Nathan sat down next to Cheveyo, patting his side and then starting to unwind the bandage. "That's for Cheveyo to decide." He gently felt along Cheveyo's ankle for heat, or swelling.

Cheveyo snorted softly and nudged Nathan's arm, wondering if it was okay to get up.

Catori watched as the boy checked the stallion before turning and walking to the trees. She picked a couple of large blades of grass that she had learned was supposed to help pain. She walked back and laid the grass in front of Cheveyo who nibbled at it.

Nathan patted Cheveyo's neck. "Come on boy. Let's go swimming." He had read that horses who injured their legs were made to swim, to strengthen their legs without straining them. He looked up at Catori. "Thank you." He said, smiling.

Cheveyo struggled to get up and when he finaly did he shook himself off, streching. He followed Nathan still limping slightly.

Catori smiled back at Nathan and left the stall. She went over to the river and sat on a rock, letting her feet dangle in the water as she watched the stallion and the boy.

Nathan stripped his shirt, covered in dirt and hay, and dove into the water, surfacing with his hair slicked back and shivering. "Come on, boy." He grinned.

Cheveyo looked from the wet, shivering boy to the water and back. He snorted at the idea of going back into the water after injuring himself because of the rocks at the bottom. He nickered nervously and looked at the boy.

Catori noticed how the stallion was hesitating near the water's edge and she realized she never asked how the horse had been injured. The only problem was that she couldn't remember the right words to use to ask the boy.

Nathan waded through the water, and up to Cheveyo. "Its calmer today. Yesterday, that storm was upstream of us. It put a strong current in the water, and carried lots of rocks. But if you'd rather, we can go to the lake and swim. Its all sandy bottomed, and still, and not too deep."

Cheveyo shook his head and moved towards the water. He wanted to stregthen his ankle so that he could start jumping and running again. He waded into the water and swam out to the middle, waiting for Nathan.

Nathan swam out beside him, doing a lazy, steady breast stroke, quietly talking to the stallion. "That's it boy. And if you get tired, or feel uncomfortable in the water, you can just go ahead and get out. Its alright, as long as you try." He gently ran his fingers through a few locks of his mane.

Cheveyo nickered and nudged Nathan's arm. He began to swim against the current, feeling the strain it was putting on his ankle. He swam harder even though he was slowly getting tired, he wasn't going to stop until he had to.

Nathan gently stroked his neck. "Don't push yourself too hard, boy." He said as he swam faster with the stallion. "Don't get yourself into a situation."

Cheveyo snorted and tossed his head, splashing water at Nathan. He rolled his eyes. He'd do anything he had to so that he could start running again. He felt like a predator's easy meal and he would be if his ankle didn't heal soon. Survival of the fittest was a harsh way of life.

Nathan laughed and splashed him back. A few ducklings curiously peeped at them, swimming closer.

(Museh is dead.)

Cheveyo whinnied in amusement and swung his head around sending a small wave towards Nathan. He snorted when he saw the ducklings and held still in the water. He streched his neck out and sniffed one only to have it peck at his nose. He yanked his head back, flicking his ears back.

Catori couldn't help but giggle as she watched the stallion's reaction to the duckling. She suddenly got an idea and silently slipped into the water, making sure no one noticed her. She swam underwater, letting the current carry her towards the stallion and boy. She swam behind Nathan and held her breath for as long as possible before jumping out and grabbing Nathan's shoulders. She pulled him backwards and dunked him in the water before swimming out of reach, giggling.

Nathan broke the surface, laughing and flicking soaked hair from his eyes. He swam after Catori, splashing at her and laughing.

Catori giggled and splashed water back at Nathan. She dove underwater to escape the water being sent back at her, but she was laughing to hard to hold her breath for long.

Nathan grinned, splashing at her once more, and then laying in the water, drifting down towards the edge of the clearing.

Catori watched Nathan drift away before looking back towards the bank. She swam over and climbed out before going back to rock she had sat on earlier to watch the boy and stallion. It was sunny and the large rock was warm. She combed her wet hair with her fingers as she watched Cheveyo continue to swim.

Dala sat beside the river, and when Nathan came just close enough, he pulled him out, grunting in excitement. Nathan sat, bent over from laughing.

Catori smiled at Nathan and jumped in suprise when Kitchi jumped up on the rock beside her. He shook off his still wet fur and laid down, grumbling. Catori giggled at the grumpy wolf and laid back on the rock, letting the sun dry her hair and clothes.

Cheveyo walked out of the water and stood on the bank, his golden coat gleaming. He shook out his black mane and streched. His ankle felt better, but it was still a little sore. He nickered when Onyx came up beside him and rubbed his head against her neck. He whinnied over to Nathan. He was wondering what else he could do to help his ankle. He was eager to get better so that he could start jumping again.

Nathan understood Cheveyos look. "Nothing more than a trot, boy." He warned, walking over and crouching to feel his ankle.

Cheveyo snorted and nudged Nathan's shoulder. He wanted to know how much longer it would take.

Nathan stood up and stroked Cheveyos neck, "only a few more days."

Catori stood up, glad that her dress dried quickly. She whistled and Onyx trotted over to her. The girl jumped from the rock to the mare's back gracefully. She grabbed the black mane in front of her and held on tight with her knees just in time for Onyx to take off at a full on gallop. The mare raced into the trees, spinning around them in circles like a barrel horse before taking off into a large clearing covering the land in a matter of seconds. Catori nudged the mare's side and the horse spun sharply to the right. She ran back to Nathan's home and jumped over a small fence, obviously not as good of a jumper as Cheveyo, and raced to the river bank. Catori nudged her side and the mare spun to the left just in time to avoid going into the water. Catori tugged on Onyx's mane and the mare stopped instantly, skidding in the grass. The girl leaned against the mare's neck and patted her gently, smiling.

Cheveyo nickered and rubbed his head against Nathan's arm like a dog. He lifted his head up and watched Onyx run, wishing he could be doing the same.

Nathan pat his neck. "Build up your strength and you can run about all you want." He smiled at the stallion, scratching his shoulder.