15.3hh - Gypsy Vanner - Lead of the Inlet


The sturdy built man looked between the two women and watched closely. Keeping his hooves planted he extended his head to them as they moved to get to their feet. At any sign or word for the need of help he was ready to step forward and lend his support. In the dark of the night he could not make out the details of their features, the woman’s blindness remaining a mystery to him. His eyes glanced over what he could see, taking in her pale features, trying to interpret the shadows as best he could. It was a comfort to him to see their builds were similar to his own. Their bodies thick with muscle and hair, protection against the bitter cold that would hit the island this season. Already their obvious determination towards life would also become as protective to them as their bodies and the trees they had used to seek shelter.

“Follow me.” Turning slowly he began to carefully lead the way up the path and into the territory. “My name is Pagan, I am the lead stallion here. There is another stallion, Braylen, and a mare, Abigail, who live here as well.” As they walked he noticed their stiff movements. He changed their course ever slightly. His tail swished, his ears twitching back and forth to keep a lookout for any of the various dangers that lurked in the Inlet during the night. With the coming of winter the wolves had started to test their boundaries, and the stallion’s nerves in driving them away.

He brought them to a steaming hot spring that was deep enough for them to lay in. Even in the dark the wisps of steam could be seen as well as the sounds of running water over the stones. Pagan stepped next to it and stepped aside for the mare and filly to do with their arrival as they pleased.

“This is one of the hot springs here. It is safe to drink.” Shaking the hair from his eyes he lifted his head as both a howl and the sounding spray of a geyser in the distance rang through the windy night.

PAGAN