the war had been terrible. the massive black mare had charged in willingly to fight alongside her sestry only to come home carrying the burden of loss and other newer guilt. her heart was split in many ways, aching with hurts that seemed to bombard her from every angle. though weeks had passed, maybe more, since she had robbed cullen of his cohorts, Božena feels unaccomplished.

her goal had been so much nobler than to simply “relocate” the bachelor band. she wished the peak herd to befriend the rogue stallions, to impress upon them that really, both sides were not so different. she was certain that there would be future battles, attempts to raid and lighthearted scuffles, but it was her personal belief that perhaps both groups could set foot on new ground, shed some of the ugly animosity that seemed to plague their recent interactions. the current vitriol between the two sides was unsustainable. macabre’s loss was enough reminder of that as she would ever need… and the wounded look on verrat’s pale face as her accidental blow landed on his flank at their violent crossing.

Božena slumbers with surprising peacefulness, her inky black head drooping, along with her lower lip, as she dozes in the warmth of the morning sun. though she is normally on high alert, especially without kunzak at her side, and the presence of so many stallions, the exhaustion that has weighed upon her lately demands she finally rest. her long round ears flop lazily and one of her large hind hooves rests on its toe against the shale. she dreams of easier days.

kendry’s first call does not reach deep enough into her sleeping mind to draw the tall dark mare from her slumber but the second bellow is enough to cause Božena’s head to jerk upward with a worried snort. she blinks, ridding the sleep from her eyes and her body firms into a state of wariness. her dark chocolate eyes scan the terrain below her rocky perch, and widen when she sees the huge ivory stallion exasperatedly searching for her. despite the apparent desperation of the moment, her heart gives a girlish lurch at the sight of him. quickly, she shakes her large convex head and bursts into action, sending small stones and debris scattering down the path with a clatter.

Božena whinnies, her deep yet feminine voice echoing down the hillside as she strides down the trail with careful surety toward him. ”kendry, what is wrong?”, she asks as she draws close enough for him to hear over the din of her travel. her dark eyes trace the lines of his body, searching for signs of trouble that might cause such a worried state.