Common

The youth braced himself as the bigger red stallion shouted at him and stepped forward. Zharko could not tell through his dizzy mind that the movements were meant in peace, not war. His small body shivering from the cold he continued to grit his teeth and pull his ears back, refusing to allow cold, death, or this stallion claim him. The sides of his body heaved with each breath and slowly, with each passing exhale of oxygen he started to calm. When the older man’s words washed over him, he had to fight to keep himself from falling too far into complacency, knowing too well that liars wear kind faces.

I am… cold. he finally admitted, taking a hesitant step towards the other, ashamed at himself for wanting the comfort of his brother, or his mother. Cold, and hungry. Still eyeing the red stallion as he stepped closer his mind trudged with his body to try to continue to keep up its own defenses. And tired. And scared. And lost. And lonely. He glanced back down the path he had come. Somewhere, hopefully, his brother had faired better than he had. The desire to call out clung to his throat, but he knew it would do no good. There was no way he would have been able to hear him. Dread pierced deep into the young soul’s chest, the dagger twisting enough to cut off his airways. He looked back at the stallion and hung his head. Sorry, for scaring you.

He did not know how to proceed. This was apparently the stallion’s resting place, and he could chase the foal away at any time. Zharko expected a rebuff, or a biting remark that was meant to send him running. He did not know this was a place where many could traverse if they so desired. All he knew was he could not go home and he was alone here. Another shiver spasmed through him, causing his body to visibly shiver. Biting his tongue and refusing to admit it, he lowered his head even more as he embraced the fact that he had nothing and was at the mercy of another. So cold. he muttered into the winter air, knowing in himself it was more than the chill’s bite he was feeling.