Jay looked down on the scene unfolding below him. The mares from the Peak were now confronting the band stallions that had come for them. Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Though he had left them in the distance, he could still hear the hate in the mares' voices when they spoke. This didn't seem to be the first time the lead stallion had done something like this. Judging by the mares' familiarity with the scent and the stallion himself, it seemed given that he had attempted this before. Jay thought back to Adelheid and her kindness. She could have sent him to the Lagoon. He would have been surrounded by stallions like these. All day, every day. Would he have turned out like them? He liked to think that he would have been better. Biding his time before trying to change them. But realistically, he knew that there was a good chance he would've been the same. Bitter and violent.

He took the scents of the stallions, and ingrained them into his mind, locking them in a place filled with rage that would never abide. He cursed his size and maturity. If only he had been bigger. Older. He would've been able to help defend those around him. But no, instead he was weak and inexperienced. His legs were too long and his chest too small to actually make a difference. All he ended up doing was running like the coward he was. Just like he had with the wolves. He slowly unpinned his ears and looked back towards Rhadra and Izzy. The little filly was crying into her dam's shoulder, and Jay watched enviously as Rhadra comforted her. He didn't remember his own mother ever comforting him. When he was scared, he had a tendency to go off and find somewhere to hide on his own. He felt odd watching the two of them, almost as if he didn't belong. Like he was witnessing a secret moment between the two.

Just as he started to turn away, Rhadra stretched her head out to him, asking if he was alright. He temporarily forgot to breathe before tears started to fill his eyes. He took a hesitant step forward before leaning into her and Izzy, relishing the feeling of being safe and even cared about. It must have been a comical sight. A lanky colt and a small filly both leaning into the same mare. He re-positioned himself to make sure that he wasn't squishing Izzy before gently tugging on the filly's mane. A few tears still streaked down his face, but his heart was starting to slow back to normal. He lay his head on the mare's haunch, thankful for her comfort. After a few moments, he raised his head again to look at the pair, inspecting them for injuries. He had seen the stallions' flashing teeth and snaking heads, and they had run straight through the forest without watching for branches or other sharp objects. He had miraculously avoided injuring himself besides a few scrapes on his forelegs, and he hoped it was the same for the pair.

As they stood on their little isle of safety, he couldn't help but wonder. If maybe someday he would be strong enough, or even able to bring change. He hated the idea that Izzy would have to grow up, wondering when the next raid was going to be. He hated the idea that stallions could come and wreak havoc, scarring and scaring the mares who lived here in peace. Would it be possible to have the same? He entertained the idea. By the time he was grown, maybe he would challenge the norm. He could go to the Lagoon, and change everything. But he would have to take down Cullen first. A stallion with years of experience and a desire to rule. Jay shook his head, clearing the thought from his mind. Maybe someday, but for now, he would just bide his time and wait his turn. With Izzy and Rhadra.

A deep voice reverberated in his mind. Jay gasped involuntarily, knowing somehow, that the question was directed at him. It must have been the shape of the mountain that carried the sound up to his ears. That caused his muscles to sieze and his teeth to bare. The stallion knew nothing of his life. Knew nothing of Rhadra and Izzy. Yet, some part of him understood. Who knows if Rhadra would have taken him in if they had met under different circumstances. Adelheid had made it all too clear that he wasn't welcome at the Peak. That he was to leave as soon as he could make sure he wasn't eaten.
recognition feels better.
What did it mean to be recognized? Would it mean that he would be admired? Someone would see him and not think 'oh poor colt.' That others would believe in his ability to stand up for himself, or even do anything on his own? The idea tempted him for a millisecond. Just a flash before he heard Izzy hiccup behind him. He would sooner die than cause the kind of pain these stallions had in just a few, short moments. He wished he had the strength to prove the stallion wrong, put him in his place. But then he stopped. What were these thoughts racing through his head? The idea that he was actually tempted by the power and the control that the dark palomino stallion promised scared him and he involuntarily pushed himself farther into Rhadra. The stallion saw potential in him. Something no one had ever seen before, and the thought terrified him. He wanted so badly to be something. Someone. But not like this. The idea of vengeance bounced around in his mind.
I will not forget today, he vowed quietly, knowing very well that the stallion probably wouldn't hear him. They would know terror eventually, and he would be the one to make it happen.