Midnight's Mirage
The storm that was rumbling across the tatters of the sky was proving to be one worth reckoning. Though a foreigner to these lands, Phantom knew the lay of his land intrinsically, had known it since he had taken over. A part of him knew it was due to his hard work- how he'd moved around and studied the area countless times even before he'd attacked, but a part of him also suspected that there was something spiritual at work. He wasn't exactly the most devout, either. Where Bjorn respected the Gods fervently and Titan lived the Gods' favour, Phantom would never speak much about the God's, if at all.
Of course, that was if and when the stallion actually did talk. However, Phantom knew better to dismiss something just because he couldn't quite prove it yet. Whilst it was not good to hold faith in things that would fall with a breath, it would also not be wise to create enemies out of thin air either. Thinking about the land of jotunheim, Phantom mentally singled out a few shallow caves under outcroppings in the high plateau. It really wasn't great in terms of shelter, but it would definitely be better than being out here in the open. The jotunheim herd might have a few casualties. Then again, he reflected, casting his eyes over the sparse herd. It wasn't as if that was new.
With limited food, close to no water and air so thin you had to check if you'd breathed, jotunheim wasn't exactly a land of plenty. All the same, all the horses here had been hardened by the expanses of land that stretched on forever, grown right out of the adversity that had tried to kill them. It would take more than a paltry storm to uproot them, no matter how strong.
Still, they had a little while yet. Casting his eyes over his herd, Phantom's eyes lingered on the bright gold shine of Eliza's coat, the mare currently quite close. A striking resemblance to her father, Eliza had come to him relatively recently, but he felt like he related to the mare on a quiet, unspoken level. With the same love for silence and firmness, she was a trustworthy mare, and Phantom had never had cause to dislike her.
Then, as if drawn by his thoughts, Phantom let his gaze continue traveling, before stopping once more on Astrid. The maiden was a 2 year old now, and would either choose to find a herd this year, or perhaps stay for one more round of seasons. All the same, her time with the herd was drawing thin, and the thought was coloured with pride and melancholy. She was a sweet filly, and he hoped he'd taught her enough to choose her partners well. Letting his head drop to grasp at some tough grass, the king chewed in thought.
It being almost spring, it would be wise to try and get some valkyries. All the same, the loud ones tended to irritate him, and unlike most other stallions, Phantom was a little peculiar in how picky he was with mares.
Then, a whinny travelled through the air, tumulus as it spread through the air. Curious, Phantom followed the sound, his ears flicking indecisively when he confirmed it's source. He'd basically known it was Bjorn by sound, but the unlikely situation of the other King calling to him had made him check what his mind already knew. Calling him?
Turning to look over at his herd, Phantom let out a small whuff to them, alerting them to his departure. "It would be wise for me to see what he wants. All of you don't have to come, but if a threat comes, split up and either lose it or get rid of it." In all honesty, the warning was unwarranted, given how Jotunheim had basically no predators and earls would be foolish to try and snake a mare in territory. He wasn't quite sure why, but once one belonged to a territory, they seemed to know every area like it was a part of them. All the same, he supposed it was good to be safe.
Moving over fluidly, Phantom didn't bother putting on any airs, though he wasn't exactly running over. His movements were smooth, controlled and efficient. He knew his company, after all. If one wanted to compare size or strength they would have the older King bested in a second. But the same could have been said of the former King of Jotunheim when Phantom had stepped up to the challenge. Phantom knew full well that others estimated him, and used it fully, never challenging it.
As he stepped before Bjorn and Titan, giving them both a quiet nod, the stallion spoke of a compromise, and Phantom pricked his ears.A forest would offer a lot more protection than a shallow cave, and he would be an idiot to refuse.
"The terms are reasonable to me." He said simply, before watching Titan. The stallion was definitely imposing, large in size and strength, with his coat the darkest black. He was the youngest of the three, with a considerable amount of pride, but to be fair the stallion had not lost any battles. Phantom saw the cast of the younger stallion's ears, showing that the other stallion didn't exactly love the idea. Then again, none of them really did. Phantom simply took it. It was the most advantageous position at the moment, and if that situation shifted, so would he. Titan agreed as well, and that was that.
That done, Phantom took a step back before turning, not wanting his movement to be perceived as an attack. "If this is agreeable to you as well, shall I get my herd?" He wasn't quite sure if Bjorn would agree to what Titan had said, but either way he'd probably end up getting his mares and children over.
Northern Quiver
The storm was going to be a large one. Watching it grow close, Thera felt a stirring at the very tips of her fur, making her shift her weight to one leg, then the next. Whilst a simple motion, those who knew the little mare would know it was one borne of anxiety, and Thera shot a look toward Heidi, her daughter. The maiden was at the age to leave, her frame strong and her coat dark, both traits from her father.
A whinny cut across the air, making Thera look over curiously. Bjorn? Calling a meeting? Titan called toward them, telling them to keep close, and Thera let out an agreeable whicker, though she really wanted to know what Bjorn was calling the meeting for. If there was any flaw of Thera's, it would be an irrepressible curiosity about everything that had gone on, but she wouldn't argue.
Stepping closer to Heidi, Thera bobbed her head to her daughter, before starting to groom her, all in all the perfect mother. "What do you think is happening?" The whisper was soft, huffed out in a breath as she nipped at her daughter's forelock. Though her daughter was every bit like her father, the cunning and manner she held was very similar to Thera's own, so Thera often voiced her thoughts aloud to the younger mare, using her as a sounding board. She had shown herself to be quite capable herself, which made her views doubly important to Thera.
