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A Fragile Shadow



Benelli knew he was taking a risk, but his body told him to cut corners just to get as much distance between himself and the freedom restricting cages he had just been in. This was a well used trail, enough that the dirt beneath his hooves was easily seen, and both friend and foe could be seen quiet easily on it. The path was easy to follow and offered a great amount of speed, but was also obviously trackable and ran smoothly along a steep mountain edge- a dangerous combination for predators on the lookout.



Despite these hazards, Benelli strode confidently ahead, his thick powerful body knowing if he met any danger on the way he would most likely be able to confront it. His long legs propelled him at a fast pace, and it wasn't until quite a bit later when he started to breath a little heavier that the crunching his massive hooves made on the gravely dirt were not the only ones making noise.



Immediately the stallion paused and flicked his ears in the direction of the sound, hearing behind him shuffles of tiny pebbles as some thin creature was approaching him. Quietly he turned his head, and was surpised to see a tiny fawn...



No, that wasn't a fawn.



A tiny foal picking her way gently up the slope, her lungs heaving as she tried to keep up with his pace. What was this little filly doing? he wondered as he peered down the trail. The tawny lass hadn't seen him yet, and Benelli's eyes roamed behind her, looking for a mother. His perma-frown deepened as no mare came in sight, and his eyes settled back on the tiny creature. With a humph, he blew air from his nostrils, the lound commanding sound whipping the filly's head up in alarm.



To two horses stood still, eyeing each other as both tried to assess the situation. The last thing Benelli wanted was a helpless foal to accompany him in his lonely journey... but although meloncholic and serious, he couldn't just leave a foal to fend for itself either. The filly stood quietly but alert, her legs trembling slightly from either exhertion or fright and Benelli let out another huffing sigh. He said nothing to the girl, but simply relaxed and continued his journey up the path... only at a much slower pace. It was a simple invitation to let the filly follow or flee- either decision was fine on his part.



But if she followed, well... he would just have to find a way to keep her safe until other arangements could be made...



WORD COUNT: 437