Gentlemanly Introductions

[Dusty's Girl]

Raidho strode into the terra that he shared with King and another herd. It was a large Ridge that was lovely and surrounded by a flowing river and waterfall. His eyes looked around as he let a call fly towards his King, announcing his arrival and his presence. In this place, a fight had ensued, a murder had taken place, and Raidho had lost his love. It held no certain memories that Raidho wanted to remember other than the happiness that his King held now. He stopped and turned to the other draft and nodded his head. "The King will be arriving shortly. We will meet here as not to disturb his Queen and lady in waiting." He bowed his head and waited for his King to arrive.

Within a few minutes, a large black and white Vanner strode into the part of the terra that he did not visit that often. His long ebon mane and tail gently waved behind him as he strode, his white feathering moving idly with the breeze that his stride made. A large flashy blaze ran down his face as his kind and intelligent eyes acknowledged his Knight and this new stallion. King was a kind stallion that knew when he needed to battle and when diplomacy was needed. Right now, it seemed that diplomacy was in order. Raidho had taught him well and indeed stood by his every decision.

"Welcome to Rainbow Ridge, kind stallion. I hope that you find what you need here and know that your kind is welcome in this place." His head bowed towards the shire, his head slowly raising as he looked the other stallion in the eye. His long black veil moved aside and finally revealed those kind eyes, eyes that had no intentions of fighting this stallion off indeed. The ridge was plenty large enough for twin draft herds.

[bullseye14]

Guilo's first impression of the new territory was its beauty. A rainbow towered over the place like a roof or a guardian angel. The roar of the waterfall buzzed in his ears, giving him a feeling of peace. Tall walls of rock stood on most of the sides, though it was relatively easy access. It did look big enough for two draft herds. In fact, another herd could probably fit in this terra also. He nodded his large head gently in acknowledgement of the Knight's words. Waiting was nothing to him. He'd been waiting for these things most of his life; what was a few more minutes?

King did not keep the hopeful herd leader waiting very long. The black and white Gypsy Vanner soon joined the other two equines. He had a regal air about him and, despite the fact that he was wild, his mane and tale held a certain vigor that Guilo often saw at the farms, but not outside of them. The other stud was shorter than Guilo himself, but very few weren't. Even back at the farm, he had been known for his size. In acknowledgement of the other's rank, Guilo bowed his head slightly.

The Shire met the King's eyes, reading what he had hoped to see there. This appeared to be a kind stallion, a good stallion. Guilo doubted he would join in conflict unless it was brought to him. Maybe he should have expected another draft to meet the expectations he'd set when he and Zora decided that they needed a herd, maybe that would have been foolish.

"Thank you, King," he replied. "For the welcome and the offer of the terra. My mate and I have been looking long indeed. She won't birth until Spring, but we wish to be prepared ahead of time."

"I haven't thoroughly explored this place physically, but what I can tell you from looking at it is that it's well suited to one such as myself. Unfortunately, I'm just not as nimble as those with smaller hooves. Though I doubt I need to tell you that."

"Sir Raidho told me there was an open space. That Zora and I and, eventually, the foal, would fit here. Do I have your blessing to claim the space as my own?"

[Dusty's Girl]

King lifted his head to consult the terra around him for a moment, "The blessing is settled, you have my blessing to find and settle a terra in this Ridge. Be welcome and may your mare have a strong colt to lead in your hooves." He bowed his head towards the shire and lifted it once more, his eyes settling back on the black. He liked the idea of having more drafts in his terra, more protection meant for his precious lead mare and other mares. But that also meant that they could form an alliance, a friendship based on protection. What could be better than that in the long run?

Raidho nodded to the Shire and let his tail fly behind him as he watched the interaction between the two drafts. It of course was a rare occurence to have drafts out in the wild, but leave it to the draft breeds to be calm and respectful when searching for a terra to place one's herd into. There was hardly any fighting among them and their broad large bodies gave their signals quite easily. He nodded his head, yes, this would be a truly unique situation but would give the Ridge a certain advantage against predators.

[bullseye14]

Inclining his head in a grateful manner, Guilo just barely contained a relieved sigh. There were lots of stallions here. He had smelled them, he had heard them and he had seen them. The Shire had been certain that a fight would be necessary to obtain a territory for himself and his precious mate. He hadn't told her that, of course. She was a naive mare, as beautiful and kind as she was. Violence at all startled her, but surely the thought of her mate fighting would have sent her into a panic. Besides, Guilo wasn't exactly sure how a stallion of his stature would get along in a fight. For all he knew, a smaller horse would run circles around him and destroy him in the blink of an eye.

"Thank you, kind King," he replied with a grin. "We have been searching long and hard for a decent land to stay. It has been a long road, but I don't think Zora will be disappointed."

With a final bob of his head, the stud turned and trotted off in search of the perfect piece of land for his herd. He found a terra that smelled of horses, but the scents were very faint and Raidho certainly had not lied. With an incredible effort, the strong stud lifted into the air and belted out a claiming call. Any who dared to challenge him were welcome to come. For a few minutes, he waited for a response. When there wasn't one, he nodded his head in satisfaction and went in search of Zora.

[Dusty's Girl]

King nodded his head towards Raidho, "All is well in the terra. Go explore, my friend. And try to find a mate to return with as you are in need of love for once in your desolute life. The life of a Knight is well and fine, a good occupation to have, but you need a son worthy of passing your title to as I need a colt to pass my title to as well. We are older in our years, my friend, and we are in need of settling down to relax in our years and comforts that we have gained for ourselves." King snorted softly, his eyes following Guilo as he left to find the right place for himself and his mare.

Raidho nodded his sullen head, indeed it had been some time since Sienna Glory had left him for the wilderness. "King, you are right. It is time to settle down with our herd and high time that I found a mare to call my own. Our friendship has lasted so many years, that I do not even think that I could find myself without it. And I only hope that our colts will share that special friendship and when the herd is passed to them, that they honor what we have started and that they are the best of friends as well." His look of profoundness passed over King and over to where the shire had claimed his land. It was well to have a working terra again with more than just two herds here.