Storm Racer (Loshenka 2730)

The day started calmly as the sun struggled to shine between the storm clouds, the leaves rustled in a cool breeze and the water was icy at the edges. Snorting as a stray raindrop splashed onto his light pink muzzle the gorgeous stallion raised his head from where he had lain down the night before. In order to keep his lush tail from tangling in the blackberry vines he'd been nibbling at before the storm broke he had found cover in an aspen grove. Shaking his Isabella gold and white splashed hide free from debris and stretching his neck out he rose on his strong, graceful white clad legs and whickered a greeting to the day.

 

After the stallion had attended to his morning needs he decided to go for a nice trot along the icy river and see what the animals were doing. He especially was wondering about his feline friend who had made his home near some sweet red clover. Placing his hooves carefully he trotted along and began thing to himself as he did. 

 

"What is a name? Cowboy my feline friend has one...Are they good?" He pondered this as his gemstone eyes peered ahead.

 

"Good morning Stallion!" called a bluebird in a tree as the horse passed by looking deep in thought which made the bird twitter as the young stallion often was lost in thought.

 

"There he goes again lost in thought." sang a few more birds and a few other animals popped out to greet the day and the stallion.

 

Nodding his head to the dwellers of the hollow he called home the stallion stopped as a most delightful scent reached his nostrils! It couldn't be he thought excitedly but oh the scent definitely smelled like it! Porridge and cream and sniffing he caught the tantalizing whiff of sweet sweet molasses! Whinnying he cantered towards the spot it was coming from only to find out it was a couple of children who had come berry-picking. Slowing to a stop he noticed his friend Cowboy was there already and decided it was okay to come out.

 

"There really is not much to fear from these small humans" he thought, "after all Cowboy is there and I am a Loshenka swift and sure!"

 

The kids jumped as he stepped out and then they smiled as they saw his glittering blue eyes, gold and white coat with his cream colored tail and heard his soft whicker. The older of the two kids went back to the fire and put some of the porridge into a stone bowl so that the Loshenka could eat it. The stallion pawed a bit in anticipation of the warm food when the youngest human patted his shoulder.

 

"Sister? Perhaps we can ask this Loshenka to help us outrun the storm?" The youngster said as his sister set the bowl in front of the stallion.

 

Lowering his light poink muzzle he began eating the soft, fragrant, warm and sweet porridge. His ears tuned to the humans as he ate when he shifted his eyes to Cowboy who sat grooming his whiskers he spoke softly asking him if it was safe to take the young ones back to the humans. Cowboy nodded at his tall friend that it was.

 

Looking up he whickered to get their attention and stepped forward lightly to nuzzle the young boy who was casting glances up at the sky often. The stallion knew the storm was coming as well and making up his mind when a rolling boom of thunder rang out across the icy hollow, the stallion lowered his snow-white legs and laid down so the children could get up on his 16 hand tall form. The children understanding quickly scrambled aboard! Raising up to his full height as a peal of thunder and flash of lightning rang out he stepped out but not before he felt tiny claws in his rump from Cowboy jumping on. Neighing in defiance of the storm and aware he held not only his life but three others he raced into the wind heading to the village that lay at the opening of the hollow to protect it.

 

His hooves pounded rhythmically, muscles heaving smoothly warm and limber, tail held proudly as a Loshenka ought, the speed and power granting him the ablity to out run the storm and its rage. The children and cat hunkered down letting the stallion choose the safest way. Breathing easily despite how heavy he was snorting the young stallion gloried in his run. 

 

"Mama! Papa!" The children cried out as the Loshenka brought them all to the village where people had gathered to search for the two since it was very late and very stormy.

 

Smiling an older version of the boy and girl rushed forward and swept them off the Loshenka and into their arms. As townspeople gathered Cowboy whispered to the young stallion that he just might get a name now. The stallion snorted he would like that he thought.

 

"Mama this Loshenka shared porridge with us and then when brother was scared he saw and lowered himself so we may ride him. He ran so swift and strong that we outran the storm!" the girl told her parents and the other townspeople who were still there.

 

An elder came forward and spoke asking the Loshenka if he would accept being among humans and be bestowed a name with which they humans would call him. The stallion excited reared up and let a joyous neigh out before setting his shell-colored hooves down on the wet earth. Laughing the elder said to the gathered that the Loshenka was indeed willing.

 

"As the ones who befriended this Isabella Splash White Loshenka stallion the honour of bestowing his name would be the children's choice."

 

Hearing this the children smiled as this was a great honour in the village. Talking to each other quietly they discussed what to call him. Whispering they rejected an umber of ideas before deciding on the perfect one.

 

Pawing a bit the stallion awaited along with the humans as the children turned to face everyone and declared the young stallion was going to be known as Storm Racer for he raced the storm and won.