Strath Spoils

[Captain Stumpy]

It was Hard, hard without her grandfather. It was stupid of him to think he could help in battle with his failing sight. it was more stupid of him to think he could stop Hero. The rumours where Serpent and mortally wounded Hero, but without Hero's corpse as evidence Roamling refused to believe the claim. She was sure Hero was out there somewhere, mocking the Strath with that damned white mare at his side and that black mare behind him.

"Damn Dalt! Damn them all!" She hissed, still seething with anger. Serpent had left her alone. He was always there, how could he just not be? Her mind thought of Lyric and her Twins. Neither one of them looked like her grandfather, she hadn't spent enough time to know if they'd behave like him, but with the strath princess as a dam she doubted either of them would be the rough-tough type like there sire. Thoughts drifted to the life inside her, Serpents great-grandchild, the one he'd never get to see, would her child resemble her courageous grandfather more?

As if on queue her stomach rolled, the pain nearly sending her to her knee's. Her eyes watered as she buckled down rather to quickly. more pain flustered up, causing a cold sweat. "Now?" She whined, sprawled out on the grass. Taking much longer than she would have liked, she managed to foal. She stood up to examine the product. "Hmm, your not a bad looking fella are ya?" Roamling said to her foal. Her son looked up, they touched noses and Roamling smiled. The first one since her grandsire's passing. "Your nearly like him" she mused. "Your more like him than Lyric's Litter. My little Snake" She said nuzzling him lovingly. Little Snake rose to his hooves after a few attempts. Roamling kept a close eye on him. Already she was dreaming of revenge, the Dalt would pay for there betrayal. She left Snake have a little feed before the treck back to the Strath Herd.


As you'd expect after a Betrayal the size of Hero's, Dagger had cleared and claimed Hero's territory. The odd Dalt may have been hiding in the borders, but they would suffer greatly if discovered. Dagger had made himself at home in the main grazing ground Hero had reserved for his accumulation of horses. The hill Hero once stood boldly on now played host to the paint Stallion and Son. Ivory was never far away and Lyric and her children rarely wandered far either. Dao was the first face to welcome Roamling back as she climbed the grasslands to get closer to the grazing ground. Dao said nothing as the Mare and new foal passed. Her greeting was a mere acknowledgement of there existence with a glance. Dao had remained with the herd during the battle. Her knee was to obvious of weakness for her to be much more than battle fodder. However her position as self-appointed herd scout served the herd well. She was the first to see Hero return, though it was unfortunate that she couldn't get to them in time to save Serpent. She was the one who saw Hero leave with the mortal wound. Now she spent her time watching the borders, this made her slightly happier than suffocating in the inner circle of Daggers herd doing nothing.


"You know we should have killed Hero's Black and White mare's before all of this" Roamling said at the sight of Ivory. she wasn't to concerned if the mare mused a reply or not Roamling was still venting. "They where both Dalts, take those out and Hero would be nothing but a king of mongrels just like Fire. You don't see Fire going out of his way to kill things. No just that big headed Hero" She said growling. "and Serpent would still be here..." She went quiet, as she halted to look at Ivory. Now she wanted the mares attention. Truthfully she had looked forward to having a foal, a little competition for Ivory's heir to the Strath Throne. She looked down at Snake, his ears pricked even though he couldn't understand the nature of his dam's words. But now she wanted Ivory's help, she needed her to persuade Dagger into another battle against the Dalt, they should be extinct they deserved it. This light-hearted approach using Hero back-fired on them. She wanted to go back to the stories Serpent told her of the old Strath. The prisoner owning, mercenary bartering, war mongering Strath. And if anyone could help in that, it was Ivory.

[Swede]

In his younger days, Dagger would have been incredibly frustrated at this moment. He was, a little. Time had matured him however, and these days he could more easily understand his sire Rysen's unaffected attitude over things Dagger had viewed as catastrophic. The Dalt still lived, and they had been forced to retreat; essentially, they had lost. But as he stood upon the hilltop, surveying the surrounding regions which bloomed with life, Dagger could not help but feel some satisfaction. The Dalt had always existed, and generations before him had failed to wipe them out; no war was won in a day, and the Strath had lost many battles before. It was only in recent generations, particularly through Rysen's cunning, that they had gained any upper hand at all, really. When he paused to take stock of the situation, this defeat had come with quite a few gains. Hero's band of filth was scattered or dead, and at this moment posed very little threat. Dagger was now the lone master of this land, and no longer had to pretend to obey the whims of that insane inferior stallion. The last known Dalt herd still existed, true; they had failed to wipe Fire off the face of the earth. But much of his herd was gone, his line significantly weakened with the loss of his mares and his offspring. It would take time for him to rebuild, if he even could. Plenty of time for Dagger to ensure his own herd was strong and vigorous; the end of the Dalt was merely a step on the path towards the true goal. He would create a perfect world for his Strath kin to live in and to rule. The Dalt filth had no place in that world at all, and thus must go; Outsiders were another matter, pitifully inferior but occasionally useful. Long ago, many Outsiders in the old valleys had even worshiped the Dalt and Strath, acknowledging them as the superior masters that they were. Oh, to have lived in that time... these days they cowered in fear, not in awe. He would have to change that.

Admittedly, the loss of Serpent was one he'd rather have avoided. That one had been useful, with his loyalty and his wisdom. But everyone's time ends sooner or later, and Dagger felt it was better that he'd gone out fighting for his herd and its ideals, and died in battle like a true warrior, rather than getting old and foggy and burdensome. Getting rid of Hero had been a nice bonus as well, sparing Dagger the job. Snorting softly, the pinto stallion lowered his head to the grass. To the victor goes the spoils, and now that he could finally call this land his own, he was going to enjoy everything it had to offer, including the fresh spring herbs and flowers.

~

Lyric was angry. She stood a hundred paces from the herd, grazing quietly in the spring sunshine, simply going about her daily business; but inside, she quaked with something she couldn't quite describe, something close to fury but not quite exactly. Dagger had told her how the battle had gone, and it was all very nice that Hero and them were out of the way. But they hadn't killed Fire. Why had they even bothered coming back? The job wasn't done yet; her brother's death hadn't been avenged. Serpent was gone too, and she wasn't entirely sure how to react to that. She had fallen for him once, and then he'd ended up being a traitorous liar. She'd been a prize for a job well done, something she had avoided during all her time with the Strath before; a fitting fate for a slave mare maybe, but for her it was demeaning, an insult to her status and her pride. And yet, she had still loved him once upon a time... To hate and to love someone at the same time was not easy, and his death did not make it any easier.

~

Aurelie could sense that her mother was not in a sociable sort of mood, so the little filly had been giving her a wide berth. For a while she and Torch had played together, but just chasing each other back and forth across the same meadow got a bit boring after a while, so now they were flopped in the grass, shuddering off the occasional early fly and staring at the passing clouds overhead. "That one looks like a bear," Torch said after a moment.

"You've never even seen a bear," Aurelie said pointedly.

"Yeah but mom described them to me, I know what they look like," Torch answered defensively.

Aurelie squinted skeptically. "Doesn't look like anything to me. It's just a cloud."

"Oh come on, you have to use your imagination!"

"Ugh... a rock I guess?"

Torch sat up, shaking his head. "Your imagination is crap, you know that?"

"Yeah, well, your mighty imagination hasn't come up with anything interesting to do, so you aren't much better."

Torch stuck his tongue out at his sister, and then sat back on his haunches, scanning the fields for inspiration. "Come on, let's go see if Dao wants to play."

"Dao?" Aurelie echoed, skepticism drifting into her tone again. "She's always grumpy though."

"Weeell, maybe it's because nobody ever wanted to play with her," Torch said confidently, "Come on, no harm in asking."

The colt stood up and trotted a few steps, before glancing over his shoulder expectantly. Aurelie sighed, but scrambled to her hooves and followed after him. Torch smiled and made his way towards the ever-brooding mare. "Hey Dao, will you play with us?" he said, halting in front of her with hopeful eyes.

~

Ivory looked up as Roamling approached; the younger mare had been absent for a while, clearly affected by the loss of her grandfather. It became immediately clear, however, that she'd had other things to deal with as well. Before Ivory could broach the subject though, Roamling immediately started in on some rant, venting whatever pent-up thoughts had been building in her since the battle. Ivory remained silent throughout it; though she felt quite a bit of spite towards many around her, she was always careful about when to show it, and generally preferred to be seen as a kind and caring friend- especially since in the beginning so many of the Strath had been suspicious of her anyway. "Perhaps we should have. Perhaps not. Had we killed Hero's mares from the start, we would have him against as us as well, and he was more useful as an ally against Fire for the time being. It's easier to fight against one enemy than two. As for the black mare, there were complicating factors there as well. She was my... sister, but when we came to the Strath, she became a lowly slave, while I was welcomed by Dagger and adopted into the herd by Rysen. To put it simply, I was surprised to see her with Hero, and it was too fun watching her squirm while we've been here; she knew we would kill her sooner or later. I wanted her to be afraid, and when she dies I want it to be humiliating and agonizing. She deserves nothing else."

Ivory fell silent for a moment, bitterness growing in her throat. She had always hated Smoke; their mother, though completely insane, had lavished all her attention on Smoke, trying to teach her cunning and ruthlessness and never realizing that her other daughter was far superior in that regard. Smoke had just wanted to be left alone; she wasn't cut out for greatness. And then, when the Strath had raided their herd, and they had been taken captive... Dagger had been young then, only just climbing the ranks of leadership, but his ability was impressive and after that raid he'd been awarded the white and black Dalt mares as captives. Ivory had given him the attention he deserved, adored his strength and skill, praised him and obeyed him in everything, and of course Dagger had appreciated that. But she had seen his glances; she knew Smoke was the real prize for him. She knew that he wanted Smoke to submit to him as well. When she refused to love him, he had tortured her instead; he most certainly would have bred her, had she not faked a broken hip in order to be left for dead. When Smoke was gone, he had convinced his sire to adopt Ivory into the Strath, but not until she was officially part of the clan had he been able to put away his disdain for her Dalt blood and considered her worthy of bearing his foals. When they had come here and seen Smoke again, Ivory was certain she saw that old lust in Dagger's eyes, and she was certain Smoke had seen it too. Secretly, she feared that he had not killed her sooner simply because he still desired her. Dagger claimed to want Smoke dead just as much as Ivory did, but she worried nonetheless. She knew he loved her, but if Smoke had chosen to join the Strath, Dagger would undoubtedly have preferred the black mare, Ivory was certain of it. And even before then, he like every other Strath stallion had lusted after Lyric; it was unlikely he would leave her alone for very long. No matter how she struggled to prove herself, Ivory had always been second-best, an acceptable alternative after other options failed. She was tired of it; but if she were to react with anger and violence, she would slip further in favor. Dagger would never forgive her if she killed Lyric, and she had no plans to do so; decent Strath blood was too scarce to waste like that. Roamling had a point... it would've been better if Serpent was still around and could keep Lyric occupied. Saber deserved a mare, but with the herd so small these days, it was doubtful he would get one, much less Lyric. Hmph.

Snorting softly, the white mare looked up at Roamling and smiled. "But come now, so busy talking about death that you've neglected to remember life. You must introduce your new foal to me," she said brightly. It looked to be a colt, decently strong; the herd could always use future warriors.

~

Battle had not been quite what Saber had expected it to be; however, after the initial shock had worn off, he was pretty sure he had positive feelings about it. He'd already killed Hero's runty foal before, so the death of others didn't frighten him anymore. Being attacked by more experienced stallions had been unpleasant, and he had feared for his own life; but in the end, he had survived. Wounded, sure, but the pain had felt good, a powerful reminder that he had lived where others had died, that he had been the stronger one. The pain was a test of his character which he gladly accepted, and the new scars across his back and chest were badges of honor. His only regret was that he hadn't gotten the chance to squish Sketch; he'd run off somewhere, and that little runt Jeopardy too. Saber had hated them since he was a colt; Dad had always promised he could kill those two when it was time to turn the tables, but here they were, Hero gone, and Saber hadn't gotten the chance to exterminate them. He'd caused some serious injuries in the battle, but the actual kills had gone to the older stallions. Annoyed, he now roamed the territory, keeping a keen eye out for signs of life; the scents of Hero's lot were still strong here, but everyone seemed to have left in a hurry. Still, there was always a chance one of them was still around. He was one of the conquering Strath, but he'd gotten nothing for it yet. He wanted to be acknowledged. To look into their eyes and see that they knew he had won, that they were at his mercy... what he would actually do if he found someone, he wasn't sure yet, but he wanted that feeling of absolute victory. But the territory echoed in its emptiness, and Saber's ongoing rounds were fruitless.

[Captain Stumpy]

Dao rolled her eyes when she saw the two golden twins came towards her. Sure enough they came bounding over, all joyful and cr*p. Dao could feel her energy draining away to feed there's. "I'm far to busy" she grumbled her ears laying back on her neck. Looking down into the colts eyes, she almost felt sorry for there innocence and naivety. How long before it was stripped from them? how long before they where expected to fight? to kill? She looked between the Twins before pushing her way threw them. "I saw Roamling pass with her new foal, why don't you go see that?" She mumbled as she hobbled forward into I less occupied mound of grass.


Ivory's words stung a little, Roamling didn't want to hear common sense at the moment. But Ivory's neutral tone, and carful words prevented Roamling lashing out at the White mare. It was a revelation to Roamling that Ivory was penning up her own desire for revenge. Ivory hadn't mentioned it around her before, it gave her the strength to believe she could hold her own revenge till a more appropriate time. "We'll get them, eventually" Roamling said with a stubborn smile.

She followed Ivory's eye-line and found herself looking at her foal quite proudly. "This is Snake" She said "I'm sure Serpent would have been proud of him" She continued musing slightly. The little colt stared wide-eyed at Ivory, noticing Roamling gave him a nudge on his shoulder to distract him. Snake gave a stomp with his hoof, I little protest to let mum know he didn't like being knocked. Roamling didn't notice the stomp, or at least didn't acknowledge it. "Thankyou Ivory, I think I needed some sensible words right now" She said bowing to the white mare. "If you ever need someone else to shoulder a burden i'll listen" Roamling said it, and meant it. She bowed once again, Snake didn't copy, "I' just going to present Snake to Dagger" she said when she turned tail to walk away. Snake glanced over his shoulder at Ivory before trotting to catch up with Roamling.

It wasn't hard for Roamling to find the King of the Strath, he was standing on the mound like a King on his Throne. "Dagger" She said as she ascended the grassy hill with Snake beside her. She stopped a little short from the top, standing a little lower than Dagger "This is Snake" she said, "Our Son" she continued. Snake looked up at Dagger, and took a step back. His eyes really did widen, taken back by the size and visual nobility. This was his father?

[Swede]

Ivory returned Roamling's smile, satisfied with their mutual understanding. It was nice to be accepted and respected by someone for once; Roamling had been difficult before, but she had warmed up over time, and Ivory was all the happier for it. Behind her sweet facade she had some cruel intentions, but not towards her own kind, oh no; she wished nothing more than happiness for the herd she ruled, and that was easier done when they didn't treat her with suspicion and derision. "He is quite lovely, Roamling, and I have no doubt that Serpent would be proud of him. And I am sure Dagger will be, as well," she said warmly. Though Ivory was host to some jealousy over Dagger particularly where Smoke and Lyric were concerned, she had little issue with Roamling's relationship with the stallion; she couldn't expect to have Dagger all to herself, after all, and she doubted he favored Roamling so much as to prefer her over Ivory, so there was no problem there. "I am glad we talked, Roamling," she added, nodding her head as the younger mare excused herself to go meet with their stallion.

~

An ear twitched at the sound of soft approaching hoofbeats. Dagger lifted his head to see Roamling coming towards him, and unless he'd gone down the path of his forefathers and started hallucinating, she was not alone. He did not speak at first, listening to Roamling briefly before descending a couple of steps down the hill to get a closer look. He reached his muzzle forward, inhaling the foal's scent and eyeing him over. Then he chuckled, shaking his head at the colt's awestruck reaction. "Don't be afraid, son," he said firmly. "You are born of the Strath, and there is nothing finer in this world. We fear nothing." Snorting, he took a step back and looked up to face Roamling. "You have done very well. He is a fine colt," he said, lightly touching his muzzle to hers in approval.

~

Aurelie scrutinized Dao critically. "You don't look very busy," she said with suspicion. "If you don't want to play with us then just say so. It's not nice to lie, that's what Mama says."

Torch nudged his sister in reproach. "It's not nice to be grumpy either, Aurelie. Come on, let's go see the new foal, that'll be fun!"

"Dao was grumpy first," Aurelie muttered. But she couldn't ignore the prospect of checking out the new foal, and quickly skipped after Torch as he wheeled around and headed off towards Roamling.

Torch slowed down however upon noticing Dagger, glancing at Aurelie in hesitation. "Do you think they'd mind, or would we be interrupting? Maybe we should wait a little.... "

[Captain Stumpy]

Roamlings Festering feeling had all but dissipated, Snake had brought her new hope and new joy. The dun and white foal reminded her of her grandfather, she wished him to be just as brave, as noble, as strong. No that wasn't quiet what she wanted. She want Snake to have what Serpent didn't She wanted him to have power, he needed to be as smart as Serpent but stronger. "Snake!", "yes mamma" responded a little voice not too far from where the mare was grazing. Roamling had previously just sent her son to practice striking with his fore-hooves on a broken tree branch. The foal was already sweaty behind the ears when he trotted up to the chest of his dam, Snake took a breath in already learning to disuse when he was a little out of breath and controlling his breathing. After a pause he ex-haled and his breathing returned to normal. "Its time you took a rest so I'll tell you a story of your ancestors and they're greatness" Snake fought the urge to sigh with relief, greatful he was taking a break from training. the little colt laid down carfully, tucking his front legs under himself, hoping the throbbing would end soon.

"Years and years ago, our ancestors owned the greatest land this world had produced, grass as green as jewel beetles and as sweet as ripe fruit, rivers as clear as the sky and as crisp as the breeze, Tree's that touched the clouds and produced the ripest fruits found anywhere. Our ancestors protected this land from the dangers of outsiders, so the land would never be abused or polluted by bad horses or bad blood. But viler still than the outsiders, where the Dalts. A corrupted head strong herd of vile horses, They could corrupt the souls of horses with there words alone, they would breed carelessly they had no pride or loyalty. there only strength was there numbers. Bravely our ancestors fought against this evil for generations, never giving in. As the Dalts lost there ground and numbers they played the vilest trick of all, somehow the Dalt that remained shook the mountains and valleys, until a tremendous rock slide shattered not only the herds, but the land itself. The selfish Dalts new they couldn't take such a beautiful land from our ancestors so instead destroyed the land. Our ancestors heart-broken with the loss of there land and families vowed to destroy the Dalts. Never can such a cruel, heartless and selfish herd of horses be left to roam the earth.

You see my son, you are a Strath, you are greater than the mongrel horses that live else-were in this world. and greater still than the Dalts who killed our ancestors and destroyed the greatest place where we originate from. This little herd is all that remains of those great warriors from the Strath stories. And somewhere out there is the Dalt scum it is your duty to one day irradiate."  

Snakes little ears remained pricked for the whole story, his imagination working over time. "but why would they destroy our home?" he asked, "if it was so beautiful couldn't we share it?". "The Strath had been merciful in the past, we allowed outsider horses to live, and work in our beautiful territory, something enviable by the other outsiders. But Dalt didn't want to share they wanted everything, they believed they deserved it too, because apparently they were once related to one of the founders of the Strath, or some other lie like that." Roamling answered. Snake loved the stories of his ancestors, Roamling gave her son a affectionate nuzzle, "I'm going down to the steam at the bottom of the hill are you going to stay here or come with me?" "I'll stay here mamma" "Okay get up and lay near the rest of the horses, we don't want anything happening to you now do we?" Roamling said with a smile. She turned her back on her son, the smile curled up her lips looking a little evil as she walked away.


Snake stood up when he lost light of his mother over the ridge of the hill, his legs shook as he stood gingerly. All this training was taking its toll, even if he new how to hide it. his head lowered to his knee's all he wanted was a rest, and all he needed to do was get to the centre of the herd. he could rest safely there. He dragged his feet in the opposet direction his mother walked. Assending towards where the herd usually grazed.

"What are you doing, alone?" Snake jumped as Dao's voice. "what? nothing" Snake snapped back, his ears flat mirrored by Dao herself. "Humph" Dao snorted, Snake walked passed her his ears still flat. what was wrong with that grump? miserable damn mare. He thought to himself. Now over the last ridge, the one Dao had stationed her guard at he could see the majority of the herd in the same grazing spot. they where rarely altogether as a herd until night. During the day it seemed everyone had there own agenda's. His dad and older brother seemed pretty scary but the golden twins, his older cousins where much cooler. He didn't look around for them though, his eyes were already half shut as he folded himself down to sleep. Dao continued to watch him, Okay she was a grump of a mare. and was quite open about it, But she did care. Maybe not so much about the adult Strath, but certainly the innocents, the foals. She was staring at Snake, he laid motionless in the grass exhausted. To tired to play, he was missing out on his innocent years all because of his selfish dam. Gritting her teeth she decided to see someone about it.



"Ivory?" Dao cleared another ridge to find the white lead mare grazing below. She steped sharply down, despite her knocked up knee she was pretty fast and stopped at Ivory forcing the attention to her. "I don't like the way Roamling's raising her son, at this rate he'll be to exhausted to make it through winter. I've never seen the little brat play with Lyric's offspring. All he does is train" She said expecting Ivory to be of the same oppinion as her.

[Swede]

Ivory raised her head from the grass, watching Dao impassively. She never particularly enjoyed conversations with the mare; she was irritating and her loyalty was questionable to say the least. Unsurprisingly, she had nothing pleasant to say today either. "I am surprised that you take such an interest in the 'little brat', Dao," she said, tilting her head. "Have you discussed your concerns with Roamling? It is our custom to train foals from a young age, so that they will be strong in their adult lives. We are low on numbers now, and we need new warriors that are worthy to call themselves Strath. There is no room for weakness." She paused, glancing across the meadow to Lyric in the distance. "A mother raises her foals as she sees fit. I will keep an eye on things, to be sure Snake has time to rest and to interact with the others- it's important for them to form strong bonds with each other after all. However, forgive me if I am a little skeptical of your input, seeing as you yourself seem to be less invested in the herd. If you take such an interest in others' foals, perhaps it is time that you raised one yourself, hm?"

[Captain Stumpy]

Dao's face soured when Ivory suggested having her own foal, She might not have liked the whole herd but the foals where innocent. She'd resented her foal-hood the young now should have to suffer. "I'll take that into consideration" She grumbled bitterly. "Now the Strath are a little more settled I would have thought you'd want to conceive again" She muttered, not really to Ivory but she wasn't afraid if Ivory overhead. She too has spotted Lyric, the other palomino mare of the Strath herd. The Princess far more appropriate for the throne than Ivory. Though unlike Roamlings initial dislike of Ivory due to her breeding, Dao didn't like Ivory's bitter 'the world owes me' attitude. Condemning her own sister, that was a truly heinous act.

Dao shook her head of the thought of Ivory, She nickered softly to Lyric. "Good Afternoon Lyric"  She said, far more politely than she'd spoken to Ivory. "Your two bundles of energy are looking well" She complimented. Dao felt at least pity for the Princess. Deceived and impregnated, led to believe a lie. "How are you feeling?" She asked earnestly, stopping close to the mare after a long hobbled walk. Ivory did remind her of one thing, standing on the hills watching the horizon did make you awfully lonely.


Down the steepening slope, climbing lower on the cracked cliffside, eventually Roamling made it to the shallow steam. Its waters were cool and fresh. the shade from the trees created a little patch of cool Roamling was more than happy to enjoy. *Snap* Roamling jumped, with water still dripping from her chin, "Who's There?!" She asked, not to loudly though. "This is Strath Territory"  She warned a little louder.   

[Swede]

Ivory flicked an ear back in irritation at Dao's muttered comment; there was something irritating about everything that mare said and did. The worst part was that Dao did in fact have a point. Saber was fully grown now, they had a territory of their own, a stable life, and there was no immediate threat of being attacked. But it still made her bitter to be questioned by someone else, particularly by a lesser mare like Dao. There was no reason not to have another foal, but something still made Ivory feel hesitant. Motherhood in itself wasn't necessarily something she enjoyed; of course she had been fond of Saber when he was a foal, but more important to her had been Dagger's approval, that she could bring him such a fine son. These days, Dagger seemed to have so little time for her... she feared his affection was slipping. But perhaps another foal could bring his attention back to her? Flicking her tail restlessly, she turned to seek out the stallion, suddenly displeased with the thought of him being away from her.

Lyric's bored grazing was interrupted as Dao approached her; of everyone who might have come to keep her company, she had expected Dao the least. She was surprised but not unhappy, as it would perhaps be pleasant to talk with someone rather than isolate herself, and a change in Dao's attitude like this surely had to be a good thing. "Oh, hello Dao. Thank you," the palomino mare answered, glancing towards the twins who had gone back to exploring the meadow grass. They were certainly growing quickly; almost too quickly for her liking. Her foals and her bitterness were all she had, and the thought of them no longer needing her was troubling. "I am well, I suppose. A bit restless... these days I'm not so sure what I'm doing or where my life is going, it feels as though I'm treading water," she admitted. "But what of you, how have you been getting on? Does your leg still hurt you?"

ooc: I can add more later, depends on whether you want one of my characters to step in for Roamling

[Captain Stumpy]

(up to you whether or not Roamling actually spotted anyone, if there is someone she's likely to go to find someone to sort out the problem, probably Dao as she's the only self appointed guard you can find)

"I'm not to bad"  Dao said giving a small smile. "It doesn't really hurt much, just a little limiting" Dao was surprised to hear Lyric speak so honestly about how she felt, though it wasn't too surprising. Her evasion of Dagger should be legendary, "You could always try and take your twins away" She commented. "Dagger shouldn't dare stop you, we might be your family but there are more exiting things out their and with only Fire the pacifist left the Dalt will be harmless." She said. "I don't think their is anyone more capable at evading Dagger than yourself" She said with a cheeky smile and a wink to the Strath princess. "Besides I wouldn't dare think what Daggers plans are for Aurelie, she's the next generation, I'd not like to see her forced into taking Saber as a partner" She mused. If anyone was going to be able to escape this hell-hole it would be Lyric, and taking her yearlings would just be protecting them from a life of unpleasant expectations in the name of Strath, it would also be a kick between the legs to Dagger for tricking her back in the first place.


Snake had rested enough, his nap was dreamless and rather boring. Looking round he could see his Dam had still not returned, not entirely sure what to do with himself to got to his hooves and continued to look round. Aure and Torch weren't far off in the meadow. Snake lowered his head and galloped the distance, challenging himself to reach the palomino pair before he counted down from ten in his head. "Made it!" He exclaimed overshooting the pair (with a second to spare) He turned on his heals and trotted back. "Did you see how fast I was going" He said with s smirk.

[Mouse]

Scout froze a twig under her hooves. "I know" she said rather rudely to Roamling hoping the mare didn't remember her. It was a huge risk to come back here. All the horses here thought she was just an outsider horse who listened to Hero's every command which in someways was true. Scout stepped forward the older mare was covered in scars from the battle between strath and Dalt. She was skin and bones for being nearly due with her foal. scout coat looked shaggy and dirty and the only give away of her pregnancy was the small bulge in her stomach. She took a deep breath hoping Roamling would not jump her she was in no condition to fight not now she would if she had to though. They had never really talked Scout had just kind of floated around the herd back when Hero was leading. "I need to see Dagger; I assume he's well and leading now?"

[Swede]

Lyric flicked her ears back at the thought of Aurelie being treated like some prize to be won, just as she had when she was younger; but she had been honored then, and though many tried to court her, they all were wise enough to swallow bitter rejection and live with it. These days, though, the Strath were few in number, and Aurelie risked being less privileged in her own choices. "I could try," she said with a bitter edge in her tone, "And I could probably succeed, even. But what's the point? Once Strath, always Strath. It's who I am, and this is where I belong. I've never approved of the warring, but I won't deny my heritage. Fire killed my brother; if staying here is what must be done in order to avenge him, then that is what I'll do." She paused, glancing towards the twins. "I grew up with Dagger. He might be king of the Strath now, but my circumstances are different, always have been, always will be. Torna had three sons and they had illusions of being in control, but in the end, the true power has always been with her, passed on to her daughter- my mother- and continues with me. If Dagger is wise, he'll remember that."

"Impressive," Aurelie giggled. "You'll end up burning holes in your hooves if you keep running around like that."

Torch snorted at her comment and shook his head. "Hey Snake, where is your mother? She usually seems to be quite attentive to you, always has some lesson or another," he said, tilting his head curiously.

[Captain Stumpy]

Roamling was a little taken back at the appearance of this bedraggled pregnant wretch. Her mouth moved before her mind had thought of something to say. "W-Who are you?" She demanded, brows lowered. Roamling's rolled her eyes when the mare asked to see Dagger. She was tempted to refuse and save Dagger the eye-sore. But her own curiosity wouldn't allow it, what could this mare possibly have to say to Dagger that he would listen too?

"Fine" She uttered, "Follow me, i'll take you to the herd, Dagger should be there" With that said, Roamling turned tail and walked back up the bank towards the meadows. She paused a moment to wait for the bony excuse for a mare. Her ears slightly flattened as she walked ahead of the mare.


Dao couldn't help but pause and think for a moment, It was difficult to conceive that perhaps Lyric wasn't the hapless princess she played so well. "I think I owe you more credit than I gave" Dao said, "But it still isn't enough to convince me your children are safer here than wherever you sort sanctuary before your return" She looked up to Lyric, worry on her face. Dao wasn't in much shape to protect the youngsters from something serious, not with her knee, she could make a show, but she couldn't take blows anymore. "I mean no offence" She uttered feeling like her message was wasted on deaf ears.

"Dao what are you doing not looking out?" Roamling said sourly, her ears pinned. Dao looked up in surprise, more so seeing the rag and bone mare following her, "Fine I'm going Roamling" Dao answered, bowing to Lyric before hobbling off to the hillside that gave the best view of the descending meadows and woodlands. Roamling continued on to grumpy to ask or even wonder what Dao and Lyric has been talking about. She'd brought wretch this far and not only never passed the lookout, she'd not passed one of the stallions either. It made the herd look weak, but she doubted this mare was going to care.


Snake puffed out his scrawny little chest as far as he could, between pants of breath. "Thanks Aurelie" He said proudly, all eyes on the pretty golden filly, he almost forgot about her brother. "My mums just gone down for a drink, and I got a rest" He said sanding in front of Torch now. "How come your mum doesn't do much training with your Torch? You could always come with my mum if you like" Snake offered, it would be nice to have the company, even if Torch was a little older.   

[Mouse]

The mare raised her head and nodded as Roamling began to lead her. She turned her head and let out a call from behind her. Front a nearby bush a small head popped up. He was used to having to hide out in the world alone with his mother had been hard. The yearling untangled his long slender legs he looked no better then his mother scrawny and dirty but no scars tainted his small frame. He galloped to catch up with his mother. Scout gave the colt a small nudge and began to fallow after the lead mare.

Scout fallowed behind Roamling the herd was alot different from when she was last here. She looked up to see Dagger standing on the hill top where Hero once stood. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath feeling her yearling touch her withers as he stuck close to her. "Thank-you" She gave a curt nod towards Roamling not caring if the mare got upset for her leaving. She had her mind set on one thing and one thing only. She began to climb up the hill breathing hard and fast even the small gallop left her eshausted. "Dagger!" her voice was loud and commanding like the stallion had to listen her now and right now. " I need to speak to you. I don't if you remember me but my name is Scout and this here is my son _Thrall- after my father." She paused looking down at the scrawny colt who stood slightly in front of her and hoping despertly he would catch her drift .

[Swede]

Lyric narrowed her eyes as Dao hobbled off. "She was speaking with me," she said coldly after a moment, fixing her gaze upon the other Strath mare. "If Dagger and Saber need a cripple's help to guard the territory, then that is their problem. But it is I and I alone who decides when to dismiss someone from my company. You would do well to remember your place, Roamling." She cast a brief glance at the mare and colt Roamling had with her, but did not recognize them, and at the moment was too bitter to show much concern. Ignoring the group, she turned away and returned to grazing, mulling Dao's words over in her mind.

Dagger was quite surprised when he saw Roamling approaching with a bedraggled pair of intruders in tow. It was, in a way, rather amusing to see the mare in such a fallen state- oh yes, he recognized her, he wasn't blind and he always made sure to know his enemy well. But what she could have to gain from willingly returning to this territory, he had no idea. Seeing no need to deign to approach her, he waited for her to come to him, as she seemed intent on doing, and in quite a hurry as well; however, the words that came out of her mouth were quite possibly the last thing he could have expected. The painted stallion scrutinized her closely, silent for a moment before responding. "Oh, I remember you, don't you worry about that," he said, smirking slightly. "I'm surprised to see you alive... though barely, by the looks of it. That's an interesting insinuation you make, I must say. Whatever you have to say, I'm sure it'll be fascinating, and I could use some entertainment. Go on then, speak." The stallion didn't believe her for a moment, but it would no doubt be amusing to see how she tried to spin this.


Aurelie glanced towards Torch hesitantly, who shrugged. "Our mom is kind of weird sometimes... she says it's important to become a strong warrior and be loyal to the Strath, but she doesn't want us training with Saber... Dagger told me to, but my mom said no. I don't think she likes him very much, even though she says he is the Strath ruler," he admitted, glancing over his shoulder to make sure his mother wasn't near.

"Yeah. We asked her about it but she just said something like... that we should just enjoy ourselves for now because things are going to change in the future, and that we shouldn't worry about anything," Aurelie added.

"But... it could be fun to learn some stuff?" Torch mused.

[Captain Stumpy]

That's all Roamling needed a ear full from the 'princess'. Dao can show all the respect necessary to appease Lyric's over inflated ego but she wasn't going to. She rolled her eyes to her before she heard her acquaintance shout to Dagger, the rag and bone horse had spotted him before she had. She was tempted to shout something obscene at the mare and her offensive looking offspring, as they raced off. She watched a moment longer just to see if Dagger would attack her for he offence. But he didn't and that was rather disappointing. 

She sighed, not feeling in the greatest mood. She spotted her little Snake with Lyric's twin time wasters. Lyric's golden boy still hadn't started any formal training with his peers in the herd. She considered intervening and taking Snake away for some more training. But truthfully he'd trained enough today. Friendship was also important. One day Snake could be relying on Torch. Or more likely The golden boy would be relying on Snake. By duty to the herd Snake shouldn't hesitate to save his family. And this could also be a good opportunity to train both boys if they would play together they'd naturally want to train together too. She mused the idea whilst she started grazing, keeping half a eye on the youngsters and half a eye on what Dagger would do to the wretch and runt. 

___________


Dao felt deflated, like she'd committed some kind of offence to Snake for not enabling him some kind of freedom. And she was sure she had offended Lyric, despite not having the intention to. She had however intended to offend Ivory and was satisfied with that achievement for the day. She rested on the hill glancing down the slopes and hills, the little peaks and woodlands. The space was void of horses, but not life. Birds strutted round, singing and showing off for their mates. Hares playing and boxed together, She enjoyed looking out, she could watch the world go by, watch the little joys of other animals. Deer passed between the tree's nearly invisible unless you were looking for them.

She glanced to the other side of her view, a flock of fat grey birds caused a ruckus as they departed from the treetops. it was a unusual occurrence that was usually followed by the sight of some kind of predator. They're not the most reliable informers as a rat was just as terrifying as a wolf to those birds. Dao waited, expecting to see the red pelt of the local fox. But nothing emerged. She was just ready to dismiss the birds as nothing but feather-brains when she could see something pale in the tree's. she focused again. She was sure that was to pale to be a deer, and it would have to be a big deer. Glancing back at the herd, she saw Dagger was busy, and Saber was missing.

She looked again towards the wooded area, and saw nothing out of the ordinary. Strange horses were a rarity. Local wonderers warned of the vicious herd who owned this lands. Dao began her walk that way anyway. she had to be sure no one unwanted was wondering round. Or what animal was that pale. Trotting downhill was a easy gait to maintain even with her knee. It didn't take her long to arrive at the spot the birds had spooked from. the grasses look undisturbed, maybe it was just a predator.

__________

"It will be fun" Snake answered, Though neither of his companions really asked a question. "I wouldn't want to train with Saber anyway, he looks kinda scary" He continued. Then glanced around making sure he wasn't in ear shot. It was then he spotted strangers with Dagger. "hey, who are they?" He asked looking at Torch, he judged the young stranger and Torch to be the same age. So naturally they'd know of each other.