Jetta

Jetta's experience of stallions was limited, but not once in her young life had she had a real reason not to trust them. Today, her trust had been challenged.

It was her own fault, really. After departing the prairie after just a few days to follow up on her promise to visit Macabre, she had strayed just a little too close to the lonely strip of land that formed the border between the peak and the lagoon. Almost out of nowhere a stallion had appeared. He was dark, short, and his nose had a shocking bend to it, but Jetta had greeted him warmly all the same. He was the first stallion her age she had ever met, and it was a welcome opportunity to make a new friend. In response, the stranger had herded her across the border and into unfamiliar territory.

She had put up little resistance, not wanting to provoke him and turn the situation even more sour, but Jetta's heart was in her mouth as they arrived in the lagoon. Though she had always avoided this place for fear of the warnings her mother had given her, she was not completely in the dark, and knew precisely what she was being dragged into. The lagoon stallions were old rivals of the peak, and could be useful allies or dangerous enemies. She would have to be careful here.

The land rolled downhill from them as they travelled closer to the coastline, where the main portion of the lagoon was nestled. Jetta's blue eyes warily scanned the wintry grey landscape, but her mind was elsewhere as they walked. What would Mother do? she wondered. Inka had always seemed so strong and self-assured to her; surely she would know what to do if she were in Jetta's hooves. But Jetta's mind was empty and panicked. She was no fighter. She felt the pull of the peak from behind her, as if it were calling her back; she only wished she was brave enough to turn tail and run.

Her proximity to the strange stallion was stifling; she was too aware of his body next to hers. She side-eyed him and swallowed against a lump in her throat. "Why have you done this?" Her voice was barely more than a whisper.