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The clatter of hooves and the click of Romul’s claws filled the cavern with unnatural sound. Both mare and companion thought little of the scuffle rising above the ebb and flow of the breeze just behind and instead wandered deeper into the hollow. It stretched onward into darkness and though light from the entrance still lit the walls, a dimming glow, the silence began to grow heavy and tense. Romul rumbled quietly at his bond mate’s shoulder and the notes echoed along the crystalline walls acting as a warning for any who lurked in the shade. His black lips were pulled away from glittering yellowed teeth and his ears were bent forward, listening. Essetia had grown accustomed to the wolf’s overprotective nature but even she felt decidedly more on edge as they meandered deeper into the frost cave.
The last time she had wandered to the Arch, Essetia had run into the cowardly Cetan and had mistaken him for a Basin unicorn. Somehow she had failed to consider that her second trip might bring more frightening results. She and Romul were strong but she also feared how easily one could conceal death in the depths of such an ominous place. She imagined there were many secrets hidden within the Arch and suddenly she was certain that she did not seek to become one of them.
With her fear filtering across her bond with Romul, the wolf’s hackles rose in preparation. The mare couldn’t pinpoint why either of them felt so unsettled but her question was soon answered when a deep, course rumbling came barreling down the cavern to greet them. The wolf had gone from wary to alert, snarling, and nearly uncontrollable. On his toes, he seemed to float above the ice awaiting his companion’s command to scout out their pursuer. Essetia had become frozen, whether in fear or otherwise, and couldn’t seem to determine the best route of action. Slowly she stepped forward, still unsure what dark creature awaited them at the only exit of the cavern. She had only one of two options and decided that either way, they would have to face their demons, no matter what horrors arose in retaliation.
Quickly, she dipped her velvety muzzle down to nudge Romul between the shoulder blades. His muscles quivered in response to the mare’s contact and while she breathed him in, a reminder of their friendship and love, Romul whimpered quietly. Essetia would never sacrifice her companion and today proved no different. Softly, she nipped at the tuft of fur at his neck- release. Without another breath, the wolf shot down the hollow, his snarling growing frantic with excitement. He lived for the hunt and had been given permission to do just that. He wasn’t sure what he would be facing just head, but once his jowls found purchase, he would hang on until the damn thing killed him.
However, when the rhythmic pounding of Romul’s wolven pads against the ice grew uneven and his yelping transformed into a panicked shriek, Essetia went racing after him. Her hooves slid along the ice at times but her stride never slowed… that is until she was met by an inky, black colt that was dangerously close to becoming either wolf meat or a launch pad as the mare tried desperately to avert her path. Romul stood wide-eyed to her right and as she skid to a shaky stop, her furious gaze turned on the unicorn colt like white fire. “Are you insane?!” | |
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