He has slept alone before, but this time was much different. This was the first time he truly felt alone after losing so much. He had no herd, his children were off at their mother's sides, and worst of all he didn't have Vita Nova. It was a real eye-opener to be leaving the herd meeting alone and then waking up covered in a fresh layer of snow. To wake up shivering with not even one body to help keep him warm. Dark eyes wander the forest around him, but everything was quiet and still. No one roamed near him and maybe that was best. The wrong horse might get an ear full, or be met with angry teeth. The only conclusion he had at this point was his war needed to be won. This had to be the furthest he could fall.

Ironclad follows his mother, but he trails behind with his lower lips pulled up in a pout. He was upset with his mother with everything that has happened with Xiomara. He didn't understand why she had to leave, why his mother fought her off, or why his father was unhappy. He thought Xiomara would stay with him forever. He thought he would grow up to have the powerful blue mare as his mate and Queen. Now she was who knows where probably getting cozy with someone else. The dark-colored colt snorts, but as they reach creek he scrambles over for a drink.

Warsaw stands, but quickly feels the ache and pains in his joints. Winter was getting harder to bear and his recent battle had taken a toll on his aging body. He had not realized how strong Liliand has become since leaving Tinuvel, but the stallion had become a formidable opponent. Warsaw underestimated him, he assumed their battle would be like their first, but he was wrong. Warsaw's strength was declining as the Fjord grew into his prime. He had been a fool, but his battle wounds were nothing compared to Vita Nova's. Through his own pain, he worries over the pain she must be feeling. She didn't look too good at the herd gathering and he was afraid the sacrifice she has made would be too great. He couldn't lose her. He didn't want to lose their unborn child, possibly their last together, but he feared losing Vita Nova more.

It takes him a while to get moving, but the grey stallion finally starts a slow walk through the pine forest. He limps as one of his front legs (probably where Liliand had bitten him) was extra painful today. His chest swells where the smaller stallion had landed a few mighty blows, but he still breathes with ease. The air around his nose fills with smoke from every breath as he proceeds towards a place to drink. The Andalusian stops abruptly when he comes around the trees and finds Vita Nova and his twins a handful of steps away. Ironclad stares at his father with perked ears, but he doesn't approach. Instead, the colt looks between his parents wondering what might happen between them now.