Of Kings [Claiming]

[theChief]

The black overo stallion thundered through the forest. His hooves were like knives as they ripped through the moist grounds. The pounded methodicaly as he navigated over log and around trees. It was obvious as birds were startled out of their nests that Samiel was not at all speedy. He tried to push forward but his small haunches made it impossible for him to keep up with the small fluttering birds. Samiel looked up at them. With a sigh he slid to a stop.
The humidity had drenched Samiel. His entire pelt was shiny and shimmering in the sunlight that trickled down through the trees. Samiel shock his head gently and let out a loud nicker. Pawing the ground he dug through the rotting leaves and other plant matter until he found the moist earth. Then he raised his head and shouted to all those who could hear.
"I, Samiel, claim this forest as my own." He snorted again and sucked in a deep breath. "If anyone wishes to challenge me, well- Bring it on." He nickered some more before he began to explore his new home.

words: 187
soundtrack: none.
location: faire rainforest.
weather: sunny and clear.
notes: none.

[Exxie]

The black tobiano stallion walked into the territory. He nickered and spoke from a distance in a loud enough voice for the stallion to hear him.

"I do not wish to challenge you, Samiel. I wish to negotiate a deal. Before I tramp on your terf, I need your permission! May I come closer? As a stallion wishing for a Yurallan friend? I am Ghost, lead stallion of Eloura Valley. I wish to negotiate for an alliance with Faire Rainforest." The sentences were said in his hint of Scottish brogue. With that, he waited patiently for the stallion to speak.

[Ranger]

This land now belongs to Samiel, any whom wish to own or trespass upon this land must answer to him and his mercy.

[theChief]

Samiel stopped when he spotted the other stallion. Samiel lifted his head, his muscles tensing under his slick coat. He turned his head slightly, eyeing the other horse, cautious about the stranger. Samiel contemplated rushing the equine, cutting out the middle part and cutting straight to the violence. But Samiel hesitated. He could be more civil than that. Instead he let the other speak.
Samiel had to admit he was a bit surprised. A stallion who didn't immediately want to run Samiel off? It was odd but he believed him. Sam lowered his head to a more relaxed position and nodded. "Yes, you may approach." Samiel stretched his neck, relaxing his hardened muscles. "An alliance, eh?" He asked. The stallion had Samiel's full attention.

words: 124
soundtrack: none.
location: faire rainforest.
weather: sunny and clear.
notes: none.

[Exxie]

Ghost sighed and came closer as he spoke,

"Yes. My herd is currently weak. It isn't small, but I don't have stallions to help protect. And I now have a son I need to think of. You seem to be mighty and it would help both our lands. Plus, who knows? We could be relatives! Look at us! We're both much the same pattern and colour! Many fear me. I have many enemies in the Arithians, and now in the Rahkais because I abandoned their faction for the Yurallans. They insist that I'm still Rahkai, but I'm not. I have received instruction from my lead mare, Karma. I am thoroughly Rahkai, and so is my herd. I know the weaknesses of the Arithian herds and their alliances too. I know their strengths. However, I have strengths of my own. The mist of my homeland seems to have wound-healing properties. Also, I know ways to sneak up on the enemy without them hearing. I'm sorry. I will give you warning if I remember. Pardon my accent also. I do not know why i have it. I don't come from there. I am pure Paint Mustang." He dipped his head in respect briefly before bringing his head to level height.

[theChief]

Samiel waited patiently for Ghost to finish. He tilted his bulky head to the side. A Rahkai turned Yurallan? For a second he felt cautious. He'd never heard of such a thing. The stallion mulled over the idea for a moment, rethinking his welcome to the stallion. But after a moment he straightened his head and smiled. A Yurallan was Yurallan. Samiel closed the space between the stallions. When Ghost finished Samiel stepped in. "I was born and raised Yurallan. I've never really had to deal with anyone outside my faction so I will admit I don't know much about them. As you know, I just required this land so if it has any benefits I have yet to discover them." Samiel suddenly felt young and inexperienced. He not only had no fellow stags in his herd but he also had no mares. Samiel's memory momentarily flipped back to the memory of his small band he'd gathered up when he was just three years old. It had been him, his good friend and fellow bachelor, and four lady friends. He pushed the memory out before the painful memory of their lose caught up with him. Turning back to Ghost's words he continued. "It sounds like our alliance could be very useful. But may I ask just how you made enemies with the Arithians?" Samiel gave a small chuckle at the end. He'd thought the Arithians were supposed to be peaceful. But he'd never really associated out of his own faction so he didn't necessarily know much about them.

words: 258
soundtrack: none.
location: faire rainforest.
weather: sunny and clear.
notes: none.

[Exxie]

Ghost heard the stallion's words and he answered,

"No problem. Just tell me when you find something and we'll be even, okay? So nobody else? No other stallions to help protect? Not even some mares? Don't worry. You're not the only one. I have a son, a lead mare and another mare and that's it. My first herd. I also have a daughter who visits sometimes. I'm only about six years old. The Arithians aren't as peace-loving as everybody thinks. However, I suppose I didn't help matters. It was while I was a Rahkai. What I did wasn't even good for a Rahkai stallion. I forcebred the lead mare of Riverbed Flatts. My daughter. The Flatts were allies with Alingah Mountains, but that's not why they hate me. I attacked their old beta stallion. But the coward turned tail and ran back to the human lands where he came from eventually anyway." Then, an idea sparked in Ghost's mind slowly and he spoke gently,

"Would you like to visit Eloura Valley? Faire Rainforest has long stayed empty. I doubt a short visit would hurt, would it Samiel? Besides, I'd like someone to meet you and I don't know where they are at the moment." From the foliage at the edge of the herdland came a shout,

"Ha! You don't know where I am, but I know where I am, as well as you! I followed you."

"Daughter, reveal yourself. I am making a business deal right now."

"As long as it doesn't involve me, or your special powers, father. Remember what happened the last time you used your powers for your own will?"

"Yes. I still remember the lesson you taught me. Can you let me off now?"

"I guess. But it's so much fun to tease you daddy. I guess I'll come out now." With that, the filly walked out of the shadows into the brightest sunbeam, her bay overo coat gleaming. The sunlight bounced off the dewdrops still clinging to her coat. She smiled and shook her black forelock gently out of her eyes before walking over. Her father gave her a glare.

"Sorry father. Sorry...Samiel, I think it is. I should have asked before coming over because that is Eloura herd law. But I am not part of that herd. Technically, I'm part of Riverbed Flatts, remember dad?"

"You were born there, but you are a wanderer."

"Yes. I'm a loner rather. You don't control me either. I do as I please right now. And you can't even use your special powers to stop me. I have some of my own. I learned well, and I have more than you even. Beware of me father. I do not have your temper, but I am furious in my gentleness." She smirked at him, then looked around. As she looked at the other stallion, she gulped. Now Mist was seriously embarassed. He had a regal bearing about him. He looked younger than most. And he was dang handsome. And she messed up big time in front of him. She struggled with words, her confidence crumbling quickly,

"H-Hi. I-I-I'm Mountain M-Mist. C-Call me M-M-Mist." She smiled nervously.

"My daughter, Mist. Samiel?"

[theChief]

Samiel's left ear gave a gentle flick at the word "force bred". He'd been told the stories about his great grand sire many times before. They were as clear in his mind as the image of Ghost before him. Samiel's great grand sire had become known for his tendency to force breed mares. He had used it as a war tool. Any mare who dared near his territory would find themselves bearing his foal in no time. That's how his grand sire's herd had gotten so large. It wasn't until the day the stallion died that the mares were liberated. But by then the old horse had already fathered a ridiculous amount of foals. Some say the number reached over one hundred fifty, however the exact amount of foals fathered by that stallion would forever be unknown. Samiel thought about what Ghost had said earlier about them possibly even being relatives. Samiel smirked at the thought. It was very much possible.
His first herd? Samiel thought. Suddenly he felt reassured. He had felt young and inexperienced in the presence of Ghost when he mentioned his mares. Small Ghost's herd may have been, but it was still more than what Samiel ruled over. All Sam had for now was the birds and the trees. Would you like to visit Eloura Valley? Samiel repeated the question to himself in his head. Interested in the idea of meeting new equines he gave a soft nicker. Raising his head slightly he prepared to reply. "I would lo-" Suddenly Sam was cut off by a third voice.
Admittedly, the voice startled Sam, but he did an excellent job at hiding it. The only indicators of anything off with the stallion was the way he jerked his head up and the slight widening of his eyes. Other than that he appeared stoic. Samiel waited patiently as Ghost communicated with the mysterious, hidden voice. The fact that someone could sneak so easily up on him slightly unnerved Sam. He wasn't used to being caught off guard. But he put the event on his list of things to get used to.
While standing there Sam listened to the words that passed between Ghost and apparently his daughter. At first Samiel felt a bit guilty, as if he was eavesdropping. But e reassured himself that it wasn't eavesdropping if the two knew he was there. The stallion couldn't help but be curious about what the two were talking about. I'll have to remember to ask Gost about what happened between him and his daughter later, Ghost thought to himself. Unless he explains now. Finally it appeared the mysterious voice decided she would reveal herself. Samiel couldn't help but feel a bit relieved. When he saw the young filly that was Ghost's daughter Sam couldn't resist smiling. She was a lovely, young thing with a fieriness that could match his own. Samiel felt a bit of admiration for the filly. Moving his hinds slightly farther apart to give him a solder, powerful appearance he slowly dipped his head. Samiel had been brought up to treat the ladies nice. "It is a pleasure to meet you Mist," Samiel said. Slowly he raised his head back up. His eyes settled on Mist once more before he turned to the other stallion. "You produce lovely offspring Ghost, is your son as handsome as your daughter is beautiful?" Samiel offered his companion a respectful smile before he turned to look at Mist.

words: 578
soundtrack: none.
location: faire rainforest.
weather: sunny and clear.
notes: none.

[Exxie]

Ghost saw the flicker in the stallion's eyes and he sighed as he spoke,

"I regret my actions greatly now. Do me a favour and not go down that path, friend. It is a sad state of affairs when a horse has no concern whatsoever for his fellow horses. Looking back on it, I don't even know what made me forcebreed Mountain Rose. Just a foolish acting before I thought it through, I guess. I'm lucky that it came out all right in the end with such a wonderful daughter."

Mountain Mist heard the stallion's words and she relaxed a bit. She smiled, but felt her cheekbones grow redder with a blush. One side was dark brown, but the other cheekbone was white and the two would know. She rolled her eyes to dismiss the comment. However, she was struck by a realization that this stallion was truly a gentleman, not like so many other stallions she had met. Her smile grew. It felt good to finally be treated as an equal. Others had either dismissed her as a normal foal, a weirdo, 'just a mare' or just a product of wedlock. These horses didn't see her as a horse even. She sensed something different about this Samiel and liked him better for it.

Ghost heard the comment and smiled. He spoke,

"Well, I think he is. However, every parent thinks their child is the most beautiful, don't they? It's a requirement of a parent, I think."

Mist frowned and interrupted her father quickly,

"No father. If it was a requirement, I wouldn't be hanging around with you, would I? If mother was proud of me, I wouldn't have gone looking for my bio father in order to gain acceptance."

"It was a simple kidding comment Mist. You're no longer in trouble M." She sighed and then realized that their earlier comments must have seemed foreign to the other stallion and she spoke,

"By the way, when I talked about how I had taught my dad here a lesson, it was when he claimed a mare. He wanted to erase his tracks and used a slight rain on Nepelle Plain. I taught him a lesson by pelting him, and only him, with hailstones."

"Yes Mist. I still can't figure out how you funnelled your powers so they only hit me!" He gave a rumbling chuckle.

Looking at the fine coats of the two stallions, Mist was suddenly concious of her own rough pelt. She hadn't yet lost her long hairs and she looked shaggy, she was sure. Mist hadn't been eating well. Even staying in Eloura Valley hadn't helped much. The places she wandered were just too cold and damp. Now she felt embarassed and she reached back to groom her withers with her teeth. A patch of the long fur drifted down. There was beautiful fine fur underneath. She needed a warmer climate. That's what it was. She sighed and looked back and spoke,

"Sorry. The cold wet places I've been in lately haven't helped my coat much." She laughed nervously before backing up slightly. The stallions were talking right now. They were the same age. This stallion was the same age as her DAD. And, she admitted to herself, she was trying to find an excuse to join his herd. Bad, bad, bad, bad, baaaddd, BAAAADDD! She should NOT be doing that! But she couldn't help herself...he was handsome and had the gentlemanly air about him!

[theChief]

Samiel dipped his head in an understanding nod to Ghost. They all made mistakes in their life and it appeared Ghost had made the better of the situation. Looking back to Mist he smiled. The outcome had turned out quite beautifully from what Sam could tell.He smiled at the mare.
Samiel listened in on the father and daughter's conversation. A mother not proud of her babe? Samiel snorted and shook his head. It was a preposterous idea. But Samiel had had a quiet, enjoyable foal-hood. Both his parents had been mates and respected herd members. The only reason he had been forced out of the herd was the fight in him. To Ghost he said: "Well you'll have to show me your lands and introduce me one day." He smiled and then glanced back over at Mist and studied her face, trying to see beyond it into her past. His great chest heaved in a deep sigh. He listened as she explained to him the lesson she had apparently taught her father.
Samiel gave a deep chuckle. Pelting her father with hail? He shook his head merrily. He laughed once more when he imagined the image. When he finished his left her he let his head dip low. "Well it appears you have quite the powerful daughter Ghost. You must be proud." Samiel gave his companion a mischievous smile before turning to Mist.
His expression softened into comical admiration. That's when he caught her grooming her withers. His expression became blank. He tilted his head to the side and listened and watched as she backed up. He blinked. Then slowly he raised his head a bit. The two had spoken about her being a wanderer, correct? He tried to remember the words spoken just a moment ago. Tuning his body more toward Mist he spoke. "Mist, if you would like to reside with me here in Faire you are welcome to," he said. "If your father is alright with that." Wanderer she may be, but she was still Ghost's father. He would show Ghost the respect he deserved. Samiel wouldn't dare risk the only alliance he had.

words: 356
soundtrack: none.
location: faire rainforest.
weather: sunny and clear.
notes: none.

[Exxie]

Ghost smiled and nodded as he spoke,

"We'll do that sometime. I am proud of her, but only when she's nice to ME!" He chuckled then raised his eyebrows when he saw his daughter grooming herself. Hmmm...he just randomly, or not so randomly, starting humming a human tune he had heard once. Just humming not singing. It was 'can you feel the love tonight?' and he found it quite funny because he saw the redness in his daughter's white cheek. He chuckled. Then he became more serious when he heard Samiel's words. He spoke,

"It is fine with me. Mind you, my daughter does what she likes with or without my approval, so it matters not." He added a little chuckle, then continued,

"I guess I'll be going now." He turned to go, but listened to Mist's answer as he did,

"That would be great. I'd like to try a slightly warmer climate." He gave a little chuckle and spoke lightly,

"Yeah. And they think it's hot already. It's about to get a lot warmer." He smirked, then walked out of the rainforest and back to his home in the valley.

Mist smiled shyly at the older stallion, not sure what she should say. She was usually confident, but she wasn't any more. Especially with her dad gone. She gulped and spoke,

"T-thanks for lettin' m-me s-stay S-Samiel." She smiled as she thought about how it was such a regal name. Then Mountain Mist smiled with slightly more confidence in it this time.

[theChief]

Samiel gave his friend a quick smile as he left but kept his attention on Mist. It was only a short time to wait for an answer but suddenly he was filled with excitement. If she said yes then his day would be perfect. Not only would he have a new home, a new friend, but a herd mate. Life would be wonderful. Samiel could feel in his bones how he missed having something precious to protect. It was in his nature to guard and protect. Land was one thing but more could always be found. There was nothing like having a herd to watch out for. Though Samiel couldn't help but think Mist would be as formiddable a force as him.
When she accepted his offer Samiel gave a delighted nicker. He couldn't remember the last time so much good had occured in a single day. During a break in his glee he felt his heart stutter. What all this good was only leading to something horrible. Samiel shook his head and pushed he idea aside. Hopefully all the wonderful going on would keep snowballing. Samiel was momentarily distracted by Ghost. "See you later Ghost." He said as he watched his new ally leave. Then he turned to Mist. The stallion smiled happily before trotting over to his new herd mate and giving her a friendly nip on the withers. "Don't be nervous Mountain Mist." He curved his neck and brought his muzzle close to hers.
"I haven't seen much of my lands yet, would you like to explore them with me?"

words: 263
soundtrack: none.
location: faire rainforest.
weather: sunny and clear.
notes: Shall I add Mist to the herd ranks? And if so where shall I put her?

[Exxie]

Mist heard Samiel's words and smiled. She inhaled abruptly when he brought his muzzle close to hers. Then she exhaled slowly and her smile grew wider. She just wasn't used to this was all. She spoke,

"I'd love to explore this land with you. I'm not a wanderer for nothing. And if we get stuck, I can always use the weather. Tree in the way? I'll just chant a lightning verse." She giggled before sighing and continuing,

"In the Arithian lands, I only received my little respect from being the daughter of a lead mare. I didn't get much respect at all though. Being a force-breed does that to reputation, even though it wasn't my mistake. My powers didn't help with that. They started to look at me as a witch. It's beside the point that my older sister had respect and she can see the future. They didn't look at HER like a witch. But horses believe what they wish, hmmm?" She gave a smirk of confidence. She almost didn't want to leave this position, but she had to. However, that confidence got the best of her while they were in the position. She jerked her head forward a little, her muzzle bumping his slightly. It wasn't hard, but it was enough to tell him she liked this.

ooc: yeah, put her in the herd ranks. Wherever you figure. She could be the lead for now, or the beta and then she could move down whenever a better mare for the job is found.

[theChief]

Samiel breathed in when she exhaled, taking in her scent. He closed his eyes and when she stopped he exhaled. It had been awhile since he'd been so close to a mare. He etched the memory into his mind. He let her speak interrupted, listening as she told him about her past. "Well you no longer have to worry about such things," he responded. "You call the shots now." Samiel sent her a friendly smirk. He was studying her face when the bumped his muzzle. He didn't move but let the connection sizzle. He smiled nuzzled her just behind her ear, wuffling her mane. He quite liked this mare.
Turning towards the open forest he looked into the shadows. There was so much land to explore. He bolted forward a few yards before he stopped and turned towards Mist. Letting his head flip back happily he nickered to Mist, calling her over. It was time to go.

words: 157
soundtrack: none.
location: faire rainforest.
weather: sunny and clear.
notes: Well then, i think this is an appropriate place to end the thread and move these two forward a bit.