Other horses were coming close and around him, his brother and his mother. All without his expressed permission.Dmitrei did not like it.All of them had come and gone, all without letting the boy discover who and what they were along with that they wanted from him and his family. This day one of the stallions finally approached. Pagan had come from the other side of his mother than the one Dmitrei had been exploring. The wind shifted and the scent of the stallion wafted into the nose of the golden colt. His ear flattened and he immediately stormed up to the bigger male, his childish voice issuing a shrill challenge. Until the weeks old colt realized the mature stallion was significantly larger than he was. The painted palomino back paddled to stand before his mother. Clearly it was not a good idea to attack the big male, but he would still stand and defend.
---
Pagan chuckled at both of the colts, his expression as good natured as he was. He was humbled by both of the boys. It was the first time a new spirit had hidden from him, and attacked him, he hoped it would not be the last he could enjoy this experience. They were not his sons, but he had an instant affection for the boys, thrilled by the spirit and the life they brought to the world around them. Carefully he lowered his head to the boys, making himself as small as he could so perhaps Dragomir would step forward and say hello.
“Greetings, Dragomir. It is an honor to meet you.” He breathed to the red and white colt. Beside them, Dmitrei voiced his presence with an added snort and stomp of his foot into the soft spring ground. Once more the stallion laughed and bowed his head low to the hard headed colt. “And you, Dmitrei.”
---
Satisfied by Pagan’s compliance, Dmitrei stepped to where his brother was hiding. His white tail hit his flanks once and he exhaled at his brother, his young expression softening. With a snort he nudged his twin gently, then slightly harder, encouraging him to come out from hiding and face the world with him. Around his brother the colt’s attitude cooled and softened. There was the hint of a tenderness that vanished as soon as he looked back at the big vanner. He looked over at Pagan, ears flicking around again and he nudged Dragomir’s shoulder with his own. Maybe both of them could defeat this giant that came into their lives.
---
At Abigail’s question Pagan lifted his head and tossed his mane from his eyes. He looked in the direction he had last scented Braylen and the man walking away. His face fell in disappointment at his second. Before him were three incredible reasons to come forward and be around the herd instead of turning away from them. Pagan wondered if the madness that sets in during the Tinuvel winter still gripped Braylen’s mind as it had his own after his first frozen season on the island. It took a strength of a different kind to remain sound of mind in the dark and the cold of the tundra. He made a mental note to have a discussion with the other stallion.
“I believe he has been around.” He assured her, trying to comfort her the best he could. “I don’t believe he would leave his home, or his family.” The vanner reached his nose out to try to comfort the mare as best he could. It was clear he was not the man she was in love with and cared about, but he would still silently offer any amount of companionship and company she needed or wanted from him.
DmitreiColt : Spanish Mustang Mutt : Palomino Tobiano : BraylenXAbigail |