[set directly after their spar]
What could compare to the pleasure of testing your limits and find that you have yet to fail your own expectations? That you are about as strong as you believed yourself to be, and that measuring yourself against a worthy opponent doesn't leave you humbled, regretful and bitter?
As the light-hearted laughter of the Ardent rang across the spring green Meadow, Lace found himself laughing along with the general. He had yet to fully catch his breath after their clash, and even though muscles ached and bruises complained for every step, how could he resist charging after the disappearing pegasus?
The sound of his own hooves thundering against the ground made the heart throb, sending a surge of adrenaline into the bloodstream that was almost more powerful than the one he'd felt when in the midst of the spar. It took some effort to catch up to the long-legged stallion, but as he did Lace could just as well have been a young colt again, filled with endless energy; he bucked into the air just as he came up alongside Azzuen, sending grass and dirt flying. An offended screech could be heard from the pale dragon that came flapping after him, as clods of mud splattered her pristine scales with dirt. Her bonded simply laughed though, too high on life to feel any regret.
Gradually the surge of energy began to die down, and as it did the pace of the grulla slowed with it. Eventually he found himself standing not far from the banks of the river; tired, sore, but in a mood that was exceedingly good.
"A good spar" he admitted to the other stallion, the first words uttered since the introductions before the beginning of the bout. "I'm glad I don't have to meet you on the battlefield, or I'd have more than bruises at the end of the day."
With a content grunt he allowed the front legs to fold beneath him, easing his bulk to the ground in order to ease the itch of drying sweat upon the hide. Was it rude to flail the hooves in the air like that in front of the Throat's General? Lace didn't think so, at least. To him, the winged warrior felt much like an equal seeing as they shared experience, skill, even alliance. There should be no need to stand on ceremony with a fellow soldier, now was there?
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