Midnight's Mirage
If the trip into the forest failed at soothing Bjorn, it was downright unsettling for Phantom. Used to the far reaching plateau's of his land and having all the space in the world, the forest with it's heavy foliage and cloying scents hid far too much for his liking. Phantom couldn't help but spend more then a glance at every branch, every thick trunk that stood like a sentinel in their way. Whilst he had speed, eye sight and the ability to survive on the thin air of the plateaus, he felt as if he was flying blind. Sure, he could move across the soil swiftly, avoiding trunks and sinking into the soil just as easily as he avoided the holes that could break a horse's leg, but he saw nothing but green and brown. The air was thick and full of scents that were too new for him to really aid him in sniffing out any predators. Knowing his weakness, the King watched Eliza and Bjorn's herd closely. When in Rome...
Of course, there was another reason why he looked toward them. After Bjorn's dappled mare had moved over to the golden stallion, Bjorn had shifted, a quick glance toward him. It wasn't hard to tell that the stallion was probably talking about him from his body language. Phantom suppressed a sigh, a lash of his tail the only sign of his annoyance. More than in another territory, the horses from this entire land tended to be terrible gossips, especially on one topic. It wasn't hard to imagine what they would be talking about. After all, Phantom didn't draw much attention on any other area.
Then, they stopped. Were they in position? Phantom could hear whispers of conversation, wisps of words that entered the air and were not snatched away by winds but hid under shelter of leaves. Before he could ask, however, Bjorn pivoted, giving Phantom a look of command and wariness. Phantom fought the urge to sigh once more. He'd already agreed, it wasn't as if extra agreement would somehow solidify his own convictions. He didn't say anything, however, and with a crack of lightning that turned the golden stallion almost ghostly white, Bjorn had dashed off.
Deciding that this meant that they had indeed reached the place they were supposed to go, Phantom let out a rumbling neigh, letting his herd know they could graze and relax. Though they had come here to take shelter, to not use the rich grasses of the forest when they were presented to them would be a foolish move. All the same, he nudged them closer to the center of the horses, staying on the outskirts and in between his and Bjorn's herd so they knew he was looking out too. He still didn't quite know what size of a bush was large enough to cloak a predator, so he kept an eye on all of them, sweeping his gaze across the land every few seconds, trying to learn as quickly as he could.
In his peripheral vision he could see Titan's daughter moving quickly, as if the lightning itself charged her darting spirit. A strong little maiden, he had definitely taken note of her more than once in the past year. However, he did not let his gaze linger too long, not wanting to accidentally offend Titan. This was no time for such a thing, after all.
Eliza had taken to the area as if she'd never left, which made Phantom relax a little. At the very least, she would know if something happened. The golden mare was a dependable sort, though sometimes she didn't quite seem to know how to phrase words, which offended a few other horses. However, it suited Phantom just fine, given how little he spoke anyway. Still, he made a note to ask her for some tips on what to look out for. At the moment, however, she was talking to Astrid, so he simply contented himself with eating and watching, trying desperately to see past the trees, hear past the thunder, and smell past the odour of other horses.
Then, quiet footfalls, and a gentle whicker. Turning toward Eliza, Phantom let out a quiet whicker of greeting in response, leaning slightly into the other mare's touch as he calmed a little. As he caught her words, he tossed them around in his mind for a moment as he usually did. "He has to trust us. He's brought us into his territory. It is a tense situation, so we have no time to bicker amongst ourselves." Perhaps to others not of his herd, his words would have been taken as curt, perhaps even a little ominous, but anyone in his herd would recognise at as his usual mannerisms. Not interested in platitudes or making words sound good, he simply said what he felt, as well as what he would do. If no one brought trouble to him, he was not interested in starting it.
Taking another look at the area, he lipped at her neck quietly, with the rain, her mane had plastered itself to her body, the way he was quite sure his was too, just perhaps not quite yet. His fur tended to be quite thick, after all. "What are the general signs of danger in these parts?" He asked as he worked. He'd agreed to protect the others, after all, it was best that he made himself more capable on his end of the deal.
At one point, he looked up, noting her looking at him almost thoughtfully. Simply continuing, Phantom only noted the observation. Eliza was like him in many ways. If she wished for him to hear her thoughts, she would speak them. At the thought, however, the stallion couldn't help but notice her heat scent, strong and tempting. He wanted to ask, if not for the fact that it would attract other stallions, then for the fact that it might distract the current stallions he was allied with. Still, he thought, looking up at the sky that was weeping copiously unto their backs, it was hardly the time.
Then, she spoke, her thoughts along the same line. Phantom looked at her, slightly surprised. She had spoken little of the Gods in her time with him, so it was a little strange to hear them brought up now, when the weather wasn't exactly something to be thankful for at the moment. All the same, he wouldn't begrudge her her faith. She'd never forced the need to believe in the Gods unto him, and he wouldn't turn around and demand she turned her back on something he couldn't even disprove. Even now, as she spoke of her beliefs, she didn't expect him to echo her thoughts, simply stating what she wanted him to do in return. It was why Phantom had found himself so enamoured with the mare in the first place, other than her loyalty. If he had to pick favourites, she would definitely stand amongst them, young age or not.
But, could they? Bjorn still had not returned, and the crackles of thunder above seemed to enforce that it was a silly idea. However, if she wanted a child whilst there was still thunder, there would not be a better time. Also, whilst waiting for Bjorn to return would be good in terms of security, having the stallion come back just to watch Phantom bedding his daughter might tred on the golden stallion's sensibilities, wound up as he already seemed to be. Silent in thought, Phantom watched his mare quietly, observed how she almost shone with quiet determination. He looked about at the others, at how it seemed to be peaceful (or as peaceful as three herds crammed in a meadow could possibly get), and took a deep breath. Already starting to get used to the forest air, he took a deep sniff, sensing no predators, nor no scent of horses close enough to lunge a sneak attack.
Deliberating, Phantom looked at Eliza, trusting the golden mare's opinion. "I would like to go with what you wish, but do you think it's safe?" His want to cover her or not, he wouldn't put the herds at risk if there really was danger. (fade?)
Northern Quiver
Her daughter was definitely making a show. Telling herself that youngsters would be youngsters, Thera fought the urge to give her excitable daughter a real nip, instead letting herself marvel at Heidi's strength and speed. Anyone looking at Heidi would be able to see how the maiden brimmed with potential. Though definitely arrogant, the maiden was strong enough to withstand more than a few setbacks. At her words entered the air, full of the vigour of youth and the wish for attention and drama, Thera simply let out a quiet nicker of amusement to appease the maiden yet not anger the king. "With winter drawing to a close, any stallion would enjoy the company of a mare. It is easy to see how that may turn into attraction when cloaked with the promise of spring, even towards those who would not reciprocate."
Giving her daughter an encouraging smile, Thera flicked her tail almost coyly, continuing. "However, I am quite sure a young, talented maiden would be able to deepen that attraction to love, if she so chose." Though her daughter was bold and arrogant, she was also cunning and devastatingly smart, and it was not Thera's intention to bring her down. Being one of her own, Thera knew that her daughter should aim for the best.
At her obedience, Thera's allowed herself to be soothed though she knew it was also partly because her daughter didn't have any other distractions at the moment. However, as she left to inform Titan, Thera couldn't help but notice the eagerness in her step. Perhaps she should have chosen her messenger a little more carefully. All the same, both Heidi and Thera were so used to each other that the false nip was pulled off perfectly, and Thera couldn't imagine such a thing being quite as seamless with Norelys, though the other mare would possibly have been less excitable.
As Bjorn's herd moved to a stop, Thera stopped as well, moving closer to the other herds but still far enough that they were three distinguishable herds. Looking around with curiosity, she took down the lay of the land. With heavy foliage and roots grappling the ground, the ground did not shift restlessly under her hooves like they did at Alfheim, and the air did not carry the salty breeze she was used to. Still, the grass was rich (as she quickly found upon taking a bite), and it seemed like a place that was silent, but not in a barren way as it was in jotunheim. Instead, the land seemed quiet with life, instead of the noise of the waves that filled Alfheim beaches. It definitely was going to take a lot of getting used to.
As a drop bounced off her forehead, Thera shook her head in slight surprise. The storm started in earnest, and with a showy movement, Bjorn was gone. Watching him dash off, Thera took another bite of grass, before looking at her herd. Finding them distracted, she whickered to the stragglers quietly, calling them to her. She didn't feel like letting them go too far, not when she did not know what was dangerous. As she did so, she noted the faintest of her heat returning, but clamped it down. This was hardly the time. She did enjoy getting rid of her heat as soon as it appeared, but it seemed this year that would have to take a rest. All the same, she had two foals since Heidi, both of which had passed because of unfortunate circumstances, which was a shame. She did hope that she would be able to safeguard the next one, when it came.
If the trip into the forest failed at soothing Bjorn, it was downright unsettling for Phantom. Used to the far reaching plateau's of his land and having all the space in the world, the forest with it's heavy foliage and cloying scents hid far too much for his liking. Phantom couldn't help but spend more then a glance at every branch, every thick trunk that stood like a sentinel in their way. Whilst he had speed, eye sight and the ability to survive on the thin air of the plateaus, he felt as if he was flying blind. Sure, he could move across the soil swiftly, avoiding trunks and sinking into the soil just as easily as he avoided the holes that could break a horse's leg, but he saw nothing but green and brown. The air was thick and full of scents that were too new for him to really aid him in sniffing out any predators. Knowing his weakness, the King watched Eliza and Bjorn's herd closely. When in Rome...
Of course, there was another reason why he looked toward them. After Bjorn's dappled mare had moved over to the golden stallion, Bjorn had shifted, a quick glance toward him. It wasn't hard to tell that the stallion was probably talking about him from his body language. Phantom suppressed a sigh, a lash of his tail the only sign of his annoyance. More than in another territory, the horses from this entire land tended to be terrible gossips, especially on one topic. It wasn't hard to imagine what they would be talking about. After all, Phantom didn't draw much attention on any other area.
Then, they stopped. Were they in position? Phantom could hear whispers of conversation, wisps of words that entered the air and were not snatched away by winds but hid under shelter of leaves. Before he could ask, however, Bjorn pivoted, giving Phantom a look of command and wariness. Phantom fought the urge to sigh once more. He'd already agreed, it wasn't as if extra agreement would somehow solidify his own convictions. He didn't say anything, however, and with a crack of lightning that turned the golden stallion almost ghostly white, Bjorn had dashed off.
Deciding that this meant that they had indeed reached the place they were supposed to go, Phantom let out a rumbling neigh, letting his herd know they could graze and relax. Though they had come here to take shelter, to not use the rich grasses of the forest when they were presented to them would be a foolish move. All the same, he nudged them closer to the center of the horses, staying on the outskirts and in between his and Bjorn's herd so they knew he was looking out too. He still didn't quite know what size of a bush was large enough to cloak a predator, so he kept an eye on all of them, sweeping his gaze across the land every few seconds, trying to learn as quickly as he could.
In his peripheral vision he could see Titan's daughter moving quickly, as if the lightning itself charged her darting spirit. A strong little maiden, he had definitely taken note of her more than once in the past year. However, he did not let his gaze linger too long, not wanting to accidentally offend Titan. This was no time for such a thing, after all.
Eliza had taken to the area as if she'd never left, which made Phantom relax a little. At the very least, she would know if something happened. The golden mare was a dependable sort, though sometimes she didn't quite seem to know how to phrase words, which offended a few other horses. However, it suited Phantom just fine, given how little he spoke anyway. Still, he made a note to ask her for some tips on what to look out for. At the moment, however, she was talking to Astrid, so he simply contented himself with eating and watching, trying desperately to see past the trees, hear past the thunder, and smell past the odour of other horses.
Then, quiet footfalls, and a gentle whicker. Turning toward Eliza, Phantom let out a quiet whicker of greeting in response, leaning slightly into the other mare's touch as he calmed a little. As he caught her words, he tossed them around in his mind for a moment as he usually did. "He has to trust us. He's brought us into his territory. It is a tense situation, so we have no time to bicker amongst ourselves." Perhaps to others not of his herd, his words would have been taken as curt, perhaps even a little ominous, but anyone in his herd would recognise at as his usual mannerisms. Not interested in platitudes or making words sound good, he simply said what he felt, as well as what he would do. If no one brought trouble to him, he was not interested in starting it.
Taking another look at the area, he lipped at her neck quietly, with the rain, her mane had plastered itself to her body, the way he was quite sure his was too, just perhaps not quite yet. His fur tended to be quite thick, after all. "What are the general signs of danger in these parts?" He asked as he worked. He'd agreed to protect the others, after all, it was best that he made himself more capable on his end of the deal.
At one point, he looked up, noting her looking at him almost thoughtfully. Simply continuing, Phantom only noted the observation. Eliza was like him in many ways. If she wished for him to hear her thoughts, she would speak them. At the thought, however, the stallion couldn't help but notice her heat scent, strong and tempting. He wanted to ask, if not for the fact that it would attract other stallions, then for the fact that it might distract the current stallions he was allied with. Still, he thought, looking up at the sky that was weeping copiously unto their backs, it was hardly the time.
Then, she spoke, her thoughts along the same line. Phantom looked at her, slightly surprised. She had spoken little of the Gods in her time with him, so it was a little strange to hear them brought up now, when the weather wasn't exactly something to be thankful for at the moment. All the same, he wouldn't begrudge her her faith. She'd never forced the need to believe in the Gods unto him, and he wouldn't turn around and demand she turned her back on something he couldn't even disprove. Even now, as she spoke of her beliefs, she didn't expect him to echo her thoughts, simply stating what she wanted him to do in return. It was why Phantom had found himself so enamoured with the mare in the first place, other than her loyalty. If he had to pick favourites, she would definitely stand amongst them, young age or not.
But, could they? Bjorn still had not returned, and the crackles of thunder above seemed to enforce that it was a silly idea. However, if she wanted a child whilst there was still thunder, there would not be a better time. Also, whilst waiting for Bjorn to return would be good in terms of security, having the stallion come back just to watch Phantom bedding his daughter might tred on the golden stallion's sensibilities, wound up as he already seemed to be. Silent in thought, Phantom watched his mare quietly, observed how she almost shone with quiet determination. He looked about at the others, at how it seemed to be peaceful (or as peaceful as three herds crammed in a meadow could possibly get), and took a deep breath. Already starting to get used to the forest air, he took a deep sniff, sensing no predators, nor no scent of horses close enough to lunge a sneak attack.
Deliberating, Phantom looked at Eliza, trusting the golden mare's opinion. "I would like to go with what you wish, but do you think it's safe?" His want to cover her or not, he wouldn't put the herds at risk if there really was danger. (fade?)
Northern Quiver
Her daughter was definitely making a show. Telling herself that youngsters would be youngsters, Thera fought the urge to give her excitable daughter a real nip, instead letting herself marvel at Heidi's strength and speed. Anyone looking at Heidi would be able to see how the maiden brimmed with potential. Though definitely arrogant, the maiden was strong enough to withstand more than a few setbacks. At her words entered the air, full of the vigour of youth and the wish for attention and drama, Thera simply let out a quiet nicker of amusement to appease the maiden yet not anger the king. "With winter drawing to a close, any stallion would enjoy the company of a mare. It is easy to see how that may turn into attraction when cloaked with the promise of spring, even towards those who would not reciprocate."
Giving her daughter an encouraging smile, Thera flicked her tail almost coyly, continuing. "However, I am quite sure a young, talented maiden would be able to deepen that attraction to love, if she so chose." Though her daughter was bold and arrogant, she was also cunning and devastatingly smart, and it was not Thera's intention to bring her down. Being one of her own, Thera knew that her daughter should aim for the best.
At her obedience, Thera's allowed herself to be soothed though she knew it was also partly because her daughter didn't have any other distractions at the moment. However, as she left to inform Titan, Thera couldn't help but notice the eagerness in her step. Perhaps she should have chosen her messenger a little more carefully. All the same, both Heidi and Thera were so used to each other that the false nip was pulled off perfectly, and Thera couldn't imagine such a thing being quite as seamless with Norelys, though the other mare would possibly have been less excitable.
As Bjorn's herd moved to a stop, Thera stopped as well, moving closer to the other herds but still far enough that they were three distinguishable herds. Looking around with curiosity, she took down the lay of the land. With heavy foliage and roots grappling the ground, the ground did not shift restlessly under her hooves like they did at Alfheim, and the air did not carry the salty breeze she was used to. Still, the grass was rich (as she quickly found upon taking a bite), and it seemed like a place that was silent, but not in a barren way as it was in jotunheim. Instead, the land seemed quiet with life, instead of the noise of the waves that filled Alfheim beaches. It definitely was going to take a lot of getting used to.
As a drop bounced off her forehead, Thera shook her head in slight surprise. The storm started in earnest, and with a showy movement, Bjorn was gone. Watching him dash off, Thera took another bite of grass, before looking at her herd. Finding them distracted, she whickered to the stragglers quietly, calling them to her. She didn't feel like letting them go too far, not when she did not know what was dangerous. As she did so, she noted the faintest of her heat returning, but clamped it down. This was hardly the time. She did enjoy getting rid of her heat as soon as it appeared, but it seemed this year that would have to take a rest. All the same, she had two foals since Heidi, both of which had passed because of unfortunate circumstances, which was a shame. She did hope that she would be able to safeguard the next one, when it came.
