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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2014 15:45:26 GMT -6
Slow had been the journey but Athena had finally brought home a stallion. Now she had two stallions to her name even though her newest was in a frail state. She guided him into the forest until they were safely far inside her land. Then she walked ahead of her new stud and stopped near a clearing. This is the forest of Arden, my land and your new home. I have another stallion here working to clear the trails deeper into the forest. She looked around as she spoke and then looked back at the stallion before her. Orbs steady and proud. My name is Athena, I would like to know yours. She was not demanding, just curious. She relaxed one back leg to show she was at easy and wanted him to be as well.
Athena could be crazy at times, could change her personality in a blink of an eye. But right now she was herself, her true self. The one self she was before the damage to her mind was done. It was a rare moment that could last for a few days or a few minutes. She was like magic box, every time you opened it there would be something different inside. I will not have you work until you are well enough to. And then you will only do want you can. This stallion had been broken, robed of pride. Athena wanted him to be well and know he was the finest looking stallion around. She could see it in him he just needed some care good treatment. I don't care if you don't trust me now, I believe you were a southerner once. I can see it in your eyes. I was born there and had been a slave but I won my freedom and my right to rule. Just then a flame danced in her gaze, a hint to the fire she held within.
She then called out into the forest announcing her return. Aailyah was sure to be around somewhere but Athena didn't mind if she did show, Hoover, on the other hand, had better be where she had left him. She gazed at her stallion before gazing into the forest. Shadows cast by the trees gave this part of the forest an erie feel and the silence made it feel that much more unpredictable. But Athena liked it here, it matched her personalities.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2014 21:41:19 GMT -6
Their journey had taken longer than Lyle had expected it to. He wasn't quite sure if it had been due to his naturally slow pace or the actual distance in between the two areas. The stallion hoped that it was the former. He wanted to inconvenience this wench as much as possible, using his frailties and size difference as a shield against abuse. She had revealed herself to be soft-hearted, treating him with the same kindness and gentility that she would likely show to another mare. If this was her day-to-day attitude, it wasn't likely that she would retaliate with violence. The thought of being so passive aggressive almost brought a smile to his face.
He walked with her through the forest, his hooves sinking into a carpet of leaves. His eyes trailed up the ancient trunks to their branches. The leaf cover on many of them was already beginning to thin. Fall's arrival was more apparent here than it had been back home. Lyle paused when she passed, one hoof lifted in preparation to take his next step. She spoke to him of another captive that she had set to work making trails. Why on earth one would want to dig deeper into the perfect predator ambush zone was beyond him.
"Lyle," he murmured in reply, setting his raised hoof back on the ground.
As suspicious of her motives and as ready to abuse her kindness as he was, Lyle was genuinely thankful for the promise of rest. There would never be a chance of his escape - even rest and a proper diet could not heal his handicaps - but moving away from his seat in front of death's door would be wonderful.
I don't care if you don't trust me now, I believe you were a southerner once. I can see it in your eyes. I was born there and had been a slave but I won my freedom and my right to rule.
His surprise showed on his face. He had always assumed that mares from the West had been born there, trained to rule much like he and other colts were in the South. That a slave could escape and not be quickly recaptured was a totally foreign concept to him. Lyle opened his mouth to speak but she had already turned away, trumpeting her arrival to the forest's other inhabitants.
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Post by Nat on Jun 3, 2014 1:26:42 GMT -6
When there’s no one else,
look inside yourself She had explored all of the land, her home. She was happy to finally have a place to lay her head for good. She didn't even know, or care, that Athena had left. When she announced her return Aailyah went to find her. Maybe she had something good to say. It was probably a good idea for her to get to know who she would be living with better anyway. When she made it to Athena she noticed there was another stallion with her. He was frail looking. Not a very good choice for a slave. If that truly was the way of the West Athena wasn't in very good shape. Aailyah circled the stallion and snorted. Not a very good choice for a slave. She frowned at him, immediately distrusting. She didn't trust anyone. Her mother left her and her father spent all his time looking for her. His daughter was forgotten, following him around on his journey to find Bahria. He didn't seem to care when she needed someone to care. Out Of Character, None then you’ll find the strength,
that will guide your way |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2014 12:50:26 GMT -6
Athena was becoming slightly frustrated with Lyle's silence, but she was sure in time he'd come round. There was a reason she had taken him, she herself didn't know precisely why she had. Maybe it was her deep hate of the south and wanting a wounded southern slave in her herd. Or maybe she was just interested in his appearance. He was a good looking stud under all of his weaknesses. He couldn't work hard nor be forced to fight to protect the herd. But he was big, and handsome. Athena looked him over as she thought. She would have to find another use for the stud. But for now it was time to settle in and show Lyle the land, where he could and couldn't go. Where he would be doing light work in the future. She turned her gaze back to the forest deciding where to take him first.
Before Athena could make up her mind the sound of approaching hooves on the forest floor caught her attention. Out of the shadows came Aailyah, Hoover's daughter and Athena's only other mare. Athena hoped the mare was finding Arden to her liking. After all mares were the driving force here in the west and a lone mare trying to corral a herd of stallions would not work. Hello Aailyah She greeted the mare. Athena hadn't seen Aailyah since she left her father to explore her home and she was delighted to see her here.
Athena said nothing as the other mare circled Lyle. When Aailyah spoke, Athena was not offended by the mare's thoughts of him. Lyle, this is Aailyah. You will obey her just as you do me. Athena then walked over to where Aailyah stood. Coming to a stop next to the mare she spoke softly. You are right, but only for a working slave. I have something else in mind for him. An mischievous smile curved her maw upward as she eyed the stud. He was big and strong, once a southern stallion. The evil scum there force bred mare, Athena had been one of them. His ailments are due to beatings. His blood is most likely clear of disease. She didn't know if Aailyah would catch on to where she was going nor did she care. Athena could be selfish, and if she did keep Lyle only as a breeding slave he would be her's and only her's.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2014 13:25:57 GMT -6
Lyle stood stiff, doing his best not to glare at the young mare as she circled him. What right did some dainty little runt have to look him over like a piece of meat? Plenty, probably, seeing as they were in the West, but the once Southern stallion hated to think of such a reversal of power being a reality. Eight years a slave and he still could not completely let go of the notion that he should be in power, that the mares who beat and starved and looked at him like property should instead be under him, figuratively and literally. When she told Athena that he was not a good choice, he felt another little wound to his pride. He was surprised that he had any left at this point, and that such a remark still affected him. One would think that, after hearing numerous variations on the same phrase for eight years, he would be at least slightly less vulnerable to them. That Athena did not seem at all offended that the other mare had apparently insulted her choice also hurt a little.
Lyle, this is Aailyah. You will obey her just as you do me.
Wonderful! he thought sarcastically, resisting his automatic urge to roll his eyes. Yes, let's hand control of the crippled Southern captive over to a mare who already doesn't appear to like him. He could already see her ordering him to do, say, brush flies off her coat or jump off a cliff. Probably not the cliff, now that he thought about it - that would mean that he would die and thus be able to get away, something that no Western mare would ever allow. Maybe he would die soon anyway. He wasn't elderly, but you didn't see many horses his age, mare or stallion, running, especially ones that had lived as rough a life as he had.
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Post by Nat on Jun 29, 2014 7:31:43 GMT -6
When there’s no one else,
look inside yourself She could see the stallion was a little hurt by her comment. She didn't care. She like that he was in pain. Maybe hurting this stallion would make her feel better. She could think of her parents and Eden's Garden while she did it. She flashed back to when they arrived in the East. She had been mean to Eden's Garden, but the mare should have stayed. She should have seen how much Aailyah needed the love of another. Now it was too late. Athena broke through her thoughts. She was going to breed him. Aailyah shuddered at the though. She couldn't imagine carrying anyone's baby, letting anyone touch her in that way. Better you then me. She smiled at Athena. She would be the leader was happy she didn't have to worry about sharing any of her stallions with Aailyah. Out Of Character, None then you’ll find the strength,
that will guide your way |
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