The sullen light of dusk pushed through the wood, fading and ribboning into what would soon become darkness. It was days like these that reminded me of my fondness for Helovia and of the first time I’d set eyes upon her undeniable splendor. Somewhere in between my arrival and my present adventures, I’d lost something… I wouldn’t call it a loss of vigor, but more so my incessant need to roam. I had settled in the Thistle Meadow for a time, but it was lonely… it was not what I’d pictured for myself.

After living out my days in isolation I’d come to a brash decision that I would seek out somewhere to belong. However, the idea of committing myself to any one thing seemed daunting and I’d yet to act upon the notion… It was time though; I kept telling myself that it was time to move on and settle, but it still came at a price. I feared what would become of my desires and my dreams should I finally break my own bad habits.

Perhaps that was why I again found myself searching the Threshold for another purpose, one less demanding than confronting my own reality.

With the sun dancing across the stars across my skin, I swayed easily between the dense wood, inhaling the sweet scent of Fall. I was calm and level-headed which was more than I could say of my demeanor as of late… Maybe I was simply plagued with incessant thought and deliberation. Where would I go? Who would accept me, as I was? What if they turned me away? What if I had already made a name for myself? Although I honestly couldn’t imagine Amaris or Resplendence thinking that highly of me…

As I wandered, pressing myself for answers that I could not give, I paused at the slightest drift of conversation. It was clearly an intermingling of voices and pitches, but I prayed that they would distract me from my inner struggles… However, maybe one of them would allow me some valuable insight. I’d been thinking far too much and I’d been far too lonely for far too long… I needed a gentle push, or swift kick, to get me moving.

I just needed someone to tell me what was right. I was abandoning my only way of life after all…

However, when I had come close enough to discover that my company was a pair of ladies… I couldn’t help but smile deviously to myself. Helovia surely hadn’t disappointed me as a man by any means. She housed too many beautiful trinkets for a collector such as myself to ignore. I’d been lucky enough to miss their introductory discussion, but I almost wished I hadn’t… Surely one of them knew a little more about this place than I.


“Well hello ladies. I don’t suppose you’d mind if I joined you?” I questioned with a particularly innocent smile. “I’m Atlas.”

Now the Golden lady was something to behold. She was bright- evanescent. However, the little roan… well she was spiteful and a bit mean, and since she was unwilling to share her name, I’d just call her ’ole bitter. So, ole’ bitter was quick to draw conclusions about my character upon my approach, but it was neither here nor there. I didn’t give a shit what she thought. Did she not know who the hell I was? In fact, I found it almost charming that she thought I’d been sharing my name solely with her. Right.

Tsk, tsk ‘ole bitter. Better pick your competition more fairly. As far as I was concerned, the stars from my coat had been placed against the dark pupils of Miss Cherokee’s eyes. I guess a man didn’t have to search far for willing disciples. Besides, I’d only come by the Threshold on my way toward what I considered to be a far more intriguing venture… the Dragon’s Throat. Ole’ Bitter would have to top the infamous desert if she wanted to sway her conquest, though I knew better. Mares were so haughty and self-reliant. They didn’t need men like myself to make their decisions- of course they also didn’t need mares like ole’ bitter making their decisions either. I’d stopped by to offer a casual hello, perhaps an invitation to join me on my way to the Throat… I hadn’t expected ole’ bitter to bitch and moan about it.

Be gone you menace!


I couldn’t imagine such a caring soul like Cherokee finding comfort in your foul attitude anyway. Maybe you were sent by the devil to draw innocents like herself to their grave? Surely the Gods would deal with you at some point or another, or maybe you’d be overcome by someone just like me- or me.


You’re certainly incessantly cruel ole’ bitter, but not unattractive. I winked at the roan before turning to focus on my shining, golden star. She belonged at my side. I could just see it- at least for a time. ” Sleep has a way of evading me most nights, but I wouldn’t say it forces me to spend time with such devilish creatures as this,” I smiled while glancing at ‘ole bitter. What had her panties in a wad?

Perhaps she’d missed the memo. If you wanted to relax, a good man in your life would fix that. How ‘bout it ‘ole bitter?

I nearly chuckled at my own insinuations before again ignoring the vile hag who cared not about me… or anyone else for that matter. I’d come seeking a companion for travel because I’d been alone for too long. Plus, they would be able to help me transition into this new life I’d been seeking to live… Cherokee, are you going to help me?

“I was actually on my way to the Dragon’s Throat –a herd land here in Helovia- and I was wondering if you’d like to come with me?” I was so fuckin’ smooth every time I found myself in the threshold. How did anyone ever deny me their presence after so much honesty and persuasion? “But, other than that… I don’t have much else to tell you about this place. I figure I’ll learn it in time right? I guess you will too.”

I smiled as earnestly as a man of my caliber could manage, but when I turned toward the little roan again, I couldn’t help but chuckle. “You know ‘ole bitter, you’re welcome to come with us.”

Thank god for my inability to give any actual shits.

Could you believe it? I felt more like an outcast than ever before and these mares were but fools if they believed me ignorant to their plans. I didn’t have to study astrology to read the signs or the gentle curve of their smiles… I’d been through it all before. I found it almost humorous that they assumed me so blind, as if a man of beauty might lack the smarts to survive. Little did they know that I had come from a woman more conniving than the two of them put together- a real harlot of the felonious trade. When I was but a boy, I adored my own mother, and rightfully so. She was my protector and my constant companion, but that did not make her righteous or just. She had been a swindling little mix, my mother, a real clever little lass. However, her age and her nature made her talent more accessible than these fools.

I didn’t need to read body language to know how Cherokee felt about ‘ole bitter-it was all in the conversation and the way she spoke of ole bitter’s group. For someone of such soft nature, I didn’t expect for her to accept Colt as easily as she did… unless there was something more that I was unaware of. Her praise was also something to be wary of, given that I’d seen my mother do much the same in my past. However, her tactics were a bit more elusive. Bless her soul, she would add a little fire to her ice and at least she made it believable. Besides, who in their right mind would be compelled to agree with someone who hired their band to herds unknown? Cherokee had no idea what she was facing nor did she want to know, apparently. What kind of herds would be interested in Colt’s little assembly? Or did that matter to the “golden girl”?

I listened to the foreign mare as best as my growing anger would allow before I finally grew tired of the banter. Let Colt have her (which I found humorous because she was named after a male foal after all). I could give a shit less what happened to the two of them, but of course, don’t say I didn’t try. I just didn’t need the baggage on my way to the Throat- I had much better arrangements waiting for me there… You could imagine that I would see Colt’s little band turned from their borders as well. What would her mission become when word spread of my encounter or if my intelligence sealed her from any opportunities with allied herds? I would see her destroyed if only for being a rude little bitch. I was sick and tired of humoring others when I had so much more to offer than simple entertainment.

I nodded and smiled at Cherokee’s attempt to absolve me in my pursuit of the Throat, though it still seemed quite insincere to me. Like my mother, I would see her forgotten. I was not some animated tool to be used and dropped… surely she would understand my motives at some point or another, though I doubted it. “Yes, it is appealing. A whimsical hybrid mare told me of its allure and I’ve contemplated it ever since. I find that the hierarchy of a herd is more appealing than relying on the insecurity of remaining an outcast like her,” I stated evenly. Of course the best part was yet to come.

Again the little roan found only more hurtful words to keep me from equality and I only smiled at her in return. I was not a man easily thrown from task… and I was admittedly driven toward the chore of swearing myself to the allegiance of the Dragon’s Throat. These mares were only a detour and one quickly surpassed. I was almost glad when Cherokee stated that she needed only a moment to mull over the information Colt and I had supplied. However, a moment was all that it took for me to abandon such a futile endeavor.

It was almost too simple to turn heel and walk away. What a waste of breath and time- no wonder the natives abhorred the Threshold.

Note taken.