He was beginning to think maybe he was a bit rash to jump straight to a challenge for his freedom from the Peak. He didn't do it as a show of rebellion or because he was trying to start a movement with the other captives of the Peak. He only did it because he was getting restless, thinking of Shenzi out there somewhere probably thinking he was never coming back for her. He hated to think what could have happened to her by now. Would she still be with the stallion Noctis had traded her to or would she have escaped by now? He hated to think how other stallions might treat her with no knowledge of her past trauma. If anything bad happened to her, he would never forgive himself.

In a way, he only decided to challenge because it seemed the Peak mares were all about strength and independence without a stallion in charge. He figured it might gain their respect more to show strength himself rather than feel like he was pleading for mercy. He admired the Peak mares, if anything, and held nothing against them for taking the Lagoon stallions as captives. He knew it was a move against Cullen if anything so he cooperated and had been spending his time peacefully in the Peak. He'd only really interacted with two mares since he'd been there, though. There was that black mare who introduced herself as Wasp before dismissing herself when he first arrived in the Peak and then sweet Rhadra, who he would be forever grateful to for her friendship and showing him some really cool places here. He hoped their friendship would continue when he did eventually get to leave the Peak but maybe he'd already sealed his luck at a peaceful departure when he challenged.

Still, there was promise in the words of the mare who came forward to meet his challenge. She said they could come to terms without violence and he was fine with that. Maybe he should have tried that sooner. Collision was humble, if anything, and he would admit he was wrong. He just needed to find a way to go find Shenzi. Until he knew she was alright, he would never rest easy. The painted stallion stood under a tree and called out for the mare who spoke to him. Maybe they could continue their discussion here and come to a peaceful decision. He could only hope.