Meadow

There was no denying the scent of the peak on Cullen's coat, even with the ocean spray to make it fainter. There was also no denying the fresh wounds on his former leader's coat. That wasn't from the war. It had to be from a recent squabble. Did anyone from the peak get hurt? Collision shifted where he stood as he tried to weight his options. He could be upfront with Cullen and hope he was honest or try to be observant instead and see if there were any tells. About the time he came across the familiar scent on Cullen's coat, he noted the sudden tension in the overo's form. He probably knew something was up and now he was on his guard. Collision could only guess he wasn't so great at hiding his own thoughts. He'd never been the sneaky or cunning type, after all. When he said that Verrat must be lying low, Cullen sighed as if in disappointment and Collision wondered if that would mean trouble for the other stallion soon enough.

When he asked about the peak, Collision saw the instant reaction as Cullen's gaze grew extra intense, searching his own as if he would lay out all his intentions at his hooves. He was definitely onto him. Finally Cullen spoke, confirming he was there with a new student. Collision knew that meant a new member of the lagoon, a new stallion to steal mares for Cullen and learn what it was to own "trinkets." He admitted he wanted to get back at the peak, make moves to get members of the lagoon back. Collision knew it was now or never. He needed to be honest with his former leader now. He owed Cullen that much. "I appreciate the thought, however, you need not waste it on me. I secured my own freedom through a deal with Bozena. I am never to return to the lagoon." He let that sink in, searching Cullen's gaze before he continued. "Let's be honest, Cullen, I didn't belong there. You were kind to offer me a home and a place to heal from my past trauma. You were a fair leader. But I am not like the other lagoon stallions and it's time I quit fooling myself. I will forever be grateful for the brotherhood you gave me in my time there."

He dipped his head respectfully to the stallion, wanting him to know the gratitude was genuine. But as he raised his head again, his eyes had a new gleam in them. "So now I ask as a former brother...who did you hurt in the peak?" He met the palomino stallion's gaze evenly, his heart hammering in his chest as he fought against his own gut instincts. He knew he smelled a faint whiff of Rhadra on Cullen's coat, but could that be coincidence? Maybe he never got to touch her. Maybe Wasp or Bozena or someone got there in time. He would never forgive himself if he failed yet another mare by not being there when they needed him.