(400) The pony doesn't have a name, but he looks like this guy. :>
One of the extended trades from the Festival had been a long time coming. Ezekiel had known it would take time to secure the pony, but it had been longer than he had expected. The recent trauma of Columbine’s attack still hung with him, but he had dove headfirst back into the tasks at hand. His mind allowed for this pattern to take control—duty first, and anything that came after fell to the wayside. When Halo had tried to kill him it had been more personal; he could not fathom Columbine’s motives for a blood feud.
He had only had the pony for a week, having traded several of the ewes to a man passing out of Nova Scotia. The stranger, some sort of dog hybrid, had expressed interest in the herd when Ezekiel had been riding north. They spoke at length and after suggesting his need for a plow pony, the man had offered to bring one back. It had been a few days before the man had returned, but he had been true to his word. A stocky, light-footed red and white stallion who was remarkably friendly. This pleased Ezekiel, who had been unsure of the red wolf’s (Oak his name had been) competence with horses.
Ezekiel had fashioned a lead from scrap leather and kept the pony in an extra stall. For three ewes and a ram the Aquila certainly felt as if he was getting the better half of the bargain. Sheep they could breed; the singular goat was useless, but he was excited for the prospect of more. Thus, when an unfamiliar voice rose at the borders, he was quick to gather up the pony and the small bag.
The coyote moved with easy speed, the pony at his side. He almost regretted trading away the friendly thing, but a deal was a deal. Spring was coming soon, and Myrika had been excitedly speaking of the coming of foals. This too was an exciting prospect, and Ezekiel looked forward to the coming spring. He neared the borders and spotted a rather amusing sight; a mother and son leading three goats and carrying a tree. A broad smile cracked across his scarred face, and he hailed them with a coyote’s yip.
As they neared, he slowed and gave Oak a nod before looking to Anu. “I hope the journey wasn’t too hard,” he said, though they hardly looked worse for wear.
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