new life

[Forte!]

The mare had been through a rough time, that was clear as she dragged her half-starved form across the lands, stopping at the entrance to a cave. Here, she saw what had drawn her here, a single crimson tear dropped upon the landscape. She rose her head, perhaps in thanks, and then took the apple and devoured it to the very core. The hunger that was clawing at her belly was now placated, and the gaunt chestnut head rose with a half-hearted whinny. She could smell others across the long expanse of caves, and they didn't smell of the darks whom she had wandered among for the last months, hopelessly lost in this strange world.

With a toss of her mane, Kya took a tentative step into the cave, listening as her whinny echoed off of the rocks. Perhaps she would finally find a home, finally be safe from the darkness. Her chestnut form was blotted out by darkness as she stepped fully into the cave, hidden by shadow as she tentatively wound her way toward the faint light that her eyes picked out at the end. Perhaps there would be water here? How she longed for a drink! Miles of desert she had crossed, scars now marred her once-beautiful frame and were clotted with dirt. She picked up a trot as suddenly the dot of light widened, and a lush land was viewed ahead.

She picked up a gallop as the glistening blue lake came into view, and continued her frightening pace until she had reached it, diving in with all the joy of he former life. A loud whinny escaped her lips as she saw another apple, which she ate. "Oh, this is a paradise!" she cried, "whoever lives here, I hope you are as nice as your lands!"

[Spitz]

The stallions auds pricked as he heard a splash from his lake. The whinny filled the air and he knew a mare was here, he smelt her, so he cantered to the lake to see the chestnut shape. "Luckily for you, most say I am" he laughed and stepped into the water until it came up to his knees. He looked at her and thought of Mona but he felt something with this mare, chemistry, and even he couldn't hide this fate that had led the mare here. Everything started to fall into place mare four Batty, Smoke, Mona, Aleena and now this beauty, make it be your last. He knew that this mare would love it at the lands so his smile appeared on his fascade.

He looked at the chestnut mare happily as they were so alike and would produce chestnut foals. He pictured the land running with chestnut horses everywhere and himself and the mare standing together. In the corner of the vision he saw Mona and Rapture, standing together and Mona was crying with Rapture standing and shaking his head. The whole image faded this time and he was in a stables and a old chestnut mare in the stall next to him and he knew only to well it was his mother.

[Forte!]

Kya jumped as she heard the sudden voice, wheeling around to face the stallion. Then, she heard his vocals and relaxed. Finally, a light. And by the looks of him, he was truly kind. She bowed her head, chin nearly touching the surface of the lake. "Oh, sire, I am glad to have finally found another light in my travels," her voice was like honey, though behind the soft surface lurked a song sung by wood birds and flutes, something totally wild and untamed flickering behind her soft surface. Kya could be sharp when she wished, smart and cunning as a fox, and now as she rose her head gratitude shone in her amber eyes. She was quite beautiful, now that the dirt was cleared and her half-thoroughbred bodice shone in the sun and dripped with moisture as she stared at Batty, one of her own blood.

"Sir, pray tell, what is your blessing? I have been blessed Kya," she said quietly, taking a few steps forward as the sun reflected across the lake. The water had renewed her, and she finally felt alive again and bubbling with joy as she strode towards the stallion, ripples following her legs as they moved gracefully though the liquid. Her facade was proud as she came up to him, raising her neck to be appraised by him for her value in his herd. And she would be of great value, if he allowed her to do so. She was cleverer than most, with a dashing wit and a haughty pride that would not allow for insult.

[Spitz]

Batty smiled as she talked and her voice was so soft "there is no need to bow and yes and I am glad to have found a mare to live in my herd" he shook his chestnut mane and laughed. He took a drink and then tossed a apple to her which bobbed in the water until it gently tapped her feet "I am blessed Batty, Kya and I must say what a wonderful name you have" he smiled as she came toward him.

He nuzzled her damp pelt and smelt the wonderful scent of a mare which he had been longing to smell for so long. He started to step toward the banks and then he looked at the cave of which the mare had entered. The land warned off so many predators and wranglers as it was hard to come by unless someone actually ventured into the cave and into the land.

[Forte!]

Her head raised at his words, eyes narrowed slightly. "Where I come from, it is always right to bow to the words of a royal," she said, "but if you wish, sir, I shall not do that same for you." Oh! These strange horses confused her! They were so far from the mountains in which she had once lived, so far from the small band of horses who she knew and had loved for a short time in her life. The darks who she had roamed among had shown her that, here, not all lights were light, that a light would attack a dark at the sound of a word.

"Thank you, sir," she said quietly at his compliment, her eyes shining darkly. She had a stubborn streak - when she wanted to have a stubborn streak - and she was trying not to show it too much. If she were ever to gain acceptance in this herd, she knew that she would have to seem docile. At least with any other stallion she would. But Batty seemed different, living so far away from the other herds. She, too, looked over to the cave, a good protection. Here the scars on her pelt would heal, here she would gain strength.

Perhaps she would forget her life among the darkness, as well, and finally be able to live among the light like any decent horse. "Sir... if you please, I would like to live here," she said quietly, "I know I don't seem like much.... but I am sure that I can be of help to your herd. Speaking of that... where is your herd? Surely a stallion as powerful as you must have a grand queen. I would be glad to meet her." The words were calculated - Kya did not smell or see the signs of any other horses that had lived here very recently.

[Spitz]

Batty laughed "you have been bought up well then, but to me the royals live in a new land of Hallowed Temple" he said flicking his tail and letting the light shine on it before the light going as he let it rest back between his legs. He looked at the mares cuts and felt sorry for her but hopefully when she stayed the cuts would heal and she would be restored to her glory. Everything seemed so clear before but now a new mare had stumbled across the lands and he wasn't so sure about his decisions.

He smiled as he thanked her and flicked his tail happily before walking over to the lake and dipping in his head to take a drink. He tossed his head high again, water dripping from his chin, and then looked at the chestnut mare. She was so beautiful and elegant but wasn't sure if she loved him the way he loved her. He had been looking for a new mate for ages as he really wanted someone to help him look after the land and make it strong so they could provide the best home for any horses.

Her next words sent him over the moon and he laughed a little "then live, please tell me the position you desire" he said and listened again. Her words echoed in his mind and he nodded before sighing "they come and go, mares that want to be queen and the herd is small but growing" he said and winked. It was amazing as he had Jink and it looked like a new mare was coming into the herd as well which made things even better. The herd was finally growing and going to become the best herd of light lands.

[Forte!]

She raised an ear at his laughter, feeling this new sound flood over her like a warm spring. At once, she felt comfortable and happy, hearing that lost sound, that she had not heard in the years since she had left her herd. A smile crossed her muzzle, but a laugh did not pass her own kissers. Had she forgotten how to laugh? Maybe this Batty, this stallion of light who seemed to bring to life all that he had touched, could bring that laughter back to her, could fill her hollow heart with more. Yet... still there was that dark dream of another stallion, of the one who she could never be with. She knew then that she did not want to betray Batty's trust or make him hate her, his light sort of foolish love reminded her so much of a young colt and brought her own youth back to her heart. Could she love him? She did not know - but she felt that in time she could love him like a brother if not a mate.

"Thank you," she said quietly, "you've made be very happy, Batty, my lord." Her joy at having found a home was impossible to keep down. She was so glad to finally have a place free of even predators where she could heal and rest. But after she was herself again, would she really want such a soft life? Kya was a tough mare, wily and cunning, she could take care of herself. She was young as of yet - and did she really want to settle down forever? She didn't know. All that mattered was that she had a warm place with plenty of food and water, free from darks and disease and even anger and rage, for at least a little bit of time. She grinned at Batty, her formerly sad face now illuminated by a youthful glow as she stood in the pool, and she began to clamber out, toward another of those sweet apples. The taste filled her mouth and she sighed, happy.

She looked over her shoulder at him as he spoke, her tail blowing in the breeze, and suddenly looked troubled again. What position did she want? She wasn't even sure herself... She knew that she could be of help to him, but she also knew that she was too weak now, to broken down from her travels, to even try to be his queen. Besides, where she came from queen meant love, and she knew that her heart wasn't ready to love another stallion quite yet. Maybe in time... but for now she knew that it needed time to heal up, first. "I'm sure I can be of help to you, sir," she said quietly, thinking it over, "but for now I think I had best not battle or do anything too much. For I am tired and I have scars from the dangers on my way here. I would love to be a mentor to the foals of your herd."

[Spitz]

Batty smiled as she thanks him and he flicked his banner. "Thats fine, I will do anything to help" he said and lifted up on his back legs again. He took one of the biggest apples off the tree and put it down by her hooves. "Here, my lady" he said politely and stretched his neck. Her next words made him almost jump over the moon "why of course, a mentor is such a wonderful descision" he said happily. He had been needing a mentor for ages and now this mare would fill that position.

Foals would soon be taught in good hands as she would be able to teach them so much as he saw by her scarred pelt how much she had been through. It wouldn't be long until he would have foals of his own after finding the one he loves and someone who could be queen. He thought about the foals gathered round her and listening her words and then him with someone next to him but as he went to see her the image vanished and he just looked at his lands. He sighed a little but then smiled as he looked back at Kya.