Four orange eyes looked out across the plains as a young, painted boy streaked past. Heads turned, a brief glimpse of a white heart as their noses touched and chests moved. They grinned and as one broke into a sprint.

Aaron was young still, his legs shorter and muscles thinner than they would grow to be, but even now he was flying. Flying as fast as a swollen goose, perhaps. Swiftly behind him fire and shadow followed, more akin to harrying crows or obtrusive jays. Their sisters though, they were the elegant and quick-winged hawks. They could never quite beat them in a race, just as Aaron wouldn't be beating much of anyone on the track. The boy was trying, but he was directionless.

They would push him in the right direction.

As Aaron began to slow the brothers reached out their muzzles and shoved at the yearling's rump, intending to bump him forward as Madyrn diverged to his left and Maskan to his right, dancing away from any stray hooves Aaron might throw, though it was unlikely if he was gathering his balance still. The duo pivoted on their forehand as they moved, haunches whirling behind them so that they met side by side once more, in front of and now facing Aaron head on. Triumphant in their skills their heads lifted in unison, the pale heart flashing quickly again before breaking as they moved like smoke and flame, shadow and dusk. The wind of their race harrased the already tangled manes, throwing it scattered over their nape.

"You'll never be the fleetest on hooves as big as yours," Maskan noted plainly. He did not mean to be cruel, only truthful. "And you're too fat," Madyrn broke in, following not even a moment of silence after Maskan's words. Orange eyes regarded eachother, nips firing out between the brothers, bodies breaking apart and melding back together after a series of flashy steps, their energies tumultuous into each other after that invigorating stretch.

"We mean to say""Focus on your power""and your endurance""not your speed."

The colt certainly had spunk, his kick whistling between their bodies as they melted around him. They had expected nothing less, or else they would have sat idly and watched the youngster breeze through the field. They grinned, excitement simmering beneath their haughty stares. They were sure to keep it properly checked however. It would do no good to appear as eager as the colt - he had to deserve the honor of their knowledge.

Maskan could not fight off a roll of his eyes as Madyrn brimmed with arrogance beside him, nearly drooling like a hungry dog over this fresh pound of untrained warrior flesh. A flick of his tail and Maskan set his brother back into line, the two exchanging a wordless conversation at Aaron's question.

"What do you fight for?" They were abruptly still and silent then. Orange eyes lost their humor and features drained of all expression but the utmost grave sincerity.

The boy answered like one heartbeat after another. It surprised the stallions, and they raised their heads appreciatively, eyes catching each other from the corners of their sockets. They both grinned a wicked, moonlit grin.

"Very good," Maskan murmurs. "We'll train you," Madyrn breathes. The pair stride forward, closing in around either side of the colt, their shoulders just barely offering some of their weight upon the boy. There was much to be done and time was short. Though Aaron had plenty of growing left to do, its was best to prepared early, for the youths of these lands did not stay young long. Their family, their home, would not be peaceful forever, and he'd need to be prepared. They already knew that he knew that. It's why he ran in the dead of the night and why he whispered his heart's intentions to fiery steeds.

They breathed hot air on him, dancing around and away then back together again. They were pleased - someone worthy to train and watch grow. Someone worth their time and their sweat. They were barely reining back the urges to spar each other here and now, the energy burning just beneath their coats, bringing their blood to boil.

"Listen well, fledgling. We do not repeat ourselves." Orange eyes glistened, mischievous and bold under the silver watch of their lady luna. "Power will come with endurance. Speed will come with power. Endurance will come with speed." Maskan's voice came in a sing-song manner, his hooves beating the earth with each point to be made. "The edge has burned," Madyrn begins, a sadness tainting his words. "Go and help them clear the dead." Maskan finished. The brothers thump their shoulders together, peering down at Aaron with a heart-shaped face. "Push and shove against the fallen trees. Move until your muscles unwind and break, then keep moving so they must rebuild." "Don't come back until you're foamed with sweat and weak as a newborn. Only then will you grow."

They laughed a deep chested, but not unkind, laugh. They were pleased with themselves. It had been a while since they'd taught anyone. "But be careful," Madyrn warned with eyebrows arching high and voice rising with them. "The horny unicorns may not appreciate your... assistance. Be sly like a shadow." Maskan growled, "be confident like a flame" "Be ready to run." Not all wars need be waged. Aaron would be going into a dangerous land and he would not do well to make enemies by having a sharp tongue and anxious heels.

A warrior needed training in body, and mind. This, they hoped he'd learn of his own accorded, guided only by the objectives they provided. The mind cannot truly expand when it's aware it is supposed to. Not to mention young colts rarely want to practice such dull segments of training. So they would hide it from him, and let him learn first hoof.

The two of them broke away then suddenly, flying like raven's wings, dark and unknown into the night. They called back to their apprentice, voices loud and whooping against the night. "By the light of the moon, go and break yourself!"