And all at once, the forest erupts in chaos.

Tarek is focused on Cullen, trusting Hannah to keep their children safe. The newborn Dances protects is more vulnerable than his own children, who are steady on their legs and old enough to follow an order.

He must stop Cullen.

Tarek's bite aims true, but does little to slow the enemy. Cullen falters in his stride just long enough to throw a retaliatory kick. Tarek is close enough to feel the sharp jab of Cullen's hock in his chest. A low grunt is forced from his throat, but he continues in hot pursuit.

Without wasting any time, the roan stallion strikes out at the same flank he just bit. As he does, Cullen turns to face Rowena, and swings his haunch just out of reach. Tarek's forelegs slice through the midnight air, and hit the earth with a menacing thud.

Tarek is grateful for Rowena's assistance, but there's no time to thank her now. Cullen's pause lasts only a moment, and a strange mare bursts from the shadows to assault Rowena. Tarek assumes this strange mare is in league with Cullen. He only hopes Rowena can hold her own.

Cullen is quick to right himself and lunges with snapping jaws at the newborn colt. Tarek's ashen face twists with rage. For too long, Warsaw and his allies have threatened his family, and Tarek has had enough. Gone is the worried father of yesterday, and in his place stands something far more terrifying. The silence behind his lips buckles and bends until a mighty roar erupts from deep within.

The smoke-colored stallion surges forth once more. Tarek pushes off with tremendous force. Wet leaves and heavy clumps of dirt sail in several different directions, but Tarek throws the weight of his entire body at Cullen, hoping to knock the other stallion off his feet, or at least off course long enough for Dances with Wolves to usher the newborn to safety.