Common

He could feel himself growing wiser with each experience he shared with the strangers of the islands. Cherokee taught him what disloyalty and broken trust could do to someone. It caused him to feel jealousy when he found his newly claimed mare grooming Liland. A bold, brash, decision led him to send Valka away to Paradise where he believed Rougaru could control her. All mistakes that were now coming back to bite his little rear end.

It was getting late but he couldn't sleep so he decides to leave Medusa behind and go for a swim. He knows Lakota was okay (he checked on her before leaving) and he knows Medusa would be fine on her own for awhile. She was a wild one that filly, but she kept things interesting. Even so, the sea calls to him and beckons him onward. He doesn't realize where the waves were taking him until his eyes cast upon the shore with the meadow up ahead.

Hooves dig into the sand beneath his legs as he kicks closer to land. Eventually Ironclad was pulling his dark form from the blackening sea just as the last of the day's light fades behind him. The salty breeze rustles through his lengthening hair and brings her scent to his attention. Ironclad never meant to bring home someone on this journey, but loneliness was an issue. She wasn't far so he easily travels the distance between them and rests a soft nip of her rump.

Wasn't this how it all started with Valka, even Liliya? None of those scenarios had ended great so it was a mystery why he thought this time would be any different. He steps back from what could be a hostile response as he looks over the larger mare for the first time. She was rustic red in color, thick in body, but she didn't seem the best in health. That was something he could change with time and care if only she let him. "Ironclad de Warsaw is my name. What may I call my new herd member?" He smiles as blue eyes dance around her beautiful locks against her neck.

Finally, he notices the wound on her cheek. Worry overcome his face as he tries to come closer for a better look. "Does that hurt?" Of course it does you stupid boy.