He had lost them.

In the forest of shadows, lighted only by the pale blue white glow of the moon he had lost them. Like wraithes in the night they had come ashore, bound by his command and loyal to the gray king. He had felt them, the warmth of their skins chilled by the cold ocean waters, sand coating their coats in a fine layer of dusting til they could each hardly be distinguished from another save for the scent. Rougaru knew them. He knew Monster and Zjeena. He knew Celestria and even Nyimara had come. Each of them moved with fluid grace of determined creatures bent on one thing and one thing only.... victory.

His initial assault upon the islands had been met amid a wave of bodies. He had gone after Persephone and Evren, determined to be at Warsaw's side or at the very least give the gray stallion an evenly matched battle, he had been in need of that as of late as age began to creep up upon him. Jabari had surprised him then, but ever faithful Monster had not let him keep the surprise for long. In the tangled mass of bodies he saw them break free. Saw Persephone race into the forest with Warsaw upon her heels and Evren not far behind. He had all but intended to follow them... were it not for the sound of Celestria's voice and the gleam of Jabari's painted figure as he shifted from the myriad of bodies and focused upon her.

He lets the wolf take control now, his hoof fall silent upon the pinestraw strewn floor. Ears press forward amid the tangle of knotted mane. Sides heave with mixture of blood and sweat that fleck off his body like raindrops. A growl falls silent in his throat as Jabari screams his rage and the pale mare of refined breeding glares defiantly upon his painted woman. "Who said she was alone." the venom laces his words as he slinks forward on thick legs. Eyes gleam against the moon's glow as pink tongue slides across dry cracked lips. Muscles draw taunt as he slides nearer to Celestria, brushing his coffee colored skin against her own. Though there was never the same love between them as the adoration he shared with Zjeena and Monster... there was a piece of the wolf that longed to protect and serve Celestria just the same. His gaze lingers upon her, a sadistic smile upon his scared lips before once more his eyes turn upon the pale haired mare and Shamwari's son.