15.3hh - Gypsy Vanner - Lead of the Inlet


Quiet as a whisper, the colt came into the world. All that announced his life was the heavy breath of his first inhale of the fresh Tinuvel air. His mother’s tongue ran over him, teaching already the comfort of her presence. Pale white nose followed her’s as it traveled over his body while he tried to learn her as she was cleaning and learning him. She got to her feet. There was a flick of his ears, a gentle toss of his head, and the pearl carefully got to his wobbly feet. Following Peyton’s nose he pressed himself against her body, a ghost against her skin.

Content after filling his stomach, the new newborn moved over to the mouth of the cave, peering out into the world he had crossed into.

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Pagan’s thoughts had been wandering since fall. His family had grown and shrank, morphed and formed. There was always an ebb and flow to the souls that walked the terrain of Tinuvel. As he watched his home herd grow and change, he wondered about those who remained on the fringed of his home. From the beginning of his time in the Inlet he had been aware of the mare who come to see him first. She had caught his attention, the fear she had shown striking him deep. Since that first winter he had been stepping out of his territory to find her. Or at least make sure she was still okay.

His vigilance had led him to the cave on the cusp of winter two seasons ago. It was a night he had not been searching, but the cold had forced him into shelter. He had found her there and together they had kept each other alive. Together they had walked down a path they had not expected.

Occasionally Pagan returned to the cave, half in hopes of finding her there again and half to simply be in a place that allowed him to rest and gather his thoughts. This day his dark eyes looked toward the cave and saw a pale form standing against the shadows. White ears perked forward in confusion. He snorted once before picking his feet up to a steady trot.

At the big stallion’s approach, the colt stepped back to his mother’s side. He stood between the two, velvet ears flicking back and forth while his pale blue eyes absorbed everything that was going to happen.

Pagan poked his head into the cave, but kept himself at a respectful distance. He knew mares were hesitant to allow others close to their children. If the vanner was anything, he was respectful. His distance did not keep the look of amazement on his eyes. Pleasure at seeing her again filled his heart, doubled by the sight of another strong life coming into the world. Whether the colt was his or another’s, he welcomed the youth into his home.

“My lady?” He greeted her with his warm smile, waiting patiently at the entrance to the shelter. Eager tones danced in his voice, overpowering the otherwise low rumble that he usually spoke with.

PAGAN