Ah, to be a second. Wouldn’t life be oh so grand if he could just lie back and let another do all the work for him? The idea of having another be the one to patrol the border, bring home women and make sure that their herd would stay safe was a delightful idea; still, he wouldn’t be entirely happy that way. He had been bred to be so much more than just a stag that lies back and plays the charmer. He was bred with the finest qualities found in a leader and while he may regret grabbing The Dunes, he doesn’t regret being the lord of it.

The memories of the past might haunt him and warn him of the follies that may happen again, but he pays them no mind, at least for the time being. He has other things to worry about; particularly the herd that doesn’t exist. He has wandered out to the meeting grounds in hopes of bringing a fine female friend back and so far, he has only succeeded once. It’s a pity he doesn’t like to be far from home otherwise he might already have more than enough.

Heat, the damned heat of the summer sun kept Veteran in the little shade he could find. He had already made his round around the border and so far there were no enemies to worry of. It seemed as if the other stallions didn’t seem to care he had taken The Dunes to himself. He wasn’t complaining mind you. He was tired of battling and looked forward to a little bit of peace although he knew that he should be walking on eggshells. Peace did not last long for his kind. There was always another battle to be fought.

The sun was harsh in The Dunes and due to the summer season it was even more harsh than normal. The rays warmed the sand and made the sand a horrible being. It was if the sand had a life of its own and with the help of the harsh wind that was blowing forth, it was whipped about. The little particles mixed in with the painted man’s fur and his eyes. God did that sting. He tried as best as he could to hide from them, but they were like gremlins. They attacked the moment they saw a weak point and made damn sure he knew they were there. He tried breathing slowly to keep the sand from entering his body, but he knew that by the time night fell he would be snorting more than usual to clear out his lungs. Damn this sand and damn this place is all he could think. Still, he wouldn’t change his mind. It took a strong man to live here and he wasn’t about to prove he was otherwise.

Slowly, very slowly, the sun set behind the sandy mountains. With the night came freezing temperatures and monsters. He wasn’t concerned with the freezing cold no, that he could handle and hell even welcomed. The cold was his friend. He enjoyed the dipping temperatures even more than he enjoyed the snow. The cold reminded him he was alive and that he would see another day. Any aching joints he might have had were soothed now. This was the time he would feel more alive and taking advantage of that feeling he peeled himself from the hideaway he had discovered and let himself trot softly through the soft sand. He knew the monsters were lurking now. The scorpions, rattlesnakes, coyotes and other nasty creatures would be making their moves now. He could hear the howls of the dogs in the distance and while he couldn’t see the others, he knew they were there. He would see t heir evidence in the morning. He usually did.

That scent. It was quite familiar. His path was now decided. Slowly he walks, trying to remember who it was that owned that particular smell. For the time being his mind was drawing a blank but he knew who it was. It smelled quite a bit like Evanescence but he knew it wasn’t her. She was long gone now, may her soul rest in as much peace as it could. He remembers the tortured mare quite fondly, her and her mate Sweeney. They were like family to the painted stallion. They knew the shadows and they knew of the monsters that haunted him and they took him in and offered him peace, even if it had only been for a short while.

Before too long he is behind the raven mare. Her frame is hauntingly similar to her mother’s but he now knows who she is, even before she speaks his name. A dark and twisted smile appears on his black lips. “It’s been a long time Skraeling. You’ve grown up into a pretty thing and lost that awkward fuzz that many children have.” He speaks as he peels himself from the shadows to her side. He offers his nose in a gentle and familiar greeting. With anyone else he would have kept his nose to himself, but Skraeling (while they may have not seen each other for years) was a familiar sight even if she was all grown up and womanly now.

“What brings you to my little piece of hell m’dear?” he asks gently. He more than happy to have her around, but he would have thought she would have been a great ruler by now. Veteran was very familiar with her mother and knew that her offspring wouldn’t settle for anything less than great power. He wasn’t sure if he could offer her that and was surprised she had chosen to come to him. He would have thought her with some great and powerful stallion. Of course it wouldn’t be that stallion running the herd, it would be her. If she was anything like Evanescence, which he didn’t doubt, she would be running the herd single handedly but in a way that made the stag feel that he was king. That was quite a sight and Veteran could actually picture it quite clearly.

“It is nice to see you again. It’s been too long.” His deep tones are rich with an emotion he tends to try and hide but seeing a familiar face is a balm on his wounded soul. Where he once thought he was damned to be alone for all of eternity, a little song bird (even though she is quite a bit more vicious) has come and given him a little bit of hope. Perhaps he isn’t forever doomed to walk in the valley of death. He knows that is being far too optimistic, but for the time being he will accept it. He’s just gladdened to see another from his past, one that doesn’t want to destroy him for his evil acts.






Eye For An Eye
A Tooth For A Tooth
Blood For Blood
We've All Gotta Die