through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered
Dawn had yet to break.
The sky was a pale purple color, willowy wisps of clouds painted slightly pink underneath from the soft rays of the sun, still hiding under the horizon. Stars still dappled the vast expanse, the full moon still in view. A cold winter wind blew over a thick golden bay coat. A stallion, old and scraggly, pinned his ears at the sharp nip of the air. The stallion was none other than Fascade, the once great and handsome young bachelor, now a raggedy old grump. His white stockings covered in a layer of snow, his long haired hocks knotted with clumps of ice. Long whiskers poked out from his muzzle, his forelock so thick and long it cascaded over his dark sad eyes. He trudged along an icy trail, his dished head low.
He was no longer suave and handsome, though some ladies might find his look ruggedly handsome now, this was not his ideal look. Though looks were the least of his problems.
Fascade had been living life with no purpose, for years, since Use died and his herd was stolen from him. Even after they were taken to Silver Cove by Julius, he stayed as long as he could in his beloved Paradise Beach. Though too soon he was driven out when Aero and his herd took over. He wished he could start again, go back to the Lake of Serenity, the land he first claimed when he came to Beqanna and met Use. But, he knew he couldn’t, be cause that was a time when traitless horses were not allowed to lead the mythic herdlands. And, of course, he was driven from the lake when he tried to claim it the first time. He had nowhere to go after that. He was lost, without a drive in life. The long years of leading his large herd were over. No more herd games, no more children running about at his feet. No more family…
It broke him.
Even his right hand man, Incubi, left him to be with his mate Ceneri and their two twins. Though by now the twins were probably out on their own, and he had no idea where Incubi was. Fascade had no one to turn to. Now he was just wandering the land, wondering what he could do to make his life better. What could he do that could make him whole again. Maybe he could take a chance, try starting a new herd again? Maybe give up his alpha male mentality and join a kingdom...he didn’t know what to do, just that he had to do something.
He walked slowly, wandering toward the field, either he was going to join someone, or someone would join him, he didn’t really care at this point. He even wondered if he still had it in him to claim a mare. It had been so long since he had tried, years and years he had gone without even attempting to look in the direction of the field. He knew no mare could take the place of his beloved Use. He was still so broken up about her passing, it was killing him slowly. But, he needed something to happen, something to wake him up from this somber stupor.
And that’s when it hit him.
A warm breath of air, thick and sweet, like maple syrup, took over his senses. The sensation that took over his body was warm and heavy. His eyes rolled back and he lost consciousness, he tried to fight it, but this mysterious magic was too strong. Something was happening...something strange.
Sounds...banging, screaming, the continuous dripping from the dungeon ceiling, squeals of horses in the distance…
His ear twitched, eyes blinking sleepily, trying to clear his senses from the heavy dose of magic. His body still felt heavy, but he managed to bring himself into an upright laying position. He looked around, noticing he was laying on a thick bed of sweet smelling straw.
"Whaa....what happened...? Wh..where am I?"
His voice was drowsy and drunk sounding.
It took him a while to get to his ragged feet, his joints no longer as supple as they used to be. He looked around, still a bit groggy from the magic. There was food surrounding him, hay and a strange container filled with a sweet smelling mixture...he snorted at it, and took a small mouth full. It was probably the best thing he had ever tasted. He then proceeded to eat the rest, realizing how hungry he was. It was so good, and it seemed to make him feel full of energy. He had not felt like this since he was in his prime. His mind was blown after he finished his last bite, when it magically reappeared. There was also a container of water next to the bountiful magic food. He was confused though...where was he. This couldn’t be Beqanna, could it? The old man noticed the walls….tall and made of dark stone, no windows except for in the middle of the bolted, wooden stall door. Though it was blocked by thick black iron bars. No...it couldn’t be...Beqanna didn’t have places like this. There were no structures in Beqanna.
It was then he started to sober up. He started to realize he was taken...he was drugged with magic and taken. His heart started to pound, the extra energy boost from the grain making him even more anxious. His ears were perked, alert, and swiveling about. Confused and trying to pick out the sounds in this strange place. He snorted and roared loudly, his eyes wide with nervousness. He paced the stall, the clamouring from the stalls beside his made him even more fearful. What was this place!? Why was he taken here!? Was he going to die here? He wanted a change, but this certainly was not what he wanted when he asked for a change in his ever so dull life. He even thought he could hear a loud “Help! Help me!! I gotta get out of here!” coming from somewhere outside his dungeon cell.
He began to lose it.
His neigh roared loudly throughout the stall, the walls making it bounce back to his ears, making him sound even louder. He struck out as hard as he could at the heavy door, but it didn’t budge, and it sure as hell hurt his already cracked and overgrown hooves. He sneered at the pain, but he had to try to get out of here. He didn’t want to die, he wasn’t ready yet. He may be getting old, seventeen to be exact, but he was not ready to die. He was just starting to realize that there was more he could do in life, it couldn’t end like this! He let out another frantic wail. He was sure it was the end for him.
He struggled and paced, neighed and pranced.
Though right as he turned to attempt to barge down the door again, his body froze. His entire body was frozen in place. His eyes were wide, feet square, ears up. His breathing was heavy and full of fear, if he weren’t frozen, he would even be shaking.
A mysterious shadow lurked outside the stall door. He could hear the clanking of what must have been keys and soon made a loud clicking sound, like the unlocking of a latch. The large bolted wood door then creaked loudly as it began to open ever so slowly.
Suspense began to eat at his nerves.He couldn’t close his eyes, he couldn’t turn and run, hell, he couldn't even turn his neck to look the other way….whatever it was coming through that door, he had to face it head on. The magic hold on him was too strong for him to break free and fight for his life…
This was it….it was time to meet his fate.