The dark colt was growing taller, but not broader. He was already well-filled out for just a little boy, heavy-set limbs with a strange sort of elegance, such an odd thing. Sometimes, he could swear he felt as though he had muscles beneath his wide shoulders for a pair of wings. He imagined they'd be as rich black as his coat, made of thin membrane like you'd see on a bat.
But he didn't truly have any; wings, that is. He was blessed with something far greater, and took extra care to protect it. He cradled it close to his heart, guarding his treasure like some great dragon of legend. Even now, to be sure it was safe and protected, happy with him, he nosed lightly at the curve of her generous hip. Her sweet scent was permanently forged in his memory, but it never failed to set his heart skipping.
He kept her in the lead, gently directing her when she strayed off the course he'd planned for them. So sweet, so pliant. His Cerva was simply magical. Her perfect grace warmed him through and through, and his black eyes twinkled in merriment each time her gaze met his. He'd never been so happy.
She took great care to guide them both safely across a waterway, and he beamed proudly at her clever resourcefulness. Absolutely perfect. Then, it was not long after when she paused briefly to brush him with her soft velvet, a divine little smile playing at her lips. His young coat shivered under her light touch and he stepped into the caress, nosing her back eagerly. He'd never let any harm come to her. Never.
Before he'd met her, he'd seen little foals like him. They'd always had a female nearby, older and kind. They all called them Mother, or sometimes Mama, though he assumed those were the children less capable of proper speech patterns. None had been near as beautiful as his Cerva. He named her Mother the same day he met her, certain of her perfection. His claim still held strong, as they were inseparable. Her gentle eyes bathed him in love, and his returned it with a warmth no other could call from him.
Every so often as they journeyed in their peaceful paradise of togetherness, he'd reach out and give her a little nibble. And each little bite said Mine with a proud sort of reverence, reminding her she was his alone. He would never lose her; always keep her safe and happy. Which is why they'd come here, side by side, hip to hip. He wanted a home for her, somewhere he knew would be safe.
But also, somewhere with a strong leader that could train him. He desperately wanted to learn to fight, to always be able to protect her. When he'd heard the tales of a frightening man of beast, able to shift to a large feline at whim, and the powerful witch that kept the place protected, he knew he had to learn from them.
He was young, but he didn't dare let that stop him. The boy stood to his fullest height, just above Cerva's shoulder, and watched someone approach them. I'll take care of us, Mother. I swear it, he whispered to her, stroking her neck with a feathery-light caress, his deep dark eyes never leaving the figure.
But he didn't truly have any; wings, that is. He was blessed with something far greater, and took extra care to protect it. He cradled it close to his heart, guarding his treasure like some great dragon of legend. Even now, to be sure it was safe and protected, happy with him, he nosed lightly at the curve of her generous hip. Her sweet scent was permanently forged in his memory, but it never failed to set his heart skipping.
He kept her in the lead, gently directing her when she strayed off the course he'd planned for them. So sweet, so pliant. His Cerva was simply magical. Her perfect grace warmed him through and through, and his black eyes twinkled in merriment each time her gaze met his. He'd never been so happy.
She took great care to guide them both safely across a waterway, and he beamed proudly at her clever resourcefulness. Absolutely perfect. Then, it was not long after when she paused briefly to brush him with her soft velvet, a divine little smile playing at her lips. His young coat shivered under her light touch and he stepped into the caress, nosing her back eagerly. He'd never let any harm come to her. Never.
Before he'd met her, he'd seen little foals like him. They'd always had a female nearby, older and kind. They all called them Mother, or sometimes Mama, though he assumed those were the children less capable of proper speech patterns. None had been near as beautiful as his Cerva. He named her Mother the same day he met her, certain of her perfection. His claim still held strong, as they were inseparable. Her gentle eyes bathed him in love, and his returned it with a warmth no other could call from him.
Every so often as they journeyed in their peaceful paradise of togetherness, he'd reach out and give her a little nibble. And each little bite said Mine with a proud sort of reverence, reminding her she was his alone. He would never lose her; always keep her safe and happy. Which is why they'd come here, side by side, hip to hip. He wanted a home for her, somewhere he knew would be safe.
But also, somewhere with a strong leader that could train him. He desperately wanted to learn to fight, to always be able to protect her. When he'd heard the tales of a frightening man of beast, able to shift to a large feline at whim, and the powerful witch that kept the place protected, he knew he had to learn from them.
He was young, but he didn't dare let that stop him. The boy stood to his fullest height, just above Cerva's shoulder, and watched someone approach them. I'll take care of us, Mother. I swear it, he whispered to her, stroking her neck with a feathery-light caress, his deep dark eyes never leaving the figure.
