-WHEN THE STARS THREW DOWN THEIR SPEARS,
-AND WATERED HEAVEN WITH THEIR TEARS,

Daedra did not notice the other mare’s sudden, subtle display of emotion. Had she have been paying closer, particular attention to the girl’s face she might have been wickedly persuaded to have reacted to her question with a much more unkind way.

Daedra had been wandering alone for a long time during her recovery, and it had been too long since she had had her share of mischief with anyone. Vercingetorix was not around anymore for her to tease and wrap around her little finger, so she would have to be on the lookout for a new target.

For now, however, her play could wait. Her recent time under injury had kept her solemn for some time.

She watched, intrigued, as the stranger lowered her head in the same way the mares in her birth-herd had done so many times to the imposing figure of her father. This mare was showing her respect – submission almost. Daedra’s dark eyes remained as hard and inexpressive as they always were without her conscious effort, but inside her head she pondered the girl’s meaning.

She did not have to wonder for long, however, as the mare introduced and explained herself in one swift tumble of words. Lithium, as she was, came forwards to join Daedra on the wider ledge, her expression questioning. Evidently she had mistaken Daedra for one of the natives of this land. It was not an unreasonable mistake, given that she was trespassing here – as this mare was too, apparently.

For a moment, with a soft swishing of her silvery tail, Daedra considered playing along with the lie. She wondered how far she could take this stranger in her fantasy, how long she could play at being the queen of this strange place. But she decided against beginning to stir trouble up so soon and settled for a proper answer.

“I should gladly accept a willing follower,” she drawled, her velvety lips twisting into an amused smirk. “But I don’t think I am the leader you are looking for – I am no Vulcan.”

DID HE SMILE HIS WORK TO SEE?
DID HE WHO MADE THE LAMB MAKE THEE?