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Sun. Sand. Wind. Ocean. A burning heat made bearable by salty breezes that kissed his sweat-damp skin with cool lips, a far distant horizon that brought a whole new meaning to the word endless. Yet his focus was not on the sun or the sea or the sand that shifted with ever step (though it did require some amount of attention, it was bloody hard running through it) but on a heavenly figure soaring through the sky, barely visible against the vivid blue.

He had never seen a horse with a coat like the sky before. It seemed awfully convenient, being able to blend in with the surroundings like that. Cathun was jealous, but only moderately. He was more interested in whether he could keep up or not, more concerned about the advantage of wings versus legs. Did the pegasus know that he was competing with her? Maybe, maybe not. If she knew she showed no signs of acknowledging his presence, something that was almost as infuriating as his own lack of strength. It was growing increasingly apparent as days passed and his tasks became more familiar to him, painfully obvious as the older, more experienced soldiers performed their duties without breaking a sweat while he was left a trembling, exhausted heap on the ground after a mere patrol.

Cathun was going to change that. His pride would not allow anything but perfection, and if reaching that level of strength and experience - like the Sultan had - would require him to spend all his waking hours running, sparing and patrolling a border that was nigh impossible to cross in the first place, then so be it.

The heat didn't bother him. The loose ground was a major slight nuisance, but what annoyed him the most was the creature of flame that blazed by over his head, calling him to end the race and seek out his leaders. Burning eyes glowed with disappointment as the sky-horse changed direction and headed towards the meeting place, and with a heavy sigh Cathun followed suit - still secretly trying to catch up to and overtake the winged mare.

He was sweaty and still out of breath when he joined the gathering herd, annoyed by the interruption and itching to get back out there. Shuffling his way through the crowd he stopped only when he found Amaris, her proud golden frame a comfort amidst the murmuring throng. He greeted her with a half smile while settling in, curiously eying the rest of the horses as they arrived. The Wildfire looked as imposing as always where he stood, but more interesting to the colt were the faces he had yet to put name to.

A striped mare with colors of sea-foam and desert sand was introduced as Maren, stunningly beautiful but with a slightly tepid smile that took the edge off his initial soaring interest. Diviner? That was, uhm, right, like a miko right? Priestess. Good riddance, Cathun had no interest in religion whatsoever. In fact, he'd be much happier if she kept her preaching to herself and let him stay as far away from gods as possible.

His own name was called, along with someone else's. After nodding and grinning cheerfully to anyone offering congratulations he stretched his neck to try and spot the other new addition, as grateful for the company as he was eager to find out who was stronger - he or the other guy.

But before Cathun had a chance to find the new warrior (or approach the cloud-patterned mare he'd spotted up ahead) the smile faded from the Sultan's lips and the topic changed. His attention was captured immediately, and with rising excitement he listened to the news of war. Aah, glorious combat! The clash of hardened warriors, an eye for an eye in a competition between professionals over honor, victory, glory! His blood surged at the mere thought, frustration at being left out of such a thrilling thing fueling the heat until his eyes blazed and the embers raining from mane and tail glowed red-hot.

Ah, but... he was missing part of the story it seemed. With thrashing tail and legs quivering in pent up eagerness Cathun sidled up to the horse next to him, a youth that looked about his own age - actually, they were very similar overall, both being grullo and carrying the promise of magnificence in their growing bodies - and leaned in to whisper a quick question.

"Say, what did that Moony thing do? Do you know?"

He listened with half an ear to the instructions handed out by the Sultan, more interested in what the native youth had to say - he'd be able to catch up on the orders later.


@[Ivezho]