Anger. It is the best explanation for the forward thrust of her small hooves through the rock and sand terrain. Small ears that usually remain forward and alert amid the windswept tangle of her mane now remain buried beneath the long thick obsidian curls. Dark near black eyes narrow against the bright sunlight as her fierce gaze roamed over the loosely grazing herd. Winter was upon them and the land flourished in the cool air that swept over the landscape. Painted sides heave a heavy sigh as Harlequin attempts to quell the anger that burned through every fiber of her being. She had followed alongside Cain as the sounds of Melisma’s screams rang through the air. By the time they managed to find the unturned earth where the scuffle and stench of unknown stallion remained, the black mare and her captor were long gone; only their bobbing heads in the distant channel the sign that something had transpired here. Cain had been livid. As he rightly should be. With a mere backward glance to Harlequin and Berit he charged into the surf, his attention and focus elsewhere. How he managed to remain calm was beyond Harlequin for she found herself pacing along the shoreline just beyond the reach of the ocean’s waves.

Though she had not spent much time with Melisma personally, she took her theft personally. She was the guardian, she should have been on the watch for intruders and it should have been herself who first alerted Cain to the presence of a stranger. Finely dished head is given a shake as she tries to rid her thoughts of the blame but still it lingers like a burning ember in her soul. It was her fault.

However she was not going to let this defeat her. She was her to protect and protect them she would. Once more small ears lift and rotate atop her skull, flicking forward and back at the sound of familiar voices. The mournful cry of a coyote searching for its mate, a pair of hawks floating effortlessly through the cloudless sky high above, the skittering of rocks as camouflaged lizards jump and climb to new heights in search of better sunbathing patches. All these familiar sounds bring her comfort and yet she cannot help but to worry. Should she have gone with Cain? Could she have helped him? Was she doing any good here by guarding the herd and their territory in his absence? Try as she might, the questions remain unanswered and thus Harlequin decides the only solution would be to act.

Her slender legs move purposefully through the knee high grasses that surround the oasis where most of the herd gathers to graze on the lush foods watered by the slow moving river. Dark eyes find the form of Berit and a soft whicker of greeting is offered as slowly she settles herself in to casually graze alongside the mahogany mare. There was a sense of comradery she felt with Berit, a calmness that the older mare’s company seemed to ignite in her own soul. ”Berit… I have been thinking.” she begins, raising her head to gaze at the mare, her dark eyes thoughtful, ”Would you be open to the idea of a co-lead mare position with Melisma?” she asks her tone carefully. ”I discussed with Cain, and I advised him I am willing to give up my guardian position in favor should the decision be favorable… I have not approached Melisma yet considering the circumstances but this incident just proves that perhaps we need more than one lead mare.” she continues blinking curiously at Berit.