Božena’s ears flicker back with frustration as the ivory son of cullen hobbles away. still though, she pursues him cautiously. she barely can make out the frightened whisper as he attempts to move more quickly. it causes her large frame to stall behind him. another wave of guilt shackles her great legs, stiffening her movements.

the stoic mare had not offered him to stay behind to lick his wounds…she truly hoped his pain would be fleeting and that the lameness she had incurred wouldn’t last. she only had seen the fear and worry in his bearing, and noticed cullen’s absence. why hadn’t the golden brute risen to her challenge? she hoped verrat would see her offer as a gesture of good-will. too long hate had festered between the peak and the lagoon. while this was certainly a strange way of ending that period of foul tension, the massive black mare was trying. she wanted to be kind to him for the sake of it. she wanted to show him she was merciful, unlike his father…

Božena can only wave her head sadly at him… accepting his refusal of this offer. she doesn’t have the energy or mental fortitude any more to argue or explain at length. there was still the task of driving the band of bachelors to their new residence north, up to the rocky strewn hillsides of the peak. she turns away from him, taking the pressure of their conversation off as best she can. her lips part, her accent strong, as she briefly reminds him of her reasoning. ”i show you kindness because i have hope. i have hope that things can change….”

she begins to walk away then, toward the boundary of the bachelor territory but only makes it a few steps before her large roman nose turns back toward him once more, her eyes glinting with tears she had been holding back. her voice is tight and high, rife with emotion. ” he killed her, Verrat. he killed my sister. for nothing. what was i to do?” her head shakes again this time, wondering what else she could have done… Božena had tried diplomacy, asking the stallions to mutiny against the villain, but none did. so the mare only did what she could. she doesn’t wait for verrat’s response before picking up a heavy plodding trot northward.