C. T. Suddeth

A giant snow white mare entered and halted just inside the paling stakes. Her eyes ablaze, she stared at Oh-see-rah.

Lord of the Caves Part 16

The mare’s sea-blue eyes bored into Oh-see-rah’s eyes, his mind, his very soul. As a gesture of respect and submission, he lowered his eyes and bowed his head.

“Go,” whispered Ee-shee-nah—the High Priestess would not have dared speak at this time.

Oh-see-rah stepped down from the stone and marched toward the waiting mare, her breath clouding the air. Oh-see-rah halted a few paces short of her and knelt with bowed head. Was he about to be sacrificed? He had never witnessed a mare or even a stallion this huge. Her mane flowed and curled along her neck and even her flanks. Her hooves were bigger than a man’s head. Her coat was the white of freshly-fallen snow.

The High Priestess chanted:

Hail Mother of Horses!

Hail Lady of Horses!

Hail Queen of Horses!

The drum and flute began a quiet melody matching the High Priestess’s words.

Oh-see-rah held still for the sacrifice. This Mare ferried souls to the Fields of Flowers, the Summerlands, or to the Underworld, the Shadowlands. She had obviously come for him. Had he been given the title Lord of the Caves only for this sacrifice? So be it. He held still, breathing as little as possible. The pain of dying was just a flash, a twinkling of agony. He hoped the Summerlands lacked T-Rexes. He would wait there until Ee-shee-nah’s days on Earth were over.

The High Priestess began a new chant, the drum and flute coming in, too:

Hail Lady of the Moon!

Hail Lady of the Summerlands!

Hail Lady of the Shadowlands!

The chant ended, the drum and flute quitting, the cave as silent as death.

The Mare snorted and pranced in a circle. Oh-see-rah stiffened for the attack, the ending of his life. She snorted again and returned, only a few paces from him.

Oh-see-rah wanted to beg her to get it over with, but this was no ordinary horse. He dared not destroy the holiness of this rite.

The Mare settled down, staring at him again. A reprieve, a few more moments of life. He held still—he wanted his family and everyone to know that he could die with dignity and honor and sacredness.

The High Priestess chanted, the drum and flute joining in:

Hail Giver of Life

Hail Ancient of Days

Hail Great Mystery

The drum and flute quit as soon as the High Priestess said the last word. Silence again ruled over the cave. Oh-see-rah’s heart was pounding faster than any drum could. A bitter taste caked in his mouth.

The Mare leapt up, spun around, and shot away. Oh-see-rah watched and waited with bated breath.

The Mare pivoted and galloped toward him. He stopped breathing and cringed inwardly. Her head held high, she whinnied and raced toward him.

Folks in the cave screamed, but Oh-see-rah dared not turn to see who it was or what else had happened.

The thunder of hooves shook his body and beat upon his ears. He peeked out. She was racing toward him. He’d never seen anything go that fast, not even winged-beasts. Fighting the urge to heave his guts out, he shut his eyes and tried to recall happy days—as a little one, with Ee-shee-nah, with their offspring.

The Mare was only a few paces away. Snorting again, her thundering hooves betrayed her speed. Unable to stand it any longer, he looked up.

The Mare skidded to a halt. Tears wet Oh-see-rah’s eyes. He willed his mind to go still.

Whinnying like a whirlwind, she reared up on her hind legs and flailed her front hooves over Oh-see-rah.

TO BE CONTINUED

Copyright 2021 Charles Suddeth