Freedom. Canyon felt the wind in his mane and the ground beneath his hooves without the lurking presence of his father over his shoulder. He could do what he wanted and go wherever suited him. He could flirt with whatever filly he wanted. Canyon’s only problem now was finding the time to enjoy any of those qualities of life. Now that he had no herd for protection his main priority turned out to be survival. When the wind played in his mane and his feet thundered over the ground it was because he was being chased. Food was going to be scarce unless he wanted to migrate, winter was a difficult time for an herbivore.

Through it all though he had to be sure of Acacia’s survival. She was his partner in crime, even if he tried to protect her from most of his crimes. Staying alive and watching over her gave him good practice for his future herd.

The sun baked the earth here in the west, despite the summer it was still dry and hot. Much like the snow covered lands, there wasn’t much food. Canyon was built to withstand harsh winters, Acacia was not. He’d tried to avoid the snow and ice storms, but he wasn't sure now that the desert had been a better idea. The red marked stallion lifted his head to the breeze, ”I smell water.” He told the shimmering filly beside him. ”Where there’s water there’s food.” He nudged her shoulder encouragingly and led the way.

Acacia had always been a timid lass, but ever since they left the safety of the herd, she jumped at every sound. The pair had been walking in silence for some time and the leggy mare was thoroughly lost in thought. When Canyon spoke, she hadn't been expecting it. Blue eyes went wide and she literally left the ground for a moment. Acacia knew that she was a complete scaredy-cat. Pointed ears, one dark, one light, pulled back against her skull sheepishly and she crept closer to her childhood friend. "Water would be nice. Food too, I suppose." Ah, but water... She would love to wash the dust and dirt of the road from her shimmering coat. Acacia brought her blue eyes to rest upon Canyon's much larger form. She trusted him completely and would follow him wherever he led her. The pair had been born days apart and, since their mothers were friends, they had grown up in close proximity. The pair had formed an unbreakable bond during their years together. This bond was so strong, that when Canyon struck out to forge his own path, Acacia had no choice but to go with him. Her life wouldn't be the same without him. Yes, she knew that she was a liability and more than once she believed that she was holding him back, but she truly loved the stallion. Wherever he was, that was where she needed to be. So she had said goodbye to her mother. She left behind all that she had ever known and she struck out into the world with her friend and companion. Raising her velvety muzzle, she sniffed, testing the warm air for the scent of water, which she found. Only then did she realize how dry her mouth was. A shudder passed through her speckled frame and the slender mare danced in place. "Race you to it." She bumped his shoulder before darting off at a full out run. Her long, tri-colored mane danced in the wind as small hooves struck sand repeatedly. She was going to win! "Speech"

Canyon hadn’t been given much choice when it came to his position in the herd. Either he
was going to leave on his own or his father was going to kick him out mercilessly. The stallion was lucky to have such a close friend beside him. Acacia was the horse he went to whenever something was bothering him. He told her all of his secrets since he was a colt, the pair of them hardly separate when they were growing up. Canyon had hardly believed it when he realized she followed him in leaving the herd, she was a flighty mare but Canyon was used to her frights by now. She was a bit more jumpy without the added protection of other horses, but the quality had saved them on more than one occasion.

Besides some close calls, they were doing well. Once he got some food and water in his friend he’d feel much better. At first she seemed wistful, but as the scent of fresh water washed over her Canyon was able to watch the filly come alive. He loved the sparkle in her eye and the flick of her tail as she challenged him with more than her words. The stallion tossed his head in the air and whinnied in response as he surged forward and thundered after her.

She was a dainty piece of wind that had managed to don the flesh of a horse. Canyon’s stride was longer but the little shining filly could race the wind and win. The stallion’s enormous hooves struck the sand and caused huge sprays to fly behind him. He held his tail up high and the white to black hair streamed in the wind. He let out another whinny of joy before putting on another burst of speed aiming to pull ahead at the last moment, trying to splash heavily as he used the water as his brakes.

Canyon thundered along closely, catching up quick as a whip. She knew he would throw on a burst of speed at the last minute, so she saved some of her stamina to do the same. The water came into view and, rather than run into it, the woman dropped her head, tucked her ears, and jumped. Acacia soared through the air, over the lip of the water and out into the depths. Yes, Canyon had been the one to touch the water first, but she had reached it first. A loud splash sounded as the equine plunged within the warm waters of the oasis. She held her breath, not knowing how deep the waters were. Thankfully, they were only a little past her chest where she had landed. Pure laughter bubbled up from the grey and white mare as she surfaces. The water felt amazing as it washed away the grime from her coat. She gave a little wiggle underwater, looking back towards where Canyon stood. Holding her breath again, she ducked under water, swishing her head back and forth while submerged to further aid in cleansing herself. After doing the best she could to bathe, the small mare made her way to the bank. Her metallic coat, clean of the layer of dust, glittered brightly in the sun. The warmth of the desert around them would dry her quickly enough. Big blue eyes rested upon her friend. What did he have planned for them? "Speech"

Water soaked into the stallions coat as his huge form splashed through the water. It dropped off quickly and his form was swiftly submerged, but not before Acacia. The dust of the desert was similarly washed from his strawberry and cream hair before he lifted himself from the pool. Hearing his friend laugh felt better than the bath, the stallion grinned in return. He watched for a moment as she rinsed her long mane, and his own cleaning wouldn’t be as thorough. He wasn’t as pretty was she was either, and he wasn’t going to fend off anything with his good looks.

Instead, Canyon focused on drawing in the water with long gulps as he refreshed himself with spring water. It cooled him inside and out while soothing his hot muscles. He kept one eye on Acacia and another looking out for danger. His ears never stopped moving as he kept alert for the smallest hint of a threat. Canyon wouldn’t let anything happen to them. He finished his drink and followed Acacia out of the water as she looked to him for guidance.

”I’ll beat you one of these days.” He promised her as he tossed his mane from his eyes. ”We should stay here for the evening i think. Get some grazing in, and find somewhere sheltered to sleep for a few hours.” Canyon was a little surprised his filly friend wasn’t more exhausted. He looked to her and tilted his head, wondering if she had any ideas to add. They’re lives had been so much more fun when they picked their adventures instead of being surprised by nature’s choices. If he never saw a mountain lion again it would be too soon.

Acacia had been quite tired before the prospect of water came up. Just the idea of taking a nice, cool drink had invigorated the young mare. It had kicked her into action and taking a dip within that water had invigorated her even more. Before exiting the water, she drank her fill, glad to wash the stale taste from her mouth. Deserts were unforgiving places and she was glad to be mostly done with it. They still had to cross a bit more until they reached other lands, but she hoped that this trek would be shorter than the last. Black and white ears swiveled to catch Canyon's words. Graze and sleep. Regain their strength. She could do that. With a nod and a shake of her damp mane, the lady lowered her head and began to crop at the sparse grass and vegetation. Moving along as she grazed, Acacia came upon something interesting. A pile of little fruits lay on the ground around a tall, tree with fronds. "Canyon, look at these." Lipping one of the fruits into her mouth, the mare bit down. She frowned. There was something in the middle of the fruit. A hard pit. Working her teeth around the pit, she spit it aside. The fruit itself was interesting. It was sweet and rich. "These are pretty good." Moving further into the greenery surrounding the oasis, she found other fruits. Oranges and limes. She didn't like the green fruits, but when she cracked the orange ones open with a hoof, the inside was sweet and tart. The mare was rethinking her dislike of deserts. If they could stay in this place, she would be happy. Acacia munched fruit and grazed on the sweet grasses until she was quite full. Only then did she find a suitable place to sleep in a grove of palms. Folding her legs beneath her, the grey and white lady settled down. Sleep would be glorious tonight, she knew. "Speech"

Canyon was careful when it came to watching over his companion, he and Acacia had been friends nearly their whole lives. He tried to pay attention when it seemed like she was getting overly tired, and he did his best from getting her over excited. Most of the time they managed to keep as they were now, they were both quiet even after such an intense run. Canyon knew if he was feeling tired, she was doubly so. As he explained his plan the shimmering mare nodded without displeasure.

Canyon grinned as she lowered her head to graze without hesitation. He watched her for a moment, knowing such a peaceful afternoon was a blessing. He couldn’t allow himself to lower his guard though, and his ears and eyes continued to look out for the danger that would come in and ruin the afternoon. Eventually he lowered his head to get his own grazing in, the grass was much more palatable than the rest of the desert had to offer.

His head shot right up when Acacia called out to him. His mane bounced as his blue eyes shifted to her dainty form. She was excited more than concerned so Canyon didn’t over react as his huge hooves brought him closer to her. Curious he nosed the fruits, not missing that she had removed a bot from her own pretty lips. The horse carefully brought the fruit into his mouth and similarly enjoyed the flesh of it. He kept one eye on Acacia and another on their surroundings as he ate dinner happily. ”Seems we’ve been given a bit of luck.” He muttered as he shot her a smile.

Acacia didn’t take long to fill herself and Canyon managed to browse a bit longer, but he was making his way closer to the little filly as she settled for the night. The strawberry and cream stallion would stand while they slept, keeping an eye open for the next threat to come after them. ”Did you have a good day?” He asked softly as he watched her eyes flutter while he munched on a bit more grass. His dual toned tail flicked at his hips as he sniped the biting flies that gathered near the water. Almost absentmindedly the stallion nudged her cheek affectionately as he slipped by her form.

Having settled down, the young mare grew more and more tired. She was only now realizing just how exhausted she'd been crossing that desert. Still, she wasn't fully prepared to sleep just yet. As Canyon wandered around, nose to the ground to feed, she watched him absently. Her ears flicked as did her tail. The biting flies had been worse in other places, but they were still a great annoyance. They seemed to be biting her a lot less than they were biting Canyon and she attempted to find out why. Nearby, she noted the pile of crushed citrus fruit. Normally insects of all types would flock to fruit, but they were leaving the citrus alone. The flies, though biting, were staying away from her mouth which was coated with the oils of the fruits skins. "Canyon," she started. "Try eating some of that fruit. I think it keeps the flies away. Perhaps we could crush some of the skins beneath our hooves and put the around us while we sleep?" She tilted her dainty head slightly at the thought. It was worth a shot, wasn't it? Canyon asked about her day and the plucky mare smiled. "I did. At first I was so tired and thought that the desert would never end, but the oasis was worth it. I wish we could stay here." She knew that Canyon had a lot of wandering left in him though and so she wouldn't beg to stay. Wherever he went, she would go. Maybe in the future their paths would change, but for now, he was stuck with her. She was ever so glad to be with him as well. The nuzzle given was returned, her sleek cheek sliding along her friends nose. A yawn pulled from her and she gave her head a shake, greyscale mane swaying in the process. "What will we do tomorrow? This place seems safe enough to both get some much needed sleep, don't you think?" Curling her legs, Acacia lay down flat on the warm sand and grass, her head on a tussock of grass and leaves. Blue eyes blinked a few more times, the time between blinks becoming longer and longer. She would soon be asleep. "Speech"

The stallion turned his attention to Acacia as she said his name. Ears swiveled towards her as he grasped another mouthful of grass. He turned his icy blue eyes to the fruit, and though he was skeptical, he’d try it. Acacia was very observant, and despite her disabilities she was as sharp as they came. Of all the young fillies in his father’s herd, she was by far and away the smartest.

He shifted his huge frame to sniff at the acidic smelling fruit, and carefully he lipped at a large orange. The taste wasn’t awful, but he still preferred apples. If it would keep the flies from his mouth he’d do anything. ”If that doesn’t work, perhaps if we rolled in it.” They;d get sticky, but it was a small price to pay for relief.

Canyon turned his attention more fully towards her as she answered his question, and with graceful steps he returned to her side. He grazed long enough that sleep was calling his name. He smiled back at the shimmering filly as he stood beside her laying form. He’d never gotten into the habit of sleeping off his feet. He could react so much faster when he was standing, and he never knew when the next surprise would be. If only the citrus fruits would ward off predators.

Acacia wanted to stay here, and he couldn’t blame her. There was plenty of food for the both of them, a water source nearby, and it seemed this place wasn’t frequented very often. She nuzzled him in return, their affections for each other easily given and received. Being next to her was natural and he didn’t want it any other way. She was getting tired, and he was eager to see her rest after the long day. ”We can stay here for a while.” She was obviously fond of the area, and he didn’t want to deny her wishes. ”Get rested up, regain our strength. I’d like to continue on though, get out of the desert.”

He nuzzled her again, keeping his head close to hers as she evaded sleep without much success. ”You should sleep.” He shifted slightly, reaching up to kiss her forehead. ”I’ll gather some fruit to surround us.” Canyon assured her with a smile. He would probably get a few hours at least, barring any trouble that might find them.