The Winged Warrior Of The Gods

   

    At the far end of nowhere, on the east side of nothing, is found a large wilderness mountain range, surrounded by flowing fields of succulent green grass and fragrant wildflowers. The mountain range is desolate, a place where few ever wander. In the cool sweet meadows of these wilderness mountains, romps a fine strong herd of wild horses. 
    His white coat gleaming brightly in the morning sun as he, watched over his herd. Zenadar stood tall and proud on a high ridge overlooking the beautiful meadow he had chosen for them. The long harsh winter had cruelly taken several of the young horses.  But now spring had arrived and with it the warm sun; and an abundance of tall sweet grass. Soon the mares would foal, and the joy of new life would fill the meadow.
    Sherain, the youngest mare of the herd, approached the ridge. She was not only the youngest, but was also the most beautiful, and drew the stallion's favor.  This caused the other mares to shun her, and treat her cruelly. As a result of their jealousy she stayed mostly to herself.
    Zenadar was aware of their feelings, and as a result showed Sherain even more attention. When she reached the top of the ridge, he greeted her warmly.
    "Well," he whinnied, "how are you on this fine spring morning Sherain?"
    "I am fine," she said with a deep sigh, “the warm sun is most welcome. Soon it will be time for me to foal.  I hope I will be able to pride you with a fine son," she replied, shyly pawing at the ground.
    "Oh my sweet Sherain, you could give me nothing else. Although I would be just as pleased if you were to give me a little filly as pretty as you are." he said proudly.
    "Oh Zenadar, you shouldn't go on so," she answered with a giggle. “The other mares are already very jealous.  I think sometimes they would like nothing more than to see me banned from the herd and sent into the wilderness alone to die!"
    "You need not worry. As long as I am stallion of the herd, you are safe!  But listen well!  When it is time for you to foal, come to me in secret and I will take you to a safe place.  Some can't be trusted, and may try to kill the foal before it has a chance to get to it's feet," warned Zenadar.
    Sherain agreed, slowly walking away.  It saddened her to think that all the other horses hated her so.  She had never said or done anything unkind to any of the others. Instead, she had always stayed to herself in a part of the meadow no one else cared for.
    Because of Zenadar's words, Sherain was now even more afraid of the other horses. He couldn't protect them all the time. And now, she not only had to protect her foal from predators, but also from the threats of those around her. All she could do was pray to the gods for a very strong colt.  Even then, no colt was a match for a mature horse. No; what Sherain needed was a miracle. She was convinced her foal would not survive to be a yearling without one.   
    As her time drew near, Sherain’s heart became heavy with fear.  She kept her prayers on her lips with every waking moment.
    One day at the watering hole some of the mares commented on how young and small she was to protect a foal, and how it would probably die before the next spring. Then they all laughed, and brushed their tails in her face. She just wandered away pleading with the gods to have mercy on her foal.
    Late one night when the moon was bursting with fullness, Sherain was awakened by a sharp pain in her side. She knew it was time for her to go to Zenadar. He would be sleeping in the middle of the herd, making it hard to get his attention, without being noticed. She knew it would be dangerous, but the only way she could succeed was to go to the edge of the meadow and rustle some bushes.  This would alert Zenadar to possible danger and he would investigate instantly.  If she could just make it to the trees before anyone noticed her.
    She searched the meadow for danger then slowly began to walk, always looking back
toward the safety of the herd.  The pain in her young body and the fear in her tormented heart increased by the moment, causing her to stumble several times as she made her way across the open meadow.  By the time she reached the trees, she was almost doubled up with pain.
    Her heart pounded as she quickly reached down and shook a bush vigorously, watching for Zenadar to emerge from the herd.  Just as she had predicted, Zenadar broke through the horses with fire in his eyes and instantly moved toward the disturbance ready for any challenge. Sherain had been hiding from sight, but now Zenadar was close enough for her to show herself.
    "Sherain!!" he said, surprised to find her so far from the herd. "Whatever are you doing?  Don't you know it's dangerous to wander alone at night?"
    "Yes, Zenadar, but I had to get you away from the others. It's time for my foal to arrive. You said you would take me to a place where we would be safe from harm," she concluded, her whole body trembling with pain.
    "Oh, my sweet Sherain you are so very brave!  I will tell Kendar to watch over the herd while we are gone. I smell no danger nearby, so just quietly wait here. I’ll be right back."
    Sherain watched as Zenadar made his way back to the herd. Luckily, Kendar was easy to wake. Zenadar told him his bidding then rejoined Sherain.
    "Are you okay Sherain? Do you think you can make it?" he asked noticing the pain she was in.
    "Yes, I'll be fine. You lead the way,” she answered, as yet another pain shot through her young body.
    "Okay, it's not far. Come on. We must hurry," replied Zenadar, as he began cutting a path through the trees.  Soon they were far away from the meadow and all the other horses.
    "It's right up here Sherain, can you make it?" he asked watching her struggle to keep up with him.
    "Yes. I‘m alright. Just please, let's hurry," she said, stumbling with every few steps.
    Zenadar quickly ran the rest of the way up the hill, and for a moment disappeared. "its okay, Sherain, you can make it?" he said, trying to encourage her.
    Sherain struggled the last few feet up the hill to find Zenadar standing at the mouth of a cave, totally covered with thick foliage.    Once inside the cave, Sherain found a comfortable place to bear her foal. She began taking short deep breaths, trying to ease the unbearable pain in her tender body, while Zenadar stood by helpless. He was unable to help her except to try and comfort her. He nuzzled her brow, and fanned her with his tail.
    Soon, the tip of a jellybean pink nose appeared, followed by a long thin snout, with a little eye on each side. The snout was followed by two pointed ears that snapped to attention on the top of a little pointed head.  A few more wiggles and two front legs appeared to help in its struggle to be born.  In an instant, it was all over, and the unbearable pain was gone.  Sherain could finally rest her tired, sore body.
    Zenadar was so excited, that he ran to the mouth of the cave, and whinnied loudly announcing the great event.  His voice thundered through the night, and all that heard it knew something wonderful had come to pass.
    "Oh Sherain, your struggle was great, but out of your pain has come this wonderful new life. You have honored me greatly!" he said humbly, as he looked down at her and the new colt.
    "Yes Zenadar, you have a fine son," she replied, still very weak, but managing to clean her new baby.
    Suddenly, she noticed something very odd about her colt! Attached to each side of his little body were tiny wings. "Look Zenadar, it's a miracle!" gasped Sherain.
    Zenadar examined the colt closely and found Sherain to be right. Neither could believe their eyes. Before either could speak, the cave took on a strange glow. Both Sherain and Zenadar were frightened, until a soft voice spoke to them.
    “Be not afraid, for your prayers have been answered. You have been blessed." murmured the voice of a thousand whispers.
    "I don't understand." said Zenadar, his voice trembling with fear.
    "There was once a great herd of winged horses." the voice began. "They were the most prized possession of Zeus, ancient God of the Universe. His mighty warriors would fly these winged horses into fierce battles, claiming glorious victories for the gods. Until one night out of jealousy, the mortal son of Athena, Goddess of the Secret Fire, sought out and killed all but one of these horses.  You and Sherain are both direct descendents of this great herd," explained the voice.
    "Yes,” Zenadar contemplated, "when I was young, I remember my grandfather telling me of such a herd, but I thought it was only a legend told by an old dreamer."
    Sherain struggled to her feet, then gently nudged her colt.  Immediately the pure white colt sprung to his feet with fiery brilliance, and began to run about, flapping his tiny wings. Then finding his mother, he took his first bit of nourishment.  She had been eating only the sweetest grass of the meadow so her milk was warm, sweet, and abundant.