I’ll keep the door openin case you come home
The nameless black stallion paced the shores of the Crossing impatiently. He had a home of his own now, and he felt as though he belonged there more solidly than he had ever belonged in the jungle of Paradise, but it was empty. Wasn’t the point of having a home to share it? Especially on Tinuvel, where a lone body would get cold without another, and the warm season of the Northern island was rapidly drawing to a close. Frost had already begun to set in during the stallion’s first nights there. Winter would soon cover the Bay.
So he left it, not long after laying claim to it, in the hopes of finding others to bring back with him. He lingered on the shore closest to the Meadow, knowing the Common was better for his purpose but also aware of his inexperience. The Marwari stallion was young, and although he made an intimidating picture with his muscular build and wolfish yellow eyes, he was not prepared to take on another stallion for the favor of any mares. He’d have to try his luck out here for now.
It was luck, he thought, that brought the bobbing shape of the silver grullo mare over the waves toward him. He watched as she pulled herself out of the surf a little ways down the beach, and watched as she ventured away from the sand and into the grass. And then, he followed her.
The young stallion did not stalk the mare for very long before making his introduction. As soon as she was out of the open by the water, he surged forward, ears pressed forward until their curved ends nearly met. She was much smaller than him, and he towered over her once he stepped in her path and halted.
He knew he couldn’t claim her here, but the dark stallion wasn’t sure if she knew that. He gave a soft snort of greeting, before lowering his head and showing his teeth at her, in an attempt to get her moving back toward the water. Come along, he said with his body language, though no sound would ever come from his lips. We have places to be.
FELL
