Onok & Others

Onok led his small band further from the ocean and into the vast meadow that sprawled along the foothills of the mountains. An ear was trained back on them, making sure that they were close at hoof, for he wasn't entirely sure what to expect from King.

Callaquioa stood near the stallion while also keeping a close eye on her own youngsters. "Stay close to me, children."

Brennik tucked himself in against his mother's legs, not sure what to expect.

Harthrou stood several yards behind the herd, equally as hesitant about this interaction. Not so much because of his opinions of the other stallion, or lack thereof, but because he didn't know how to handle this kind of interaction. Should he be aggressive and posture? Be submissive? Attack?

Savannah

She snorted **then slow down**She snorted at him as s he stumbled along.

Kaacheska knew she was going to get an ear fill for this. It was stupid she knew this but she had to show her mom and calla her foals.

Zeifer and Svi stuck to her side.

the others followed

King nostrils were flared when he saw the three with Onok. Sure he knew that Kacheska came of her own accord but the appropriate stallion who wasn't trying to steal would of sent her home. **You dare steal my mare and my foals onok **He said his neck arched in a display of dominance.

Onok & Others

Onok arched his own neck and laid his ears back in response to King, making it crystal clear he wouldn't tolerate being pushed around on his own land, or having his her threatened. With dark eyes locked onto the other, Onok's usually tempered voice now rumbled with power, "Use your nose, King. You know I've respected your decree and haven't crossed into your territory. Kacheska came here of her own volition to spend time with her family. If she wishes to leave, you may take her and go."

Callaquioa ears had slipped back too, but more in fear of what King might do to her own foals if he got close. Was he like Onok, and would leave them be? Or a typical stallion, that would kill any children that were not his own?

An instinctive fear crept into little Brennik as his eyes landed on the other, not realizing that King was his great uncle. Part of him wanted to be brave and stand up to the mean old stallion threatening his dad, but self preservation kept the young colt back.

Harthrou had remained back until King actually stepped into view. He may be lacking in basic horse etiquette, but the marwari understood a threat when he saw one. Arching his own neck, he stomped up beside Darkia and Coltrane, standing just in front of his son and mare as he warily eyed the stranger.

King

King snorted I don't care, you as the stallion of the land should of told her to turn around and head home, as you didn't your intentions are clear. He said moving toward them. they are coming home whether they like it or not and if I need to put you in your place to do so then so be it and if that becomes the case when I win your herd becomes minehe said. King would never hurt a foal his or not.

Kacheska ears were back. SHe nudged Svi and Zeifer toward their father and made to go to him. She wouldn't let Onok fight him. She knew what would come of it and she had no intentions of staying here without king. King made her feel safe. Here did not.

Darkia eyed the other stallion warily.

Onok & Others

"That's where you and I differ, Uncle." Onok snorted, "I won't bully mares, and I won't be the one that continues driving this wedge between our families. If Kacheska or mom want to visit, they are welcome any time on my land." When King began to close the distance between them, Onok's muzzle wrinkled as he pulled back his upper lip, "I don't want to fight you. Step no closer." He made no move to stop Kacheska or her foals, as the young stallion remained true to his word - if she wanted to go, he wouldn't try to stop her.

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. Callaquioa's muscles grew taut and she readied to turn her hindquarters if King got too close. Brennik began to tremble at the stranger's words.

Harthrou snorted harshly, not taking the more diplomatic route that Onok tended to. The marwari cut straight to violence, "Come near Darkia or my son, and I'll lead the wolves to your corpse after I've put you down."

From his position in the trees, Daga listened in apprehensive silence. Bereft of his antlers for the next few months, his offensive abilities were rather lacking right now. He'd still fight if called upon, but he desperately wished to avoid it.

King

King ignored Harth as he was of no concern to him. he didn't stop till he was by Kacheska who he nipped lightly. I bully no one, I protect what is mine like any stallion learn it boy. She is not to come here the distance is too dangerous find a land closer to mine then she can but till thenHe said as he snaked Kacheska and his foals away from them.

Xena watched unable to do a thing. A fight for a mare would rest on Onok shoulders not hers.

Onok & Others

When King ignored his orders, Onok would not tolerate this disrespect. He'd overlooked King's brazen entrance to his land, shouldered his curt words, but getting so close to his mares after threatening to take them was a line too far. The stallion charged forward, snapping at King with fury in his eyes. He wasn't terribly concerned with making contact, only to drive home his point and let King know he wouldn't be bossed about on his own land.

"You will leave this land and not return, Uncle, until you learn to respect my boundaries! You will not threaten to take my mares, and I will not abandon my terra!" Onok roared darkly, ready to snap again or throw a hoof if King persisted, "I will turn no mare nor foal from my land." He would have been tempted to fight for Kacheska, but she and her son had made it clear early on that she disliked him, and he was not keen on forcing an unappy mare to stay with him.

Callaquioa squealed and spun when King continued to get closer, and lashed her hind legs out in a broad kick, whether or not he was even in range to take the blow. It was more of a show that she'd fight if he tried going after her or her children.

"It looks more like hording possessions than protecting." Harthrou's sharp tongue came through again as he sneered at King. "Slink back to your home, you coward!"

Kacheska

Kacheska didn't dislike Onok just thought he was being a bit irresponsible in the beg inning. She snorted. She glared at Harth you must not know how a herd runs do not call my stallion a coward you cowardShe said oh harth words really pissed her off. You couldn't beat him in a fight if you tried stallion so watch your placeshe said.

King didn't budget at his mock or words. Respect? don't talk to me about respect boy you disrespect me by not telling her to go home that is clear disrespect . He said. Don't try to start a fight you will loose boyHe said and he glared at Harth Come say that to my face. I am no coward. I am a stallion who protects his mares and foals and Ill die for them. You on the other hand seem out of place here in the wild. I bet you were human ownedhe said with a snort. mind your manners stallion or Ill teach them to you He said. He eyed Calla If you think im a threat to you or your young ones prooves he is not teaching you well young one..He said calmly. if you want to visit you move your herd closer I will not risk them walking this distance again their lives are more importanthe said and now began snaking Kacheska and his foals away from the group.

Onok & Others

Onok struck a second time, this time swinging his back end and striking with his hooves, a move meant to either strike or force his uncle to move if he didn't want to take the hit. "Disrespect is trying to control your nephew and force him to stay unnaturally in his familial herd, and treat your mares like this when all they want to do is visit with family. You're paranoid and controlling." When King went on to threaten Harthrou, Onok was quick to defend his fellow herdmate, "A fight against Harth is a fight against me; you won't touch him unless you want your blood spilled. Now leave. And don't come back."

Callaquioa stomped a hoof and glared back at King when he addressed her, and stepped protectively in front of her children. "I've only ever seen you chase and nip mares, and belittle Onok when all he wanted to do was visit you. You do nothing but make demands from him and put him down!"

Harth was incensed by King's words, being far more easily to rile than Onok. He reared and tossed his hooves against the air, showing off his williningess to fight - even if he didn't move any closer to King. "You're a dog that's all bark and no bite! Too terrified of the world around him to even let his mares beyond the borders of your home. You're no better than a human keeping his pets locked in their cages." He had no qualms about turning his furious gaze to Kacheska next, but held back any words against her just yet.

Kacheska

Kacheska was going to go till harth words she charged him . It was one thing for Onok to say words to her stallion. ** Watch your words stallion. You would loose a fight against king. He is strong. He is a good stallion and he protects what's his. ** She said coming to a stop in front of harth ignoring darkia.

King snorted ** I have not once tried to force anything on you I just told you the smartest thing to do to start off. I keep my mares safe by keeping them with their herd. Those that stray from the herd don't survive. Or get taken. Take your sister we haven't seen her since the day she took off. Majesty and I searched all the surrounding lands no trace. She ran away because of both of us. Your as much to blame of your twins disappearance as I am** he snorted he let Onok kick land. He snorted at the mare ** oli only wanted him and you two safe nothing more. ** He snorted** Kacheska leave him he is nothing but all words he not worth it.we are leaving**

Xena looked away at all this.

Onok & Others

Harthrou reared when Kacheska charged him and dashed his front hooves forward, ready and willing to strike her if she was foolish enough to get in his space.

",B>Harth! Leave the mares be." Onok stern reprimand earned a disgruntled glare from his second-in-command, but at least stopped Harth from going all out in an attack against Kacheska.

Protecting Darkia and Coltrane was one thing, but the rest of the herd? Harth had yet to develop any attachment to them, and certainly had no manners when it came to foreign horses. "He's got you whipped just like Ethan's dogs. -Come here, don't go there, do this- you have no free will under that tyrant." Harth may not be allowed to strike Kacheska, but he sure as hell was going to attack with words.

"You restrict your mare's freedom." Onok challenged his uncle back, while keeping an ear on Harth to make sure he stayed relatively in line. "You harassed and snapped at Kacheska when she was pregnant and wanting to join her mother, and even now you nip and chase her and her kids instead of handling this like a civil stallion." When the issue of his sister came up, Onok looked genuinely surprised, "What do you mean she's gone? And you haven't found her yet?" A spark of worry struck his vocals and softened the hardened look in his gaze. That look returned just as quickly though when King pointed the blame on him, and Onok all but roared, "Don't you dare try to blame me for that, you are the one responsible for your herd's safety! You should be out there looking for her, not here berating me for something that I have no control over! You banned me from even visiting you and my parents, much less my sister out of your wild insecurities." He leveled his uncle with a look that could kill, "Now go before I make you."

Callaquioa recoiled from the fighting, scooting her children back a little ways from the angry stallions. Her ears were still back though, and the look she favored King with wasn't a pleasant one.

King

He snorted ** your the one whipped stallion ** he said he snorted** it's not harassment if she hadn't been pregnant with my foals she'd of been free to join her mother. And once svi and zeifer can survive without her she'll be free to make that choice. I banned you because your scent will lead predators to our territory and like wise. ** He said not scared of Onok. ** I said it's both she left because you upset her it's my fault for entertaining you and not watching her. I would be but someone else left without a word** he snorted ** I'd like to see you try. ** He said** come Kacheska that stallion isn't worth arguing with**

Onok & Others "Don't give me that bullshit about predators, uncle. You've lived in that land for ages, predators know you live there. Me visiting doesn't change that one bit - it's just an excuse for you to reign control over me and the mares." He spoke back defiantly, "And if Sarada's disappearance had anything to do with me, you should have done the right thing and told me immediately so I could have helped. And if she ran away because I left the herd, that's out of my control too - we're both adults, and leaving the herd is what's suppose to happen. If only you hadn't been so gods-damned stubborn and exiled me, things wouldn't be like this!"

Harthrou kept his ebony neck arched and his glossy tail poised high. In contrast to Onok's calmer, seething fury, Harth looked more like a wild beast, ready to snap and kick if only he had been allowed to. "I'd like to see you try! Retreat back to your owner, you whipped puppy. You might be petrified of predators, but here we kill them. And we'll kill any of you that-"

"Harthrou." Onok pressed again. He appreciated the other's backing words, but a situation this volatile didn't need more oil thrown on the fire. His attention slipped quickly back to King, "Go then, if you want. I only hope that some day, you'll return to your senses and we can be a family again. Maybe your great nieces and nephews might have a chance to know their uncle, instead of seeing him as the paranoid hermit that he is today."

Kacheska

At harth words she stopped and went back at harth she snapped at him reared and lashed out at him. ** Your a mangy cur who couldn't kill a flea** she snorted

Xena moved now ** harth you are out of line how dare you talk to my daughter that way. You will apologize to her** Xena had blocked her daughter attacks on harth. **Enough with the insults Onok he didn't banish you. He is right to not want us traveling to and from. You are right that he is a bit paranoid. But this isn't getting you anywhere** she said with a snort.

King kept his calm unlike Onok. **Your both so volatile** he said** I'm sorry you don't like my way of running MY herd. But you are not my herds lead stallion I am. ** He said**I have no obligation to travel here to inform you of your sister I knew she didn't come here so I had no reason to come here.** He said.** Your co-stallion has no manners. I think he just made sure Kacheska won't want to live here**

Onok & Others

"This is between me and my Uncle." Onok reminded Xena, for once rebuffing her as he tried to deal with his belligerent relative, "You are the volatile one that came charging into my terra, ignoring my commands and threatening to take my herd. You are the one who's snapping and shoving Kacheska around and prohibiting her from visiting family, and the one who dared to throw blame on me for my sister's own actions when I knew nothing about it. You are the one that banished me and my herd if we didn't agree to your demand to stay." He stood his ground, tired of being constantly blamed for everything and unwilling to let it slide any longer, "Don't pretend like you're the noble hero in this, you are the one that started this mess and you know it. You have the power to drop you stubborn desire for control and make peace, but until then, you alone are not welcome in my lands. Mother and the others can come as they please."

Harthrou had reared and readied himself to go full out on Kacheska, but when Xenarona came between them the ebony-brown stallion squealed in frustration and spun away so that his hooves wouldn't strike the lead mare. He continued to glare daggers at the younger one though, "I've killed far more than you can count, dog. Including a cat, so taking you and that sorry excuse of a stal-"

"Enough Harthrou, our quarrel is with King, not Xena's daughter." Onok's patience was getting a little thin with Harth and Kacheska, with one being too high strung and out of touch with basic social norms, and the other being the spawn of an exceedingly hot-headed mare. It was a recipe for disaster. "Apologize to her."

Harthrou turned exasperated eyes to his lead, feeling almost insulted that he was being ordered to do such a thing. With a heavy breath and an expression that was anything but friendly, Harth spat out a, "I apologize."

King

He snorted and shook his head.** Then move closer till then my mares and especially the foals of my herd will not come here. Period the end.** He said** I've killed big cats wolves and even a human stallion you should learn your place** he said. When Kacheska came back he nuzzled her. He turned his hind end to onok. ** Your mares and foals if they wish to risk the journey to my land without you and especially without that stallion they can visit Kacheska but they must walk there themselves without you that's all I'm going to allow** he said then bucked once intending for his hooves to fall just short of hitting Onok. then with Kacheska and foals he moved to head home ignoring onoks words

Kacheska nostrils flare. She glared at the stallion and nuzzled her mother. Stallions were so hot headed. She moved back to king side. ** Both of you just stop. Your both hot headed. I will respect kings decision he has been nothing but kind to me. You may think otherwise but he has never once hurt me and he's protected our herd enough times that I feel safe with him ** she nuzzled king and looked to her sister longingly but then followed king

Xena snorted at Onok. Then nipped at harth ** I said enough** she was annoyed that it took Onok. To get harth to stop and apologize they couldn't have that. ** You will start heeding my words harth like you do onoks or there going to be issues** she reprimanded

Onok & Others

"So this isn't about the predators after all, is it?" Onok asked, a note of coldness beginning to creep into his tones when King lifted the ban on his herd visiting; for everyone except him. He had suspected as much, but to hear it outlined before him curdled the young stallion's blood and put a bitter taste in his mouth.

Onok reared up when his uncle took a cheap shot at him and boxed his front hooves defiantly in the air before slamming them back to the earth. He watched his uncle retreat with Kacheska and her children in tow, one ear turned back just in case the elder stallion tried doubling back. To his small herd Onok spoke, "I'm not going to stop anyone from visiting the Toklat to see family, but I ask that you tell me first. A lone mare can handle the journey easily enough, but our foals are young and they will need at least another escort to keep them safe." It wasn't just the predators that Onok worried about, it was King's lingering threat; would he actually try and steal his mares?

Callaquioa had watched her sister go with a woeful expression, missing her already. When Onok spoke, the young mare sighed and turned her head downward, "I miss her and mother, but..." Her pale eyes drifted towards the four horses now disappearing into the forests, "I don't want to go without you. I don't trust him."

Harthrou, meanwhile, tossed his head and trotted indignantly away from Xenarona, his tail lashing a few times. "We should have at least chased him out of the land, he was outnumbered! And he threatened to take the mares and foals?" The marwari snorted, "He's going to taste the backend of my hoof if he comes here again, mark my words."

Brennik finally peeked out from behind his mother, also watching the other horses slip into the woods as they headed back home. Now that the threat was gone, the colt raised his dial and strutted forward, taking some cue from Harth's performance, "When I get bigger, I'll beat up any stallion that threatens my family! I'd like to see them get past Thor, Loki, and me!"

Xena

She snorted at all of them **calla king won't force us to stay. He not like that. ** She said with a snort. ** Plus I'll go with you. ** She said. **Harth enough he only did this cause Kacheska snuck away with his foals. You would do the same if darkia snuck away with Coltrane** she snorted. God all stallions were so head strong it could get tiring keeping them in check

King snorted ** no it is but I won't have my mare and foal making a dangerous journey** he said with a snort. He and Kacheska left

Savannah watched them go. King was scary ** he scary but he looks strong too. ** She murmur and then looked away everyone but her was strong