Desert

Dark flutes twist as another figure approaches. Auburn eyes narrow as the young mare approaches with her head held high and her own dark eyes searching and fierce. There was something about the firm press of her lips and the roaming gaze in those dark eyes that caused the coy grin to once more slide easily across the silver haired woman’s ashen labrums. Angling her head to watch as the confident mare halted herself beside Vivienne.

Long, serpentine arches, sending silver tresses cascading heavily down the angle of her shoulder. Unusually long tail snaps audibly against her hips as she turns to meet the newcomer’s gaze. Her words reaffirm Nyimara’s initial opinion that the girl was a remnant member of the previous stallion’s herd and judging by the sleek curve of her sides, Nyimara held no doubt that there was much about the desert that even she could learn. The Hills had been strange to her at first, the plant life and even the wildlife a contrast to everything she had ever known. Yet even now, Nyimara found herself intrigued by the harsh world and thrilled by the possibilities of hardy creatures it could produce. Even now, her body shone with a healthy sheen and no longer did her ribs or skeleton jut from beneath her flesh. Life in the Lagoon had drained her, even the loss of Nycol took its toll upon her body and yet somehow, Salem healed her with its scorched sands and hidden oasis.

Finely dished head nods in acknowledgement, holding the newcomer’s gaze for a moment or two longer, Nyimara once more turns to Vivienne as her half sibling speaks. If there is anything that is a clear indication of their shared lineage, it is in the darkness of their eyes and the cunning creature that lurked beneath them. Even in Paradise, Nyimara recognized the similarities in the girl, and even in her dam. It was like a beautiful jeweled viper or brightly colored frog that hopped effortlessly over the leaf litter with no worry or fear of predators interfering with its goals. Stunning, luring and yet vicious and deadly when touched.

A smirk tugs the corners of her lips as Nyimara’s searching gaze scans the vast landscape that swept before them. Here and there, brittle dry grass and skeletal bushes shuddered, as if the passing breeze was enough to blow them away. ”No.” she murmurs, her words drifting off as she blinks away the sand and grit that gathers against her long lashes. ”I am far from tame.” she purrs, turning now to glance at the women. They both were young but even in their youth, Nyimara saw the potential. That potential made her smile a cheshire grin. ”Youth and naivety will be your friends, at least for a few years yet.” she begins, pivoting on her heels to face them both with her proudly dished head held high in command. Steel gaze drifts from one face to the other. ”I welcome you to stay if you are willing to put in the work I demand. We need numbers, especially if we are to face the enemies that hunger for our blood. The time of the wolf’s slumber is over.” she murmurs, her lilted tones dropping in octave as the conviction of her words dig into her flesh like a briar pricking the skin. Rougaru had made his enemies in the past and created the stories that haunted the nightmares of mares and foals alike. However it has been some years now since Warsaw’s defeat on the shores of Luthien and since that time, Rougaru disappeared beneath the thick cover of his jungle cave. However Nyimara wanted blood for blood and even if she could not force the wolf from his slumber, she could make it painful for him to sit by and watch. She ignores the carefully veiled threat Vivienne offers with a shrug of her shoulders.

”We will start by strengthening our numbers. I charge you both will luring strong, sturdy horses back here to join our ranks. The desert has no need for the sick and weak but potential is key. Your youth and cunning wiles should give you an edge, especially since stallions only seem to think with one part of their brain this time of year.” she adds with a haughty huff, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at the implication. She was just as guilty to falling prey to the lusts of fall but this year, she was determined to keep herself far away from any advances. At least, for now. ”Secondly, I would like to see you both honing your skills for battle. There are many techniques that do not necessarily require battling face to face and I for one am not above teaching you what I know to make sure that you win.” she purrs, pausing to let her words settle between them before continuing once more, her fierce gaze drifting to the distance where Cato frolicked on the shallow river’s edge. ”There is potential here. Lots of potential. But we are a blank slate. We need numbers and alliances. Strong alliances. Aside from the old wolf and the colt’s sire, we have none. Let’s see if that can be changed as well shall we?” she finishes, a hint of humor lingering in her tones.