Onok

Two hours after leaving the Toklat Canyon, Onok was back on familiar turf. He'd led his small band along a new route, taking care to travel along streams and rocky banks when he could to break their scent trail and make it impossible for predators to track their movements. He'd stopped two or three times to let everyone graze, and had pulled Nightshade aside to speak with the stag about the enemies his family had adamantly brought up.

The chocolate and alabaster stallion eventually guided his band to the bottom of a steep cliff, where a meadow sprawled forth and ended at the bank of a shallow pond. The cliff would block their scent from being carried through the rest of the territory, and the open meadow would make it difficult for would be attackers to ambush the band. It was here that he stopped and addressed the mares, "Don't mind what my uncle and father said. We were attacked once when I was younger, so I understand their fears, but..." He was going to say more, but his view of his family had been sorely tarnished by their actions today. Onok sighed instead, "They mean well, they're just a little overzealous and controlling. But I want to restate what I've told you both earlier - you are in control of yourselves, I will never force you to stay or do anything against your will. And as far as safety in concerned, this territory is very secluded, and even the wolves that use to live here were sparse and easy to deal with. I wouldn't have brought you here unless I was certain of that."

Onok looked across the meadow, then squinted his eyes as a sharp, salty breeze rushed across the land and send his pale tale fluttering. "I've spoken with Nightshade, too. He knows our enemies by name, sight, and scent, and is very aware of their personalities and capabilities. The pack that my father is worried about is dying out, and though there are big cats, even they are growing old and fracturing into different bands."

Xena

Xena listened but snorted ** secluded is almost worse your father and king could of defended us. Now your here with two pregnant mares and yourself and a stag who is getting on in his years. If those big cats come then we all may die because you are over confident. You know little of protecting. At the first sign of danger I am taking calli and leaving my life hers and our foals are more important then risking our lives. If this stag knows them so well he would of agreed we should stay with king. Just cause they seem they are dying out now doesn't mean they won't rebound.** She said. ** If you want to stand a chance you will go find a seasoned stallion to help or you should reconsider kings offer*"

Onok

Somewhere in the distance, an owl hooted and a riot of crows sounded. Onok swiveled an ear in their direction, without bothering to truly listen to their discord. The rest of his attention had been split between Callaquioa and Xenarona, and now that he was away from his overbearing father and uncle, he had the patience to hear the mare speak out again. "I appreciate your concerns, Xena, and I'll keep your suggestions in mind. My duty is to keep the both of you safe, and with Nightshade's help, we will ensure that happens."

He took a few steps past her and Callaquioa, catching another salty zephyr from the nearby ocean. A disgruntled owl emerged from the edge of the meadow, with no less than five crows in close pursuit, cawing and cackling as they pestered their nocturnal enemy. Onok observed them for a moment before speaking again, his mind trailing to other things. "It's been an eventful morning, why don't I show you to my favorite foraging patch? There's also a fresh spring not too far away."

Callaquioa & Nightshade

Callaquioa was enjoying the tangy scent of the ocean on the breeze. She pressed her velvety muzzle into the oncoming wind and squinted her eyes in delight as rustled past her flared nostrils and sent the dark locks of her mane dancing. She looked between the stallion and her friend, excitement and intrigue dancing in her pale blue eyes, "I'd like to see a little more of the territory. I've never actually seen the ocean before, but I've heard it's fairly large?" Calla asked naively, before perking up and adding on as she looked to Xena, "Getting to know the terrain wouldn't be a bad idea either, just in case there is a predator problem, we'll know the safest places to run, and where to avoid."

Nightshade grazed nearby, happy to once more be in a quiet, open setting away from squabbling and fighting. True to his word though, the stag didn't stay idle in one place for long, and would drift into the trees here and there to forage and keep his senses alert for any danger.

Xena

She snorted. ** You'll try but if more then one big cat shows up one or both of you will die** he would be stupid to think otherwise. Calli and she could only defend themselves and foals she will take calli and foals away as soon as they could when the big cats showed up. But she only spoke the truth she didn't sugar coat anything. ** The stag shouldn't be off on his own he needs to stay with the herd. Otherwise he will be dead quicker ** She said

Onok

"One day, I hope to prove my worth to you." Onok replied, taking the time to look back at Xena, "And Nightshade will always be near us, we've discussed in detail what his position here entails. His upbringing was.. unconventional." The stallion didn't know the half of it even, only that Night had been forcefully recruited into the Shadow Haunters the day the pack first seized the deer farm and separated out several fawns to train as sentries and guardians. But trust that he is very well versed in stealth. You may not always see him, but he will always been around to keep you and Calla safe."

He began to move away from the pair, trotting at an idle pace down the length of the meadow, "The ocean isn't far off, I can lead you both there. And that's a fine idea, Calla - we can stop and graze as we go, and I'll give you a tour of the place."

Callaquioa & Nightshade

"Go easy, Xena." Calla gently suggested as she trotted after Onok, "We spent over a year under the confines of those ugly cats and wolves, we should celebrate being free!" A whinny carried her words, and the lightness in her steps reflected the joy she was feeling now. Call's only worry at the moment was trying to get her friend to kick back and enjoy herself too. In that spirit, she gave her a gentle nudge with her muzzle, "Have you ever seen the ocean, Xena?"

Behind them, Nightshade drifted along, though he mostly kept to the forest and its edges, where plants more appealing to his palate would be easier to find.

Onok

He continued along, pressing through the drifting meadow until he reached the western edge of it, and crossed into forest once more. "We have time, Xena." This time he didn't look back, not out of rudeness, but for the simple need to make sure he wasn't running into any branches or tripping over fallen logs. Thankfully the forest was sparse enough here that even the sizeable horses would have an easy time finding their way between the trees. "The Valley is sorely lacking in our kind, so I'm not hopeful of finding a stallion so quickly, especially won that would be willing to stand beneath my rank. But-" He spared a brief glance back, "I will keep an eye out."

Xena

She snorted ** we can celebrate once he gets adequate protection** she said as she followed** you have till we are 7 months along in our pregnancy after that we can't assist in fighting. I stand by my words we should of stayed with king. If our kind is so sparse that there isn't another to join them you need to reconsider kings offer and soon**

Onok

"My father and uncle are not the stallions they use to be." Said Onok with a note a sadness, his ears still ringing with the sling of their insults, "You know that I will never try and stop you if you want to join them, if that would make you feel safer. Just know that I will not be joining them. Now-" They were breaking through the other side of the spare forest, and entering a second meadow that sloped gently downhill, towards the ocean a quarter mile away. It's endless waters glistened in the midday sun, and the distant crashing of the waves against the beach could be heard faintly if one listened hard enough. "-here is one of my favorite spots. There's clover across the upper half of this meadow, and oat grass further down."

Onok lowered his head to lip at the grass and legumes, take up a mouthful and relishing in the fresh, grassy taste. It reminded him that he'd hardly eaten since they'd started this morning, but he didn't indulge too hardily yet. The stallion was soon raising his head and looking about, always vigilant for danger. "The coast down there has shallow waters for the first few yards, easy for us to run through, but much more difficult for canines and felines with their shorter legs. If ever we're caught off guard, the ocean can help us."

Callaquioa & Nightshade

She'd looked between Onok and Xena, and for a moment her ears went back in distress. Then she gave a light, thoughtful snort and tossed her head up, "I don't want to live with stallions like that, Xena. They're just like my father; domineering and pushy! Did you see how they shoved Kacheska around? I don't want that, not for me or my foal." The young mare picked up her pace, her heart fully set with the stallion she'd only known for a day.

"Besides... oh.. wow!" The Arabian mix had stepped into the meadow after Onok, and her gaze traveled down along the hill towards the ocean. She gasped in awe, forgetting what she was about to say. "Xena look! Is that the ocean?"

Nightshade continue to trail behind the group, moving from spot to spot. Unlike the horses, he had no problem nibbling bits of plants here and there as he went. After all, if he was going to be an active lookout, he had to keep up his strength.

Xena

Xena snorted and shakes her head at the both of them. They were doing nothing wrong. I don't blame King for not letting Kacheska to come cause honestly she is safer with them then here. You are playing a very dangerous game with our lives. I stay with Calli because It is my duty to protect her and now that you were pig headed enough to make her pregnant she needs it even more. Again you have 7 months to find adequate protection. If you fail then we will probably be doomed to leave you or die with youShe said. Plus she understood where king was coming from on not wanting his foal to be raised by another stallion no stallion would want that. Onok wouldn't want that. He may pretend he be okay with it but he wouldn't be. You two haven't been alive long enough to understand herd life. King is doing what all stallions do in the end. You may say you won't but I guarentee you that if Calli and I were to join him and you not eventually you would come and try to get us back. You can deny it but its truth. She said calmly.

She just followed not really caring much for the beauty of the place only to know the terrain. Calli you need to stop marveling at the beauty and pay attention to the terrain. That is the only thing we must do since we lack the safety of a true herdShe said. He and Calli can keep thinking what King and Majesty were doing was wrong but it wasn't, it what all stallions did. Calli they are nothing like your father. King would of allowed Kacheska to leave if she wasn't carrying his foal and Majesty is only obeying his lead stallionShe said.

Callaquioa & Nightshade

Callaquioa shook her head, hastily dismissing her friend's view, "He threatened to steal us if Onok kept fighting, Xena. Steal us just like those cats did. And the way they chased around Kacheska... I don't want any of that. They were too aggressive." She lowered her head and absently clipped through some plants, listening now as Onok spoke. When he gave her the wink, she felt her heart flutter, and her spirits rose again.

"Come on, Xena.." The mare raised her head and gave her friend a soft nudge against the shoulder, "Forget about those old horses, anyway. Why don't we go check out the waters, and test how deep it is? We could practice running through it, to prepare if there's ever an attack?" Truthfully, she just wanted to kick back and have fun, and figured adding this practical edge to it might just be enough to coax her companion into joining her.

Onok

"I was well beyond the age of staying in my blood herd." Onok pointed out, "I stayed there longer than most young stallions would, but eventually we all must find a home for ourselves, and it was high-time for me to start a family of my own. I have years of experience living in and protecting a herd." The stallion kept his words soft, not keen on breaking into argument, but wanting to explain himself, "You act like you know everything about me, but you've only known me for a day's time. You don't know what experiences I have or scars I bear, and when I say I won't impede your will, I mean it. You could both return to King's herd, and I would escort you there myself and make no attempt at herding you back, not now or in the future. I would be sad, yes, but I am in control of my desires."

His attention shifted between the mares, mulling over the words they shared between themselves. Onok gave a pause before continuing, "If you're scared of your past repeating itself, it won't. Don't let your previous stallion or those cats chase the joy away from the world around you. You can keep your guard up and enjoy life too. Take the ocean-" He swung his heavy dial to the distant water, after offering a wink to Callaquioa, "You can appreciate the majesty and beauty of it, while also knowing it can be a life-safer during an attack."

Xena

Xena nostrils flare at both of them. they were only doing what experianced stallions do ones who have a mares best interest and a pregnant mares safety in mindShe said . No Calli until he has adequate protection for us we can no have fun we can not dottle around like we are protectedShe said. Then she looked to Onok. experiance so you faced two or more cats on your own and defeated them? You do not have enough experiance to be the sole protector of two mares and soon to be foals. You will fail if you do not get your head straight. Till you have adequate protection for us me nor Calli can relax the moment we do is the moment is the day we day. I am more experianced then you and have more scars then you. If you want to be succesful stallion you will listen to my words and heed them. I expect another stallion to be in this herd before either of us can relax and be mares and before we have these foalsShe s aid calmly as she moved along the shore.

Onok

"I have faced cats before, more than once." Onok answered without missing a beat, "Lets just agree that we both have our own experiences, and we both have the herd's safety at heart. We can work together with our combined experiences to keep our family safe. Come, follow me." He turned his chocolaty muzzle towards the crashing waves below and nudged both of the mares to follow him before he set off at a light trot down the gentle hill.

The shore here was a solid, exposed rock, rather than the sandy beaches further down the coast. Bits of seaweed and clusters of driftwood lay in neat piles across its reach, and Onok stepped mindfully over them as he headed towards the waves. Knowing that Calla at least was not experienced with the ocean, the stallion spoke, "This water might look refreshing, but you can smell the salt on it. It's no good to drink. But it can be a life-safer should we get attacked. The ground here is solid-" And he thumped a hoof against the rock to emphasize his point, "Wolves in particular won't be able to follow us far in this, for their legs are much shorter. Cats too will have a difficult time in the tide; just go deep enough into the waves that you can still move freely, and it should be enough to slow them down considerably. Give it a try, both of you."

Xena

She snorted ** then you will listen and get to finding a second stallion maybe even a third. That is the only option and way for true safety** she followed** I already know all this** it was more geered at how far she should go in the water.

Onok & Cloudbreaker

"I will be keeping my eyes and ears out. But first things first, it's vital that you both get acclimated to your new home. From what I know of the Valley, this is one of the few, if not the only territories with access to beaches like this." That claim was at least true, with the only other reliable access to the ocean being around Orca Bay. The rest, particularly along the eastern coast, were mostly steep cliffs or slippery, rocky stretches battered by harsh waves. The stallion splashed a little deeper into the water, until the waves were licking at his belly and tail. "The only danger here is going too deep. Go too far into the waves, and the water will slow you down just like the cats, and if they catch up to you then, they'll have the advantage once more." The stallion proceeded to show the mares the best depth at which to run, and which direction to go along the beach before the soft sands and grainy rocks gave way to sea stacks and cliffs.