11-17-2019, 01:59 AM
There were two ways to approach every situation, and Taiga had two stallions on either side of the border to deal with newcomers. Wolfbane was a hard-headed brazen fool who would sooner jump the gun and dole out punishments to those even just trying to pass through in an effort to find shelter, perhaps on the run from something or looking for a place to call home.
And then there was the golden one, the proud stallion who would gladly hear a horse's tale out first unless he had reason to believe said horse would threaten the land he loved, and the dear ones he kept close to his heart here. Luckily, on this day, the newcomer on the forest's border wouldn't have to deal with just one, so perhaps he would be more open.
Winter was always a hard season in the forest kingdom, especially since except for the main grazing meadow, sources of food were hard to find beneath the layers of pine needles and dirt that littered the well-worn forest floor path that the kingdom inhabitants used for travel. It was especially hard when it came to the young ones, since mares had to have enough food for themselves to produce the milk needed for foals. Lethia, at this point, seemed experienced enough that Aten no longer felt guilty about leaving her for a time to scout out a new feeding opportunity, just in case a hostile kingdom member might have claimed it and staked it out, ready to attack any who came near out of fear that they would succumb to hunger.
But having lived in the forest as long as he did, Aten did not fear. The kingdom trees continued to stand tall, and as long as the bark on their trunks could grow and recover during the warmer months, and so long as new trees continued to grow, he would not let his fear consume him.
Not like in times passed.
On a chilled winter day, the golden stallion was off by himself, confident in Lethia's ability to care for her three foals. Aten would busy himself with searching for viable food sources among the trees, seeing what bark would be good for them to eat since sometimes moss didn't exactly make it tasty. All depended on the fog that rolled in from the ocean, as well as what other animals decided to partake in the feast. Certain ones didn't seem to mind where they heeded the call of nature, another thing to avoid.
Aten's eyes in the sky were also not active today, for Turul was not a fan of the cold months. Understanding as always, Aten let his friend rest without complaint, knowing the raptor would still help if needed. And despite trying to rest, he would end up doing so today.
Unknown to Wolfbane, the raptor's nesting area was close to where he had just encountered the newcomer, his angry voice waking Turul from his slumber. The falcon, easily spotting the other stallion below, whom he was not a fan of, called to Aten and gave a quick explanation. Aten didn't need a lengthy one where Wolfbane was involved.
The stallion turned and began galloping in the direction Turul told him to, spotting Wolfbane and the newcomer easily against the winter snow covering Taiga's landscape. The darker stallion seemed to be trying to find comfort in a makeshift shelter from one of Taiga's trees bending over under it's own weight, it's leaves and branches providing a way to stay out of the rain and wind.
But here was Wolfbane, as always, ever the paranoid fool. At least, that's what Aten thought.
Snorting as he came up to the two of them, the golden stallion spoke in an authoritative voice, speaking more to Wolfbane than the newcomer, "He is not obligated to meet your demands; can you not see he was merely trying to find shelter from winter's grip? Wolfbane, calm yourself; not every horse is out there to harm Taiga's forest."
Narrowing his eyes, Aten then turned to the newcomer and calmed his steely gaze, his brown eyes warm and welcoming. His tone softened as well as he studied the other stallion, "Though he is not completely in the wrong, for you are a stranger to these lands. There is a scent upon you though; faint, but I know of the mare who lives here you spoke with. Tell me, did she invite you to our lands for safety?"
@[Tyr] @[Wolfbane]
And then there was the golden one, the proud stallion who would gladly hear a horse's tale out first unless he had reason to believe said horse would threaten the land he loved, and the dear ones he kept close to his heart here. Luckily, on this day, the newcomer on the forest's border wouldn't have to deal with just one, so perhaps he would be more open.
Winter was always a hard season in the forest kingdom, especially since except for the main grazing meadow, sources of food were hard to find beneath the layers of pine needles and dirt that littered the well-worn forest floor path that the kingdom inhabitants used for travel. It was especially hard when it came to the young ones, since mares had to have enough food for themselves to produce the milk needed for foals. Lethia, at this point, seemed experienced enough that Aten no longer felt guilty about leaving her for a time to scout out a new feeding opportunity, just in case a hostile kingdom member might have claimed it and staked it out, ready to attack any who came near out of fear that they would succumb to hunger.
But having lived in the forest as long as he did, Aten did not fear. The kingdom trees continued to stand tall, and as long as the bark on their trunks could grow and recover during the warmer months, and so long as new trees continued to grow, he would not let his fear consume him.
Not like in times passed.
On a chilled winter day, the golden stallion was off by himself, confident in Lethia's ability to care for her three foals. Aten would busy himself with searching for viable food sources among the trees, seeing what bark would be good for them to eat since sometimes moss didn't exactly make it tasty. All depended on the fog that rolled in from the ocean, as well as what other animals decided to partake in the feast. Certain ones didn't seem to mind where they heeded the call of nature, another thing to avoid.
Aten's eyes in the sky were also not active today, for Turul was not a fan of the cold months. Understanding as always, Aten let his friend rest without complaint, knowing the raptor would still help if needed. And despite trying to rest, he would end up doing so today.
Unknown to Wolfbane, the raptor's nesting area was close to where he had just encountered the newcomer, his angry voice waking Turul from his slumber. The falcon, easily spotting the other stallion below, whom he was not a fan of, called to Aten and gave a quick explanation. Aten didn't need a lengthy one where Wolfbane was involved.
The stallion turned and began galloping in the direction Turul told him to, spotting Wolfbane and the newcomer easily against the winter snow covering Taiga's landscape. The darker stallion seemed to be trying to find comfort in a makeshift shelter from one of Taiga's trees bending over under it's own weight, it's leaves and branches providing a way to stay out of the rain and wind.
But here was Wolfbane, as always, ever the paranoid fool. At least, that's what Aten thought.
Snorting as he came up to the two of them, the golden stallion spoke in an authoritative voice, speaking more to Wolfbane than the newcomer, "He is not obligated to meet your demands; can you not see he was merely trying to find shelter from winter's grip? Wolfbane, calm yourself; not every horse is out there to harm Taiga's forest."
Narrowing his eyes, Aten then turned to the newcomer and calmed his steely gaze, his brown eyes warm and welcoming. His tone softened as well as he studied the other stallion, "Though he is not completely in the wrong, for you are a stranger to these lands. There is a scent upon you though; faint, but I know of the mare who lives here you spoke with. Tell me, did she invite you to our lands for safety?"
@[Tyr] @[Wolfbane]