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Post by Rosi on Jul 12, 2007 17:31:41 GMT -5
He stood, overlooking the lower lands, the wind whipping up the cliffs, into his face, and streaming through his hair. He breathed deeply and leaned into the wind, looking for all the world as if he were about to jump, but he kept his position. He turned his head, watching his herd, his one love and pride. He was a loner, and had no mate to speak of. He kept a sharp eye out for danger of any sort and defended his herd from it, but today was clear with a blue sky and a brisk wind, and no sign of danger to speak of. Not yet, anyway.
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Post by clokwerk on Aug 14, 2007 2:02:45 GMT -5
Cantering sprightly across the land came the bloodmarked mare, Sangria. The sun's rays rippled over her coat, illuminating the crimson stains on their white bed. Catching sight of her lead up ahead, the mare slowed to a trot. She came up beside him, hooves crunching over the soil of the barren clifftops. Head lowered respectfully, the painted female came up beside her lord. Quietly, she greeted him with a whicker and a bow.
How goes it, my lord? she dared to ask, referring to the conditon of the herd and the rumors that the Fire tribe's strength had waxed. They now seemed to posess two high-ranking mares and a roamer stallion, all of no small consequence. True, Fire was not Wind's prime enemy, but the loved a scrap and who knew where next they would strike?
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Post by Rosi on Aug 14, 2007 10:43:21 GMT -5
Without meeting her eye, he spoke: Not well, Sangria. Fire and Water seem on the brink of battle, but this time, Water may prevail. He snorted and looked back at his herd. No news about Earth, however. He finally looked at her. Perhaps a skirmish with the Water Tribe might be in order. If horses could smile, Lorol did. A skirmish would be just the thing.
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Post by R.R.D.D.P.I on Aug 14, 2007 13:14:14 GMT -5
Close by, Pluto grazed quietly, listening to the words of her fellow lead and the beta mare. Thoughts ran through her mind of fighting, memories flooding back from her younger days. Now it was her turn to lead the wind tribe into battle, not just stand back as she had when she was just a filly. Her creamy tassel whipped at her sides, keeping annoying pests at bay.
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Post by clokwerk on Aug 14, 2007 20:51:30 GMT -5
Yes, my lord, Sangria replied, bowing and walking off. Pausing a few feet away, she turned her pristine head back, to look at her stallion. Sir? Could we not skirmish with the Earth instead? I have heard that they too have begun to wax in power and are they not our most dire enemies? Taking a breath, she added pacifyingly, It merely seems such a waste to battle sometribe as petty as the sluggish Water and find ourselves later pitted against Earth. That's all, sir. she said.
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Post by Rosi on Aug 14, 2007 21:28:05 GMT -5
That would make sense, Sangria, but if what you say is true, he paused to look her in the eye, the smartest thing for us to do may be to gain favor with the Fire Tribe by helping them defeat Water. They may then assist us with the Earth Tribe. Pausing again, he resumed gazing out over his lands, his gaze drawn to the Lead Mare. He had never really thought of her as his mate, but more of a partner. But I do see wisdom in your words. A sharp mind like that can be your greatest ally - or your worst enemy. Remember that. Partners - but for what? Leading the herd, yes, but no battles had been fought for a while.
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Post by clokwerk on Aug 14, 2007 21:35:55 GMT -5
Aye, sir. came the reply. Sangria was a good, loyal mare and knew well to abide by what her fierce lead said. And that it was better to humor him than to argue. A fight could end in insurection and they did not need that in these turblent times.
Turning full circle, the mare trotted back up to her leader's side. Shall I go to the Fire lands as an embassy, sir? she asked, looking up at him. Perhaps to open planning talks or to inform them of the proposed alliance? It shouldn't be too difficult. We've had good dealings with their kind before, the crimson-marked mare added.
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Post by Rosi on Aug 14, 2007 21:49:24 GMT -5
A sharp mind indeed. Go to them and give them our terms: We will assist them in defeating the Water tribe, if they then do the same for us. He hated to send her off to the temperamental tribe without another seasoned fighter, should it come to blows, but she had proved herself worthy in battle, and Sangria was certainly smart enough. Besides, good fighters were in short order, and who could predict if the Earth tribe would attack? You will go on your own, since I cannot spare another warrior. Are you prepared to leave? We can wait a few days, if not.
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Post by clokwerk on Aug 14, 2007 22:01:05 GMT -5
I am ready now, my lord. I am at your disposal. As I always am, she said with a bow, voice suddenly softening at the last sentence. Then her head snapped up and she took off a swift gallop, whinning her farewell to the Leads. Her alabaster limbs tore over the earth, taking her away from the cliffs. The canyonlands where Fire dwelt was not far away, indeed, their lands were interconnected. She reached the border and looked back for a moment, reared, legs pawing in a sort of wave and giving one more whinny, then she landed and sped off again, into the canyons.
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Post by R.R.D.D.P.I on Aug 15, 2007 13:19:15 GMT -5
Pluto rose her tiara on her achred neck as Sangria galloped past her in the direction of the Fire lands. A soft snort was emmited from her nostrils as she turned towards Lorol. Powerful legs lifted as she moved towards him, muscles flexing under her taught coat. "Where is she off to in such a hurry?"
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Post by Rosi on Aug 15, 2007 18:04:54 GMT -5
I think it may be time to reach an agreement with the Fire tribe, Pluto. Sangria offered herself, and I sincerely hope that no harm should come to her. Kind words about singular members of Lorol's herd were few, and far between. He loved the tribe as a whole, not individually.
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Post by R.R.D.D.P.I on Aug 15, 2007 18:32:07 GMT -5
"But alone?" Pluto said stubbornly. Her true nature coming out, the nature that made her a strong, valuable leader. "But I should of gone with her. Perhaps hid in the shadows and be there as pure protection." Pluto was no fool, she knew if she went alone the Fire Tribe would take it as the opppurtunity to take down the Lead mare of the Winds. Her pretty white face showed signs of concern for Sangria.
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Post by Rosi on Aug 15, 2007 21:31:20 GMT -5
She is a skilled warrior, and I trust her on her own. I doubt she would encounter any problems, however. His face also showed signs of worry. What would they do to her if they didn't accept? But it is in their best interest to accept, he told himself, but he didn't really believe it. She is a smart mare, Pluto. Sangria will know what to do.
The steely grey Mare looked up from her feeding to see Sangria galloping past. She knew what had occured: A truce would be made. Since everyone said she was so like a Fire tribe member, she would see for herself! Sangria, I'm coming, too, she whinnied after her beta, then looked back at Lorol and Pluto. Stormy snorted. Let them plot! She was going! Bunching her muscles, she sprang into her fastest gait, swifter than Sangria. Trotting down the edge of the red-clay canyon, she suddenly felt fear. She stuck closer to Sangria.
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Post by clokwerk on Aug 16, 2007 17:00:27 GMT -5
Sangria hit the brakes, then turned a critical eye on the dark horse. She looked the iron grey mare up and down, checking her musculature and the way she ran to catch up. She let the mare pass her and felt the wind from her speed. So far so good, she thought.
Then White Squall balked. She scrambled back to Sangria and the bloodmarked mare frowned. Cowardice? Tsk tsk. Oh well.
You can't come along, Squall. Not if you're going to spook like that, she said sternly. You have one more chance. Now let's go.
And the two mares raced off for Fire country, Sangria in the lead.
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Post by R.R.D.D.P.I on Aug 16, 2007 17:52:16 GMT -5
Pluto releases a sigh as she watched Squall join up with Sangria. "I hope your right. If we lose them both then we don't stand a chance against any tribe that wishes to confront us."
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