Shadow
And here we go again
With all the things we said
And not a minute spent
To think that we'd regret
The land pulsated with life, a feeling of peaceful energy that grew from the ground and spread in the air, something that would touch any who would listen. Perhaps some would not like it, they would think it was a plain feeling, a stupid feeling, something to resist, but they were fools to ignore its draw. But then, all to often people were fools, the spread of chaos, deceit, murder, violence, war, disease, and pain that spread in some places was proof of his point. To him, it was a wonderful feeling, a feeling that matched him in every way, something that strummed as deep as his loyal, strong soul. It drew him, it called him, like an old friend from long ago that he distantly remembered, or the wind tickle and talking to him in an odd friendly way. It was a part of him, a touch in his black hide, a thrumming in his bones; a chord, a pounding, that matched his heart beat in tempo and sound. So perfect, so wonderful, and yet so empty, but that only intensified the feeling, the feeling of freedom but of also belonging and hope and wisdom. Here, Shadow already felt like lord, here was a place he knew he would fight for, a place he would call his own till his last breath if he could. His hooves dug into the soft fertile soil as he trotted faster, the land seeming to pulsate faster to match the new rhythm of his movements and heart. With a free-spirited whiny, he leaped forward into a gallop, his black mane and tail spreading out behind him like a flag. Yes, he was free, completely and utterly free, freer then he'd ever been before, freer then so many others, he could do anything, he could go anywhere!
Then, Shadow felt sharp pain in his right shoulder, as scarred tissue was stretched farther then it could possible go and was pulled painfully at the seams. At first, he resisted stopping, wanting to savor the feeling of freedom he had running here, but the pain was persistent, a sharp aching that slowly spread from the source. Finally, common sense began to take over again, and her slowed, first to a canter, then a trot, and then an easy walk, favor his good three legs. It would do him no good to tear the scar or pull his muscle, self injury was the stupidest thing one could do in a world all to much about survival of the fittest. He was surprised that it was hurting him, normally it just served as a reminder of things that had happened, a mark to show he was not a weak fool. Blinking his dark amber eyes, he snorted in surprise to that he was high above the rest of the landscape, atop a flat, steep hill. No wonder he was tired, he'd galloped most of the way from the edge of this place to his hill, which seemed to be the center of it all. Its beauty was spread out before him, and as he breathed heavily, looked upon it with an eye looking for its beauty and a head looking for its practicality. Much of it was open plains, with high grass that would tickle anyones belly who was under the height of fifteen hands. Along the west edge ran a river, wide and fast, and its banks were obscured by trees and brush that made a small forest in that side of the land. This hill was a rather random thing, as every were else but the forest was basically flat, though in the north, the ground sloped upwards to form high ground, which was rocky. The west edge and side seemed to be more dry and barren from his position, most likely as it wasn't fed by the river and the fertile silt it brought. In the southern part, a few trees grew, to provide some shade, but mainly it was shorter, greener grass then the main of the land. Yes, it seemed to have four sections, or sides, but each was similar and the bulk of it was the same: flat, open grasslands. Water, food, some shelter, high ground in case the river flooded, this land seemed perfect, or at least perfect enough to satisfy Shadow. Some where also fools to believe that there had to always be something better, something more, and they lived off greed, but Shadow would never be one of them.
Yes, Shadow would be lord here, if no one challenged his claim to this land today, and no spirits came to haunt him for his claimance of his tranquil vale. Still, he did not speak, not yet, it would do him no good to speak without thought, not now, not when this much was at stake, this hopeful chance. It was all to perfect, if he lost it, then he would never forgive himself, he would be a complete fool, an idiot, someone who walked with ignorance. Few times did he speak without thought anyway, so was his way, so why would there be any reason to change now when there was all the more reason? First, a name for his place, something that rang with the same free and peaceful soul that was embodied here, something that sounded as perfect as it was. Life Plains, no, Dream Valley, no, Pinnacle Heart, no, Breaking Lands, no, Blessed Land, no, Peace Realm, no. Name after name drifted through his head, but only half made sense, and none fit, and so he stood, stock still, for minute after minute as he thought. Dancing Rocks, no, Lone Hill, no, Little Valley . . . perhaps . . . Quarter Valley . . . perhaps, either of those sounded good to him, they had the right ring, the right sound. But which one: Quarter Valley for its different areas, or Little Valley just because he felt it was right. For a few moment, he continued to think, but then he knew, he knew which one he would pick, and he cough to prepare to speak his claim . . .
I, Shadow, claim this land as mine, and make myself lord here after. I, Shadow, name this land, for it is now mine, Little Valley, a land of honor and peace." That done, Shadow fell silent again, and let the claim ring out across his land, and then he waited, waited for a reply that might spell his doom. Thoughts, doubts, lingered in his mind now that the deed was done, things to drag at his hope at this chance, things to make him worry. What if someday, he lost this beautiful land, lost everything he was planning on building here, a place of were peace and honor could prosper? Of course the thought had crossed his mind before, and he strongly answered it in his head with a simple, sensibly reply that quelled the doubt and worry. If that happens, it happens, but I will fight, and I will strive, with all my honor, and if that his not enough, then this world his perhaps to cruel for just trying. It was not the best of thoughts, but it was a thought, plain and true, and it left him to the peace of the land on his lone hill, still waiting of a sort, but not for an answer.
And here we go again
With all the things we did
And now I'm wondering
Just who would I have been
Unity in Freedom, Claiming Post
