Indira agonized over what to about her situation the entire time she sheltered in Paradise. She was too tired to think clearly, and the shock of an enemy's unexpected hospitality left her reeling. She thought about just going home. But what if Raider came looking for her? He would expect her to go home, and a he might be upset he lost her as a captive. Indira isn't sure if Raider is the type to take a loss like that personally and come back to finish what he started. Indira though about hiding out somewhere else, but if Raider goes to the Forest and doesn't find her there, he might take someone else. Indira can't do that to her family in the forest. No. There is only one thing Indira can do.

She must eliminate the threat.

To wait for Raider to come to her would leave her at a disadvantage. There would be no way to know exactly when and where she might run into him again. He would have the upper hand with the element of surprise, and the timing of an encounter that suits him. Why let that happen, when Indira can go on the offensive and seize those advantages for herself?

The painted mare makes the swim to the Lagoon just before dawn. The water is still warm, holding on the last heat of summer, but the air is bitter cold. She steps ashore in the lagoon, and shakes the extra water from her coat. A steam rises from the warmth of her body, and her hot breath curls from of her nostrils like smoke from a waiting dragon. Quietly, she steps into the jungle. Her steps are even, driven by purpose, and careful like a cat on the prowl.

The mare is ready for this. She is well rested and well fed after a time in Paradise. Open wounds from prior skirmishes have knit themselves closed and begun to fade against her pale hide. The muscles of a warrior on a mission ripple under her damp skin. Her heart thrums with ready energy.

The sun breaks over the horizon, painting the sky in a palette of deep purples and reds. A soft morning light shows her the way until searching eyes find her target. From her vantage point among the shadows of verdant wood, Indira can see several members of the Lagoon gathered by the water. The cerulean blue of the lagoon's waters have yet to catch the sunlight. Dark waters appear as a bottomless chasm, a pit leading to the depths of hell where she will soon send Raider.

The roan stallion moves among the scattered residents of the Lagoon. Most of them appear to be drifting in an out of a restful slumber. None of them suspect an incoming attack. Indira takes a deep breath, steeling her resolve. Even if she is successful in killing Raider, it's unlikely she'll make it out of the Lagoon. But that doesn't matter now. The stallions of the Lagoon need to learn what happens when they mess with Luthien.

Raider is conveniently moving towards her. Indira hesitates, waiting for the perfect moment. Closer. Closer, he wanders. Her hearts races in her chest and she shivers, but not from the cold. A tense anticipation tries her patience, but she holds. She holds. She holds, until Raider is almost within reach.

Now!

Indira springs from her place of hiding and meets Raider with two forelegs striking heavy at his left flank. She doesn't cry out. She doesn't draw attention to herself. She just materializes, to begin her assault both swiftly and quietly.