Calling Bird laughed as Trickster tugged at one of her braids while Mocking Me bumped into her back. The two fillies ran off, prancing and whinnying. Calling Bird followed them, laughing more. Something on the horizon caught her eye and she looked up toward the hills. She squinted against the setting sun, trying to see what was standing on the hill. As her eyes adjusted, Calling Bird recognized the black stallion and the boy on the stallion’s back. Without hesitation, Calling Bird ran to the river where Running On Water was drinking and jumped on the mare’s back. She turned Running On Water’s head and pointed her toward the stallion. She gave her horse a swift kick and Running On Water took off, Eagle On the Water following behind.

Rising Wolf then urged his horse into a gallop and the two ran toward each other. Calling Bird pulled back on Running On Water’s mane to slow the horse down as she drew nearer to Rising Wolf and slid off. Rising Wolf, however, didn’t wait for his horse to stop; instead, he swung his leg over Tomahawk’s head and jumped off.

“Calling Bird!” Rising Wolf exclaimed and he threw his arms around Calling Bird’s neck.

Calling Bird giggled and returned the hug. They stood together for a few minutes until Calling Bird felt something nudging her. She turned around to find herself face to face with a chestnut filly.

Mocking Me had followed Calling Bird and was now staring at Rising Wolf curiously. Trickster was a short distance off, keeping her distance from the stranger.

Rising Wolf took two steps back and whistled to his horse. Tomahawk trotted up and tossed his head. Rising Wolf pulled himself up into the saddle and turned Tomahawk back the way he’d come.

“Where are you going?” Calling Bird asked.

“Home. I can’t live here.”

“What makes you think that I would make you?”

“Don’t you want to stay?” Rising Wolf asked, confused.

Calling Bird rolled her eyes. “Of course I want to stay. But I don’t belong here. This is a wild horse herd that just took me in until I found my real family again.”

“But, aren’t you going to miss them?”

Calling Bird laughed. “I know where they are; I can come and visit during the summer.”

“Okay; if you’re sure,” Rising Wolf said.

“Just let me say good-bye first.”

Calling Bird turned and walked back to the herd. Mocking Me and Trickster walked along side her, calm for the first time. They seemed to realize that Calling Bird was leaving. Wolf’s Claw stepped up and rubbed Calling Bird’s cheek. Next, One-Eyed Wisdom stepped up and nuzzled her. Eagle Eye, too, came to say good-bye, but didn’t touch Calling Bird.

As Calling Bird turned back, a black shape stepped forward. She turned back with surprise to see Shifting Shadow stepping forward, followed by Red Rock. The two mares, that had always kept their distance from Calling Bird, came up together to say good-bye; nuzzling Calling Bird on the shoulder. Last to approach was Mother. She placed her head on Calling Bird’s shoulder and nickered softly; as if telling Calling Bird that she was always welcome.

Calling Bird smiled as Mother stepped back. She turned her back to the wild horse herd and walked back, slowly toward Rising Wolf. For the first time, Mocking Me didn’t try to follow Calling Bird.

Rising Wolf smiled and waited as Calling Bird mounted Running On Water. He reached out his hand and Calling Bird took it gratefully. Rising Wolf then urged Tomahawk into a trot, which Running On Water matched evenly. Eagle On the Water followed behind, exploring the new area. As they trotted away, Calling Bird looked around to take one last look at her herd. All of the horses were staring back at Calling Bird. When they saw her look back, Eagle Eye reared and the rest followed, creating a chorus of trumpeting whinnies. Then, Eagle Eye turned and galloped off with the rest of the herd following behind. Calling Bird waited until the horses disappeared behind a hill and vanished.