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Description

Khwarezm arrives at AeolianHollows in New Zealand, from Amudarya Stud Farm in Kazakhstan.

_________

The fire was always with him. More than just a hot nature and spicy personality, but the elemental spirit itself. A curse, and a blessing. Ever since the wildfire you could see it blazing in his eyes, his coat touched by its ember soot, and its smoke on his breath. Instead of allowing it to have consumed him like the others, he took its lifeforce in a kindled exchange. A deal made of spitfire and promise. What he gave in return... we'd never know.

It was not evil or untempered. For him, his fire now, it was warmth and fuel. It gave him drive and heated focus. Marli saw this in him... an inner wildfire able to be directed and nurtured in the right hands.

When he was found near Amudarya, wandering the desert in the wake of that great firestorm, she immediately knew he was a fighter and one worth fighting for. She stayed up with him so many of those first nights to offer some comfort and quiet companionship. He had nightmares, she was sure of it, and every time he awoke with a start she would sing to him until he calmed once more.

She had named him Khwarezm, after the great region he was found in. Even with a turbulent past, its historic lands have endured millenia in many different hands and names. She felt it was fitting for a horse with a storied background who she believed would only continue to prosper.

She'd waited almost an entire year for him to ready to embark on a new journey with her. He had needed time to recover from the obvious shock, to start to regrow some patches of burned hair, and to put on a healthy enough weight for travel. By the time his DNA results and passport confirming him a registered purebred Aralkum arrived, he was gleaming with new life.

...

Now, stepping off the final trailer to Aeolian Hollows, he was positively glowing with life and potential. Marli was not entirely prepared for the volcanic eruption of energy he displayed as soon as the stallion's feet stepped off the end of the trailer ramp. Still, she beamed in awe, dancing to move with him--acting as a fire-dancer herself with a living flame at the end of her rope.

"Great gods, Marli! You said he was lively, but he's a straight up firecracker!" Rowan gawks from a safe distance.

"Lady and Gentleman", Marli grins and speaks as if she were introducing a circus act, "May I present to you the 'Wildfire' of the East!" She laughs as the stallion practically takes his cue to strike out and rear up, spinning on his powerful haunches.

Jeb appears by Rowan, raising his eyebrows incredulously, "More like a dragon on a kite string!"

Marli turns the stallion around her in tight circles, now working to recollect his antics and calm him. "He's--" she swings her rope to push away his haunches and tugs at his halter to bring him to face her, "Just excited."

The stallion snorts but finally slows his feet.

"We took him out full stride on the steppes a few times before we left and Samir has kept up with his training in between my visits."

Khwarezm exhales hotly but finally lowers his head to Marli, who graciously strokes his powerful neck before turning to face Jeb, her face alight with joy.

"He's great fun. You'll see." She winks.

_________

Art by me.
BG Photo by Vishrut Bajpai, stock from Pexels
Characters designed and owned by me.

Description

Khwarezm arrives at AeolianHollows in New Zealand, from Amudarya Stud Farm in Kazakhstan.

_________

The fire was always with him. More than just a hot nature and spicy personality, but the elemental spirit itself. A curse, and a blessing. Ever since the wildfire you could see it blazing in his eyes, his coat touched by its ember soot, and its smoke on his breath. Instead of allowing it to have consumed him like the others, he took its lifeforce in a kindled exchange. A deal made of spitfire and promise. What he gave in return... we'd never know.

It was not evil or untempered. For him, his fire now, it was warmth and fuel. It gave him drive and heated focus. Marli saw this in him... an inner wildfire able to be directed and nurtured in the right hands.

When he was found near Amudarya, wandering the desert in the wake of that great firestorm, she immediately knew he was a fighter and one worth fighting for. She stayed up with him so many of those first nights to offer some comfort and quiet companionship. He had nightmares, she was sure of it, and every time he awoke with a start she would sing to him until he calmed once more.

She had named him Khwarezm, after the great region he was found in. Even with a turbulent past, its historic lands have endured millenia in many different hands and names. She felt it was fitting for a horse with a storied background who she believed would only continue to prosper.

She'd waited almost an entire year for him to ready to embark on a new journey with her. He had needed time to recover from the obvious shock, to start to regrow some patches of burned hair, and to put on a healthy enough weight for travel. By the time his DNA results and passport confirming him a registered purebred Aralkum arrived, he was gleaming with new life.

...

Now, stepping off the final trailer to Aeolian Hollows, he was positively glowing with life and potential. Marli was not entirely prepared for the volcanic eruption of energy he displayed as soon as the stallion's feet stepped off the end of the trailer ramp. Still, she beamed in awe, dancing to move with him--acting as a fire-dancer herself with a living flame at the end of her rope.

"Great gods, Marli! You said he was lively, but he's a straight up firecracker!" Rowan gawks from a safe distance.

"Lady and Gentleman", Marli grins and speaks as if she were introducing a circus act, "May I present to you the 'Wildfire' of the East!" She laughs as the stallion practically takes his cue to strike out and rear up, spinning on his powerful haunches.

Jeb appears by Rowan, raising his eyebrows incredulously, "More like a dragon on a kite string!"

Marli turns the stallion around her in tight circles, now working to recollect his antics and calm him. "He's--" she swings her rope to push away his haunches and tugs at his halter to bring him to face her, "Just excited."

The stallion snorts but finally slows his feet.

"We took him out full stride on the steppes a few times before we left and Samir has kept up with his training in between my visits."

Khwarezm exhales hotly but finally lowers his head to Marli, who graciously strokes his powerful neck before turning to face Jeb, her face alight with joy.

"He's great fun. You'll see." She winks.

_________

Art by me.
BG Photo by Vishrut Bajpai, stock from Pexels
Characters designed and owned by me.