15.3hh - Gypsy Vanner - Lead of the Inlet


He chuckled at her correction, and glanced towards the herd where the colts were indeed having their ways with the world. Abigail was absolutely correct. At any given time the stallion would be more than willing and happy to step in and help with the rearing and protection of her children. They were the strength of the herd, and would grow to be leaders themselves. Though they would eventually have to leave the Inlet, it would be their time here that could give them solid earth to walk on before stepping into the waters of the world. If providing such a home and such soil to take root in meant he would be chasing foals all around the geysers and away from angry moose, Pagan was more than happy to be called to that task.

Pagan’s undivided attention trained on the mare as she spoke, listening to her story with interest. He was not one to let others be in their home without knowing who they were and where they came from. Whether they wanted to stay or not, this was a place they could feel at home. Though Abigail talked about the island of Atlantis, a jungle that was very different from the land she had found herself in now.He nodded in understanding, the desire to find a place like that which you grew up in.

“I have not been to the other islands, save Crossing.” Large draft hooves kicked at the stony ground below them. The comfort of the earth beneath his feet was almost visible on the vanner’s face. Just being in the Inlet brought him peace that years ago would have been foggy dream. “I spent my childhood a wanderer, a gypsy. We never stayed in any place too long for one reason or another.” The whole truth was never said. The truth that he had followed a mare who saved him from a fire was his to keep. Inwardly he shook his head at himself. He wanted them to feel comfortable, like a family. But even he would not share the deeper secrets of his life. “When I found a land that called to me I decided to finally stop moving. Stop moving long enough to grow roots.” His dark eyes lingered on her, shining from behind his tri-toned locks before looking at the herd and the playing foals. “Grow roots to feed a forest.”

PAGAN