The mare steps forward, eyes grim and emboldened by her talk with the love of her life. She had spent so long insisting that he had looked past her on purpose that first time, looking instead of at VIhaan. Misunderstanding after misunderstanding, Berit stands untested in most senses of Battle - but she is unwavering now. Unwavering as the words of Cain ring in her ears. Just because it is the other’s perspective of what a Lead Mare should be, it does not make it so for all. Perhaps, as he suggested, it was believed she held no desire to be Lead Mare and thus she had bowed out of the race as a whole.

The realization had hit deep for her, making her ponder with more effort and more keen thinking; what did she truly articulate about the position regarding her own beliefs other than that she did not feel herself suited to it as they described? "I believe everyone has their own opinion on what a lead mare must be capable of. I only believe in someone who wants the best for the herd, no matter what. As for fighting, do you really think I'd stand by and let someone else do the fighting for me?"

She steps forward and whinnies to the contenders at the same place where they had all met the first time. She does not summon them, as it was not yet her right. She would claim no right that was not already hers, after all. "I have spoken to Cain. In my eagerness to provide what there is in me to give to you, I have counted myself out of the race until now." When she looks up, she is resolved and emboldened, recounting to herself the words and implications Cain had made. She was not unworthy. She was not ‘wrong’ for the job simply because she believed that other’s requirements in it were not within her reach. "I am announcing my intent to pursue Lead Mare under the directives of what I believe to be a Lead Mare’s place. I do not believe that we need any fighter that is not Cain or Harlequin. They are prepared and Cain will not let us down; if he could not win, I do not think anyone else might find the victory any easier among the rest of us, after all."

"What is lacking is not battle-prowess. It is everything else. It is the loving care owed to anyone who takes refuge with us. It is the family building while our defenders do their duty by us to keep us safe. I am more than fit for that duty." She tosses her forelock from her face, mustering up the gumption that contended against her low self-worth. ""Maybe you should make sure the other mares know these thoughts as well. They took from your words that you weren't interested in the position at all, not that it meant something different to you. I believe you would make a fine lead mare, Berit."

"Cain believed that we all might have our views on what makes a good Lead Mare, which makes all our beliefs valid -- and that leads me to the challenge I am issuing to each of you." Her stance widens, clearly more accustomed to staving off fights rather than starting them as she takes an immediate defensive posture rather than a challenging one. "I am a successful mother. I led the herd of my late love long before my eldest son took it from him and sent me into exile with my son Vulcan. I have brought up three sons, defending them against all comers that might take them and am raising a third that is proof of my love for Cain and all that is his to protect. I have proven my worth in all the manners regarding what I believe makes a fit Lead Mare and Cain does not question my ability in that respect."

"That said, it does not invalidate those who believe that the Lead Mare must do battle. If you need to try your hand at determining my fitness through taking your pound of flesh, then so be it." She does not want to plead with them, not when they had the right to demand a battle for the position. Her golden eyes look to each who had come, ears twisting backwards in her mix of unease and preparation. "I am here to prove that while I do not think it my place to do Cain or Harlequins job, nor would I do them the disservice of assuming I could do it better than they could, I will not wait quietly in the wings when a blood price is called from our family by those who would take our home."

Challenge issued:
To any/every mare wishing to claim the spot of Lead Mare

Multiple Choice
1. Vote of Confidence - You are moved by her speech/view. No fight, accept Berit as Lead Mare.

2. Prove Resolve - You are intrigued by her speech/view, but believe she has to prove herself to you physically. Fight Berit, but fight is intended to prove resolve rather than actually win/lose.

3. Full Contention - You want the position yourself and her speech/view does not alter your desire/ambition. Fight Berit and enforce she not become Lead Mare if she loses.



Result -- Anyone who provides the answer of two or three, she will accept the challenges on the challenge board. In the event Staff decides that she cannot fight them all in a single month, we will straddle the months and use all four of her acceptable challenges. New interlopers trying to snipe a challenge will not be accepted as this was between the current members of the herd and everyone expressed a need for the new Lead Mare to be at least generically known.