The bright day began with Hé’s company and only improved from that point on. Ashamin led the spotted stallion confidently out of the threshold and towards the Thistle Meadow that rested in the heart of the land, assuming that the newcomer might want a safe and verdant place to rest after the journey, which only needed continue a little longer. With every passing landmark that the Clovenheart knew came a story; he chose to turn south and take them through the path where the Deep Forest turned into the Green Labyrinth, in the hopes that, with his poor sense of direction, they wouldn’t get too lost in either place. Still Ashamin told of the Deep Forest’s eternal darkness and often strange happenings, and of the way that the Green Labyrinth had been thrust into their land. When night fell, when they stopped to rest, Ashamin spoke of the Goddess of the Moon while Lochan, perhaps out of worry, travelled farther and faster to meet the Clovenheart (who, given his nocturnal habits, stayed awake for much of the night.)

It was only when the sun rose again that Ashamin encouraged them to continue on. Lochan was introduced as a second companion, who’d come from north in the Blood Falls, near the Hidden Falls and Aurora Basin, herd lands ruled by the Gods Earth and Spark. He led them to walk where the earth turned to sand and the flats could be seen in the distance, let his long tail extend like a banner to draw the missing horizon, and spoke of the Sun God’s gifts that reigned over the days.

And so the journey went on in that fashion until they reached the thistle meadow, where the trees did not gnarl or block out the sun but provided comfort, and where the river ran through like the land’s essential vein. Perhaps Ashamin would have said more than "here we are" if not for the sight that appeared before them next.

Above, Chaska flew by with the same grace and power that Ashamin had once admired in Einarr. It was a pleasure to see the stallion again, and given that their last meeting had been in this very meadow Ashamin wondered if it was Chaska’s preferred spot. "Come, this way," Ashamin said to his new friend and companions with a quick nod towards the direction the sabino had flown. There was no hesitation in his movement, and he burst into a quick trot, feeling renewed despite his lack of sleep.

Beyond the trees the river revealed itself, and safe beside Chaska was the little filly Gemini, whom Ashamin had welcomed into the Unbound not long before. "Chaska, and Gemini!" he called out to them, a warm smile spreading across his features as he drew closer to the water. It was not deep, and both seemed to be keeping their wings dry, but given the heat Ashamin wouldn’t mind cooling off in the river. Lochan and Rakt did not wait for permission before bounding forth and throwing themselves wholly into the cool wet, kicking and lowing as they went.

"It’s good to see you looking so happy, young Scout," Ashamin said to Gemini when he arrived at the shore. He turned back to look at the newcomer then, and beckoned Hé with a smile that suggested he need not be nervous. "I’d like you both to meet Hé, he is the newest addition to the ranks of The Unbound, and your new ally in these wilds,” Ashamin introduced as he stepped closer to Gemini and offered her his cheek. Hopefully this time she would not be so scared and might accept the greeting.

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Everything happened at once, and everything was falling apart.

The first arrivals were innocent and kind enough, but as soon as Seanan arrived the spark that Ashamin somewhat feared about the stallion lit a flame that threatened the safety of the entire gathering. Given how Ashamin had been raised, alone in the wilds with only his father, it had not occurred to him that others might take issue with children living outside a herd. Nor did he see any logic in the reasoning.

But the Clovenheart was not one to argue when he could possibly debate and settle, even if Seanan seemed deadest on instigating something. Ashamin moved to speak but could not before Rein arrived and made matters worse. Horror struck through the painted buck as his own son shed blood and drew a sword, as if they were among enemies. Chaska spoke up in defense of The Unbound, but even Ashamin cringed at the use of the word herd. Wasn’t that exactly what they were not, at least not for now? There numbers were small, their philosophy was different. Despite what so many seemed to tell him, Ashamin wouldn’t believe that he was simply recreating the environment he had left.

His eyes hovered over the bright chestnut mare who was unfamiliar to him and HÉ. Ashamin could only assume that the former was a newcomer recruited by Seanan, but he did not have a moment to applaud the white stallion for his efforts. He didn’t have a moment for anything, not even to argue for reason, before Phantom did it for him.

And though perhaps her tone was a bit more biting than Ashamin though his own would have, her words held merit. And she seemed to understand his sentiment, which he credited to her ability to understand most things as a result of her age and experience. In many ways Phantom knew more than he ever could, simply for having lived in this forsaken world longer than he had.

Ashamin’s companions moved from the water, Lochan to stand before Gemini and Rakt to brush against Rein’s side. Frantic, the Clovenheart reached out to listen to the heartbeats that would let him, to calm the ones that would accept his aid. Given that none in the crowd had experienced his subtle magic save for Seanan (whose beat Ashamin did not alter specifically on request,) the sensation would not be something they could pin on their leader and might be something they experienced as a natural desire to ease their anger and fear. Ashamin could only hope he could reach them, particularly his son.

"Everyone, please!" he called out at last, finally able to voice his concern without cutting through that of others. "Put down your sword, Rein. Seanan, Chaska, soothe your rage. I understand your concerns, and I thank you for raising them but hope that you should know you all can leave hostility behind when we come together. We are allies, all with different knowledge and opinions. We should hear each other, not fight."

Lochan made the softest of lows, a sort of approving and supporting gesture to his bonded. Rakt once again pressed against the bloody boy, as if pleading he put down his sword. The blood-colored cerndyr knew better than most the desire to fight when peace could be had, but he would follow Ashamin to the end of the world and thus try to settle this.

"Seanan. I was raised in the wilds, outside of a herd, and stand here today better for it. No herd would have me or my family, and a life within one would have done me no good. Rein is my son, and he has chosen to follow me here. Gemini was without her parents in the threshold, and took comfort in Chaska’s embrace. Would you have us turn these children away when they have come to us, and have sought our support?" His gaze was steady, and fixed on the white stallion who had spoken up. "But all told, I understand your concern. For the wilds here can be unpredictable. I agree with Phantom; Gemini has an interest in the healing arts, and after seeing you care for Ryouta I think you have much you could teach her. Perhaps, to ease your fears, you could serve as her guardian and tutor for a time."

Ashamin looked then to Chaska, his eyes tender but concerned. The stallion’s passion for the Unbound was clear, but the Clovenheart feared it was misinformed. "Chaska, you would also be welcome to teach Gemini, for I know you two have formed a bond. But I want you to remember moving forward that the Unbound is untethered. We are not a herd, and should not think of ourselves as such. If the time comes that our numbers grow and we need a land of our own, perhaps we will seek one. But the spirit of independence should always run through our minds and relationships."

The paint turned back to his newest recruit then, and cast a quick glance at both Gemini and the unfamiliar mare. "We are here, together. For better or worse we have chosen this life—all of us. This is something I respect about all of you. So speak your concerns, but do not start a fight among friends, especially ones you might not yet know. I would like to take this time to welcome
Gemini and Hé to the Unbound, and, stranger," he said, then smiling softly at the skull-marked mare, ”I would like to welcome you as well. My name is Ashamin the Clovenheart, and we are the Unbound.”

For better or for worse, Ashamin thought with a confident smile to cover a troubled heart, we are the Unbound.


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