While the stallion seemed ready to speak for the pair of them, it was the mare that moved forward and closed some distance between herself and Mariael. Mariael’s blue eyes flashed, her muscles tensed as if preparing for an altercation, but the mare’s ears were forward and she displayed no other outward signs of aggression. The question to follow placed Mariael at slightly more ease and she couldn’t help the way a prideful smirk slithered over her mouth. Mariael appreciated boldness and she enjoyed the firm resolution which followed Jola’s question. “I did,” she said, amused, “and drove him from my borders as soon as he was done testing me.” Energy rippled under her, an aftereffect of the adrenaline from remembering the fight. She loathed the long-limbed, thin-coated stallion who’d thought he could barge into her home and take Maziel away, but she was proud to think she’d successfully defended her home. Lucky for these two travelers, it meant Mariael was in a good mood.
“I have a few in my herd, a part of my guard, who are willing to fight to protect,” she admitted, thinking of Jola’s earlier question. “But I’m far too prideful to avoid confrontation myself.” Her smile was a little wider, clearly a headstrong creature who’d never shy away from a fight. Mariael had no shame in admitting she had a certain level of pride. Any good queen or king should. Who wanted to look upon their leader and see someone draped in self-loathing?
Mariael refocused on the stallion – Jusket, he’d said his name was – as he continued speaking. It wasn’t often Mariael took an immediate liking to someone, but the attitude of these two thick, stocky horses already held her interest. “No, it’s alright.” Mariael said, truthfully. “I welcome strangers to the Bay so long as they hold no ill will.” She paused briefly. These two looked as if they could survive the harder elements, but if they intended to stay for long, the weather would decline steadily as each day drew past. “You’re more than welcome to explore, but in case you’ve never been in a land as cold as Tinuvel, I should warn you the winter weather can be treacherous… and within a few weeks, the sun won’t rise until the start of spring.” Winter was dark and cold, but beautiful in its own wild way.
“You’re welcome to take shelter with my herd if need be. Within the next week, before the snowfall gets worse, we’ll be heading up into the mountains to find shelter among caverns.”
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