The war has left a lot of them on edge, with hearts pounding and sweats breaking. Nagendra is no exception, but his heart beats for a different kind of thrill. It's been torture confined to a thicket, surrounded by excitement, but not allowed to participate. The colt is eager to jump in the fray. He can't wait until little hooves grow big, and his soft little body grows hard with muscle. He wishes away his childhood for a chance to do what grown-ups do.

Anxiety rises inside the colt, not just from restlessness, but from confusion now too. Ever since their encounter with the golden bachelor known as Cullen, Nagendra's head has been full of questions. He and his sister are yet young. They've never been anywhere but the forest, and never known any parents but Hannah and Tarek. The silvering of Belltryx's coat isn't a trait either of their parents possess, but who were they to question it? Not every foal looks like either of their parents. Anyone who's anyone knows that traits can skip generations. Nagendra always assumed this was the case, as much as he dreamed of some other drama to pull him from the mundane life of the Forest.

Tarek has been nothing but a good father to them. He is always there, standing watch, doting upon Hannah, and gazing upon her with loving eyes. As the twins grow older, Tarek takes them on patrols, and has started teaching them to spar. But even that is just so painfully boring. Everything about Tarek is safe and predictable. Nagendra wants action. He wants danger. This war has brought that to their doorstep, and with it, the match to light a whole new fire.

Nagendra walks a familiar forest path, shoulder-to-should with his sister. Hannah has just confirmed that Cullen was right. Tarek isn't their father. Warsaw is. Despite everything he's done for them, Nagendra is quick to dismiss Tarek in favor of a new father figure that comes with more thrills.

"What do you think, Bella?", Nagendra asks. He looks at his sister with a sideways glance. There is mischief in his eyes and wonder turning his ears. "I always thought we were different, you and I, and I was right. We are different. There's a reason we don't fit in with these Forest weenies." He sighs, kicking a root in passing. "I'm ready to get out of here Bella., he growls. "All they do is hold us back. We're better than this, better than all of them. If they don't let us get out and fight, then we should ask our real dad to let us fight."