Zevulun’s eyes were filled with the rich, thick greens of the Forest as he considered its differences of the Bay’s own forest. There was a reason this had the namesake, for it was a grand collision thick of trees and rich vegetation. The sun peaked through the leaf canopy ahead, dappling the small gathering of horses as they traveled. Zevulun’s ears flicked and his eyes drifted back every so often to the group and way from the land they walked through. The further inland they traveled the more he could scent the thick smell of a mare, more overpowering than any other equine smell which lurked among these trees. Zevulun felt it wasn’t wrong of him to assume, then, that a mare led this territory. Mariael would be happy with this news.
Of course, unbeknownst to Zevulun, Mariael already had met the lead mare of this territory.
His attention was stolen by Björn’s female companion, Dancia, as she spoke. He listened with attentiveness, attempting to picture her home as she explained it. The mention of her parents disowning her, however, left a sorrowful tint to his thoughts. Zevulun glanced to Mariael, noticing the lines of gentle concern over her brow. But rather than intrude on what could be a painful memory, Zevulun only gave a slight bobbing nod of his head. “I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a territory as open as that. There may be a territory on Atlantis that hits close,” he surmised, frowning as his gaze swept to Björn, wondering if his companion had ever been there. “The Ridge, I believe it’s known as. I haven’t traveled to Atlantis yet, but that’s definitely going on the list.” His grin stretched wide, excited as always at the possibility of travels and exploration on the horizon.
Maziel’s ear twitched as she heard her name, her head tilting slightly as she listened to Dancia speak. Almost immediately her head dropped shyly, smiling as her forelock fell over her forehead. “Oh,” she laughed softly, “I don’t know that I’m strong. My sister is the strong one.” Still, the compliment warmed her and she couldn’t help but turn a soft, kind smile in the direction of Dancia. “Thank you.”
Zevulun snorted. “Maziel’s just being modest. She’s probably the strongest one between my sister and I.” He said it lightly, but there was a weight of truth in his words. He met Dancia’s gaze and nodded. “You’re right – it takes quite a character to survive a land like Tinuvel and come out as warm as Maziel is.”
Maziel’s smile had grown shier and she ducked her head, this time tucking it into Zevulun’s shoulder.
It was then the group was greeted by the mare Zevulun had smelled. Immediately he stopped short and, in doing so, silently warned Maziel to do the same (though she’d stumbled one step closer). Her milky-white eyes stared sightlessly as her ears pointed toward the direction of the mare who had joined them. Zevulun tilted his head down in respect.
“My name is Zevulun, this is my sister, Maziel. We’re from the Bay.” He glanced toward Björn, allowing him to do the explaining as to why this group was here in her home.
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