When Caine descends the mountain, he is aware of his shadow. Once caught, he did not expect to be left alone until he was well outside the Peak border. So, when he reaches the base, he pauses to look over his shoulder to spy the familiar red mare from the commons. “Couldn’t stay away, could you?” he smirks. “Neither could I.” A lie and a truth all in the same breath, but the stallion wasn’t about to elaborate. He would let her believe it had all been for her, if that’s what she chose to believe.


Caine turns back to face her, ears perked forward and his eyes refusing to show the ache still throbbing in his chest. Caine was more aware of his emotions than his father, but that didn’t mean he was any more expressive than him. At least to the undesired ones. “I’d like your company, at least for a little while. How about a duel? If I win, you’ll stay by my side until your sisters come to retrieve you? And if I lose….?” He tilts his head a bit, waiting for her answer. Whether she would accept, and what she would like if she won.


(Using the battle results)


Caine was happy that she obliged to his battle, although he couldn’t say he made it as fierce as he might’ve to a true enemy. He wasn’t out to hurt the Peak mare, nor to assert any sort of pain or dominance. Despite the knife that the Peak and Lagoon held at each other’s throats, Caine would never let that define him. Or hold him to any such standard.


When they broke apart, it was only then that Caine realized he had somehow won. He narrowed his green eyes at her a moment, almost wondering if she had let him, but decided it didn’t matter. Instead, he smiled despite his huffed breaths. “Keep close. I’d hate for the other mud monsters to lay eyes on someone so pretty.” he teased, using the nickname Tefnut had given him. But also, he didn’t want anyone else to notice such a valuable trinket had just been added to their ranks.


Turning, Caine lead them into the Lagoon with a whole new reason for his heart to be thumping strangely in his chest.