Kestral follows the large mare to a place called the peak. Great mountains rise from the earth like teeth, and Kestral wanders into its mouth willingly. He is driven by what he believes to be fate. Kestral walks unknowing. To enter this territory, as a stallion, is to risk capture. In a culture like this, mares rule, and stallions submit or face dire consequences.

Lucky for Kestral, he is no aggressive male, over-full with pride and ambition. He is Kestral, and only Kestral, and he is harmless.

Ascending he rocky slope, Kestral expects to see the large mare Kyuubi. He followed her scent to this place. He issues a joyous greeting. His ears swivel forward and his eyes alight at the sight of the newborn filly at her side. She is built like her mother, and a lovely grullo in color. Kestral doesn't see himself in this filly, but this is no matter to him. The magic of new life is no less awe inspiring.

A shadow passes over them all. Keen lets loose a distressed call, and swoops low between the Kestral and the mare he moves to greet. It is enough to give him pause. Kestral halts, and regards the mare more carefully. Something doesn't smell right. This isn't Kyuubi.