Bacardi had followed Maeve and Grizel from the Thicket into the clutches of the Forest quietly. Self-doubt had begun to creep its way through his veins the further they went, although he kept a brave face, appearing confident to the two mares every time they glanced at him. This was the right thing to do. Bacardi knew that. He didn’t want instability here upon Luthien, even if he wasn’t on the best terms with the Prairie leader. Plus, he wanted Grizel to feel welcome in the Thicket, and for Maeve to be confident her daughter would not be in harms way should Grizel choose to visit.


The self-doubt rested on Bacardi’s shoulders alone. Although he had ties to Luthien, he wondered if that would be enough to sway the Forest leader should Zevulun have already made a visit to announce the new resident in the Thicket. Hopefully she would wait to judge him for herself, and not by what someone else had had. Only when they crossed a fresh trail made from the mare they called Persephone, did Bacardi excuse himself from Maeve and Grizel, explaining this was something he needed to do on his own.


The painted stallion followed after the mare even as lead seemed to weigh down his hooves. Would she care of his lineage? Would she care of who he was? That he had been born here, most likely under her watch? That she had allied herself with his father when he had been the protector of the Thicket and second of the Prairie? No; Bacardi realized he couldn’t use that to try and sway her because truthfully none of that mattered. What did matter, was that Bacardi was a good stallion just trying to keep his family safe and that he wasn’t going to be any trouble.


When he finally saw the figure ahead, Bacardi stopped, letting out a soft but beckoning nicker. Only when she turned to face him did recognition burn through him. Bacardi realized he had met her before, when he had claimed the Savanna for a short time. He had come here seeking an alliance then, though it hadn’t been as important as it felt now. “Hello again, Persephone.” he said with a faint smile. Would she recognize him too? Even though he had been a boy then, now turned into a man?

mutt. bay tobiano. fourteen three hands. of the thicket.

"...speech"