The Bay needed new blood. Now that Mariael once again had true possession of her home, she recognized the grave importance to find new members before the weather was too difficult for travel. Zevulun had learned well beneath her guidance and could no doubt protect the herd as it needed protecting, but after the death of their father, Mariael was no fool. The more strength the Bay herd had to them, the better.
Her intention that day was to travel to Crossing Isle at night, skirt by the muddy bog that was called the Lagoon and see if the towering beast she’d once seen still lived there. If she could successfully steal him away (she’d failed the first time she’d ever tried), the Bay could surely consider themselves protected with someone of his strength. Therefore, as Mariael climbed from the surf (the water running off the angles of her cream and white body, the extra hair sticking to her body), she did not travel toward the Falls or even the Meadow, but struck a quick path through the island to attempt to get quickly to the Lagoon.
The Commons were along the way and Mariael stuck to the trees which bordered the open area, flicking her still-wet tail against the summer heat which felt oppressive. Summer was Tinuvel’s warmest month, but even its hottest days were nothing in comparison to the Commons. A child of Tinuvel, Mariael often disliked traveling elsewhere based on the difference of temperature alone. Atlantis, with its thick, suffocating humidity, was thus far her least favorite.
A thick, green cropping of grass drew her eye, glimmering beneath the moonlight. She knew she needed to eat all she could during these months to survive the coming winter, but she was determined to not be distracted from her course. If she stepped into a clearing, the moon’s light would catch the paleness of her form and give her away without question.
Then, she saw the dapple stallion. He was thickly built, mature (she wasn’t sure exact age, but even from this distance she could see the marks of battle on his skin), and struck her immediately as a survivor. Mariael paused and watched him, eyes narrowing in thought. She was not guaranteed the large, pale stallion was still in the Lagoon – nor was she guaranteed there would not be a fight among the bachelors if she attempted to separate and steal away one of their number. This stallion, though surely a match of strength against her, was completely and utterly alone. He had no brothers to protect him, it would only be a battle between the two, and she’d become far more capable in battle than she was two years prior when she fought Jasiri in the Inlet.
Excitement coursed hot under her skin. Adrenaline pumped hard in her chest. She had to move. Mariael started forward, pulling as quickly as she could through the gaits, increasing her speed to catch a lope as she burst into the clearing. As a stallion would do to an unattended mare, Mariael lowered her head, pinned her ears and charged him, attempting to drive him from the Commons and toward the shoreline which pointed toward Tinuvel.
Due to their role reversal there was likely to be confusion and maybe even a fight, but Mariael was ready.
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