<div align="center"><strong>Gavin Introduction (With Darius)<br/><br/></strong></div>Dawn smote the world into a glorious tumult of expecting noise. Ribbons of clouds sliced through the azure, perfect sky – a sky the likes of which only occurs in the West, where the air is clear, the elevation high and the temperature cool. In the morning, at least. From the stables came a call of randy stallions, and eager mares. Across the yard, separated by a tall fence, the dog kennels were equally raucous – barks filled the air; a startling contrast to the absolute still quiet from a few seconds before. Such was the training of animals on the Fallenstar Ranch.<br/><br/>Yawning, but bright eyed, Gavin stepped onto the deck overlooking expansive, rolling, acreage framed by a wisp-thin forest and a river on one side and a tall fence on the other. The tall youth, newly turned eighteen, cut quite a lean figure on the deck, cup of smoking coffee in one hand, t-shirt in the other. Built like his father, though more gracefully lean, Gavin was coffee colored and immaculately hairless, with muscle insertions that gave him a rippling abdomen regardless of how much he ate. A trait that he hoped to one day use to his advantage …whenever he got off the ranch, anyway. Long black hair, absolutely velvet, fell across the youth’s broad back. He draped his shirt across a patio table long enough to retrieve a band from his denim jeans and capture it back in something more controlled.<br/><br/>Control.<br/><br/>It was the theme of Gavin’s life. Control an animal, teach it to respect you, teach it to obey – even as he obeyed his father, honored the needs of his family and the traditions of old. Increasingly, he wanted to rebel, was ready to leave and strike out – to make a name for himself. But then, as always, the cries of the horses and the songs of dog howls drew him back to reality. Sighing deeply, not yet resigned, Gavin made his way – barefoot – across tall green grass and to the horse stalls. Darius was already there, bare-chested and wearing pants just like his son. He gave Gavin a terse greeting and the two began the long morning’s work.<br/><br/>Mucking the stables, fetching fresh hay, using farm equipment to maneuver everything around – feeding the horses, then doing essentially the same for the dogs…that took all morning and was back-breaking labor, especially for two men. Occasionally Darius would hire help or send for other families to assist, but it was a matter of pride that the two of them accomplished so much. Gavil’s mother, having passed in a training accident years ago, had made Darius’ heart steel and the man refused to let others help. Why he let Gavin do it was a mystery to the youth.<br/><strong><br/>“I’m sending out to the families for a little help,”</strong>Darius announced softly, once the animals were initially tended to. Exercise, training, and examinations would come next – each animal needed a minimal amount of exercise and training every day to maintain health. Coincidentally, it kept both father and son in peak condition, too.<br/><br/>Gavin was shocked. He faced his father wordlessly, eyes narrow.<br/><strong><br/>“We’re taking on an additional bloodline of horses next week, and six new dogs. The kennels will need to be expanded, but the stables have room. You and I can’t do it alone. I’m going to see what the other families have to offer. A trial run. You’ll be on your best behavior if anyone comes.”</strong>It wasn’t a request.<br/><br/>Gavin nodded. He knew better than to say anything.<br/><strong><br/>“One of your half-sisters, related to your mother, has indicated interest in visiting. She may arrive as early as today. She’ll be bunking down near you. Be nice.” </strong>Another command.<br/><br/>Frowning, Gavil thought back. He knew that his mother wasn’t full Native – she’d been half white, and her sister had married a full white and that their children didn’t seem Native at all. He didn’t relish the thought of having someone around who was, in essence, green, but he saw his escape there too. If new people came, learned the animals, and did well enough that there was some slack…<br/><br/><strong>“I’ll do it father,”</strong>Gavin said and, surprising Darius, stood to resume the chore work with renewed gusto. It was good to have hope again.<br/><br/>Of inclement festivities and carnal activities, neither man had any thought. But that would change quickly enough.<br/><br/>