The forest is quiet. It's a night like any other night, and like any other night, Tarek sleeps with one eye open. Ever since Hannah's misadventure with Warsaw, Tarek worries for her. He won't keep her on a leash, like some stallions might be inclined, but he will follow with a watchful eye.

An unsettling call, pulls him from a light slumber. The stallion's eyes open wide, and follow Hannah's retreating form into the darkness, but it is Nagendra who makes the first move. The colt feels the warmth of his sister's presence leave his side, and by instinct, he turns to follow. He takes quiet steps, trailing behind his mother and his sister, still half-asleep. Tarek falls into step behind his youngest son, and through the shadows of the forest, they follow the silver trail of Hannah's tail.

They emerge behind Hannah and Bellatrix, and the scene before him is the most tragic. The crumpled form of a mare lie at the base of a tree, her fresh corpse bathed in the eerie glow of the moon's light. Beside her, is a damp and quivering newborn. It doesn't take a conversation to learn what happened here. Tarek's heart grieves for the mare, her newborn, and this stallion.

Tarek knows Dances only by name, and by his scent. They have lived together in the forest for some time, and crossed paths, but have not had the opportunity to speak. Tarek doesn't know his relation to this mare, but a palpable sadness hangs in the air. The smoke-colored stallion's face falls, and he offers words of condolences "I'm so sorry." He sucks in a breath, and steps up beside Hannah. Nagendra squeezes in between his parents, peering sleepily at his sister, from under Hannah's painted belly.

"Dances with Wolves is it? I'm Tarek. Please, let us help." Tarek looks to Hannah. "This foal needs milk. Do you have any to spare?" Tarek knows his mate is nursing twins. A third foal might be too much for her, but perhaps Hannah can help this newborn until a more suitable surrogate is found.

But there isn't time to discuss this further. Their gathering is interrupted by the most shocking intrusion. Warsaw and a handful of others materialize around them. It takes Tarek a moment to process what all of this means. His heart leaps at the realization that they are under attack, but a calm immediately follows. Tarek may be a nervous wreck on his own, but in the face of danger, he is someone else entirely.

Tarek's ears lace back, but he doesn't give Warsaw the satisfaction of any verbal reply. Narrowed eyes watch the slow and deliberate movements of their enemy through the gathering. He is ready when Cullen lunges at Dances. Tarek leaps past Warsaw and throws himself at Cullen. His lips peel back and he grabs with desperate jaws at Cullen's flank. He hopes to distract Cullen just long enough for Dances to get the newborn foal out of the fray.

Nagendra is startled by the sudden clash of stallions. The colt shies out from under his mother's belly. He stands alone and exposed a few feet from Hannah's side. He takes in the drama unfolding with wide eyes and small ears turning. His heart beats a rapid pace within his chest, but it's not fear that drives his racing pulse. It is excitement.