Paint the Wind by Ryan Pam Munoz

Author:Ryan, Pam Munoz [Ryan, Pam Munoz]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780545281409
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2012-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

ARTEMISIA LED THE FAMILY TOWARD THE GULCH. KLEE high-stepped next to her with sprightly freedom. Since his birth only a few weeks ago, he had grown and filled out, his hair now fluffy with thick whorls of brown and white. With newfound bravado, Klee tried to prance in front of Artemisia, but she crowded his progress until he stopped. Georgia jogged forward to babysit, keeping Klee a safe distance behind their pilot.

As the band moved into the lowlands closer to the water hole, three figures appeared on the rise of the hill. Artemisia stopped and raised her head in their direction, ears alert. One was the familiar woman, who often watched them for hours but had never been a threat. Sargent’s ears twitched upright and he whinnied as if asking, “Is everything all right?” Artemisia whinnied back to him with reassurance and continued toward the drinking spot. Sargent wasn’t satisfied and continued to stare at the observers. His authoritative posture announced, “Don’t approach or you will have to deal with me.” When he sensed no danger, he followed the band.

Artemisia noticed that Mary, who was known to dally, slowed behind the rest, but then saw Sargent come up from behind and bite her on the flank. Mary loped forward to keep up with the others. Everyone was accounted for, except Wyeth.

Artemisia heard Wyeth’s whinny and looked toward the foothills. He stood alone, calling to them. He jogged forward, but Sargent turned suddenly, arched his neck, snorted, and pawed at the ground. Wyeth retreated to a small knoll, turning his head one way and then the other.

Wyeth was more than two years old now. It was time for him to be on his own; to find a band of bachelor stallions with whom he’d live in fraternity; to pretend fight, play rough, and chase the others with his neck outstretched in the snaking posture. It would all be a rehearsal for when he was older and strong enough to challenge a stallion with a harem, win a mare, and start his own family. Artemisia watched as Wyeth again took tentative steps in their direction. Sargent lunged toward him with an angry squeal. Even though Wyeth was Georgia’s son and had been in the band since birth, Artemisia and the other mares knew better than to interfere with Sargent’s fierce rejection and seemed resigned to Wyeth’s exile. Finally, he hung his head and disappeared over the hill. For the first time in his life, he had to choose his own path.

Artemisia turned her attention to the others. Georgia and Mary dropped to the water and rolled. Artemisia did the same and Klee copied her. She stood and walked from the water. Klee followed. Both shook off a rain of droplets. Artemisia nuzzled his face as if trying to absorb his presence. She draped her neck over his withers, reassuring herself that he wasn’t going anywhere with a band of bachelor stallions, at least for now.

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