Some of tension eases as Lyden backs her up with words that are more tactful than her own. While he speaks, she observes the mare, trying to work out if the perlino would stick to her guns or back down. For the first time, Jörmungandr realises how young the mare is and wonders if this is why she is so naïve and thoughtless. A quiet snort leaves her nostrils at the realisation that she is more like the gamla tík than she thought – a good and bad thing.

When Lyden whispers to the mare, Jörmungandr takes a moment to blow an affectionate, comforting breath on her son’s neck. She can tell he is off put by the tension and doesn’t really understand what is going on, not to mention he still does not like the smell of blood. The boy leans into her muzzle but ultimately keeps his eyes on the unknown smelly creature, wondering if he should treat her the same as his mother or his father.

Jörmungandr swings her head back up as Lyden moves towards her and meets his gaze stonily. Her expression remains the same throughout the exchange, though some of the anger that was beginning to dissipate swells again below the surface. Her attitude to possible intruders is for the good of the herd – perhaps if he backed her up more there would be less problems. She makes little effort to acknowledge his words, which is just as well as he stalks off without warning.

Looking back towards the perlino, her ears remain back but not pinned and take in her words – a good choice. With a snort and a flick of her tail, she begins the walk toward the clearing. ”This way”. Her ears twist to listen to the uneven footfalls of the mare following behind. When she reaches the clearing, she can still see the beach through the trunks as she turns to observe the mare’s gait. She still limps but it is not as bad as it had been which meant the wound is probably not as bad as it first appeared. While she watches and waits for the temporarily hobbled mare, she takes a moment to listen to the forest around them and her nostrils flare wide. She cannot detect any imminent danger of predators – a small blessing.

Once Caesisus in safely within the clearing, she asks Jörmungandr what she wants her to do. The buckskin hasn’t really thought past cleaning the wounds and returning to the herd so she hasn’t considered what she needs Caesisus to do. ”Do what you are doing and clean the wounds you can reach or rest while I take care of the rest. I apologise if it is uncomfortable.” While her brisk tones speak of the potential to cause mild pain, the uncomfortableness of the entire situation is not lost on her.

Silently, she goes about cleaning the perlino’s wounds. While she wants to be rough and uncaring, she is instead gentle but firm – almost maternal. Despite the anger that still simmers, the perlino would appear to be a new member of their herd and Jörmungandr cannot bring herself to be physically cruel. She might not be pleased with how the mare had turned up or the subsequent exchanges between themselves and Lyden, but perhaps once the buckskin has taken a moment to calm down, she might be less prickly. She does not want tension within her home.