Inside existed a warrior I’d never known, never wanted to acknowledge until days recent and forbidding. I’d answered the call of battle and waited at its bloodied doors yet hesitant to embrace its unforgiving warmth. The fever had swelled and ignited –a fire- making me a slave to physical desire- a longing to press heated skin into the throes of combat… It was such an ugly thing, as raw as it was, but I’d tasted it… welcomed it abreast with little more than a smile.

But I sought to see the spark extinguished. I sought to see it buried beneath waves of bitter despair. From the Edge I wandered toward the Threshold, leaving a wonderful wake of destructive thoughts behind. They did tempt me back with soft chants to the wind, chants meant to compel and deter me- a cacophony of sinner songs. But I’d not tilt an ear to their wayfaring ways… I’d not relent.

Perhaps it was time to find solace in the arms of intimacy. Perhaps tender lust would soothe the demons created by a thirst for war…

But somehow I doubted it would keep my hunger at bay.

My body felt tense upon entering the claiming grounds and a great storm brewed beneath nervous flesh; one that I’d see released when time allowed. The Basin had sent their Phantom to haunt our ranks and I was little pleased by his arrogant manner and confident tongue. I’d awaited his call, a Baron to his peasant ways… I’d wanted to sear skin with an iron touch. Why must these horrors taint me so?

I attempted to drown myself in thoughts of Evangeline in hopes that she would relieve the growing tension building within both heart and soul. But the longing only remained.


The trees grew sparse as I trailed slowly toward the land’s everlasting heart. I had encountered nothing of note, but Helovia had a way of surprising one when they least expected. At least that’s what I tried to tell myself when I caught whiff of femininely scents, an intermingling of estrogen and womanly presence. I did fight the hormone and foul intent behind my curiosity, but I followed nonetheless. I’d not see our natives fall prey to spring’s calling and foreign desire. I certainly did not seek their route in hopes of anything other…

After all, I was not an easily swayed creature when it came to matters of the heart- and mine was now spoken for.


But there was faint trace of something else, a drizzling of musk, that thwarted the fragrance of womanhood. It was not one of my knowledge and so I did rush to pursue it. However, what I discovered was not as threatening as I’d presumed… perhaps it was just as well. My testosterone had taken advantage of the season and bloodlust had become an errant friend.

Like a massive panther, I approached with wide eyes and a deep rumbling that siphoned from within. I nodded to the female pair and turned curiously to the stallion at attention. He was a haughty brute made of muscle and mischief, but I feared not. He had come with reason surely… and I would find it revealed and those marse returned to proper homage in one piece. “Greetings, I’m Thor of the World’s Edge.”

I knew that titles would bear little fruit for our guest but I knew that the dappled one and her pale, cream friend would take heed. That was all I needed.

Threats had become a thing too easily given to those undeserving of such fire. They had been something I’d spent too much time debating and answering to; I’d grown tired of their wielders, their cutthroat employers. They had no business finding their way into Helovia and certainly no business worrying our natives.

The beast had spun around to face me, more shocked to find that I’d interrupted him than to find that I’d even come at all. Upon second glance I could tell that both mares were of similar tenseness, as it was a springing thing that danced between them and most likely something nurtured by their friendship. But the pale girl… was she not aware of the flesh of teeth and the dipping of the stranger’s muscular head? I did think that there was yet more to be measured after seeing the ladies to my side and away from immediate danger. Of course, it was not every day that demons from the pit of hell found their way to our doorstep.


The stallion had muttered something dense and hard in nature, a cold warning to heed if I’d been another been another man. But this was not his place and not his position… he’d come knocking on our doors- not the other way around.


But I held my tongue as the one-winged grey stepped forward to collect her sister. I’d assumed their closeness by the movement of their bodies- one was trusting and the other watchful, a team. Maybe that was why the pale one did not notice the beast’s intimidations… Was she blind? Rasta, as she called herself, was the first to share knowledge though; perhaps it was a way to dilute the situation and keep the beast from coming to blows. It was a wise decision and one that I honored fully… After all, I now had more to consider than my own wellbeing. Another day then my friend.


“Rasta, Africa-,” I commanded quietly, “It’s so nice to meet you both.” Now see yourselves away from the beast. I did hope that they would come slowly and quietly… I did not want to see hooves or teeth mar their perfect beauty. I merely wanted to see them returned to the Falls just as they’d come.

Upon the hope that the mares would comply easily, I turned back to the stallion with a false gaze of appreciation, “We’ll not bother you then. But without guidance or proper manner, I’d see you returned to the Wilds. Helovia is not a place for such bloodlust,” I warned sharply.

He had one of two options- give in or walk away. I smiled because I knew he desired neither.

I knew that titles would bear little fruit for our guest but I knew that the dappled one and her pale, cream friend would take heed. That was all I needed.