Even more bad things were happening now. The Inlet was being taken over by a mare that has defeated Warsaw in battle. He could only imagine how angry his father was so he avoided the stallion, and the group, that gathers to meet the new Queen. He would figure out what was happening with his home later so, for now, he would discuss the happenings with his little herd. He kept Nampeyo and Evie close at all times (except when he traveling to the Ridge to see Tavas) so he could keep them safe from Warsaw or whoever else wanted to take them. Evie has said she wanted to stay, but he needs to ask her again since now even the Inlet was compromised.
Requiem was fine with leading under a mare, but he wasn't sure his mares were. Evie might not care, actually, this might make her more comfortable, but Nampeyo was a different story. They knew little about each other, but what Requiem did know was that the mare wanted to be a lead somewhere. He had told her there was an opportunity for her when he led the Bay because he had no lead mare, but now he had nothing to offer her but kindness and what protection he could physically give. When he first met Nampeyo he was so inexperienced when it came to fighting, but now he was much better at it.
He returned to where he left Nampeyo and Evie to let them know what was happening and talk about what they were going to do next. He whinnies as he approaches, but he doesn't speak until he was stopped in front of the two mares. "I know both of you heard that call. Well, Warsaw lost the Inlet to a mare." He watches each of them for their reaction before continuing. "I have no plans of leaving Tinuvel so I will be staying." Honey brown eyes lock on the spotted mare he claimed in the commons. "I have told Evanescence she was free to leave whenever she wants and I want to extend the same rules to you. When I claimed you I said I had land and an open leadership position, but now those things are no longer true. You said you wanted to be a lead mare and I don't want to stop you from reaching your goal. If you would like to leave you may, but I want to be in our child's life. I need to be."
Nampeyo could leave him if she pleased, but he needs to be apart of his foal's life. He couldn't bare another Nova situation where he has to watch his child grow up from afar. He felt so much pain seeing Tauri around the Inlet, but he didn't have the guts to leave or even to approach her. Warsaw would freak out if he knew. He sighs heavily and turns his gaze to Evie. "I asked you once, but I will ask again since things have changed since your last answer. Do you still want to live here with me?" It was hard to say the words after everything he has fought for and trained for. So many practice battles would go to waste because he would never fight needlessly or for a mare who didn't wish to be with him. |
