Onok & Others

Word had eventually gotten back from Daga that Thor was with the stranger's band, seemingly unhurt, if a little uncertain about his new situation. Onok wasn't thrilled about the departure, and had promised a distraught Callaquioa that they'd go visit their son and ensure that he was at least safe and happy; and rescue him if he wasn't.

A day had passed before Harthrou returned to the herd, and when he finally did show up, Onok was on him in a heartbeat. The two stallions were currently squaring off in the center of a large meadow, with plenty of dirt-pawing on both sides. Onok's furious voice could be heard drifting across the snow-dusted gasses, while Harth's snappy, defensive retorts were quick to follow. The two hadn't come to physical blows yet, but such an outcome looked imminent.

Calla had trotted to a nearby stream, one that was flowing quickly enough that it hadn't frozen over solid yet. While she quenched her thirst and hung on thoughts of her missing Thor, Brennik stood nearby to keep an eye on his mother.

Shaded Moon

The ebony stallion had gotten gutsy with the addition of a new stallion to his band, and had temporarily left their care to Thor and Osmia while he set out to find the mare that had so captured his attention the other day. The sound of Onok's voice booming over the hills gave him a chill, and the various bruises and nicks along his body were a painful reminder of what would happen if he crossed the big stallion again. But without risk, there's no reward, right?

He didn't have the strength to defeat Onok right now, so he would use stealth. While the lead was distracted with Harthrou, Shaded Moon crossed quietly along through the trees, trying to find the mare with the unique coat. His blood began to rise when he caught her scent, and realized she was in season. With a little more urgency to his deft steps, Shaded Moon pushed onward, seeking the elusive Xenarona...

Xenarona

Loki was with Brennik and Calla today.

Xena wasn't too far off but had saught to be alone with her thoughts. Her thoughts had drifted to her lost daughter today and it had brought her to where she had birthed the twins as if it could give her solace in it. She heard Harth and Onok fighting and occasionally she'd look in thier direction. She understood Harth was hurting still. As they hadn't been able to come up wit ha solution to getting Darkia out. Or her daughter and Coltrane. Her ears flicked now as she had been distracted.

Shaded Moon

'This is it.' Moon told himself, 'Those stallions are squawking loud enough, they shouldn't hear me...' His ultimate goal would be to steal Xenarona, but he wasn't sure if he could get away with that today, when the herd was so far away from his own. Still, he wouldn't let this be a wasted trip.

Shaded Moon waited until the stallions had really gotten into it before making his move. While Xenarona looked distracted and lost in her thoughts, the midnight stallion galloped hard across the ground to reach her and spoke in a voice that was low and dangerous, "Stay quiet, mare." He attempted to move in close to her, but was wary of catching any hooves if she decided to get feisty, "Be good, and you won't get hurt."

Xena

She snorted and then her head shot around as the stallion spoke and approached. Her ears go back. I think it the other way aroundShe snorted.

Shaded Moon

"Then you underestimate me, my lady." He quipped back, right before lunging forward to try and grab the side of her neck and give her a good chomp, to let Xena know that he meant business and had the goods to back up his words.

Xena

Her nostrils flared and she turned her face and attempted to cow kick him when he was close.

Shaded Moon

The fiery resilience that Onok so admired in Xena was now catching Shaded Moon off guard. He expected some minor resistance from the mare, but figured a good show of force would convince her to behave.

A solid hoof to the side of his tender ribcage brought water to the stallion's eyes and he had to hold back a squeal of pain. "Why, you little...!" He hissed and dove forward, aiming to give her a good boxing around the head with his hooves, and a more forceful bite to the face...

Xena

She pulled her face back but his teeth landed. Her nostrils flared

Shaded Moon

He was not gentle with his bite, and in the heat of the moment, didn't know if he'd drawn blood or not. What mattered to him was that Xenarona had stopped kicking at him, and that gave him room to move in and attempt to forcebreed her before the quarreling stallions realized what was going on...

Xena

She couldn't stop him. Her nostrils flared as she tried to buck. You'll regret thisShe snorted at him.