The man watches as this newly captured brumby thrashes in the pen in front of him. Turning to Catherine he says "What do you think? We keep him?". "Never seen you shy away from a challenge before". "Sure" he replies. It's been a long dry season in Dutfall Texas. Cattle have been struggling to stay upstanding. Feed has been hard to come by, water for stock even more so. It hasn't rained enough to notice in over 5 months. And both the livestock and the people are at their wits end. Looting has started across the county, and weapons drawn even more so a common occurrence.
The brumby had been in Kevin's sights for asome time now. Not directly witnessing this beautiful creature; no, instead noticing tracks not belonging to any of his dwindling cattle. Drawn to the last pooling of water now the Brumpby was in Kevin's possession. This was less a challenge of breaking in this horse and moreso a challenge of staying afloat. A horse like this would be a substantial asset to the company once broken in. There was barely any gas left in the countryy, and if you could find some, you were a target. This was a potential form of travel for the family, to find water, to find food. Kevin needed this challenge, not for the sake of accomplishment though.
"All right, let's get started" tipping his hat towards Catherine as he boldy steps uder the railing and into the pen with the Brumby. "The horse rears up towards the sun on his hind legs letting out a shrill of anxiety .and also a message of warning to Kevin on his approach. Kevin noticed the sun reflecting in the Brumby's eyes, a beautiful yet dangerous creature at the same time.
His approach was slow, soft, yet not convincing to any of the parties. He and all around him knew his intention was to come to the Brumby, soothe his anxiety but then go about training him to go against his current will. But the Brumby was tired, malnourished and parched. This would be a fight to exhaustion, but one of erlief once Kevin could close in on this creature. In circles the brumby stomped, kicking up dust and protestingly nodding its head back and forceth. Kevin remained still until the horse had subdued. Now he could make his final approach and connect into the horse's soul.
Almost as if recognising the futility of the situation the brumby complied. A loose rope around its neck now securing a tether to Kevin. Of comfort, or now of hierachy. The brumby had now started its path with the family, and a path to safety.