M A G N U S

THE spotted boy's eyes watched the colt carefully as his single one travelled to Morrigan and Magnus stamps a warning into the frosty ground with his hoof. If the dark bay didn't back off soon, Magnus would not be afraid to chase him out in a flurry of hooves and teeth. He had hoped the first flurry would have been enough to drive the colt back but it seemed that was not to be the case. The bay told him to move and Magnus merely snorted, ears leaning back and muscles tightening to spring into action. His next words were curious, but not something the spotted boy could afford to dwell on. ”Doesn't matter. Leave”. The fact that Morrigan had had other children before Nemain was no surprise but the fact that this one was so spiteful did make him wonder what it was all about.

THE bay did not heed Magnus warning and addressed Morrigan now, spewing words laced with poison. Magnus might not understand the full story but he understood the gist. While Morrigan's son might have strength now, there was no saying what had ailed him at birth. Magnus could not judge Morrigan on what had occurred in the past, only what he had seen of her now and how she dealt with Nemain. Even if she had been a poor mother to her son, she doted on her daughter.

WHEN the colt stepped forward, Magnus tried to keep himself between between the boy and his family. A surprised squeal from Nemain as her mother stumbled back into her momentarily drew his attention away. As his blue eyes settled on their filly's retreating form, a dark shape flashed past him directly for Morrigan. While the boy's teeth found Morrigan's throat, Magnus' aimed for the boy's muzzle and hooves flew at his foreleg. The surprise and pain would hopefully loosen the colt's jaws and allow Magnus to chase him off. ”RUN!” he shouted to Morrigan amongst the scuffle. Hopefully she would understand that he meant for her to go to the herd. With her under their protection, there was little more the colt would be able do but leave.

ONLY THE STRONG WILL SURVIVE