Autumn had turned to winter, and then winter to spring and Dreadbite had remained distance and aloof for both. This was her second pregnancy and just like the first, her hormones had made her anti-social (so unlike her normal temperament) and left her spending most of her time close to the herd, but not particularly mingling with anyone. It was unfortunate timing that meant, despite spending seasons with the herd, she was practically a stranger to them all.

In the early hours of the morning, with just a glance to those dozing strangers, the bi-colour mare had moved even further from them. Having already given birth once before, in a way it was easier the second time. Though the contractions went on longer, the end result was the same; a healthy new-born filly. Dreadbite lifted her head to marvel at the small creature, ears perked forward to listen to the irregular huffs of the child’s breath as she already begin to squirm and fling her head in an effort to find her feet. By the time Dreadbite stood to break the cord, she was already sitting with long front legs unfurled.

She sat there for a few moments as her mother cleaned her, swaying slightly as she tested out varying degrees of pressure on those spindly legs. Dreadbite took in the sight of her daughter, noting each little detail. She was chestnut, just like Livamyyo had been, only darker and with jagged splashes of white (where her half-sister had been mostly solid). Just like her mother she had one blue eye, but where Dreadbite’s other eye was a pale green-blue, the filly’s was a mixture of blue and brown. After a few tumbles, false starts and encouraging nudges from her mother, the little overo soon found her feet, and then her first meal.

As the sun began to peek over the horizon, the pair returned to where Dreadbite had left the herd, her daughter leaping and bounding awkwardly at her side. When they reached the herd, the mare nickered softly just to announce their presence, and then dipped her head to graze; the filly leaning against her right fore and watching the other horses curiously