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Striking Out: Part Two Written by Amethyst Mare (Arian Mabe)

As Cadoc gained altitude, the night closer in around him. For the first time in many weeks, he noticed that the night was complete dark, clouded over to such an extent that neither the stars nor the moon graced the land with their comforting presence. He sighed, barrel chest heaving as he flew. He missed the stars. He had spent many a night as a youngling staring at them, wondering if, one day, he would be able to fly high enough to touch them. Those days were long gong. As it was, he looked back to the ridge where he had left his companions, watching it steadily grow smaller and smaller until even his sharp eyes could no longer discern the outcrop amongst the jagged teeth of the mountains.

It was a relief when the country finally appeared unfamiliar beneath his outstretched talons - a much needed distraction. An imposing mountain range rolled leagues below him, tall, dark crags visible even in the darkness, though he was high enough that they would pose no threat to his flight. Sparse vegetation littered the slopes, brave copses of trees huddled together for protection in the harsh landscape. Some had the perseverance to take solitary root but were stunted and weather beaten as a result of their daring. The lash grass on the lower slopes told Cadoc that rain came often in this place, leaving it lush even if the wind that pressed upon his wings hinted at its own brutality.

His throat burned, dryness reminding him that he had neither drunk or eaten since well before the initial battle. Sighing deeply - he did not want to interrupt his thus far peaceful flight - he angled his wings that fraction required to alter his course, letting the crash of falling water lure him downward. If it was indeed a waterfall that he could hear, he hoped there would be a large pool below so that he may wash the blood from his scales after he drank. He shuddered, quickening his pace, wings straining against every beat. The stench of death still enveloped him and his stomach growled against his will. He did not know how he could be starved after the carnage. Blood and guts were fine on deer and elk but not when it came to dragons.

Diving through a patch of mist, he came upon the waterfall in a flash of moonlight, white glittering off the surface of a large, deep plunge pool. Water streamed over the rocks from a great height, drops melding with their fellows in the glorious darkness, tinged deep blue from what Cadoc supposed was a natural nuance or growth within the pool or rocks themselves. It appeared safe enough, but for two small creatures dancing along its edge. The dragon stiffened mid-flight, tail falling perfectly still as he floated below the grounds, eyes as keen as an eagle's depicting the strange creatures below.

To his eye, they could have been normal horses, though they possessed the most peculiar coats - more silvery than could ever be considered natural. Their floating manes and tails seemed to shine and waft in the air of their own free will, shimmering with the essence of moonlight as if it had been reflected from the surface of the water and thus absorbed by them. The two equines dove in and out of the pool, shaking water from their manes, trotting up a gentle incline out of the water with a chorus of neighs and whinnies. Their joy was evident in the night and startled the peace, birds shivering in their roosts. Cadoc watched in astonishment as one leapt straight through the pounding waterfall from one slippery ledge to another, landing surefooted on the deadly surface. The distance that the horse covered in one leap was easily ten lengths of his body.

The dragon hesitated, tipping his wings so that he spiralled upwards ever so slowly, barely skirting the belly of the clouds. These creatures were like nothing he had ever seen before. Still, he was hungry and if they could provide him with a meal, he would not be averse to killing them, whatever manner of strangeness they displayed. Food was food and that was all there was to it. Hunger gnawed at his belly like a wild animal and made his decision for him.

Setting his jaw, Cadoc locked his wings in to his body, jack knifing down in a steep, dangerous dive, speed rushing upon him as wind whipped past his muzzle. Without a sound, he fell, gaining on the unsuspecting little ponies. They would not know what had happened when he snatched them up and broke their necks between his jaws.

The silver equines looked up from the edge of the water as he roared above them in a flap of leathery wings, opening his maw wide in anticipation of the kill. He flared his wings out, drawing up to stop himself from diving nose first into the ground, attention fixed upon his prey. Adrenaline thrummed through his body - his dive had been perfect, he could feel it in the way his muscle ached, wings tense against the air that both fought and supported him. Saliva rose in his muzzle, drooling around his teeth and from his mouth in fearsome strings. He was the ultimate predator of the skies and none could defy him a meal.

To his disconcertion, his prey stood stock still, unconcerned as he darted for them, a terrifying mass of silver scales and deadly claws. A flicker of doubt crossed his mind, only for a second but it was already too late to back out of the kill. His claws were outstretched to snatch the first horse from the ground and he expected a short chase before claiming the second. Briefly, he tried to understand why they had not fled, perhaps exhausted from their game in the water, and then forced it from his mind, concentrating solely on catching his prey.

His hiss of triumph as he lashed out to seize his meal was cut off as he grasped at empty air where the horse had been only a moment ago. He flapped, ungainly, and struggled to stay aloft, skimming the surface of the pool with a startled growl as his own surprised reflection glared back at his, pupil narrowed into a slit from the thrill of the hunt. Where was the horse? Where had it gone? How had it moved so quickly?

Landing gracelessly on the far side of the pool, he whipped around, scanning the grass for the wayward equines. They stood on the opposite side of the pool in the exact same position as they had been when he first began his attack; only their head had turned to follow his movement as he failed to claim them. One curled back his upper lip and tossed his head in laughter. The dragon shifted uneasily, a low snarl building in his throat, rolling and deadly. What were these creatures, to evade a hunter like him?

One of the creatures rose on to his - for it was clearly a male - hind legs and pawed at the air with a shrill neigh. Creamy hooves flashed in mirth and the roar of the falls was not loud enough to disguise the bubbling laughter in the neigh. Cadoc bristled, scales rustling against the softer layer of skin beneath, his anger, which was so often close to the surface these days, rising sharply.

"What are you?" He snarled, not bothering to conceal his anger as he snapped. "Why do you laugh so? Are you not frightened of the nightmare of the skies?"

The horses looked at each other, lips flapping as they murmured amongst themselves as if they did not quite wish to insult Cadoc by showing their amusement aloud. Yet they were heard, insults but fleeting, and Cadoc gritted his teeth, willing himself to keep a hold on his volcano-like fury. Fire clicked at the back of his throat and he resisted the temptation to burn them alive: there was something to be learned.

He started. The horses bounded forwards from halt to a flat out, fluid gallop that brought them to the very edge of the water, lapping over crushed stone. Rocking back on their hind legs, they propelled their slight bodies into an elegant, simultaneous leap over the shimmering depths to land gently on the other side as if it was no effort at all. A few metres from Cadoc, they pranced and struck out playfully at one another with hooves and teeth, giggles rippling around the dragon like the wind toying with his wings.

He stepped back hurriedly, half-tripping over his own feet - he did not want to be too close to these creatures, these beings that moved with speed that the eye could not discern. His tail flicked from side to side, though he tried to hide his discomfort and appear unaffected by their presence. Now that they were closer and his eyes were not blinded by the thrill of impending bloodshed, he saw that they were not simply a strange colour at all. Their bodies emitted an otherworldly glow like that of the moon that made them shimmer as they moved, outlines melding with the landscape.

Overhead, the clouds crossed over the moon and revealed it again, showing the half moon to the world at large. It touched the landscape with silver, complimenting both horses and dragon. The equines nickered in delight and whipped around in a circle, manes and tails flying wildly as they played in the moonlight, which enhanced the supernatural sheen of their coats. Cadoc shook his head and swayed from side to side, mesmerised.

"What are you?" Cadoc hissed; their beauty unnerved him, how they flickered and danced between the living and something more. "You are nothing like what I have seen before in this world. Why do you not fear? How are you different to those horses that found their ends in my jaws?"

One snickered and pranced on the spot, hooves flicking up high.

"Oh yes, we've seen your kind before, many times, many times," he trilled, tail flagged high over his hindquarters. "We know what you're capable of, my friend, we most certainly do!"

Cadoc signed, chest heaving out sadness that had developed over an age. He felt like a far older dragon than he actually was.

"So you have seen us and you have seen what we can do." Cadoc's voice held a bitter edge. "Then you know I am a monster."

The horse dug his front hoof into the ground, kicking up clumps of earth.

"Because calling yourself a monster is hardly a threat to us!" They squealed, scarcely able to remain standing; their sides shook with suppressed mirth.

Cadoc growled, a low, menacing sound deep in his throat, nerves replaced by a stronger irritation. What was so amusing about what he was saying? Why did they only laugh, unfazed by the dragon at all? If anything, his twitching nostrils only seemed to make them snort harder, heads ducking down to the ground as their bright eyes glistened.

One horse - slightly smaller than the other - danced up to Cadoc and lifted himself gracefully on to his hind legs so that he was almost nose to nose with the dragon. He arched his neck to look down on the creatures that he towered over, lips pressed together disdainfully. The equine squealed and playfully battered the air beneath Cadoc's nose, swinging around as he did so to fling his body into a flying buck and land back at his companion's side.

"They call me monster because they do not understand me," the smaller of the horses said, dipping his muzzle in mock sadness. "They called me Afanc many moons ago and threw me out of the herd. I tempt travellers to mount me when they wander at night."

His eyes glinted with wickedness.

"When I tire of them, I throw them to the ground."

The second equine bumped Afanc with his velvety muzzled and nipped his neck when he did not respond. Afanc's head weaved a breath above the grass, eyes lidded. Cadoc leaned in, wondering if the equine was okay. Was he okay? Was he truly upset? He jumped when the horse's dished head flew up as he reared, batting the other equine's withers and chest mischievously in a game that only he understood the rules of. The other fended him off with a mock squeal of indignation.

"We know what they think of us, Afanc. Don't you remember how they called me the impulsive one - and that's putting it too kindly! There were many more words than that. All lies! Lies!"

He turned back Cadoc, who stood slightly confused throughout their exchange, stance wary.

"I am Idris, the ardent master!"

The horse laughed, the sound pealing through the otherwise still night. Cadoc worried for a second that the sound would bring the other dragons to them but, as if they guessed his thoughts, the two horses shook their heads in mutual denial.

"We can't be heard by your fellows, those beasts of war - only if we choose to be heard!"

They chuckled and dug their hooves into the ground, flicking up their heels to send sods of earth flying against Cadoc's side. He trembled at the reminder of his stained scales. Afanc and Idris, as they had thus named themselves, leapt close and circled the dragon.

"Better for us to be seen and not heard!"

Afanc neighed more loudly than normal as if to emphasise his point. Cadoc winced as the sound hurt his ears for a split second, dying with the memory of pain.

"What are you?" Cadoc asked, unable to restrain his curiosity.

The two horses laughed again, amusement echoing eerily through the silent night as they pranced around Cadoc, their circle of observation neverending.

"What are we?" They cheekily repeated the question in perfect unison. "Why - don't you know? You should already know. Have you never seen our kind before? What a life you must lead, to not know! We are the ceffyl-dwr of course."

Cadoc tilted his head to the side, puzzled. He had never heard of such a creature. He had seen many horses in his time but none that could be compared to these silver mischief makers, dancing in the moonlight. They took note of his confusion, knowing without knowing that the silly dragon still did not understand them and what they were. Sniggering, Afanc raised a single foreleg, curling it up as if posing for attention as Cadoc looked on, wariness fading. The dragon's body relaxed and he settled his feet more firmly into the loam. No danger was present.

"And he still doesn't know who we are!" Idris nickered, tossing his head from side to side in barely palpable disappointment. "Then we shall have to explain, shan't we, Afanc?"

"Indeed we shall, Idris! Indeed we shall!"

Afanc gave a little half-rear from sheer excitement.

"Most call us water horses, in a more familiar tongue of humans. We come from the waterfalls and mists to wreak havoc on the world," Afanc began with a derisive snort, mane spilling beautifully over the arch of his neck. "I cannot speak of this truth. We only like to play with the humans, so easily deceived. Are they not easy to trick, Idris?"

Idris nodded.

"But it is a dangerous game we play at times, Afanc," he added after a moment of thought.

"Life is a game," Afanc snorted, dismissing Idris's comment with a flippant toss of his mane. "Some win, some lose, some cheat. Some live, some die. That is life in all its beauty, for what it is."

Cadoc shook his head, somewhat bewildered by their explanation. He could not deny that they looked to be good enough creatures, if rather strange. They were of myth and legend like himself, something that was beyond understand in their innate natures. He could not help feeling a glimmer of warmth towards them, enjoying their antics and playfulness with a friendly rumble.

"So," Cadoc said, drawing the attention of the ceffyl-dwr.

They anticipated another question, but Cadoc was reluctant to continue. It seemed intrusive to ask questions of them, however happy they were to answer. He had been taught silence and the will of the alpha hung over him, imposing in its darkness. It dared him to speak, to do what was forbidden. And if Cadoc was completely honest with himself, when it came to the equines, they made him nervous. He could not possibly anticipate what they were going to do next and he hated the absolution from the norm.

"Who do you follow?" Cadoc finally asked, curiosity winning out through bated breath.

The two strange creatures appeared to be on equal terms with one another, unlike his relationship with the alpha. Idris was not dominant over Afanc and vice versa. They could have been one and the same as far as their status went.

The equines eyed him and exploded with mirth yet again. Cadoc glared at them and shuffled his wings indignantly. Had they not had enough of their mockery? He had thought it was a very fair question indeed. Surely every being had a leader of some sorts and it was only right of him to enquire?

"We follow no one!" They chorused, pawing the air with their front hooves. "We have no reason to be a part of a herd that has rules and patterns to follow. They said no to our fun. We are free of them - we are free."

Free. The word flowed through Cadoc like ripples on a lake. Seeing these two spirits cantering about him, playing and loving the world about them, he knew that freedom was something that he had never known. He had always followed the will of his parents as a hatchling and then, of course, as life followed, followed the rule of his alpha. It was how covens of dragons worked, banding together for power and strength. He had never questioned it. He had never known what it was like to follow his own rules when a willing leader had always presented itself to him.

Freedom was a concept that he had never understood.

"What?" Afanc whinnied curiously, digging one hoof forcibly into the ground when Cadoc remained silent. "We are free. Are you not free? Why do you stare at us so?"

Cadoc sighed, awkwardly lowering his unwieldy body to the ground. His underbelly gouged a channel through the grass, crushing into the dirt, and he eyed his grubby hide distastefully. Freedom could not be seen in bloodshed and broken scales.

"You have seen my coven, yes?"

Cadoc enquired, unsure of exactly how much they already knew about him and his kind. They bobbed their heads in unison, giving him the encouragement he needed to continue.

"Then you know what we do. My leader wishes us to gain more and more land until... Well... Actually I don't know when the killing will end." Cadoc rested his muzzle on the ground, exhaustion thundering over him. "I have no will to be a part of so much death. I should only kill when I hunt or when my territory is threatened, not to gain, to expand. Jared is like a human in his liking for war but is my leader. There is nothing I can do to stop him if he desires it, as our alpha."

The horses regarded him seriously; Idris shook a foreleg in the air as he mused over Cadoc's words. When he spoke, it was without laughter, but with startling concern. He walked up to the dragon to touch his scaled leg with his own soft muzzle.

"Do you want to kill?" Idris asked simply.

Cadoc shook his head, sweeping his chin back and forth over the grass without bothering to lift his head. It took too much effort to move a single muscle more than necessary.

"No, I loathe killing," he replied bitterly. "I kill to eat and no more comes naturally to me. Why should I take innocent lives? Why should this be needed?"

The ceffyl-dwr looked at one another, rare surprise shivering through their coats, muscles twitching in that equine way. Idris shifted his weight from hoof to hoof, leaning more heavily on one side as he gazed up at the moon shining brightly above the trio, though he gleaned no inspiration from her silent surface. Afanc shook himself bodily and dipped his muzzle to lip thoughtfully at the grass, snapping his head up again a moment later with a delighted whinny on his lips.

"Then leave, it is simple!" Afanc nickered, bucking gleefully.

His companion bobbed his head in agreement and nuzzled Afanc's side, congratulating him with grooming nips for the idea.

"It is not that simple," Cadoc argued, tail lashing the grass.

"Why not?"

"I am a dragon. Dragons belong to covens for life and cannot leave. Do you always think solutions are always this simple?" He replied harshly, clambering to his feet with a stony glare. "What a sheltered life you must lead. Are you so naive?"

Instead of snorting in offence, the horses considered him before replying, forelocks brushing over their eyes. Idris swatted the air furiously with his tail, batting away imaginary flies, but it was Afanc who spoke first, choosing each word with unexpected finesse and care.

"Things are simple to us, solutions are simple. Acting upon a solution is more difficult. Yet we always do." Idris paused, coming up to Cadoc's side to flick his leg lightly with a companionable bat of tail. "Listen, dragon, what do they call you?"

"Cadoc."

He turned away. He could not look at them for a second longer, yet the equines were insistent, flitting closer until they were forced until his line of sight.

"Cadoc," Afanc repeated, playing the sound on his tongue. "You are not happy, are you?"

"Do you always ask such obvious questions?" Cadoc retorted with a wry smile.

A spark of old, deeply buried humour flickered like a hatchlings first flame. Afanc snorted and pranced at the retort.

"Too true, too true, dragon! But, Cadoc, you should come with us!"

Afanc nickered, proposing the idea without saying more as he danced his shimmering form beneath the dragon's nose, enticing with the promise of freedom rather than prey. Idris seemed delighted with the idea as he reared up to strike the air with his small, grey hooves.

"Come with us, come with us! Oh, that is a fine idea indeed, Afanc! How very well thought!"

Idris lost his balance and fell backwards on to the grass in a tumble of hooves, for the first time that night, clumsy. Cadoc started and ducked his head to ensure the little horse was okay. Idris giggled happily on his back with his legs in the air until his mirth subsided and he rolled back on to all four legs again, heaving himself up with a grunt.

"You must come with us," Idris enthused.

Cadoc, however, was not convinced and slid his gaze away, eying the pounding waterfall. The rushing water poured down in an unstoppable torrent and Cadoc swore that he could see the flickering shadows of more horses playing in the white foam. His long tail twitched, the dragon torn between desire and fate. The horses sensed him wavering and trotted in tight circles, flowing into a smooth canter like the beings of water and mystery they truly were.

"Solutions can be simple if you act now. Before life takes a downward turn! Do you want to continue murdering, forever?"

Idris snorted.

"Cadoc, dragon, Cadoc-dragon: being free with us cannot be worse than being with your coven. Take the leap."

Cadoc could not argue with that logic, resolve bursting into life within his chest, a hot flare. There was no reason to stay with the coven. Jared would never find him amongst the mountains. He would fly - he would hide! No physical bonds kept him under Jared's claw, only the mental enslavement that made him dance like a puppet on a string. At long last, he could have the life he wanted for himself. He could be free, if he only dared.

The ceffyl-dwr bounced from front hooves to back, rocking excitedly with shrill, piercing whinnies. Cadoc felt a laugh of his own bubbling warmly up from his stomach, a sound he had not heard from his own muzzle in a long time. He swayed his muzzle in time with the horses' antics, eyes glinting with determination and teeth bared, new found purpose giving him fresh energy. Idris reared and tapped Cadoc's nose gently with a hoof, a gesture of companionship.

"Now, go back to your coven and tell them that you are leaving. It shall all be for the better, Cadoc-dragon."

Cadoc ran a tongue over his sharp teeth, longing to leave behind the scent of dragon's blood. A clean break was all that was required. Perhaps, as the ceffyl-dwr claimed, it could be simple if he set him mind to it. Their forms shivered like mist and their neighs trickled on like the burble of a mountain creek.

"Come with us!"