Desert Song (Horse Guardian)

by Angela Dorsey

  She glanced back at Angelica. The older girl was keeping up behind Melody. She didn’t look tired at all. Her long golden hair streamed out behind her like a molten cape, flashing in the morning sun. Ahead, Sophie could see the desert between the canyon walls, its dry expanse stretching away to the horizon.

  We’re almost there, she realized. We’ve almost made it. She urged Aria on a little faster. They were so close. So close.

  The mountain lion watched the horses and the girl trot by him. Then the Bright Creature ran past. He was right to come back to the entrance to the smaller canyon. His attack would still be a surprise. He had stayed down low this time instead of climbing on top of the rocks at the entrance.

  Sliding out from the shadows, he ran swiftly behind the Bright Creature. A dozen different ways to attack flashed through his mind. Different ways to kill.

  Then the Bright Creature stopped. It looked at him as if it knew he was there all along. A worthy adversary.

  At last he would have satisfaction.

  There he is. No more running. I will face him for I am the one he wants. I can see that now.

  At all costs, Aria and Melody and Sophie must be kept safe.

  Here I am, lion. Come to me.

  I offer myself to you.

  Come.

  When Sophie saw the large boulders ahead, she directed Aria with her legs to the trail close to the creek.

  It was then that she noticed a brown wave wash down the creek beside her, about two feet high and racing along faster than they were cantering. She looked at it with a puzzled expression.

  “Whoa, Aria,” she called and looked back. Angelica wasn’t following them. She was farther up the creek, facing back the way they had come. Sophie saw another brown, swollen wave of water wash toward the girl.

  “Angelica,” she yelled. “These are just the first waves! It’s probably a flash flood! We’ve got to get out of here!”

  Angelica turned and stared at Sophie for a few seconds, then shook her head. The wave of water washed past her, carving the channel in the center of the canyon even deeper.

  “Angelica, you have to come now!” Sophie yelled desperately, thinking Angelica hadn’t heard her. “Before it’s too late.”

  Angelica waved Sophie on with a pale hand and then turned again to face the entrance to Aria’s canyon.

  That’s when Sophie saw him. The mountain lion. He flowed toward Angelica like liquid poison, and even from a distance, Sophie could see the hatred in his eyes. “Angelica!” she shrieked. “Run!”

  She watched in horror as the lion closed in on the girl. Then Angelica started to glow. It wasn’t a huge burst like before, but a soft, gentle glow. She held her arms out toward the big cat.

  And Sophie understood what Angelica was doing. She was acting as bait. She was not only luring the lion away from Aria, Sophie, and Melody, she was luring it into the path of the flood. Stricken, Sophie watched as the lion collected himself, a few yards away from Angelica, preparing to spring.

  All Sophie knew as she started to slip from Aria’s back was that she had to do something. She wasn’t sure what she could do against such an adversary, but one thing was certain, she couldn’t leave the older girl to face him alone.

  But Aria was ready for her attempt to dismount. She spun in a circle forcing Sophie to hold onto her mane and grip with her knees.

  Suddenly Aria stopped, startled. It took Sophie a second to realize what was wrong. Rumbling filled the canyon. The ground shook and rocks tumbled from the canyon’s edge. The flood was coming!

  Sophie caught a glimpse, a horrible glimpse, of the lion in mid spring. As Aria sped away, Sophie looked back over her shoulder. The cat and Angelica were struggling together, locked in a death grip.

  Then the brown wall of water swept around the bend in the canyon, crashed into the far wall, and rolled straight toward them. The flood engulfed Angelica and the mountain lion in a heartbeat and bore down on the two horses and the girl, racing for their lives.

  “Melody, hurry!” screamed Sophie, looking back to see the young filly struggling behind them. She turned forward again, her eyes locked on the desert that lay before them. Would they make it? No. It was too far. And once on the desert they would still be in the path of the flood. Unless they could get to some elevated ground.

  Sophie glanced to her left toward the hills at the canyon mouth. They weren’t as steep as the rock walls farther back. Then Sophie remembered a trail that went up one of the hills. Aria seemed to know what Sophie was thinking and angled to the side of the canyon as she ran.

  Sophie urged the mare to run faster, bending over her neck and whispering words of encouragement. The brown flood rumbled louder as it came closer. The ground trembled beneath Aria’s hooves and Sophie didn’t dare look back to see if Melody was okay. Even leaning a bit to one side could throw Aria off her stride and slow her, endangering them all. All she could do was hope the young filly had kept her feet. All she could do was pray that Melody was fast enough.

  The water was almost upon them when Aria jumped onto the trail and raced up the incline. Sophie couldn’t help herself, she had to look back. She watched horrified as Melody leapt after them. Too late! She was going to be swept away! The raging water grabbed Melody’s back legs as she scrambled up the trail and pulled her sideways.

  “No! Melody!” Sophie screamed and the filly dug in with her front hooves. She fought with all her might, her new muscles straining with every bit of strength she had. Suddenly she was free. Wide-eyed and winded, the filly raced up the hill to her mother.

  At the top, Aria stopped. She nickered through deep breaths and nuzzled Melody, sniffing her all over. Sophie sat on Aria’s back, stunned. She looked at the wet filly, then reluctantly her eyes shifted to the brown waters rushing past. From her vantage point, she could see it spread out from the canyon mouth and onto the desert in a dozen smaller streams. Already the force of the water was lessening. Sophie searched for Angelica in the floodwaters, afraid of what she might see, but the muddy tide had swallowed everything. No golden-haired girl struggled on its surface. Or floated face down. Tears blurred Sophie’s vision. She couldn’t see how Angelica could survive both the flood and the lion’s attack. Suddenly a loud neigh pierced the air. Aria’s calling for Angelica, thought Sophie, but then the mare turned toward the canyon where Sophie had seen the wild horses the night before.

  Yesterday, that was only yesterday, thought Sophie, still in shock. How can so much change in just one day? Oh Angelica, I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t taken Aria away…

  Aria neighed again and began to trot down the far side of the hill, still calling out as she went. Melody hurried behind, still breathing hard.

  “Whoa, Aria,” said Sophie, coming to her senses. “We have to look for Angelica. We can’t just leave.”

  Aria didn’t seem to hear her. As soon as she reached the desert, she broke into a canter. Every few seconds she would send a piercing neigh into the air, calling, searching.

  And then Sophie heard an answer to the mare’s desperate cries. Sky. He was standing on a ridge top in the distance. He neighed once more, then disappeared. Aria stood still and waited.

  “What are we doing here, Aria?” asked Sophie. “We have to go back now.” She tried to direct the mare back toward the flood with her heels, but Aria wouldn’t budge.

  “You don’t want to live with the wild horses, do you Aria?” Sophie slipped from the mare’s back and hugged her neck. “Don’t go, Aria,” she begged. “Kalene and Joel want you to come home, and I do too. I need to know you’re there. Safe. Don’t go, Aria, please. We need you.”

  Aria snorted and nuzzled Sophie and the girl stepped back. After all they'd been through, Aria and Melody were going to end up with the wild horses.

  Sophie felt completely helpless. She knew she wouldn’t be able to stop the mare or Melody from leaving. She had no rope. No way to talk to them like Angelica did. And she had no time.

  I have
to go back to find Angelica, Sophie thought as she turned away. Her hand slid along Melody’s back, then she ran toward the flood. Maybe she’s not dead. Maybe I can help her. I have to try.

  She could see the brown flood in the distance quickly growing closer and tried to put Aria and Melody out of her mind as she ran. Only when she heard the hoof beats did she stop. The entire herd of mustangs was speeding toward the hill she, Aria, and Melody had raced down just minutes before, the lead mare in front with Sky bringing up the rear. And Aria was with them, Melody galloping beside her. The horses trotted up the hill and stood at the top, looking over the floodwaters. Then one of the mares neighed and the herd disappeared over the other side of the hill.

  Why would they go toward the flood? thought Sophie. I don’t understand. Unless…unless they’re going to find Angelica! If they find her, she’ll be saved! Sophie squeezed her eyes shut and lowered her head. Please God, make her okay! Please help them find her. Please. Please.

  When Sophie finally looked up she saw two horses trotting toward her. Aria and Melody were coming back. Sophie ran to meet the gray mare and the foal. “You found Sky and his herd because you knew they could save Angelica!” she said breathlessly to the mare. “They love her too, and they will cry over her and they will heal her, just like you did, won’t they Aria? I’m sorry for not understanding. I’m sorry for thinking you were leaving Angelica behind, that you didn’t care about her. I’m sorry for thinking you wanted to go and live with the mustangs.” She threw her arms around the mare’s neck and buried her face in the silky mane. “I love you so much, Aria,” she said in a muffled voice.

  She felt Melody’s muzzle touch her back and turned. She knelt down and hugged the filly gently around her neck. “I love you too, Melody,” she whispered.

  Then Aria bumped Sophie with her nose and Sophie looked up to see the mare turn. Slowly, with tired steps, she moved forward. Sophie and Melody followed behind her like two foals. As she walked, Sophie pictured the mustangs standing around Angelica, their heads lowered, their tears splashing like life-giving rain on the fallen girl. And Angelica would rise up. She would be restored. She would carry on to care for more horses and to save more lives. As long as the horses loved her.

  I just wish I could have told her goodbye, thought Sophie. I wish I could have thanked her for everything she did.

  Sophie ruffled Melody’s mane as they walked. The filly looked at her with bright eyes and snorted. Sophie smiled and almost opened her mouth to speak. But then she stopped. She didn’t have to say anything. Melody understood how she missed Angelica. She could see it in the little filly’s eyes.

  Darkness. I am alone…

  And then someone is here. No. Many are here. I can feel them standing around me. The mares and the foals. Willow and Owl. Coyote and Chinook and Cactus and Thunderhead. Snowflake and Tumbleweed and Sparrow. And Sky. They stand around me and their tears fall. They weep because they love me. They weep because I am in pain.

  I am so blessed. These gracious ones have honoured me with their love. I am full of gratitude at their goodness. I cry too, tears of joy for their amazing beauty.

  I, Angelica, am the most fortunate of all beings. I would gladly give everything to serve these beautiful ones. Instead they are the ones who give to me.

  Sophie, Aria, and Melody walked slowly across the desert. All of them, especially Melody, were exhausted from their ordeal. Aria stopped once and the filly had a short nap. Sophie lay beside Melody and stroked her soft side as the young horse slept. In fifteen minutes, Aria roused them and, after suckling Melody briefly, they continued on toward the ranch.

  It was early afternoon by the time the house came into sight. Sophie took the lead for a moment and the two horses followed her toward the road that ran in front of the house.

  Once on the road, Aria’s pace quickened. Her head was up and her ears pointed toward home. Melody trotted behind her dam, trying to keep up until she noticed Sophie dragging behind. Then the young filly slowed her steps and walked beside the girl. Sophie put her hand on the filly’s back and they walked side by side, both looking apprehensively at the house and barns. Sophie could see Kalene’s car in the driveway and realized that Joel must have phoned her when he got home from town and found that Sophie was gone. They would be worried.

  When Aria reached the driveway, she didn’t hesitate. She turned in and trotted toward her barn. She neighed in greeting to the horses in the paddocks. Halfway down the drive she stopped and looked back at Melody and Sophie just turning off the road. She called Melody to come to her.

  Sophie stopped and watched Melody trot to her dam’s side. She wished she could just turn around and run far, far away, now that Melody and Aria were home safe. But then the front door opened and Joel and Kalene come out of the house. It was too late.

  Sophie heard the surprise in their voices and watched them hurry to greet Aria. When Aria turned to nuzzle her foal, Kalene and Joel stopped short. Kalene gave a small gasp and Joel let out a low whistle as the filly stood shyly beside her dam. Then, with Melody at her side, Aria walked toward the barn. She wanted to be put into her stall, the one that had stood empty since the day she had left. Melody trotted alongside, leaving Sophie alone to face Joel and Kalene.

  But it’s better this way, Sophie thought as she stepped forward. I don’t want Melody to hear the anger in their voices. She wouldn’t understand and she might be frightened, and she’s been frightened too much already.

  Sophie moved slower as she approached Kalene and Joel and finally stopped, her head down. The couple walked the last few steps toward her and Kalene put her hand on Sophie’s shoulder. “Tell us what’s happening, Sophie,” said Kalene.

  Sophie didn’t know how to start. Silence buzzed around her and she felt dizzy.

  “Why don’t we all go take care of Aria and her foal,” suggested Joel after a moment. “She may want some lunch and the baby looks tired.”

  “She is,” whispered Sophie. Talking about Melody helped her find her voice. “She was only born last night and already she’s had to run away from a mountain lion and a flash flood.”

  “Sophie! Are you okay?” said Kalene. “What happened? And where’s your cast?”

  Sophie glanced up for a second. Joel and Kalene didn’t seem too mad yet. “My arm’s not broken. See?” she held her arm out for them to look at, bending it a few times to show them. “It must’ve been a mistake at the hospital. I took the cast off.”

  “But we saw the x-rays,” said Kalene and then looked up at Joel. “Maybe they got mixed up with someone else’s.”

  “And what’s this about a mountain lion and a flash flood?” asked Joel.

  “And that filly,” added Kalene. “Where did she come from? She’s beautiful.” She took a step toward the pair standing at the barn door, pressing her hand on Sophie’s shoulder so she would know to come along.

  Sophie looked up as she walked, this time with hope in her eyes. “You like her?” she asked.

  “She’s beautiful. And what an unusual color,” said Joel, walking behind them.

  Sophie still didn’t hear anger in their voices. Or sadness. They actually seemed happy to see Melody. When they reached the two horses, Kalene held her hand out for Melody to sniff. Melody backed up, wary of Kalene. Then she nickered to Sophie and nuzzled her.

  “Her name is Melody and her sire is the blue roan mustang stallion,” Sophie blurted out. She ran her fingers through Melody’s fine hair as she spoke. “I fell asleep last summer and Aria got loose with the wild horses. I thought everything was okay, until…” She stopped. Just say it, she commanded herself.

  “Until you found out Aria was in foal?” Joel guessed.

  “And so you did what, Sophie?” asked Kalene, her voice firm. “Tell us.”

  Now comes the hard part, thought Sophie as she bent and hugged the filly around the neck. She inhaled the sweet scent of the young horse. It seemed to strengthen her. Just do it, she told herself. Just talk! Tell them and
get it over with.

  “I borrowed Aria for a while. I thought you would send me away if you knew I hadn’t watched her all the time I was riding her on the desert and would be mad if you knew she was in foal to a wild stallion, even though he’s beautiful, so I snuck her away and kept her hidden in one of the canyons,” said Sophie, the words coming fast as if another flood had been unleashed. “I was going to keep her there until the foal was born and then weaned and bring her home, saying I found her out on the desert. I was going to turn the foal out with her sire’s herd to be a wild horse. But then…” Sophie stopped herself just in time from saying Angelica’s name. “But then I was hit by that car and couldn’t get out to take care of her and when I finally got there I discovered a mountain lion was hanging around and I knew I had to bring her home. When you asked to adopt me and I was so happy and so sad because I knew I still had to tell you the truth, even though you wouldn’t want me anymore because you would see what I’m really like. And then this morning when I got to the canyon, Melody was born and then the mountain lion came and while we were running away, the flash flood washed down the canyon behind us and swept the mountain lion away and we almost didn’t make it but we did and now I know you probably won’t want to adopt me and you might send me away, but I just had to bring Aria and Melody to safety and I was so tired of lying to you. I’m sorry for stealing her away and if I had to do it all over again I would have told you the very first day…”

  “Sophie, stop,” said Joel, but she didn’t hear him. All the countless times she couldn’t speak, all the years of silence, were finally over. There was no more holding back. No more being tongue-tied. No more thinking and wishing and trying to get enough courage to say what she dearly wanted to say. She was just saying it. A feeling of exhilaration was building inside her and she spoke even faster.