Avi*Kiran

Maybe... maybe she'd just changed terras. After all, alone with just Kiran, where Moony used to live with them... maybe she just need a change of scenery to help her get out of her depression.

A pair of stallions: an odd thing to see, unless they were related. Fortunately, such was the case here. Avi was Kiran's uncle, and they were both looking for Fauve. She'd... gone missing, completely.

Kiran moved his buff bod forward, stopping just at the edge of this terra. Even if Ma wasn't here, maybe they'd seen her. Ignoring his dark uncle's sounds of protest, he released an urgent call. Hoping... hoping she'd be here.

Ultair, Icefell, Lysismach, Polemos, & Innops

While Zaquaim was off in another area of the terra with Glaze and Blackberry, his brother was keeping watch at the other end of the land with Icefell and the three foals of the herd.

Leaving Icefell to keep a watch of the three rambunctious foals, the tawny-brown draft X thoroughghbred stallion moved off to inspect the two strangers. Being more mild mannered and submissive than his big brother, Ultair did not imediately get aggressive with the two brutes as he approached them, though there was a cautious step to his movements. "You've entered the land of Zaquaim and Icefell. What is your purpose here?" Brother, I hope you aren't too far away... I cannot hold off two stallions on my own.. He thought desperately to himself, though was still hoping that these two weren't here to take over the herd. Judging by the tone of their call, it seemed more that they were searching for someone.

Polemos was running circles around his two sisters, bucking his hind legs in the air now and then. "You see, I can jump higher than you two! And I can run faster!" He boasted, tossing his head about now.

"Oh, you think you're hot stuff! Innops and I could soo beat you in a race!" Lysismach challenged back, stomping her hoof in declaration.

Avi*Kiran

Avi looked Ultair over carefully, though it was nothing personal. Raised to fight, weighing a potential opponent was a habit he was still trying to break.

But Kiran gave Ultair his most winning smile as he gave a deep nod of greeting. Not submission, but then they did not really plan to stay here unless Fauve was around. Then he raised his voice, soft and respectful. Peaceful intentions, friend, I assure thee. We're looking for my mother. A deep bay, white speckled, three white socks. Stands a little shorter than me, answers to the name of Fauve. Have you seen her?

Ultair, Icefell, Lysismach, Polemos, & Innops

A faint sigh was released from the chocolate stallion when Kiran revealed his intentions; good, no fighting. "I'm afraid I haven't seen such a mare. It's an unfortunate thing, but we really haven't seen many horses in the Valley of late." Ultair went on to inform, with a look of worry waking in his eyes. Feeling compelled to help a fellow equine in such dire times, the stallion made a suggestion, "If you'd like, I'm sure my brother wouldn't mind if we helped you search for your mother. You can probably reside here for a few days if need be."

While the foals began a game of race, Icefell turned her watchful gaze to the three stallions standing off a little ways from her. From this distance, she couldn't hear what they were saying, but at least she could read their body language. And from that, she deciphered they weren't trying for a herd take-over.

Avi*Kiran

Kiran's disapointment was evident, as was every emotion that he experienced. So, Ma wasn't here... but Ultair's words made him raise his heavy head, gave him hope. That would be very kind. I can't tell you how worried we've been. You see, there is a two-legger... a horrible fellow. He's been... And then suddenly, he shook his head to himself, feeling an abashed smile grow on his face. I'm sorry, I seem to have forgotten my manners. I am Kiran, and this is my Uncle Avi.

Avi gave Ultair a deep nod that matched Kiran's exactly, his deep voice flowing in a soft, Greetings, but no more. He wasn't really unfriendly, just... well, he'd lost enough in his life. He wasn't going to risk getting close to anyone else.

Ultair, Icefell, Lysismach, Polemos, & Innops

A tension entered the stallion's pose as Kiran mentioned the two-legger. But before Ultair was to question about the evil creature, the subject was changed. With a sheepish look, Ultair realized that he too had forgotten his manners. "Kiran, Avi, I am Ultair, brother of Zaquaim." Greetings established, the crossbreed went on, "I will have to introduce you to the leads soon, but first, please go on about this human. We are not fond of them at all, as I am sure you can understand." Ultair explained.

Avi*Kiran

Both stallions gave a brief nod to Ultair's words, but it was Avi who spoke next, his voice full of repressed fury. That demon. Imagine the silence at the peak of midnight set abroad on two legs, and you will have him. Black on black on black, soul on heart on body. And he turned about slightly, allowing Ultair the full view of his body: raised, angry red welts covered most of his flesh, something that even his bay coloring could not effectively hide. A cat-o-nine tails was one of Doyle's favorite weapons, and he made use of it often. After giving Ultair a moment to absorb the wounds, he turned back, voice cold, trembling a bit in anger. THAT is what he is like, the devil. Horses are but flesh on which to wreak his fury.

Ultair, Icefell, Lysismach, Polemos, & Innops

A shudder ran through the stallion at the sight of the brutal scars. He carried scars himself, but they were from the teeth of horses; a few by his own brother. But even they were mere nicks, and things to be expected. The unnatural, vicious marks on Avi's hide brought both fury and fear to Ultair. "I'm sorry..." He whispered under his breath, drawing his gaze away from the marks of the human.

"Are you suggesting this two-legger has something... to do with her disappearance?" Came his next question, a wary, apprehensive look in his dark eyes. Zaquaim was firmly against anything to do with humans, but Ultair knew a way to get around that.

Avi*Kiran

Avi watched Ultair react to the sight, giving a nod as though he had made up his mind about something. Good, let the youngling realize what he was getting himself into. Yes, most certainly. He has good reasons to hate my Fauve. She is the only one who will not bend to his will. He will see her flesh rent, her spirit broken, her life lost, if he can.

Kiran was familiar with his uncle's scar, but he still could not repress the shudder that always ran through him when he was forced to view them anew. As usual, his horror was clear on his face, thinking of his poor mother at the hands of that beast. Can you help us? Will you help us?

Ultair, Icefell, Lysismach, Polemos, & Innops

Ultair shook his head in disgust when Avi described the vicious intents of the devil-man. "I don't have much experience with humans, and Zaquaim will not risk the herd confronting them..." Decisive eyes traveled from Avi to Kiran, "...but I know who will help us." Us. He had decided already that he would help out these stallions, "There is a herd of deer are known for killing humans. A few in particular are knowledged on human structures and weapons. If you wish to seek out this devil man, our best hope is to get help from the deer."

Ultair turned away from the two for a moment as he called out to Icefell, "Please tell my brother that I have some business to attend to. He can expect me back by tomorrow."

Icefell was startled by this, for Ultair was not the type to jump just spontaneous do something. He almost always confided in his brother before taking action on anything. Despite her concern and curiousity over this sudden developement, the mare didn't question him. "I will tell him." Was all she said as she called back. Rounding up the foals, she began to lead them away.

Ultair turned to the other two again, "Before we meet the deer, I must have you know something. Their lead is a very proud individual, and he will expect loyalty from you. And help, if his herd shall ever need it..." As he said this, the stallion looked away for a moment. Truth was, Nhosh needed help right now. But there was nothing that Ultair or Zaquaim could do at the time to help him.

Avi*Kiran

Here, Kiran took charge of their end of the conversation once again, and his voice came. Of course. Any help this lead can offer will be welcome, and any debt will be repaid. On blood-honor.

Avi shook his head a little, not refusing to pay the debt, but because his nephew so often forgot that not everyone knew what blood-honor was. He means, a life for a life. If they help us to save Fauve, we will help them to save one of theirs in the future whenever we can be of use.

Ultair

Guilt weighed heavy in the young stallion as he thought again about Nhosh, and as the others spoke of honor. Where was Ultair's honor? Knowing that Nhosh and his herd were imprisoned, yet he and Zaquaim continued to put that on the back-burner? If anything, at least he was beginning to gain allies for the fallen herd.

"That is good, that is good..." Ultair murmured with a faint nod of his head as he looked away. "I haven't explored much out of our range here, but I know that Nhosh's eldest son resides in an area of the Croal Mountains. I'll take you there first." A growing sense of purpose began to rise in the equine, and with his head held up higher now, he made his way for the Mountains to the west.

Avi*Kiranz

They turned to follow.