Hello, World Posted on June 9, 2021 at 06:53:16 PM by Akello
He took over the watch for his father and watched as the towering form of Cain lumbered slowly, painfully, toward the rest of the herd. His heart hurt to see his father looking so defeated after the loss of Chelle. She was barely new to the herd, only just recently arrived, and another stallion swooped in to challenge for her like she was a piece of meat. Akello hated the way other stallions viewed the Desert herd, like a buffet line and they could just scoop up whatever they wanted with no consequence. The mares here had choice and could leave at any time they wanted, yet their choices were still taken from them again and again by outsiders. It frustrated him to no end and he knew each failure was taken to heart by the Vanner stallion who called them his herd.
Cain looked broken as he shuffled away but Akello soon turned his attention back to watching over the rest of the herd. The night was mostly quiet but there was a different kind of chill in the air, like a growing tension. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but Akello felt on high alert and decided to follow his gut. He stalked the perimeter of the herd, blowing softly when anything skittered across his path. Something was amiss. He just didn’t know exactly WHAT.
When he saw the movement of a smaller figure from the herd, the striped dunalino stallion followed after her, wanting to make sure Cerosi was alright. She didn’t take her foals with her so maybe she needed privacy for something? His ears flicked back and forth uncertainly, not wanting to intrude if she didn’t want the company, but when he saw her freeze on the ridge, he had that same gut instinct that something was definitely wrong.
Making his movements slow and precise, the stallion moved up alongside Cerosi, barely brushing her side as a silent message that she wasn’t alone. He gave a soft blow and his ears folded back to his skull the moment he saw what she was looking at. His nostrils flared, breathing in their filth as his eyes narrowed in challenge. His father was hurting so he would shoulder the burden, but he didn’t have to do it alone. Reaching out, he gingerly touched Cerosi’s shoulder. “Get back to your children. Tell the rest of the herd to circle around the foals and keep them protected.” His gaze softened as he looked at her, hoping she wouldn’t put up too much of a fight. Once that was taken care of, he placed himself between the rest of the herd and the growing dog pack. Stomping a front hoof, he snorted at the feral creatures and tossed his head before rearing up. A guttural roar escaped his throat, calling for his brothers and other warriors of the herd, calling for their aide in protecting the Desert herd. He knew he couldn’t take them all on alone, but he would do his best. It was all he could do. Replies: