Pure joy, primal and raw, ran through Loretta. The tickling started at her maw and ran down her spine to finally burst from the tip of her plumed tail, which stuck straight in the air behind her. Her dirt stained paws found purchase on the loamy soil and she turned her head over her shoulder, spitting the Czarina’s feathers from her mouth. Her eyes were dead, her pupils wide and pulsating with her bloodlust. Many in Helovia believed her bondmate to hold bloodlust, the desire to feel victory through breaking another body, but even the Dauntless had no ounce of bloodlust that topped the malamute bitch. It showed in battle always, but especially now when Archibald made no attempt to hold her back over their invisible bond. A sickening, intense snarl rang out from Loretta throat as she ran forward. With teeth lashing, the dog aimed to bit into Ghost’s front right fetlock.

Ghost’s rumbling laughter fills Archibald’s ears as his hooves smack against her chest. Images of his mother, Mandrake, fill his mind. The laugh sounded so similar to the insane grey mare. Archibald grinded his teeth together and set his jaw. He had ended the grey mare—his mother—and now Ghost would come crashing down. This battle had all started with his herd in mind. Archibald needed to give them a new home, away from the malice and unpredictability of the Moon Goddess who had hurt too many too deeply. Now, however, with the sick laugh ringing from Ghost’s maw, Archibald wanted to see her face in the dirt, blood pooled around her head. No mare that resembled Mandrake—in any way—should walk the earth. Mares like Mandrake hurt others, too, like the Moon Goddess, and Archibald would not stand for that to happen.

Archibald’s hind legs began to fall back to the earth when a piercing, sharp pain filtered through his body. It was quick and hard, and it overwhelmed his leg fast. Ghost’s horn managed to slice down the length of his left gaskin. The Dauntless stallion took in a breath, lurching his mass forward. His left hind defied him. Warmth filled the muscle as blood sputtered from the cut. The behemoth limped forward on it, pushing through the pain despite the pulsating, the drumming, and the call of the wound. Archibald turned his body to the right, hoping to come head on to Ghost. His leg protested, screamed beneath his weight. The cut was deep as it spread across his muscle, and would surely scar. Golden eyes flashed toward Ghost’s black, and Archibald gave a low, deafening roar of his anger. He would forever remember this battle, just as he had with all of his battles, but others would know it as well. Just like the burn scars along his neck and rump, this cut along his gaskin would be a testament to the upper-hand Ghost was able to gain on him. Although it was nothing compared to the sting of dragonfire that had left his other prominent scars, the stallion would not forget the pain.

With pain vibrating in his mind, Archibald pressed forward. Steel-clad hooves dug into the moist earth below him, leaving deep gashes where his feathered hooves had once been. Quickly, Archibald snaked out his head. The muscles in his neck uncoiled, unleashing all the power he had as he attempted to leave a lasting assault on Ghost. Archibald’s teeth aimed for the black mare’s neck. How glorious would it be for him to grab her jugular between his teeth and make her beg for mercy? Loretta fueled his mind, her thoughts unbridled and consuming. Bring her down, Archibald! This kingdom is ours! The red and white malamute exclaimed over their bond, scrambling backwards to avoid a kick from the tri-color mare. Loretta knew the damage horse hooves could leave, and she knew it more than just being told. She had been kicked hard during the Captain Tournament so many months ago, and she did not wish that pain upon herself this day.

Hard and fast, Archibald slammed his front right forehoof down to send tremors through the earth once more. Archibald though Ghost was on her last legs, and Archibald wanted to do all he could in his power to send her down, down, down.







[WC: /800, according to Microsoft Word | PC: 3/3 | Armor Reference

:: [Magic: Earth (U) | can create earth tremors with a stomp of the hooves that unbalances and disorients the opponent]
:: [Restrictions | Can only be used twice in battle, with the tremors lasting up to a full post; the tremors are strong and should cause severe disorientation] ]