his head. “As you wish,” he said without his usual mockery.

The two shot forward. Ebony dodged Wilderness’ teeth and grabbed a mouthful of mane as he passed. With a hard yank, Wilderness’ head was pulled to the side in a painful angle. Some strands of hair were left in Ebony’s mouth. He spun around to face Wilderness, who was breathing heavily himself. They faced each other, each tired, each injured, and each angry.

Tess closed her eyes and took a big gulp of air. Why did stallions have to fight? They’d kill each other before one would give in. So stubborn! A mare knew when she was beat, a stallion knew it, but would never admit it. He’d rather die first. She opened her eyes again and saw Wilderness had received a blow to his head. His mane was becoming soaked in blood. That injury, the one to his chin, the one to his chest, the pain in his neck, he was feeling very run down. Ebony too felt pain. The pain when Wilderness fell against him was nagging him like a thousand flies. Both looked weary.

With one last effort Ebony reared up and spun, sending his massive hooves against the side of Wilderness’ head, then against his shoulders, then he brought them down to the ground, spun, and lashed out with his back hooves, kicking Wilderness’ chest again and sending him against the wall.

Ebony spun to face Wilderness again and stopped there, standing tall and proud, willing to keep fighting, his mane blowing in the breeze, defiance in his eyes. Wilderness was breathing heavily, blood dripping from numerous injuries. He finally looked up at Ebony, his eyes begging for mercy.

Ebony recognized the submissive body language and nodded. He had won! For once in his life he was a winner. And his prize? A herd, a home, a life! He didn’t have to be alone! It was Wilderness who would be alone!

Ebony wanted to laugh in joy. He turned and looked at Tess. He felt unsure. She had rejected him earlier. Would she listen to him now? Accept him as leader? He gulped.