Was I left behind?
Someone tell me, tell me I survived.
The nights were long and dark on Luthien, despite the Prairie's open landscape which was bare of trees. Tonight was no different. The moon remained hidden behind the summer's dark clouds. Not even a shadow was cast as I clamored to meet Evaline at the border of our homeland, the mare's frame nonexistence in the foreground until I arrived next to her. Quickly and foolishly I assumed the stallion was hidden among the treeline, where the trees jut forth toward the sky, marking the end of the Prairie and the beginning of the Forest, a dark mass that loomed in an otherwise dark field of vision. Perhaps if he had been smarter, he would have used his cloaked location to his advantage.
My heavy cranium snapped high above my withers when he spoke, the slender and short silhouette of the stallion moving through the night to close the distance between us. I eye Evaline as he continues to speak, unaware of the banter they shared before my arrival. She is cool and collected, per usual, which worries me. Gabbar too, does not act irrationally, which was unexpected. After Pagan, I had anticipated a duel, right here and right now, far away from where I knew Nereid rested. As he takes another step forward I snort, warning him that is indeed close enough.
Thus far in my short life, I had a history of alleviating conflict with compromise, when possible. It was something I had picked up during my time in the Lagoon. I had watched time and time again as stallions ripped each other a part over the most irrational circumstances. Sometimes the consequences were irreparable for something so miniscule. Gabbar seemed reasonable enough, or at least in the right mind right here and now. I feel confident that if I must fight him I will win. But I will give him the benefit of the doubt that he is capable of handling things more diplomatically.
"You are right. I stole from you." I admit, eyeing his frame through the darkness, the word 'thieves' still echoing in my ears. "Which means Nereid no longer belongs to you."
I look to Evaline once more, suddenly aware of what I must do. I know this will not go over well with the mare, but my options are limited. Kasabian was here, after all. Which meant Evaline had to leave the Prairie. My heart is pounding in my chest, knowing well that I have but a moment to make this deal. Worry consumes me. I know nothing about this stallion, other than he's clearly not that vigilant if I can steal from him so easily. Based on Nereid's grief, he seems amicable enough.
"Nereid will stay with me. However, I'm willing to part with another mare here in order to show good faith."
| Fresian Mutt | 15.3 | Chestnut | Evaline x Rook | Half-brother to Kasabian, Vita Nova | Vinyl | Photo © kimerleecury |