• The grasses waved in the ever blowing wind as the sun began to rise over the horzion. The mountain peaks gleamed as the sunlight reflected off the snow. Just below the mountains lay a peaceful valley, home to many creatures such as the fox and deer, a few prolwling wildcats hunting for a meal. Rabbits, moles, mice, and snakes all lived together in the valley. But the creatures who took up most of the valley were wild horses. Each as different as the next. The herd's leader was a strong, solid black, stallion by the name of Shagul. His favorite mare, Lyra a solid white mare, was always at his side.
    But today Lyra found herself drifting farther from the herd, to where an old weeping willow grew over a stream. Sighing heavily she lay down in the soft grass. Her sides heaved with each breath she took. Lyra gazed fondly at her swollen belly. It wouldn't be long now before her little foal came into the world. With each month that passed and her belly getting bigger, Shagul became more worried that Lyra would collapse if they kept traveling. So the stallion called for a long rest. A very long rest. Most of the pregnant mares were extremely grateful, though most were not as far along as Lyra.
    The white horse smiled to herself, her dearest friend Brinna had her first foal only a few weeks before. A pretty tan and black filly which was named Kira. Brinna was certainly proud of her foul and only far to happy Kira had come into the world healthy and strong. Lyra, like all mares knew, that in nature things can go wrong during birthing. The mother could lose her foal or even her own life. Lyra's own mother had lost a foal when the white mare had been only three years old. Lyra's poor mother died of a broken heart after that.
    Laying her head down on the grass Lyra felt her foal kick out with stong legs. "Aye little one I know your time has almost come now let your poor mother sleep." Lyra whispered to her belly.
    Almost like sensing it's mother's distress, the foal calmed slightly. The quiet dawn slipped past Lyra as she napped it away, birds singing softly overhead as red squirrels chittered up and down the tree. Even the foul went still, moving occasionally here and there. The sun was sitting high in the sky when Lyra heard the soft crunch of hooves approaching her. The mare opened one eye to see Shagul standing above her, eyes filled with love.
    "Lyra why are so far away from the herd? Is it your time?" Shagul asked laying at her side.
    Lyra chuckled wearily. "Nay my heart, I was just merely tired. Though it won't be long now."
    Shagul nodded and began grazing the grass. Though he was worried about her, he kept it hidden for Lyra's sake and the herd's. He knew just as well about the dangers of giving birth. He had lost his sister that way....
    Shaking his black mane, Shagul dimissed his thoughts and thought about his foal. He dearly hoped it would be a colt, a stallion like him to take over the herd when he was gone. Turning to his mare, Shagul nuzzled her fondly, asking his thoughts. "Do you think it will be a stalllion or mare?"
    Lyra whinnied and chewed the grass thoughtfully. "It kicks like a stallion, much like his father."
    Shagul let Lyra lean onto him. He noticed her blue eyes sparkled as she spoke, but he noticed how tired they were. Shagul barely missed anything. The black stallion licked her muzzle tenderly. "He'll be born strong, I just know it Lyra."
    "I hope your right Shagul. I hope so." Lyra whispered. Her ears suddenly cocked forward as a pair of horses approached. It was Brinna and her filly, Kira.
    The little filly hid shyly between her mother's back legs. Brinna lowered her head fomarly at Shagul before speaking to Lyra. "When I saw you wandering off I thought you had gone into labor, but it seems your only resting."
    Lyra smiled at her friend. "Yes this little puts a strain on me with all of the kicking he does."
    "Kira didn't kick as much I thought she would. She merely moved around in place. But when my birthing pains came, she began to kick really hard."
    Shagul snorted. "I am glad I'm not a mare."
    The two mares neighed in unison. "Shagul we are glad we were not born males!"
    Again Shagul snorted then he rose onto his legs. With one last nuzzle to his mare he trotted off back to the herd. Brinna took his place while Kira hunkered down beside her mother. Together they watched the herd from afar as they went about grazing. Most of the older colts were starting to test themsleves with play battles, while fillies frolocked about. Some had flowers stuck in their manes after rolling in the grass. Stallions kept a watchful eye over the herd, the mares watched thier little ones play as they gossiped.
    Lyra sighed, catching her friend's attention. "What is it Lyra?"
    "This is life is it not?"
    Brinna smiled with knowing and licked her sleeping foul. "Aye, its a simple, peaceful life we live. Together with our family."
    Lyra was nodding her head when suddenly her stomach clenched tightly. She gasped. Brinna whickered.
    "Whats wrong my friend?"
    "I think the foal is ready...." Lyra whispered as another cramp hit her followed by another.
    "I'll get Shagul then..." Brinna said beginning to rise, but Lyra stopped her short.
    "Please don't leave me dear Brinna." Lyra begged as another birthing pain hit her, harder this time.
    Brinna nodded and stood keeping vigil over her friend while Kira suckled beneath her mother.
    End of Chapter I