"Yah, that would seem right. Someone could take a beautiful lass hostage, make her

tell them they're the guardian, and steal the money." He said, giving a short whistle

as Cherokee trotted over to him. He slipped on the bridle, making sure she didnt

decide to canter off with him dragging behind. "Sorta like me and Gizmo. But, I bet Airdown

doesn't into as much trouble as she does, Correcto?" Alex asked, swinging a leg over

and vaulting onto Cher's back. She pranced in place, neck arched. He let go of the reins,

knowing she would follow Azhar. "Yeah, he would probably be my favorite too" but quickly

added, "After Cher of course. And if I was in your position." He said with a wry smile as

Cherokee turned her head and gave a little leap, telling him to zip it.

Alex chuckled, "No, I doubt it."

Cherokee flicked her ears at Alex's chuckle, prancing in place, eager to get going.

She let out a soft snort of impatience, neck arched once again.

Alex laughed at her story, "With the bad story, and the sad story, that one sure lightens

the mood." He glanced at the bird, and could not imagine him hanging upside-down

in a tree, wings swinging. "For some reason, I cannot picture that at all, from that bird.

And I have no clue why or why not, whichever you perfer."

If you ever heard a boy laugh, close to a giggle, but not as high, that's what Alex did.

The chuckle out he said, with disbeliving eyes; "You are so gonna win this. Haven't I told

you so many times before, Cherokee does not even run? She prances at the beginning,

maybe picks it up into a trot. At the end she might bring it into a collected gallop, but

we all know how fast that goes." Rolling his eyes slightly, he patted Cher, "But

it ends up in her advantage in Dressage and Jumping, always has good form on both."

Alex looked at Cher as she arched her neck, seeming to bring herself taller, as if indignant

of his words.

Alex let Cherokee go, but she went at a loping trot, quite Dressagey.

"Um, Em, is he as good at jumping as....." he stopped, seeing really how big the log was.

He could just imagine Acacia's face, he knew the story all right. He urged Cherokee

forward, and amazingly enough, moved into a gallop, still a little collected, enough to

be able to stop, but not enough to out-run Azhar. She let out a whinny, feeling Alex's

heels in her sides, he never did that. She went a little faster, not seeing what the danger

was; but she did not like the heels, and was quite thankful Alex never wore spurs.

"Acacia!" Alex shouted, quite frightened at the thought of what would happen.

Alex almost fell backwards off Cherokee with relief, not knowing why he ever doubted

Azhar to take care of Acacia in the first place. He, too, gathered up the reins, feeling

Cher's muscles tense beneath him. Next moment, they were flying over the big fallen

log. Cherokee's onyx mane whipped at his face as he leaned low over her graceful

neck. She hit the ground, smoothly, not making Alex bounce. She came to a stop,

quite pleased with herself. Alex looked at Acacia, "Can you not do that again please?

I could swear you took a couple months off my life with that."

(*Hands you a Water Hose* There, next time, send em flying back with that! *cackles* )