~Silent's POV ~

Little Creek looked shocked "you want to do what?!" I looked at him and repeated myself, "I said.. I want to try and ride Spirit. and I plan on starting n-now" he looked even more shocked. Finally, after a moment, he said, "uhh, I suppose you can try, but if you get hurt, you won't get back for a while" I smiled then hugged him tightly. I hadn't hugged well anyone that much but Little Creek was an exception. "thank you! Thank you!" I thanked him before a thought came to my mind. I pulled away and looked at him " but one condition..:" he looked at me again, raising an eyebrow "what is t?" he asked. I looked at Spirit, then back at Little Creek "no blanket, and you have to be on the outside of the pen" he looked reluctant but sighed and walked out of the corral anyway. Raun stopped her current game of tag with Shikobi turning her gaze to me.

"what is she doing?" I heard her mumble, "R-Riding...him?" Shikobo squeaked. I looked over at Spirt and said, "can you lay down so I can get on, please?" Little Creek laughed "he might not do it," he said, still laughing a bit. I rolled my eyes and looked back at Spirit, grinning when h was already lying on teh ground with his back facing me "go on, you can get on," he brayed softly. A sudden feeling of safety overcame me at hearing the tone of his voice. Heck, just hearing his voice made me feel safer.

I slowly got on, and once I was ready, Spirit stood up. I gently squeezed his sides with my legs like my mother used to do whenever she rode a horse; Drogo dhsoed me too and said in a calm tone, "will you walk please?" the golden stallion started to walk around the corral nice and slow.

It was frightening and exciting, seeing as Spirit was the first horse I ever rode.

Getting a slight boost of confidence, I gently nudged his sides, wanting to go a little faster "how come he hadn't bucked her off yet, Rainy?" I heard Shikobi whisper making me smile a little. Then I listened to the paint mare whisper back to the foal, "because he trusts her. and he likes her"

Shikobi gave a quiet 'oh' in response before becoming silent again. Suddenly I started to lose my balance. I gripped Spirit's mean a little tighter, trying to hold on, but I was useless. I fell off and landed flat on my back. But within seconds, Little Creek and Spirit came to my side, looking me over to see if I was hurt. suprsiuinly I wasn't. The thought that ui had just ridden a horse for the first time dawned on me, making me feel pretty good even if I had fallen off. I knew my fiance would've had a fit if he saw me riding a horse back at the cavalry, but I wasn't there anymore.

I was free.

I pulled myself to my feet and brushed myself off "well, I think that's enough for today, dont you?" they both nodded in response. After a while, Little Creek went back to the village. The rain stayed near the corral along with Shikobi. I hung around inside the corral with Spirit, talking to him, petting him, and giving home all of my attention which he seemed to love. Soon I got the idea to go to the apple tree. I thought about it and thought about how it would be safest to bring someone with me, so I thought that I could bring Spirit and Rain, and then we could bring some apples back for supper. With my mindset, I hopped out of the pen, calling back to a confused Spirit, "ill be right back! I need to ask Litlle Creek something" I ran into the village with Shikobi on my heels "mama! mama! can I help?" he asked, looking as innocent and sweet as ever.

I looked back at him with a smile. "Oh yes! it would be beneficial" in a flash, he bolted off to look for Little Creek. after a few minutes, I saw him pushing the Lakota towards me, compelling the whole time until he saw it was me; the foal was moving to. I sighed, smiling a little, and told the tri-colored colt my thanks. Then, I turned to Little Creek, "can I take Spirit and Rain to that old apple tree you showed me up the hill? please?" I could tell he was arguing with himself until he finally said no. in response, I gave him my cutest puppy dog face causing him to get a severe expression on his face. He looked away "dont give me that face" I was determined and got in front of him again "please?" he looked down at me and completely caved "fine.." he said, "but no riding. got it?"

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Little Creek chuckled, then tied a rope around Rain's neck when she came to Shikobi behind her before going into the corral with her in tow and tied the other end around Spirit's neck. I grinned "let's go, come on" I started to walk after the two grown horses seeing as Rain had to lead since she knew the best way to the apple tree. Shikobi began to come as well, but I turned to him and said, "no, not you. you're still too young to be away from teh other horses," he protested, "but mama! Spirit and Rain are going to be there" I raised an eyebrow at the young colt "yes. They will be tied together if any danger comes along," I explained "they both would be at risk as much as you" Shikobi sighed and put his head down, then walked to the village to find the rest of the herd muttering a soft "Okay mama" as he did.

I looked after him and called, "I'll bring back some apples for you, dont worry" he perked up a little, then started galloping around as he made his way back to the village. Spirit, Rain, and I started the trek to teh top of the hill to the old apple tree. by the time w got to the top, it was closer to supper time. I started to gather apples when one high-up delicious-looking apple caught my eye. I sighed, too, knowing I could never reach it despite being 5'9ft in height. Suddenly I heard something jump up and then fall. I looked over to see Spirit with the apple in his mouth, and then he bobbed his head up and down once he saw that I was looking at him. In response, I rolled my eyes and returned to gathering more apples. Then I heard him clear his throat slightly "uh... Silent, would you like to share the apple?" I turned around and gasped upon seeing it was the apple I wanted. I nodded, to which he bit the apple in half and gave me one half, then ate his own as I did.

We smiled at each other as we ate our apple slices. Once we finished, I went back to gathering apples. I heard Spirit nicker softly before going back to grazing. Rain was smirking. I saw her doing it just out of the corner of my eye, but I ignored it. The sun was starting to set; after a while, I spoke up, "let's go back to the village. I promised my Shikobo some apples, too" Rain and Spirit nodded then we made our way back down to the village. After I untied Rain and Spirit and reluctantly put the golden stallion back into teh corral, I walked into the town. I saw Nizhoni, Pocahontas, Little Creek, Innoko, Chief Big Bear, and Shikobo.

I grinned, then ran over, holding the basket out "apples, anyone?" I asked.

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"I will answer injustice with justice." - Silent Stormborn.