Jay stammered for a few moments before shutting his mouth. He dipped his head in what he hoped was a respectful manner, then finally worked up the courage to answer. He remembered now what his mother had told him. If only he had remembered sooner. At his age, he was too old to claim innocence. But the mare was giving him the chance to leave. He wasn't quite sure what he would have to do as a Trinket of the Peak, but being free sounded significantly more appealing to him.
"Thank you for giving me this chance," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. He started to back away slowly, and eventually turned to head back down the gentle slope.

Once out of her line of sight, the young stallion picked up the pace, trotting and snorting to himself. Out there, he could make his own herd, with his own rules. If there was anything he hated, it was being told what to do. He wanted to show that mare that he wasn't someone to be pushed around, but he knew how that would end. He wasn't coordinated enough. He was still slightly smaller than her. She had the experience that he lacked, as well as something to fight for. Even now he realized that having a cause to fight for made her a more formidable fighter than she already had been. He stopped and pawed the ground in frustration. Why was he so WEAK? Bullied, driven out of the herd, now chased out by a mare...he truly was pathetic.

He sulked for hours, with the patience only a young horse could have. When he finally decided to stop feeling sorry for himself, the sun was sinking down into the horizon, casting long shadows all around him. He amused himself for a little while, playing with his silhouette and laughing as he watched his legs dancing on the ground. As he laughed, he realized how dry his mouth was. He had been so busy pouting that he hadn't had anything to drink in a few hours.

He turned towards the river, and walked into the woods. He had only gotten a few sips in before he heard something. His hair stood on end as he listened to the rustles around him. The soft yips and barks of the wolves as they circled him, drawing closer and closer with each moment.

Moments before the first wolf charged, Jay broke free of the river and started to run. His heart pounded in his ears as his hooves pounded the ground, The wolves panted excitedly around him. It wasn't a large pack, but it was more than enough to take down a young colt. The wolves flanked him, and started to herd him upwards, hoping to corner him against some of the rock walls. He didn't know this of course. He hadn't explored at all. He had been driven out of course, but still. The wolves pushed him harder as he ran, his lungs now screaming for air as he climbed in altitude.

Right as he was starting to outpace them, he skidded to a stop. They had succeeded in their goal. A tall cliff-face stood behind him, and they began to close in. The first few darted in, nipping at his heels and hoping to sever a tendon. Instinct told him that if he knelt to the ground, he would die. So he stood. Ears pinned down, he backed himself up against the wall and lashed out with his teeth and hooves when they came close. He was tired though. They knew that. It was just a matter of time before he messed up...