Tinuvel was a desolate place; a land where the wind howled with the voices of wolves, and sank cold fangs through flesh and bone. Though it had been midautumn when the pair departed from the Lagoon, winter was not far from the Inlet. Rade could taste it in the frigid air that burned his lungs, and feel it in the dry, brittle grass beneath his hooves. Overhead, the sky was grey with clouds, and seemed to sink down until it came to rest on his shoulders, a weight that could not be shaken by the reflexive shiver of his roan coat. It was as if even the heavens had marked him as an intruder, and were striving against Rade; struggling to press him back into the waves.

But the Boss had business here, and would not let a little cold conquer him.

His golden ears sunk beneath the ivory sea of his mane as Rade ascended the rocky slope that would lead him inland, his hooves scrabbling for purchase amongst the shifting stones. By the time he reached the top, the palomino roan was breathless with exertion, a light perspiration joining the damp and salt of the sea that still clung to his coat. He could no longer hear the sound of Sigrun's breaths over the beating of his own heart, but Rade did not bother to glance behind and ascertain the mare was still there. Where else would she go, if she had chosen not to follow him here? The Lagoon did not want her, and the Ridge stallion had left her rather than pay the price of her company.

Dogun would not be as lucky as the last man the Lagoon had bargained with. Rade would not be dealing in promises today.

The herd was not in evidence; they were likely sheltered somewhere in the depths of the forest, where they would be spared from the worst of the wind and cold. But Rade stood in silence near the Inlet's shore, warm vapor curling from each nostril with every breath. The grullo stallion was undoubtedly aware of his presence - and he would either come forward to meet the Lagoon king on his own terms, or not at all.


stallion // mongrel // 15.1hh // 10 // palomino roan // reba
debonaire x neassa