For once during his stay in Helovia, things had been looking up. No longer was he in the Basin, the cold tundra far behind him. Romani had recently regained her memories of him and who knew what else, and now, they were expecting a child. It was hard to think that he would be a father soon, for the thought had rarely been one on his mind since he was a colt. Albeit nervous and stricken with anxiety, the grullo was eager to experience fatherhood.

Romani had told him that he was welcomed in the Foothills for the duration of her pregnancy, but before he could settle in, a quick trip back to the Edge had been in order. The earthly colored egg in his possession had been a curious thing ever since he'd found it, and now, he was beginning to understand the strange pull he'd felt towards it. Hatching from it had been a spotted cat, lithe in build and spotted in appearance, reminding him instantly of the terrifying jaguars residing in Melhaven, but he knew that this was not such a creature.

"Careful, Azel," Xanthos spoke softly as the pair made their way into the Foothills, golden eyes keeping an ever watchful gaze upon the young cheetah cub. Thankfully, he never strayed far despite his curious nature, sticking close to his bonded for protection. One day he would be able to hold his own, or simply be able to run away if needed, but that wouldn't be for another few seasons.

As always, the grullo kept his eyes open for any signs of wandering warriors on the edge of the Foothills, ready to explain himself if need be. However, he seemed to have no trouble getting into the land, and so instantly set to finding his palomino mate, letting loose a beckoning call.

But she never came.

And he could not find her.

Panic was settling in his chest and taking over quickly. Had she been taken? If so, by who? Was she alright, as well as their still growing child? Just when Xanthos felt as if he were about to burst at the seams, distant voices caught his ear, stealing his attention away. They were not the melodic vocals that belonged to Romani, but perhaps, if they were her herdmates, they would know what had happened to her, or be able to help find her. When he moved into a tense, quick walk, Azel moved alongside his bonded, taking as long of strides as his clumsy limbs were able to. Of course, Xanthos wouldn't run off and leave him behind, but he wanted to join the group as quickly as possible.

As he approached, he caught the name of his mate slipping from the mouth of a rather large, grey draft, and fear gripped the grullo's heart with cold fingers. "What do you mean, 'what are we going to do about them'?" He spoke up, his tone unusually harsh. The last thing that Xanthos wanted to do was upset anyone, especially in a herd land that was not his own, but Foothills and Edge were allied.

"Pardon my intrusion..." he added quickly with a sigh. It was incredibly difficult to keep a calm demeanor regarding the sudden disappearance of the mare, especially in her current state, but if he wanted to find her, he had to. "But, where is Romani? Who has taken her?"


"talk talk talk