The battles between Cullen and the obnoxious spotted stallion had taken its toll on the mare of shadow and smoke. Pain resonated from the gaping wound on her foreleg. Her usually prancing gait is hindered now by the raised bruise on her hip causing her to limp noticeably. Yet regardless of how painful her movement might now be, that did little to dampen her heightened spirits. Not only had she defeated the golden Cullen and now was leading him back to the Peak as her captive (and proof of her dedication to her duty), but she had also managed to thwart the younger stud’s attempt to steal the dark brindle girl that called the mountains her home. All in all, Khar’pern was quite proud of herself, and that is clearly written in the arching curve of her throat and the smug (albeit a bit pained) smile on her lips.
That expression however, disappears quickly when the sounds of a mare’s screams ring over the chattering of angry mockingbirds. Raven tipped ears pin backwards, disappearing beneath the silken silver threads of her mane as she turned toward the sound with silver eyes hard. Paper thin nostrils flare as she motions for Cullen to wait and stalks towards the sound with muscles taunt, preparing for a fight, even if she knew that there was little chance she would succeed in her current state.
’I cannot call myself a peak mare unless I at least try.’ Pushing through the thick foliage that blocked her path to the ocean shore, the moonwashed mare is in utter shock at the scene that unfolds before her. The sound of her heart pounding within the confines of her breast replace the screams and she blinks back against the bright sunlight to allow her gaze to assess the situation before her. It is clear there had been a struggle. Deep furrows of sand greet her eyes, leading her gaze towards the ocean surf where she expected to see horses thrown into battle be it of will or otherwise. But the sight that greets her is far more ominous than she could ever have expected.Far beyond the break of waves, two bobbing heads struggle and thrash above the surface of the water. Despite the will that begged her to lunge into the surf to offer assistance, the soreness of her body causes her hooves to stutter, her legs stiff on the shore. Horror unfolds as crimson blood stains the foaming thrash of water. Breath hangs within her lungs as Khar’pern watches, utterly glued to her place on the shore. Blood.She hoped that the moment blood appeared in the waters, the dark stallion would stop his harassment and at the very least allow the pale mare to attempt to right herself in the waters. Maybe he intended to do just that, surely he must…. But that is not what happens.Suddenly, movement from the mare slows and altogether stalls. The once prolific screams that had drawn her attention disappear and even the ocean birds silence their voices as if sharing in the shock and surprise. Only a moment, a single blink of her icy eyes is granted sight of the bobbing head before the weight of death drags the pitiful creature to the depths of the ocean and whatever creatures might feast upon the free meal. Death. The stallion in his determination to claim and force had caused the mare’s death! Despite herself, Khar’pern shivers, fear prickling at the hairs along her spine. She knew stallions could be cruel and ruthless if it meant getting their way but she never imagined she would bare witness to such brutality. Only when the dark head disappears beyond the swell of the ocean does she turn her back on the ocean, not daring to witness the carnage that would arise once the sharks and other bottom dwellers scented the blooded carcass. Anger keeps her ears pinned against her skull as angrily she returns to Cullen and nips him into motion, fighting back the urge to take out her fury on the captive stallion.
’He did not do this…’ the words hang onto her thoughts.
’He did not do this… but he IS this.’ The last thought leaves a vile taste on her parched tongue. He is this. Cullen, the battle scarred golden stallion that had time and time again come after herself and many other mares. The same stallion that had once led the ruthless Lagoon stallions and even in defeat carried the cocky gleam in his pale blue eyes. He was a stallion. Brutality was in their nature and nothing could tell her otherwise.Resisting the urge to bite him just for the hell of it, Khar pushes past him to lead the aged stallion back to the Peaks and the sisters that waited there. She had a new story for them to hear.
