Zevulun was sure that Valka and Bacardi knew how to weather Tinuvel’s blizzards and would help teach Vera, too. Still, he glanced northward where he knew the ground slowly began to rise, then went higher and higher into the mountains. Did they use the caves that were by the hot springs the way his family had?
“Eh, you don’t have anything to worry about, you’ll do great.” He said without hesitation or any ounce of sarcasm in his voice and a smile on his mouth. “It might be kind of cold, but it’s got it’s own kind of beauty.” Wistfully, as he looked at her, he imagined standing at the mouth of the cave with their bodies pressed close to share their warmth. He’d have led her to it while making her keep her eyes closed, then tell her to open them so she could see how the recent snowfall glittered under the moonlight. When it was piled so high and there was so much of it, undisturbed and light, it was one of the prettiest sights he’d ever seen.
Ah… Zevulun shifted his weight and pushed the memory away a bit uncomfortably. She wasn’t his mare to go daydreaming about. He knew better than that, especially if he wanted to keep a decent rapport with the current Bay leaders.
Speaking of, Zevulun turned to glance at who was fast approaching and found himself… surprised. Another small, much shaggier brown pony was coming toward them. Was everyone who lived here this… petite? It was making him feel like a giant and he knew there were plenty of horses much larger than him.
He lowered his neck and reached to exchange breath’s with the newly approached when she offered her muzzle for his.
Her words were blunt. Vera introduced them and he gave her a grateful smile before he looked back at the Bay’s leader. It was just so… strange to see her in place of where he’d always seen his sister. Nevermind that, though, Zevulun cleared his throat and decided he should explain himself quickly. Though Valka was small, he had to imagine if she led the Bay, she had a toughness that would easily surprise him. He knew better than to take horses for granted, especially queens.
“As Vera said, I am the leader of the Prairie, on Luthien, but I was born here in the Bay and lived here for the first few years of my life. The only family I have left are my sons, and this place is the last I have to remind me of everyone I’ve lost. I was hoping you might consider an alliance with me, if you’re open to the possibility, so I could come visit my homeland on occasion.” His nerves were building up more than he’d anticipated. Zevulun hadn’t expected this to mean so much to him, but he’d been silly not to expect it. “I… don’t know what I could offer you in return, except for an open-door policy to the Prairie, if you’d like.”
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