capture me in amber;

Nyimara & none chosen THE WITCH QUEEN & HER DEMON KING

Shenzi Companion

None Worthy SECOND

HERD

Kara
Tefnut
Cahyr
none

FOALS

Jaziri
(Shenzi x Evrain)
Natyre
(Nyimara x Asmo)
Zuri
(Shenzi x Hasan)

SECONDS HERD

none

The DESERT Rules

The Queen's word is final.
We protect our own (Paradise & Dunes).
An enemy to one is an enemy to all. (cove)

love, dante

capture me in amber;
Posted on March 16, 2025 at 02:00:58 AM by Teasel, Mariposa, & Neltuma

The Badlands are an unforgiving place. In her years spent here with Raegar, Teasel has learned to adapt. The grasses here are a far cry from the lushness of her childhood home in the Prairie, but she has learned to relish the fresh shoots that come after the monsoons. She has learned to graze early in the morning before the sun burns away the dew. And, oh the sweetness of prickly pear juice dribbling down her chin when water is scarce.

Most of all, she has learned to hide.

This is not the first time leadership in the Badlands has changed hands. She keeps her daughters close and studies the newcomers. She has no intention of revealing herself to them, though Mariposa worries her. The girl has always been headstrong and too curious for her own good. Teasel knows her second daughter will strike out on her own soon enough. There is no holding her back. But the extended absense of Raegar holds the three of them close for now. Teasel is grateful to have Mariposa's help in looking after Neltuma.

Eventually, when Teasel has seen all she needs of the newcomers, she retreats deep into the canyons.

She does not find the safety or reprieve she seeks though. Instead, there is blood in the air. Raegar's blood.

Her daughters do not need to be told. The three of them pack tightly together with Neltuma in the middle. Teasel does not trust the new stallions. At least she knows the danger of the cougar. Her muscles are as taut as a bowstring, senses ringing with danger. Cautiously, they follow the signs of a desperate struggle.

Teasel quells her instinct to flee, instead analysing what her senses tell her. The blood is old, dust covered. There is no sign of the cat. This struggle took place many days ago.

Her heart drops. Even if Raegar had survived the initial attack, days without water in the desert.... a more sure death than any. Still, she must see for herself. So, she presses forward, deep and deeper into the canyons until the scent of blood mingles with that of water.

A figure stands over a misshapen shape.

"I need to stay with him, Sway." A whisper in the desert breeze brushes the words across the sand to her ears. As the three girls approach, Teasel recognizes Raegar and the mare curled into him. Teasel does not know her name. This mare had never settled into the canyons with the rest of the herd. But she does recognize her, just as easily as she recognizes the shuddering rise and fall of Raegar's chest.

The three girls turn away. Teasel talks quietly to her daughters, "Find the prickly pear paddles and bring them here as quickly as you can." Her voice is solid in a world set adrift. "Go."

Mariposa and Neltuma leave, and Teasel turns back to Sway, Raegar, and the mare she knows only by her features. She expects to be met with bared teeth from the mare, but still she steps gently closer, inspecting her mate's injuries, wondering how he still lives - terrified that he may still leave them.

Teasel studies the place Raegar has lead them. He had made it to water, but it is evident he has been here unable to move for some time. Though she is afraid, and her heart beats wildly against the cage of her chest, she is driven to think logically - to solve the problems that she sees here so that Raegar has every chance to live.

The girls, Mari and Nel, return with cactus paddles and Teasel motions them to lay them at her feet.

"More girls," she commands as she lowers her lips to gently break away the spines. When the paddles are cleaned, she makes her way to Raegar's head and places them before his nose. Gingerly, she brushes his cheek, and then pulls away to look at the mare.

"He must eat when he wakes," she says quietly, then returns to her place. His leg will need cleaning as well, but this will hurt him, and she is not ready for his agony.

Replies:

in the end, it doesn't even matter - By Raegar & Sway March 18, 2025 at 02:35:48 AM

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