I trudged through the golden sands with a frustrated grunt, sprays of golden sand flung and tailed each step I took; with my quick recovery from near starvation the muscle mass had started to rebuild and (some) weight had been gained, though I was still quite thin and lanky compared to my former stocky glory. As I reached the top of the final dune the line of green below me let me know I had reached the oasis, and my eyes briefly follow the shimmering blue of the river. My ears flicked back, and then pointed forward once more, and that was when I heard the call of one of the herd. I immediately picked up on the tone and I had no hesitation to answer.

I mobilized and slid down the slope leaving an ungraceful trail behind me and when my hooves met compact hard earth, I lurched forward and cantered across the broken dusty earth. I kept my head leveled, yet respectably high like the warlord I was. I was to be perceived with strength by my peers (if you could call them THAT much) and nothing less would be acceptable. My pace slowed quickly as I entered the dense forest. Like a thread through the eye of a needle I weaved and turned, I snaked my way until I found the spotted mare. Near her stood two of my own, and I was proud that the gentle spirited Winchester and the quite spirited Koachie stood near. I did not mind that Koahie kept her distance, as Warsong and Winchester were not strangers and so I felt no need to herd her closer. I greeted the three mares with a gruff nicker that rumbled deep within my throat. I greet Winchester more affectionately with the touch of my nose to hers, and Koachie too, though as I turn to Warsong, I regard her with mild interest. This was the first time that I was to officially meet her, though I'd seen her before. Boldly, as I was so known for I approached the mare and greeted her in the strong, abrupt and rough formation I was known for as I shoved my nose against hers with a good deal of force. My pink nostrils met her darker ones and for a moment we stood motionless.

I could feel her size me up and while I was usually the sort to immediately meet challenge, I was not about to quarrel with Olaf's mare, especially since this one seemed the most dominant of his and I could respect her intensity. In a small act of defiance I reacted in mere seconds and sharply sent my teeth in a quick, though rough nip for the side of her lips. Her reaction was much more fierce than I expected, as she screamed with ferocity that I had known from my own mother, and her teeth clipped my white snout. An offended squeal left my maw, but I did not react. I was not here to fight her demand, especially not in front of my mares; and perhaps Winchester would learn something from the hot tempered mare's action and my reaction. There was a lesson to be learned with what just played out, and I hoped that she would pick up on it. I turned away quickly and kicked (though not directly for Warsong) to warn the mare to keep her distance, even though I acknowledged her command. Hot breath left my nose and I circled around to meet Winchester's side once more. I gently touched my rough and whiskered nose to her neck. Luckily the bitch mare's teeth dealt little damage, as the only evidence of her fury was the disheveled pelt where her teeth made contact.

BLOODMANE

i'll not bow down;
i'll rise through the sun