He doesn’t know much about his father. He only knows what his mother has told him - that Gryffen had been an evil, abusive stallion. That she hopes Zayn will never be anything like him. The ravings of a weak, pathetic mare.
He’s only gleaned a little bit more since joining the ranks. His father had been high up in the ranks, a leader and an instigator. Someone to look up to.
His mother is a fool.
He’d heard that Gryffen had once had a herd too, in a little territory in the mountains. And he wants to see it. Wants to see the place his father had called home.
The place is only a short distance from the Chamber and he arrives early in the day, when the mists still cling to the trees. It’s a desolate place - from his position amongst the trees, he can detect no signs of life. He’s kind of enjoying the overall ambiance.
But then, a soft sound interrupts the stillness. A humming, a quiet, soft humming. Someone is here.
He feels irritated that someone has interrupted his moment of reverence. This had been his opportunity to connect with his father and this creature is intruding.
He follows the sound, winding his way through the trees. Finally, as the mists life, he manages to make out a shape between the evergreens. A mare. A lone, black mare.
A smile crawls across his lips as an idea forms in his mind.
He slips out of the trees, still grinning and slides up next to her. Without giving her time to think, she leans forward and gives her a good nip. “Not wise to be in a place like this by yourself. You’re mine now.”
ZAYN
i'm an ugly mess