WE CONTINUE TO GROW AND THRIVE |
A dull thud rings through the terror that envelopes your mind as the heavy wooden ramp is lowered behind you, and your eyes roll with wild fear as a hand reaches towards you to take hold of the thick rope that is tied loosely around your neck. Being pulled back, you depart the small confines of the horse truck and then are led to a gate which is opened and you are set free. A whinny of terror shatters the silence and you high-tail it away from the men and out far into the paddock. Your tail streams behind you as you gallop and a long trail of dust rises from the desert sand, disturbed by your thundering hooves. Soon, the sun raises higher into the sky, and all around you is sand shimmering with heat. The sun is so bright, that you have to peer meekly through your lashes to stop the glare getting into your eyes… and suddenly, you pause as the scent of another horse on the little breeze that blows past you catches your attention. Once you catch your breath, a large, handsome stallion stands in front of you, his white coat shining brilliantly in the light. His voice is firm, but soothing, his eyes alight with the twinkle of intelligence and wisdom as he speaks to you. "Welcome to Arabian Nights Ranch, I am Silver Shadow, the lead stallion of this land, and this is my mare Silver Charm." A small and dainty silver mare appears from behind him. "Here, in acres and acres of these bountiful lands, herds of wild Arabian horses run free, with nothing to disturb them but the occasional round up, led by the men and the forces of the great Mother Nature. Foals are born and flourish in these lush surroundings, each aspiring and becoming something of a legend… but beware; there are dangers, such as droughts in the hot summers and monsoons in the winters. These lands are only suited for the strongest, the bravest, and the true of heart. Should you find that you are up for the challenge, you are welcome to stay in our kingdom. So head towards the joining acres and announce your arrival then start to build your herd." With that, he turns, his silken-like tail flying like a flag and you watch as he disappears into the desert. The mare, Silver Charm quickly tells you "If there are any questions or problems along the way, please come and ask Silver Shadow or me." A loud ghostly neigh is heard from afar and the mare nods to you, and then takes off after Silver Shadow, leaving you to decide your own fate. Are you ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime? This is Arabian Nights. Arabian Nights is a large ranch located far beyond the realms of city life, and is known infamously for producing the fastest Arabian racers in the country. While it may seem a title of high esteem, the horse's prized speed comes at a steep price... The ranch began with the purchase of a foreign Arabian stallion from a small auction in Egypt. The stallion, known then as The Silver Devil, was a fiery beast, but his speed was undoubtedly legendary worldwide. He was wicked and malicious, but never lost a race, and it was this trait that set such a high price, which the ranch so eagerly accepted. Despite his unruly temperament, the large dappled grey stallion was bought to the ranch where he was set loose in a small paddock on the northern border, near the ranch house, and was to be left there until he settled in. The night of his arrival there was a thunderstorm. Lightning bolts split the sky and thunder rumbled in earth rocking waves across the darkened night. Silver Devil paced his paddock, disregarding both the small wooden shelter and the rain drops that battered down on his back and matted his tangled mane. He cantered the fence-line, his proud face looking always to the east, until he had lapped the small field for the hundredth time. As he neared the far gate he picked up his pace and galloping fervently to eastern border, he tucked his forelegs neatly beneath him and hurtled towards the top rail. With a deafening crack, the wooden post splintered as his broad chest collided with its uppermost rail, and Devil landed, stumbled once, and took off towards the next paddock fence… and then the next, and the next. He tore down each as impressively as he had the first, until at last the frenzied stallion reached open land and bolted off in to the night, driven by the thunder that roared behind him, and crazed by the pain that sent shockwaves down his forelegs with each ungainly stride. Raindrops mingled with the red crimson of his blood, but the stallion did not stop, racing further into the darkness as the night pressed stubbornly on. Silver Devil was found the next morning by the ranchers in the foothills of the Black Mountains, and he was a sight indeed. Dried blood dominated his chest, his forelegs crippled and torn to shreds. It seemed a miracle he survived the night. He could barely walk, let alone run, and this upset his new owner and it was decided that it was cruel to let him suffer. Some men were sent forward to retrieve the crippled beast, but Devil lashed out as they neared, beating at the ropes that hissed towards him and his shrieks rang clear across the land. You see, Silver Devil had lost something the previous night, something that he could never retrieve. No, not his speed, for that would forever be in his blood, but the storm and the pain had made him loco, wild - insane, if you will. As he bolted once more, the threatening display bought hope to his owners that perhaps the stallion would live after all, and for many weeks they tried to catch him but it was to no avail. He became wily in the ways of the humans, and could disappear in the blink of an eye should they approach. As the ranch was an active breeding facility, Devil joined the wild broodmare bunches that roamed the open hillsides and the next year bought the birth of many of his blood. All were beautiful, fiery beasts, but the horses were unbelievably wild and the few captured by the ranch were far from tamed. Those who could tolerate a rider became racing legends, bolstering the ranch's reputation… but there was always the sinister darkness of Silver Devil beneath the coiffed and manicured mounts. His blood tainted all horses in the coming years, his insanity spreading along with his speed and conformation. Much time has passed since this happened, Silver Devil disappeared leaving behind a legacy that will forever remember him. The horses of his line, so wicked and wild eventually suffered an untimely fate, most choosing death over being gentled, running themselves to death, parading over cliffs, or falling prey to hungry wild dogs. Blood stock bought from outside lines is constantly being introduced in to the land in the hopes of calming the insanity that is so prevalent in AN horses, but remains yet to quell the madness. So was born the Arabian Night line, beautiful yet wild horses with speed unsurpassed. Over twelve generations have passed, and few remain… but those who do continue to taint the blood of the AN stock. |