she notices the gravity of the painted stud’s expression and bearing as soon as their cordial greeting was ended. his eyes are serious and burdened, perhaps mirroring her own, and she knows that he has sought her out for more than just a casual “hello.” Božena settles into the conversation wholeheartedly, dark eyes regarding him carefully as she rests a hind hoof on its toe in the grass. her smile comes just as easily now, though it is tainted by worry.

the great black mare watches as his expression changes into one of sharing, explaining, venting, and her own features tighten as she hears the exasperation in his voice. this is the cost of friendship, though it is not too great for her shoulders to bear, but that she must carry the worries and hopes and expectations of others as if they were her very own. her heart was made for it, though her body built for war.

large dark ears atop her poll twist, following the tenor of collision’s voice as he explains his feelings of loss and confusion. she had felt these things too, when she was fresh from the vlast with no rodina to care for. she had found purpose here, in the peak.. and in trying to avenge her sestra macabre. she didn’t know if that particular purpose would ever be fulfilled, but to live honorably, protecting her new rodina? that was a good enough cause.

there is a lapse of time when the black and white patched stallion finishes speaking where the kladruby stands silent. she lets her gaze drift away from him, back to the milling figures of mares and the few remaining bachelors in the distance. she had little of her own life left to live for, that it felt like at least…but to live for honor, for the protection of her rodina, for the friends she had grown to care for deeply, that was enough. the time for her own desires and dreams were past. it was a lonely existence, with the one balm of comfort being kuraz’s presence, but she dreaded to think of the day when he would be grown and desire a rodina of his own. even he would leave her eventually.

”i cannot tell you how to live, bratr. i have lost much. too much, i think sometimes.” Božena’s voice is quiet then, soft as a feather with the admission, but when her gaze turns to meet his once more she speaks strongly. ” i know of a few things that are true… when we can find nothing for ourselves, we must do good for others. we must throw ourselves forward, to stand for those who cannot, to fight for those who are weary. if there is one who will rise against cullen, i could only ask you to stand with him, if he is honorable.”

it is the only thing she knows to ask of him, other than his friendship, but it still feels as if she asks too much. she reaches out, nudging him softly on the shoulder and lets a smile creep back over her lips in an effort to lighten the mood. ”other than that, můj přítel, you must only be a friend to me, to the sestry and i suppose we can hold you captive, if you desire to stay.” she jokes lightly, hinting that he is welcome to remain as a trinket if he wishes, but she wonders if it would be best for him to be off the high mountain pastures of the peak. he is still young, still able to create a family of his own to guard and to love.. that was the type of life she would wish for any of her friends.