Ark of Hoof Prints: Travellers From the Plane

By Evelyn G. Lohmann

Travellers from the planes.
Book one in a tales of a Herd.
Ark Of Hoof Prints

Hoof Prints- Travelers From the Plain.
Horses‘ hoof prints are driven from the grass plains, by the storms and flames of fire. The Blue Mountains are where herds of horses have from the beginning of time sheltered from the seasons‘ storms.
The horses have to leave without finding many other who have survived the storms.She-With-The-Sight and her cruel owl try to hold the survivors from the great herds to feed to their shrouded needs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books on Demand
• Release date: Jan 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9783738670257

Evelyn G. Lohmann

Evelyn G Lohmann was born in London 1955. She was given up for adoption. Years later fund her roots in the south Americas. The love of horses and painting brought her to write and illustrate the Ark of Hoof Prints -Ark of Hoof Prints- Travelers From the Plane. A Tale of a Herd. A Twist in the Tale. Tail of Tales. Amber Ark. And underway 'There is no future without a past.' Evelyn did not start writing till she was forty five, but where was a dyslectic wall in front of her to climb. As the book one and two in the saga of Ark Of Hoof Prints grew into a saga of six books; she wrote down all the dyslectic mishaps and transferred her mistakes into the illustrated Dyslectic Support Dictionary. Witch/Which she is planning to share in the near future.

Book preview

To Uwe, who made it all possible.

"The planes were made by the large ones; they grassed on the trees and bushes, and their weight made the waterholes. The trees moved back to accommodate them and Earth Mother sowed seed in the place of the trees, making the planes green for our herd’s to gallop over. The winds blew, the sun climbed high till the green grass turned golden; the herds set hoof on the trails to the Blue Hills for the Gather, before the grass becomes dust.

Sage’s white coat told the foals he was very old. They did not know as a herd father his hooves had rang over the plans. The herd’s mares said he should have been taken by the wolves long ago, but they were glad to have someone who would tell the youngsters the old tales so they could gossip and graze without their youngsters asking questions.

Bounder always enjoyed the old tales; he had been three times to the Blue Hills and all ready knew the rain and the sun lead the heard back to the wide plan again; as Sage was explaining. None of the foals showed signs of dozing in the warm sun as Bounder did his muzzle rested on the ground and the smell of clover made him feel sleepy as the sun warmed his back; he had got rid of that fly with a practised swish of his tail.

It is said the Large Ones were also in the Blue Hills…. I have seen Large Ones hoof prints many times bigger than a full grown herd farther. Sage paused as he revelled in the bright eyes of the foals flowing to his every wicker.

Herd Mothers usually learnt the ways from their herd mares. Herd Fathers had to have speed and stamina before they could learn to keep a herd. But a Teller had to have long ears! Bounder was trying to be discreet Sage could see him thought the long grass. It was time to take young Bounder under his hoof. Tellers were rare, and if young Bounder was ever to take challenge Herd Father and lose He would be sent away. Either way, Bounder must learn the Tellers tales. Sage knew the wolves would one day get him as the aunts said, but he still could gallop with the wind, when he had a mind to!

This would be as good a time as any to start instruct Bounder. The foals started as they heard the herd mother’s whinny. Sage encouraged them to get up and return to their mares, their mares’ milk was waiting.

The Herd Mother’s filly rust coloured coat matched hers, that filly would be a herd mother; you could see it in the way she moved to her dam.

Some things you have to learn. Sage said to Bounder: And some things you just are. Bounder had also been watching the foals return to their mares, he started a little to hear Sage speak directly to him. It was Sage’s way to talk to everyone not to someone!

Before your third trip to the Blue Hills, you were between ages, to old to play foals and not flash enough to take on those trying to play at being a herd father, outside of the main Herd Mother’s group games can get a bit tuff.

Bounder stood up, kept his head low to show Sage respect as he moved out from behind the long grass he thought he was hiding behind! Sage nodded to Bounder to take a sandy place warmed by the afternoon sun.

The flies are not so irritating at this time of the sun.

Sage nicked as he stretched his legs and lay back into his grass covered sandy bank, his eyes closed. Bounder thought Sage slept as he did not move as a white healing bird landed on his flank; she started to take out those bugs that made a good rub or roll a must!

The healing bird eyed Bounder before she said:

He and I have all ways got on, as my egg warmer before me; I have always known when he needs to snooze. Her head was tilted on one side as she looked up and down Sage’s flank.

He is getting to thin, tell him to eat more seeding grass, My friends call me Elf; of all the four hooves I keep my eye on I have a soft spot for him.

I do not think I can tell him anything. Bounder blinked.

He has chosen you.

How do you know that?

Well! said Elf, I was hatched and you were born. Wing over hoof and I was there when you were born! She hopped along to Sage’s withers and be became very interested in the roots of his mane. Bounder half snoozing half watching as Elf took care of Sage’s coat.

Sage shook his head, his mane waved Elf over backwards! She sat up between Bounder and Sage hooves, after quickly smoothing down of her feathers she became very interested in Bounders fetlocks.

Why do we not see the Large Ones any more? asked Bounder not really knowing who the Large One were.

No horse really knows anymore, they were lost with the trees, my Dame told me about.

Trees what are trees?

Trees are like tall grass that brushed the skies, spreading cool shadows to snooze in. Mother Earth did not put them back on the planes; maybe she does not want to see them again? My Dame did not know, I was always asking, I feel, I feel we need to know.

Sage’s eyes seemed to be looking at something far away or long ago: We need to know...

Know what? Bounder interrupted Sage’s thoughts.

Why they did not come back!

The air was bussing with flies; one was a trying to land on Bounder’s muzzle he blew it away as Sage turned his head to look at Bounder:

If they did not return, whatever happened to them could happen we to us; there would be no more hooves on the plane

No more hooves on the plane! Bounder thought he could not begin to think what that meant; he could only half under stand what Sage was trying to tell him.

But there have always been horses on the plane, we have always gone to the Blue Hills Gathering and returned again. Herd farther said so. The sun is always kind to the planes when the winds have blown the rain away. Bounder stuttered.

"My youngster I feel we need to know why the trees did not return, why the large ones did not come back. I have been keeping my eyes open for many suns, watching for little signs that could tell me something, why we follow the ways; we use the waterholes, grazes on the grass in the Blue Hills!

I have stood on the Blue Hills watched the thunder and lightning roll over the planes, seen the clouds drifting before the sun. But, I do not understand the shadows! Bounder it is time for me to put those ideas in to a new head, before the Black Stallion comes for me. I need to tell you how to look out at the plane, use your muzzle, eyes and ears; maybe the Earth Mother will show you what she has not shown me.

Take what you see and tell the old tales, and the new ones to those that will hear you. Remember tales are important, they are not just to give the mares a break from playful foals!"

No one had ever spoken to him like that, as everyone said he was between ages too young to understand and two old to play games. Sage was talking to him as if they were equals! If the herd must know was up to him!?

Elf broke the silence by pecking Sage smartly on his pastern:

Time to do some grazing. she chirped. Before the sun goes down!

Silly old bird you have become very bossy! He moved his fore legs to push himself up before Elf could peck affectingly on his quarters; Elf squawked at Sage for swishing his tail at her.

Sage and Bounder started to move nearer to Herd Mother and the mares with their foals, others could be seen moving towards the herd centre. Last seasons foals were coming in a cloud of dust, as they tried to catch up the two suns and three suns heading towards the waterhole.

Herd Mother and the mares with suckling foals watched the returning members of her herd. She sensed Herd father was near, his bright brown flanks trimmed with his thick black main and tail could be seen standing on a noel of grass, tasting the breezes as he watched over the herd evening grouping. He was glad to see the four and five suns were not annoying the mares with foals, it always made for squabbles.

Herd Father always found it sad to send away the young he had sired; there could only be one herd father. He had not sent Sage away as Sage was a Teller and had been a good herd father when he had had all his strength and speed. Tellers are rare and not a threat to the blood in the new foals, he wanted his blood roaming the plan for many suns to come.

Bounder left Sage and Elf chatting to one of the mares, they were discussing how good this sun’s foals were, and exchanging feeding tips as Bounder trotted over to his suns group playing in the waterhole.

White Mane would make a fine mare when she was full grown, her red coat made her mane and tail look whiter and her large bright eyes had away that made her easy to talk too.

She was playing with Sugar Cane in the shallow water.

Sugar Cane was called Sugar Cane, because she enjoyed eating it, if it was to be found, she was the one to find it! Her name was not to do with her pale sugar coat and dark mane and tail, her forelock fell over one eye in a thick wave and she had a dark strip running down her back.

Bounder watched Grass Runner as he tried to box with Willow; Willow was not interested in a boxing match on his hind legs, he would have preferred to eat watercress than dance around with Grass Runner told:

Get them up! Grass Runner’s dark earth colour coat disappeared into the darkness of the falling evening, leaving his pale muzzle hopping over Willow like a Healing bird!

Willow’s coat was like a patch of soft sand that some bird had spat seeds over. Willow was the one you could really talk too, were as Grass Runner is good to gallop about with.

You could play with any of the young suns but if you wanted friends Bounder preferred Grass Runner, Willow and White Mane and Sugar Cane.

I was looking for you, I felt like a gallop, but I could not find you Bounder. said Grass Runner.

He was with Sage. Broke in Sugar Cane as she brushed up next to Bounder:

He is always listening to Sage’s old stories. she added, as she nipped at Grass Runner’s rump, he squealed and tied to nip her back. Her winning laugh set the old mares grumbling, Herd Mother looked up with disapproval towards their group.

Sugar Cane lowered her head as she tried out of hide behind Willow ever though he was smaller than she was. The mares’ ears were alert; behind their expressions of disapproval they enjoyed the evening gathering of the herd and the games of the young ones played.

We have set their ears waggling. said Willow softly to Sugar Cane. "You would think they had never been young!

The evening had turned into a shadowy moon light night, with clouds drifting across its face as the herd had settled down to graze with foals sleeping near their mares.

Old horses kept an eye on the last season’s suns and the last suns looked after the older horses, the best way to keep an eye on both parties. Elf had said.

Mares and the older horses speculated as to which of the troublesome four and five suns would stay with the herd when they return from the Blue Hills, would they join another herds? It was agreed when the young fillies moved away it was sad; there could be too many colts running around. For herd leaders it must be trying having to keep a hoof on those young bucks.

The night breezes filled the muzzles of the herd, it would not be long before the herd leaders would be moving the herd towards the Blue Hills Gathering. All the foals were thankfully strong this season. The Healing birds had reported everyone was in good health and that Sage would make the trip with a little luck.

Herd Mother had seen Sage’s friendship with young Bounder strengthen. She knew the herd would have a new teller. She was not sure if the all the stories were true, even if her dame had said so. Old stories should not be forgotten. Her dame had also said you did not know when you would need them.

It must have been the next half moon when Herd Mother got the healing birds to tall everyone, they would be would starting to move towards the Blue Hills, in the cool of the next sunrise, everyone was pleased as grass and herbs here were drying out around them. Even the stinging nettles that had been sun dried were getting scares; the season was showing signs of changing as the healing birds pointed out. The mares and older horses always seemed to need a supply ready for use, when they had over indulged!

Elf was circling with a group of Healing birds before she landed by Bounders hoof, she inspected a Dandelion leaf before she flapped up on to Bounders withers.

Elf was twittering about the young healing birds:

Egg heads! she was twittering: "Have they taken in, what they what they have to look out for? No! It is who can fly the highest! They have forgotten their assignments it is the same every turn of the sun! But, when I see your egg-lings weaving about the air ways; I cannot keep a dry eye. Don’t you let on I am proud of them, will you? They only try to go higher! One egg head went up into the path of a hawk, only feathers came down!

Sage is going to tell the foals the travelling story. Bounder’s ears waved forwards, he had heard the story many times but he enjoyed his time with Sage, even if his friends thought it was a little strange.

Willow interrupted Elf and Bounder:

I too, will be delighted to come. said Willow as he finished trotting a circle around them both before standing close to Bounder, to take a closer look at Elf grooming Bounders mane.

Did you have to learn that or are you born with it? He asked, Can you lean in the egg? Or do you have to wait till the egg shell brakes?

Elf was used to youngsters questions, looked at him with her head on one side. Willow was she felt not making fun of her when he asked questions. Young suns usually had pollen in their heads! They were more likely to snap at you, before whining their heads off with mirth and all of that before you could chirp.

Sage has chosen the sandy bank for his travelling story. said Martel, as she swooped past on her way to tell the others.

Martel swooped back missed judged the height of Willow’s withers and nosed dived into a patch of cores grass, She hopped out laughing and scolding Willow:

"You have not grown much this sun; we will have to look into your grazing needs, the Blue Hill’s wild rhubarb leaves are good for growing bones.

That grumpy mare fretted her milk was sour, I had to stay up with her all night, and now she is sure she has colic!" That started a dissection between Elf and Martel that got louder.

Bounder waited for Elf to slide down his mane to hop over to Martel, then he and Willow slipped away to drink before going to take their places for Sage’s the travelling tales.

Sage, he had decided to stand on the sandy bank to give more importance to his tale; He raised his head in greeting to Bounder and eyed Willow as they joined the increasing group.

Sage cleared his throat with a gruff whinny that made the foals start, when he stamped his hoof they were all ears.

Herd Leaders have decided to start the move towards the Blue Hills when the sun comes up. While Sage spoke no foal moved it was as if they were holding their breath as he explained how they would be taking the old trails made for them by the Large Ones. The foals were told to stay by their mares, if you loos her keep still, hide in long grass and wait for a healing bird to find you!" Sage did not tell them there was not much hope for them if they be came separated from the herd. There were some things better not to tell the youngsters.

The plane has kept all the creatures supplied with their needs till the sun starts turning the grass to dust. Wolf’s easy meals are going underground, so they will be looking for other food, they will think of wild horse meat Sage asked:

"In a group we are strong, with the warning of ‘Wolf,’ move together and as the head’s speed increases keep with your mare, do not look back, keep straight, do not try to dodge to one side or your will get into someone’s path.

We have been going to the Blue Hills Gathering and back to the planes for many turns of the sun. For you foal’s it is your first trip. There will be new ground for you to see; you will see a river…"

What is a river? asked an interested foal.

Water that runs over the earth is like a blade of grass in the sand, only much, much, much bigger and we have to across it to get to the Blue Hills.

Oh! said the foal, whose only understanding of water was the warm waterhole he drank and played in.

Willow nicked sideways to Bounder this was not so much a story but ‘a foals guide to travelling’! He would have said more but he saw Sage looking at him from under his forelock; Willow decided it was better to keep quite.

Tossing his forelock from his eyes Sage told the youngsters, there would be rocks so tall that the sky had to move far away to make room for the standing stones. Then he told them of the green sweet grass they would find on the Blue Hills:

When you get there you will be able to see over the plane we have travelled over...

See like a bird! chirped in a young healing bird, a bit out of tune for Sage’s liking.

Bounder could almost see the scene in his head.

What will we do then? asked a foal finding the talk a bit too long for her to stay still.

Meet herds from all over the planes. Sage told the inquisitive foal. The idea of meeting other herds existed everyone! It saddened Sage to think another season was coming to an end.

It was some time before the foals settled down again; every horse seemed to be enjoying the muddle up, even the mares and older horses joined in looking for foals in the long grass and the dust they raised. Healing birds were swooping in and out trying to get foals back to their mares.

Willow had said Sage’s travelling tales was a list of does and don’ts, the fun was when the foals got exercised; it remained everyone of when they were small!

Bounder was surprised see Sage laughing as Elf and Martel landed in the long grass, they were grumbling at the commotion and having to flap around the night before the travelling began.

It is the same every sun. said Martel; she stuck her head under her wing, leaving Elf with no one to grumble with as the warm night’s darkness dropped over the herd.

The sun came up yellow and golden with tinges of orange turning the planes into waving strips. The herd moved as one, Herd Mother took the lead; she chose the broadest stripe leading into the waking sun. They moved slowly, no more than a walking pace, a horse trotted now and again to keep up, after snatching a mouth full of whatever grass had caught their eye.

Herd Mother led the mares with foals and sun-lings and the older horses had the older suns around them. Herd Father was seeing to those trying to stray to fare behind kept up as the herd wandered along the trail they had taking for as longer as the herd’s tales had been told.

By third day the foals were getting used to travelling and did not dash about it was a better way to enjoy the old trail.

The healing birds twittered and circled about watching from above. Bounder shared his time with Sage and his sun’s group.

On the drawn of the forth day the sun was alone; a burning globe in an empty sky. The smell of parched earth filled their nostrils long before they could see the parched land stretch before them.

Grass Runner reported to Sage and Bounder that Herd Father was intending to move faster that day, before the grass around them was also burnt by the sun.

Bounder felt Elf land on the crest of his mane, before she could cheep at him, Sage blew down his nose at her; his breath sent dust out of her feathers,

Do we know how far the hot dust stretches? he asked.

We must move to the day side of the sun’s path, the flyers say the dust band is at it narrowest there, but to reach water we will have to go over the stony mound. Elf informed them as Sage’s eyed the way forward, they should keep together nose to tail as the healing birds advised.

Willow and Grass Runner led the little group of Bounder’s friends. Sage was moved between Sugar Cane and White Mane. Bounder was behind them with Elf still on his mane.

Bounder could hear others blowing the dust from their noses as the tempo quickened. The wind seemed to be playing with the dust their hooves lifted from the dried ground; it was mingling with hotter clouds.

Herd Mother could be heard at the head of the herd and Herd Father answering from behind, with the thud of their hooves dust rose and fell; somewhere in the time they were moving Elf pecked Bounder hard as he was falling asleep. Grass Runner was trying to tell everyone Martel was a stranger as her feathers were now no longer white; she was the same colour as everyone and everything!

The droning of the herd’s hooves was a sound with no beginning and no end; until stones sent their sounds to break the hold of the falling dust.

A wall of rock rose suddenly before Bounder, it steeply claimed out of the dust! A dried river bed offered away in and away from the dust of the planes.

Herd Father saw the dried river bed fill with his herd, they were moving before him like a sand coloured wave of water though the stony banks. Dust was in his nostril but there was another smell, fire! He raised his head, nostril flayed wide if the plane burnt they were safer in the old river bed.

The herd kept moving under stranding their need to do so. The river bed let larger rocks grow out of the lose stones, their pace had slowed, the foals were not the only ones tiring.

Willow had seen the clouds of smoke as they came over the top of the mound they had climbed, Bounder saw them also, he warned him not say anything they needed to keep on going. The rocks grew and the stones crept away as the dry river bed smoothed out, it was easer to move.

The rocks were becoming walls on both sides. The sky was lost behind the fire’s smoke as was all sense of where they were going. No one spoke. Even Grass Runner was quite, he had been trying to tell jokes to those around him. Sugar Cane and White Mane had stopped Sage still was with them. Bounder looked up to see a great wall of rock towering over the backs of those in front of him.

Healing birds took to the air Elf and Martel were with them. They flew above the stone wall that looked as if it ran a line between a rising sun and evening sun; other Healing birds flew to higher thermals to see how long the wall could be.

A trickle of running water has been found. said Martel, but news about the wall’s length was not coming back. The clouds were to low for any bird to get high enough to see much.

The herd were glad to use what water they could find and what little there was to eat was soon taken, they were all glad to rest. The foals the older horses took the weight of their hooves, Herd Mother watched the others grouping themselves together making ready for the night’s darkness to fall.

Herd Mother could sense Herd Father moving around the herd, he was telling those able to keep an ear out for other animals drawn down to the river bed.

The walls were still there when the sun spilt light into the river bed cutting the herd into half by a sharp line of light and shadowed darkness.

Returning healing birds reported the way to the nights’ sky dropped steeply, the herd could get go that way, but land led them out into a swamp! Where the biting flies were more than dangerously plentiful to horses!

You only had open your beak and your meals flew in! one bird was heard to remark. The other way to the midday sun, other healing birds were looking into that now.

Herd father did not want to movie it would to waste their energy, but to wait here when the plane behind them burnt could mean others would be coming! If wolves came into this confined place it would be very difficult to get away.

Herd Mother was also restless what grew here was all ready nibbled down!

Bounder asked Sage: Can we only wait?

Herd Father will let some sleep as others take watch, this is not a good place to be waiting in. observed Sage.

Willow and Grass Runner were standing by Sager Cane, White Mane close by, Bounder stood by Sage and all around the rest of the herd waited and watched as all the healing birds were away.

Waiting and watching was easier said than done thought Bounder. Sage did not seem to be concerned even when fresh clouds of smoked blocked out the sky.

Small animals were begging to enter the old river bed. The three suns were aware of rustlings and scrabbling. White Mane was dosing as a ferret as white as her main, when it was not covered in dust of the plane, scampered between her front hooves to get to the water trickling out of the stones. Sugar Cane started, pushed against Willow whose tail swiped Grass Runner across his muzzle! On seeing the ferret, Grass Runner jumped with all hooves ready to come down on the little invader. The invader squeaked turned in a blur, shot up White Mane’s near fore leg diving into her mane before any horse could blink!

That stopped Grass Runner’s attack he could not hoof an invader that was hiding in a friend’s mane!

Black beady eyes peeped out from White Mane’s mane; why she stood there and did not try to shake out the intruder she could not say. Willow pointed out it was not usual to have a ferret in your mane. Bounder asked White Mane if she would like him to get it out for her.

No squeaked a high pitched voice, then little paws pulled together White Mane’s mane blanking out the black eyes.

Sage muzzled White Mane and said:

Ask him his name? before she could a sleek head popped out:

Pip said Pip they had to wait for him to speak again; when he did he looked from Sage to Bounder:

A Teller is a rear wonder, but being a white ferret is a nuisance. A teller a herd needs but a white ferret is a hawk’s meal a wolfs’ snack! I cannot hide even in banks or in stones; even to pretend to be dried grass is out!

Oh! said White Mane

Yes, I have to think to keep me together, I cannot trot off like you lot. Pip had a point there.

We are going to the Blue Hills Gatherings someone said.

That will do fine! nodded Pip, The plane back that way is on fire. Your healing birds tell of swamps that way, it is not for me.

There is a wall in front of us. Bounder wanted to say, but he felt Pip already knew.

Do you know how the land lays that way? Asked Pip,

Not yet. said Sage: We are waiting for the healing birds to comeback.

Pip dropped from White Mane to dart at a mouse as it tried to pas by. Grass Runner shifted his hooves, he did not like creeping and squeaking animals under him, he was not sure if he liked a squeaking or creeping thing in White Mane’s mane either, but White Mane said she thought it was a very clever idea to hide in her mane, she would have never thought to do that.

Sugar Cain said it strange to see two black eyes peeping at her from her friends mane, but as Willow pointed out the healing birds liked to travel resting on their manes, was there any deference?

Travel! piped in Pip, Good idea!

Before they could ask what was a good idea a healing Bird had started to wing its way down to the herd.

The way of the wall to the afternoon sun is an option, said the healing bird that had landed by Herd Father.

It is a cliff that runs away round to the sun, a half a days travel from here, there is grazing and water seeps from the wall. But...! The Healing bird pursed before saying:

The cliff leads us to the Blue Hills bring us to the wrong side of the hills

What dose that, mean? The wrong side asked Grass Runner, when the group heard the news, Sugar Cain asked the same question.

The season’s storms, thunder! Sage reminded everyone. Pip popped out of White Mane’s mane. Sage seeing he was about to lose the chance to tell