Bound for trouble from the start
I've been walking through this old world in the dark

He had been honest with Ellyse when giving her the reason of where he had been. There had been an effort to be more integral to Tephra, to do his part. She was after all the Head of War. As her consort, he wanted to be seen as worthy of being by her side. A power couple if you will. The one eyed stallion leaves the warmth of the ashen lands and heads through the drifting snow towards the Field. It couldn’t hurt to see if anyone was freezing in the open space, longing for a home.

Flaxen tendrils fall over the clawed hollow of his empty socket, his remaining eye bright with the happiness that had finally embraced him. He was to be a father, his first child coming this Spring. He was nervous, not knowing what to expect. His relationship with Magnus had always been strained and fractured, no fault on either of them really. Unfortunate circumstances and cruel twists of fate had seen to that. There wasn’t a real idea of how to be a dad, having never had one till he was much older in life. However, he vows to do right by his child no matter the cost. To never let what happened to him happen to the foal. He would protect it all costs.

His thoughts are consumed by the impending birth of his foal as he finally comes to his distention. Not many have braved this winter, most having seemed refuge in the common lands where it offered some cover. There was one though lingering in the cold snow. A foal he thinks at first and instantly is seized by an image of himself, scared by the dead carcass of his mother’s body. Another image quickly follows, of an imagined child (his child) being alone and frightened.

Instantly he makes his way through the quickly piling snow, he would not let this one die. It becomes clearer though as he finally reaches her, that he had been wrong. It is no child but a small compact mare. He had seen ponies and smaller species of equine before and he smiles slightly, laughing internally at his own foolish. ”Welcome to Beqanna.” He starts, inhaling the strange scent of her as he extends his muzzle. Coming to the conclusion she wasn’t from her. ”I’m Ledger. I’m assuming you’re new here?”

Ledger

Bound for trouble from the start
I've been walking through this old world in the dark

Despite being a newcomer in a strange place, she’s quite welcoming of the ravaged stallion that had barreled down on her. An easy grin relaxes his features, making the hollowed socket and scars less terrible to behold. Of course she stares, they always stare, but she at least seems somewhat apologetic once she realizes that time has been ticking away. ”Not at all, it’s just that we don’t get many…. Of your breed in these parts.” He winces as the words come out, realizing that they sound worse out loud then they did in his head. ”That totally came out wrong.” He quickly amends, an apologetic gleam in the depths of the gold flecks in his remaining eye.

Inhaling deeply to calm his now anxious mind, already feeling like he’s made a muck of the meeting, he draws in deep scents from her. Unfamiliar and exotic to him. Shaking the tangled strands of his creamy tresses, he tries to get back on track. ”Born and raised.” It’s the easiest answer to a fully loaded history. Opening up the death of your mother the moment you were born wasn't exactly an icebreaker. ”What kind of home are you looking for?”

Ledger

Bound for trouble from the start
I've been walking through this old world in the dark

Luckily she is quick on her feet, firing a light hearted retort to his awkward comment. He chuckles, amused and somewhat charmed. She was sweet and kind, unthreatening. After living a life filled with distress and discord, it was a breath of fresh air to meet someone so innocent. They were even now, clumsy in their introductions but strengthening in stride.

”Fair enough.” Light words that follow when his laughter subsides. She ponders on his question and he appreciates that she is a thinker. Looking over her choices before rushing into them. Size meant little in this world, not when one had great heart or a strong mind. When she finally seems to come to a decision, he relaxes even more. Perhaps this was his lucky day after all. ”I think I can help in that department.”

Pausing for a moment as he looks down on her, wondering just how much she had been exposed to. Best to warn her of what she might discover. ”I come from a place called Tephra. It’s probably the warmest of the kingdoms. Winter doesn’t seem to have much hold there and it’s thriving with all sorts.” Here he hesitates, not wanting to seem like he thinks her dull or inexperienced. ”Beqanna is home to a plethora of horses, good and bad. Magical and not.” He lets this sink in, gauging her reaction. The bear within rattles his bones and he tosses his head slightly, he would not be so rude to spring that on her.

”I can show you if you like?”

Ledger

Bound for trouble from the start
I've been walking through this old world in the dark

It was a lucky trait for her to have, that rational mind. To be methodical in her trust. It would serve her well here, as long as she kept her heart and her mind tucked closely together. This land was harsh and rugged at times while also painstakingly beautiful. Whatever he hints at or mentions, she doesn’t seem put off. Instead she seems game for an adventure and he makes a mental note that he would keep an eye on her. Just to make sure she started off on the right foot. Not wanting her to be taken advantage of.

It seems today is a success for both of them. A new recruit for him, a new home for her. ”I’m pleased to hear it.” He responds with an easy grin. ”It’s not too far from here, it may take a few hours. There’s a river we will have to cross.” He already starts thinking of the easiest route, pondering for a few seconds. Her size may find a problem there. He decides not to dwell on that now, preferring to cross that bridge when they got to it. ”Right this way..” He gestures with his muzzle and begins to head to the ashland with her by his side.

Ledger