In the shimmering glow of the predawn light the wind felt almost cool. From the far horizon it floated in, not swift or urgent but with a languid sort of casualness, as though it couldn't quite be bothered to ease the suffering of the mortals that dwell beyond. It ruffled the already messy curls that cascaded down Erthë's neck, and she raised her head briefly from the dry, faded grass that marked the boundary between forest and cliffs. She closed her bleary, red-rimmed eyes and leaned into the breeze, grateful for even the smallest gasp of air that might relieve the stifling, thick heat that lingered like a wet woolen blanket in the forest. Though the ever present mist crept around her feet out here as well, it didn't feel quite as stuffy, it was easier to breathe and far less trying to put up with the constant presence of other horses.

Living in a herd had its own challenges. It was hard to keep things private for long, and gossip was grew as plentiful and as regularly as the thick patches of grass by the springs, chewed with the same apparent delight. Few fucks were given about whether it was good or right to say whatever they wanted, and it was nigh impossible to escape from it.

Of course, the favorite topic right now was the recent herd meeting. The more Erthë heard about it the more she regretted having missed out on it. Not because she thought she could have affected the mood in any way, but more out of frustration that she couldn't know for sure what of all the stories were true or not. Lyanna had told her the gist of it when Erthë got home, but aside from mentioning objections to Alysanne's ascent to the throne the mare had been quite brief.

She hadn't said anything about it being the silver general, Nyx, who had been most vocal. That piece of news had come through the grapevine, bits and pieces revealed until Erthë thought she had a decent grasp on everything that had happened. It troubled her, she didn't like that there were dissent spreading within her family - and she felt sorry for Nyx, rudeness and trouble-making speeches or no.

No one deserved to have their name dragged through the dirt, least of all by people who should be considered family. It wasn't right, and as she turned back to her grazing the young mare pondered quietly what she could do about it.  There had to be something...