And There Is A Choice

[Wild@Heart]

Before long Ignid was leading us into the forest, leafy canopy stretching far above our heads. It was even darker here, yet I seemed to be able to see easy enough without any light. I stepped softly and silently, like I was used to doing and had done all my life. The hear stag matched me, but Ovid wasn't nearly as lucky. With every few feet we traveled he managed to stumble over something silly. A root sticking up over the ground, a twig that had fallen, a stray rock, and even when there seemed to be nothing at all to hamper with him he managed to become tangled in his own two feet. This made me giggle softly, his insane clumsiness. And yet if it would have been any other horse this would have irritated me to no end.

Don't. The word came from up from in a hushed hiss. Taking up the end, I couldn't see Ovid's reaction, but I could see the fiery ones. His pearly whites were exposed, reflecting light in the dark world around us. Clearly he had not been as amused as me, and I opened my mouth to speak before closing it. I was sure that the gangly brute before me would not appreciate a little ol' mare jumping to his rescue, after all he should be able to stand up for himself. And so instead I gently pressed my whiskery maw against his rump, our hide barely touching. I was hoping that it would be too dark for Ignid to see it, and that it would just be something shared between the two of us. My nostrils quivered, inhaling his musky odor along with the damp smell of undergrowth.

I pulled away quickly as the ground beneath my hooves began to tremble ever so slightly, and instantly my senses were set upon high alert. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary, and yet something was very wrong. And then in the distance, before my very eyes, the ground seemed to open up, a figure emerging. My breath caught in my throat as a figure I didn't recognize appeared. I was sure that I had never seen this golden creature before and yet she had the faint smell of Kratos upon her. And then I knew. This was exactly what he had said, the friend of his who would come and find me. Now she was here, and she would tell me what to do next. Didn't see that there. Her voice came out in a slur as she spoke, pools finding me even in the dark. And then she turned her gaze to the being in the front, and I observed carefully. Ebony tipped ears fell backward, gaze hardening. What's wrong with you? The femme's voice was accusing, and the crimson tinted beast came back with a snarl. Where is your mind? This isn't your business, mind you. And then the mare spoke the words that I knew she would, that I too had been thinking although hadn't said. And instead of speaking up here, I remained silent and watched.

Do you know me? Ignid's head rose slightly, jerking back. Hah. Pathetic. In return the buckskins neck became outstretched and lowered, snake like, and she advanced upon the beast, sinking her canines into his flesh right behind his crown. I could smell the blood as it filled the air, and instantly was repulsed. I had never appreciated it, but somehow I had managed to stomach it and that was what I would do once more. And neither of you have the mark either? She looked first at Ovid, and then to me. My mask was expressionless, a cold stone slab. Ovid, isn't it? Had any sweet dreams lately? A cold smile spread across her lips, and instantly my heart rate began to quicken. She moved closer, eyes moving over the chestnut's body. I hoped that she would see what I had, that she would know that it was always the ones that were counted out that really should have been counted in. I hoped she would be proud of me for this one. I hoped, and yet I didn't know.

The large golden being began to walk around us, inspecting the two that I had claimed. I was growing uneasy on the inside, but I appeared completely calm and collected on the out. She slowed when she reached Ovid, mouth moving closer to his hark as her words came out in a dare. Afraid? Oh, hush. I'll take care of you. Her very words made my blood run cold as teeth sunk into the creatures neck. I could hear them tear into the soft flesh, the scent of blood stronger this time. There was nothing I could do to stop this, no way I could protect either of them. It was even worse knowing that I was next, knowing what was to come. I took in deep gulps of crisp chilly air, attempting to calm my wildly beating heart.

It's not that bad. You'll get used to it. I watched as Ovid trembled, as the mare seemed to be reveling in this reaction. I had expected her to turn to me now, to do to me what she had so easily done to the others, and instead the beast turned away, addressing us as a group once more. You picked an interesting two, miss mare, my girl, but fair compensation is in order. We will speak very soon. For now the three of you need obey only this. Kratos has a plan. You are all part of the plan. Below him you obey me. You all three have the potential to do something great, but no one will skid the wheels for you. No longer was the creature looking at us, but among the trees. With a simple gesture the creature summoned us, and we followed. Great power awaits you. She seemed to be speaking to me as she said this, and I took in her words. Yes, I was above the two I had brought in, and they needed to know it. I would show them.

We had wandered to a large oak, the mare pressing her hoof into the soft bark. It began to shatter and break into millions of little pieces, falling onto the already littered ground. Her pillars broke through the round trunk, leaving a gaping hole that she managed to fit through. Without hesitation Ignid followed, and then Ovid. But me, I was less brave. Having seen others go first didn't not assure me that I would make it, so as I hesitantly moved forward my breath was held in my chest, pools still managing to be empty.

Somehow I made it there, ending up exactly where the two stags I had found were. Standing between them I surveyed the land, looking out over the hundreds of equines that dotted the landscape. I could smell their sweat from here, hear the clang of sharp hoof on rock. Each and every being in the distance had a cherry colored swirl behind their ear, and I knew that this was the mark he had chosen. This was the army that he was training. I turned to Ovid, my gaze ready to judge his reaction as I searched his face. This is what he would be put through, this is what I would be put through, and I wasn't sure if he could handle this. I knew that he would manage if he really wanted to, but I wasn't sure that he would enjoy it as much as I hoped. Hey, I whispered in his hark, able to talk freely now. You can do this. I know you can. And I'll be here with you, each and every step of the way. My voice was soft and encouraging as I spoke, chest pressed up against his shoulder as I attempted to get my cave as close to his twin peaks as possible. I could feel his body heat mingling with mine, our frames pressed tightly together. And as soon as the words left my cave I hesitated ever so slightly before pulling away, giving him one last longing look before turning to the fiery beast and waiting for him to speak, my pools now giving him the once over. I wasn't sure what to do now, and so I would get to know the two I had managed to rope in before the action began. Before our future's became unknown once again.

Words: 1,423
Muse: Good.

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[Velnias]

Lucretia

Tweet, tweet, little birdies. I flickered a cute grin at a colt passing me by. When I was in this sort of mood, and I grinned evilishly like this, my face -what could I say?- it sort of morphed. My teeth shone, little daggers in my pointed mouth -if you'll forgive the hashed metaphor of mine- and my eyes, deep and pitless an black and shiny, glittered demonically. I quite liked tha startled look and bemused pleasure I gained from the experience. But all in good time, it always grew old, and I moved on. Now, how about that miss mare? I drawled the words in my mind, thinking with a shudder the things I could make her do. Instantly, I shook my own head, rather madly. "Noooo, no, oh no no no no! No, oh no! Remember, she's not to be a tool to be used! His exact words! And besides, think of the things we can do together! She'll be good fun." Then I really began to think about it, chewing more thoughtfully on my words I'd hashedly spat out to myself. Because no one was listening, no one ever did, and if they should be listening they should be kicked for eavesdropping, or at least taught that there's always something much more productive -and back breaking, labor-wise- to be doing aside from dropping in on someone else's conversations. "I will train her well," I made the silent words like a pledge. I had no notion of to whom they were meant.

In my mind, I called her to me. I had ambled through crowds and sparse gatherings walking from here to there that seemed so casual but were of course, so organized. I was past the crowds. I was in my hole, my somehow stoic cave. My hole that dipped down inside the ground, that opened up cleanly and gaped when you looked down inside it. It was on the edge of the cleared terra that was actually bigger than it looked. That you couldn't see or hear in from the outside. Inside my underground-level cave there were roots jutting from the walls, only here and there, and otherwise I kept it up well. I liked to be clean about my business -some business, at least. I stopped, my footfalls like walking on dewy grass in the soft dirt of the underground. I looked up and around, seeing the colors that were me, all around. Silvery crystals of dew, dripping softly from overhead, a soft drip above my ears, and a quiet thudding at my feet. There was the yellow light of early evening blotting the opening of the cavernlike entrance. Like a gaping jowl, toothless and old, but without blood.

I felt her hooves coming up behind me. I heard her walking inside my shelter within a camp within a place that I had always been told was my living place. Not my home. My home...? I never had a home. If a home is where the heart is, I never, ever had one and possibly never, ever will. But I didn't need one. The bare thoght made me snarl. But I was already aware Nakoma, upon her entering, would have already caught me in the quietest mood she'd ever see me in. And now, with my lips curled to expose my teeth I faced her. My eyes gleamed again, as they always did. "Good. You listened. It shouldn't be difficult for you." Though I'd almost lashed the words, I hadn't insulted her. She was intelligent; that was one thing I knew anyone should be careful to never underestimate.

Then when I looked at her I approached her, finally. And I sensed she had a cringing feeling, like she was watching me. "Oh. I get it." A grin came onto my face that looked like a dark-eyed smirk in the slashed light. "We vixens can carve the Mark. You, dear, only have to pledge allegiance formally. To me." I stared at her, gauging whether she'd be relieved or anxious by the offer. Really, it wasn't an offer. It just mattered how compliant she was with it. But I wasn't going to tell her that, no. However, I could see that although she was well on her way and strong minded to our cause, she needed to be made fully loyal. I needed to tread carefully this once with her.

"The males are the warrior, you've no doubt discerned. We can fight, if we choose," I said, referring to the mares. "But many females opt to lure in recruitees, being mares, and all females are carvers. And only a special few, female or male, are commanders. I am one. The invite has been extended to you, also." I had shifted past her, my gold dappled shimmering in the silky daylight. I stopped, my face turning to stare into her eyes now. I wanted her to fully understand the gravity of the choice. What it meant for her. "You want to prove yourself. I can see it," I tilted my head up, looking down at her with my dark eyes, daring her to counter me. "Here's your chance."

[Wild@Heart]

I could feel a tug, hear my name being called, inside of my head. At first this stunned me, and I stood with a blank expression as I attempted to figure it all out. But as it happened again I somehow knew that I was being called for, by the very mare that had brought us here just moments ago. She didn't scare me, not in the least, but I wasn't too keen upon the idea of being alone with her either. Part of me wanted to bring both of my boys with, when had they started being referred to as my boys?, and then part of me didn't. And so I bid my farewells, deciding to make the small venture all on my own.

As I began to walk I picked a trail down through the training fields. Being amongst the hard at work made me feel slightly lazy, and yet I paid little attention to that. Instead there was much more to take in. The sound of thundering hooves, as equines in lines marched in tandem, breathing heavy. The battle cry of the hawks that swarmed overhead, a constant reminder as to what they were working so hard to achieve, and what was yet to come. The sharp hoof against rock, the clang that rang out as hooves were sharpened and prepared to tear flesh. The grass upon the ground was crushed, spots soaked with fresh blood and others stained with the evidence. Yet I saw no skeletons, smelled no decay. I couldn't help but wonder what happened with the bodies, or if there were no bodies at all. Trees lined the clearing, trunks scarred with battle wounds of it's own, used for practice I was sure, or unsuspecting bystanders who had been caught between heavy fire. And then the smells, the mixture of such extremes. Sweat, that was the first and foremost that was evident. And then came the equines aroma who was sweating, my nares able to pick out each different fragrance. There was but only a hint of blood that managed to enter my nostrils, everything else proving to be a good mask. I took all of this in in stride, as I continued to walk in the direction of which I was being pulled.

Soon the crowds began to thin out, beings only appearing far and few between as I grew closer. And then I entered a cave, my feet no longer upon solid ground but now being supported by a buoyant pad of dirt. This cave was more like a tunnel, traveling underground. The dirt walls pressed in close around me, and I couldn't help but imagine the worst as I focused my mind upon staying calm. As I left the first drop off all the sounds of the outside world ceased, and only the smell of the dank earth was left. Water dripped from the ceiling, falling upon the already moistened earth and creating a soft sound. And then a stream of light was visible, the mare's golden hide shining in it. I slowly advanced upon her, walking as loudly as possible so as to assure her that I was no sneak, and nothing of the sort was intended here.

And as I stopped behind her she slowly turned around, lips curled back to expose pointed canines, eyes sparkling. Good. You listened. It shouldn't be difficult for you. Her words dripped with venom, and yet I didn't flinch. I stood before her, crown held high and chin pushed out, expression strong and noble. I wasn't scared of her in the least, and there would be no hesitation from me if this encounter came down to a fight, but I was also willing to learn and take orders. I would not be the one to start anything between us.

She stepped toward me, Oh I get it. Her lips twisted into a smirk, eyes squinting to match. We vixens can carve the Mark. You, dear, only have to pledge allegiance formally. To me. I listened carefully as she spoke, but as she finished I knew this was something I wouldn't do. I had had a conversation with myself about this mare in the way here, and I had a feeling that we would rub each other the wrong way. But, as I saw it I had two options here. Either I could lie and betray her, telling her that I pledged my loyalty to her, or I could do what was right and receive the marking from pain instead. But either way I had decided that I was not loyal to her, not in the least, and that soon enough I would be above her. The one and only that I was loyal to, the one and only that was worthy of being called master was Kratos, and he was the only one that I would make such a pact with. But instead of speaking I continued to listen, waiting for her to continue as she promptly did.

The males are the warrior, you've no doubt discerned. We can fight. If we choose. But many females opt to lure in recruiters, being mares. And all females are carvers; I am one. The invite has been extended to you, also. She had slid her body past mine as she spoke, and now she stopped behind me. But she craned her neck around, turning to stare into my violet pools, her gaze strong. You want to prove yourself, I can see it. Here's your chance. She had turned her back upon the enemy, she had made a mistake, and in this small tunnel she would be much less available to return an attack. But then again so would I, and so instead of snaking out my neck and tearing at her soft skin like I so badly wanted to, I instead exercised my self control as my mask remained blank and my heart rate steady. My cave opened, voice coming out in a tone that was colder than ice, and much more harsh than any I had heard her use, a glare settling upon my mask. I will not bow down to you in any way, or pledge allegiance. You may be higher ranked then me for now, but you are no better. No better in the least. My lips now curled back to expose my equally intimidating canines, harks falling flat against my crown. I will gladly take a mark from your pearly whites before I give in to you anyday. And so with that I waited for her to make her move, waited to feel the tear of my flesh as her teeth sunk deep into my neck, leaving a mark that would be there for the rest of my life. It was too late to go back now, too late to change my mind.

Words: 1,140
Muse: Definitely not on cloud 9.

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[Velnias]

Lucretia

My ears flicked to catch the female's rebellious words. Rebellion; such a dangerous and wonderful thing. Yet here, now, it was not good for her. I faced the exit. I stood between her and the only hole out of my little shelter. It was, in fact, she who had made a mistake by letting herself be blocked in. I was watching her every move, of course. Surely, though, she hadn't taken it the wrong way? Ah, but it seemed she had. Hmm. Pity for her, then. I curled my lip, and snaked my head around to face the mare. Now I bored straight into her eyes. My own were lit with the same fire as hers, the inner strength, the rebel in us all. My masked face was stretched thin and pale golden dappled like the rest of my beautiful form. The long, dark tendrils of mane fell like wavy threads over the side of my neck.

She was brave in some ways, in others cowardly. At least she was a good judge of chances. Tight-lipped but expressionless, I watched her for a mere second. I didn't care what she thought about me. Whose rules was I playing to here? No one's, none at all. I served Kratos only, and he and I were like equals. Though this mare didn't realize it, I would be perfectly happy to accept her into our high-esteemed circle. The more the merrier! The stronger we would be. She thought I was selfish. Prissy. Mean. Darling, the world isn't just that sweet. I would make certain my dominance over her was clear, but soon, she'd come around. And she wouldn't be leaving my watch that easily.

I only tasted her flesh a second. My mark was deep, but I was less harsh as I had been with the others. And she'd realize that though this marking was permanent, for indeed it was, it would only resonate with a dull stinging. It would subside within moments. My head had only snaked out for a second, my eye rolling over her face as I did so. My skills were too sharp, too quick, my power too strong, for her to be wise to try anything. And I was counting on her not to do something foolish. If she did? Well...it was lucky for her that she did not. "See?" I looked down at her, my eye contact unwavering. "I have one, too, Nakoma. It's not a mark of my power but of his. We all share that in common."

There was a need to hurry it up. Our meeting had only just begun, and yet it needed to come to a close. "You didn't answer my question. Do you think I have to care how you think of me? I have bigger things to do. And so do you." I looked between the mare's ears, seeing a shadow pass over the above-ground mouth of the hole. I drew in a deep breath, wrinkling my nose. Hooves pounded above my head. I was aware something was happening. Many things always were. But I was aware I had a place I was needed, and Nakoma had a place she was ordered to go. "An army needs you now. I'm sending you there. With your mark, you can talk between any of us," I said. Like this. My venomous words entered her mind, not spoken through my lips this time. When you return, you will have your boys back. You don't trust me now, but trust I won't harm you. Agreed?

[Wild@Heart]

I watched her closely, judging her every move. Her lip curled back, ivory canines glistening in the streaks of light that entered the cave. Her neck was positioned close to the ground, snaked out as she glared right back at me, expression equally filled with passion and a firing burning within. And then my world seemed to slow down as she advanced upon me, teeth barred. I knew it was going to happen now, I knew that I would bare the mark, and it would happen the painful way. My own mask was still one of aggression, but my muscles tightened, bracing for impact. And then it happened, I could feel her teeth sink into my flesh, her tongue swirl around, ruffling my fur. And then she was gone just as quickly as she had come, backpedaling as the distance between us greatened. It stung a little, the mark that she had created, but I hadn’t even flinched and for that I was proud. I had a high pain tolerance, something that had come with the new body. The only thing good that had come of such a terrible one.

See? I have one too, Nakoma. It’s not a mark of my power, but of his. We all share that in common. Her voice was cold and daring, as if she were speaking to one below her, all the while her tone daring me to speak up and go against hers. And yet I managed to wipe my mask clean of all emotion, the anger leaving as quickly as it had approached. We were on the same team, after all, and there was no reason to make enemies. One day I might need her to have my back, and I would want her there. But if the situation became switched around, if she were the one in trouble, would I save her? I pondered upon this for only a moment, but the answer had always been at the back of my mind. Yes, I would save her, and she wouldn’t owe me anything. But with her, I had a feeling that she would throw such a debt in my face over and over again. And that was one thing that I really did not want. I didn’t want to owe her, for in fear that the favor she would ask for in return would be too costly, and I would have no choice but to do it.

You didn’t answer my question. Do you think I have to care how you think of me? I have bigger things to do. And so do you. I was watching her orbs, my own violet ones emotionless. She was looking above me, her crown positioned towards me but her seers peering at something else up above. I could hear her heart beat even out as she had a sudden intake of breathe, her nose folding up to create tight wrinkles. An army needs you now. I’m sending you there. With your mark you can talk between any of us. I stopped to think about this, but then her voice appeared in my head. Like This. When you return you will have your boys back. You don’t trust me now, but trust I won’t harm you. Agreed? In my head her voice still sounded like her, held her personality, and I wondered if mine would do the same. I also wondered if she knew what I was thinking, if she could read my thoughts, and if she was only screening hers because she knew. But judging by the fact that I couldn’t hear the thoughts of others, or the words, I figured that one could only hear another if they were meant to, and nothing else.

And so, practicing my newly attained talent, I focused upon projecting my voice into her head, the words coming out in a sullen and serious manner. Agreed. We fight together, one team against another. And then with that I moved forward, footprints imprinting upon the packed dirt, as I walked past her to the entrance, looking back to wait for her to tell me where I was to go. Secretly I couldn’t wait to communicate with the two loners that I had obtained, but I would never let anyone know. Both of those two were my legs up in this, and I planned to keep them by my side, I planned to watch over them and protect them from all the dangers of the world.

Words: 747
Muse: I think it has all been siphoned into Sovay.

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[Velnias]

Lucretia

Time to send her off, then. I smiled inwardly to myself, believing the scheming Kratos had planned her for was truly a masterful plan. I also was glad that a chance for this young mare to prove her worth had come so quickly. She would be a valuable asset to have in our herd, there was no doubt about that whatsoever. As the mare turned from me she acted as though she sensed my eyes burning holes in her shoulders. However, I wasn't concerned at all about her. She had a strong character and it was one that was made strong with the kinds of inner torture only one who has faced pain, death, and longing and turned an evil eye to it could have known...she had experienced this and had passed through it afterward. Unscathed, if not for the curse that we all shared, and the memories I sensed were in her eyes. There they were, flitting, never present for long.

I was eager to recieve her back under my watch after she had led this assault Kratos had said they planned. I was awaiting a changed mare, one who would have not only experienced but directed the flow of batrle's blood. Nakoma was leaving my den and after this moment of reminiscing in my hopes, I joined her. I tossed my forelock behind my ears, almost prancing from my den to meet the dim light of the above world again. My buckskin coat looked like a dull gray in the monotone world, as did everything else. All differences aside, Nakoma and I almost looked like opposites. She with her darker beige-brown coat, I with my lighter hide and blacker mane. The metallic light shimmered on the coat of hers that she kept so clean and groomed, whereas mine caught the light and the light dapples of my coat reflected it.

When Nakoma's words appeared in my mind, I cast an unreadable look at the smaller mare. I will be going with you, yes. But you'll be, in a sense, I added, looking past her, on your own. I pictured in my mind the place we would be going. I new it, I felt it. Devil was there, the infamous (or not quite so, yet) tall, dark and handsome strategist behind the army. I hadn't been much impressed with him from what I'd been told. Then again, I was the kind of girl who liked layers; I preferred a complex brain working next to mine over a shallow tide pool full of useless sensitivities. And I was good at reading body language, if I put my mind at work at it. I had the feeling that this Devil would be a piece of work, from what I'd been told, but a stallion never frightened me. We're coming, I shouted out into the turbulence of my mind. I channeled my thoughts, searching for the faintest trace of the stallion's consciousness. Finally, I found it and a strange mixture of static and vibrations pulsated throuh my temples. I focused on him, waiting for him to respond. And suddenly he was there; we were connected, mind to mind, and I got a taste of his power that faced up to mine for a split second. I had the uneasy feeling that maybe he was...inside my head. I met his power with a snakelike vice that bit and thrashed at him, forcing him to back down. He had heard me, at least, though he didn't respond. No matter. As I made ready to transport Nakoma and myself to his place, somewhere in the glorious breath of fresh air that was Outside, I tasted the charred scent of him on my tongue. Here, surely, was a horse with a heart black as mine and eyes more full of old memories than Nakoma, and they made him ache inside.

WORDS 750
NOTES sorry to toss her around so much. I'm just glad we have a plot in which things are actually moving quickly. I didn't talk about Lucy actually taking/teleporting them...so be creative! They appear in Call of the Unavanged with Devil but Devil'll be out of there once they arrive, shady fella that he is.