Quote:The stallions walked, with all the air of ones who might own the lands they strode upon. Flamed forelegs of one steed and flamed hindlegs of the other stepped with confidence, as if they had walked this path before. The brothers of fire and shadow rubbed shoulders with each other, their steps taken in one fluid movement. Quizzical blazes met in a rough V shape – in fact if they ever held still for long enough the vague outline of a heart could be seen when their pink nostrils rested alongside one another. But today their gleaming orange eyes peered around them keenly, ears swivelling atop their handsome, rugged features. A sly smile was given to his brother by Madyrn, and the similarly hued brute gave a silent nod of understanding.

Scents tickled their nostrils, some new, some very familiar. Sisters… The thought trickled through both of the stallions’ heads, and in quiet tones and a small smile, Maskan spoke. “I do believe it is time for a family reunion.” A warm, rumbling chuckle erupted from the chest of the other, Madyrn, and as one they surged forward into canters. The rhythm of their beats could have been mistaken for just one horse, such was their synchronisation. Their builds were heavier than the average horse, but a subtle dash of Arabia lingered about their craniums and the posture of their tails as they flagged behind them. “How long has it been?” Madyrn enquired of his brother, he himself rarely bothered to keep track of such things.

“Years, easily. I wonder what it is about this land that has brought our sisters together.”
“Perhaps the same thing that brought us here.”
“Perhaps.”

The conversation was held easily even as they roamed the lands at such a pace. The Threshold seemed to provide a small gateway for which they did not cross, not yet. They knew how lands like this worked, their birthlands worked just the same. Though they could stride over the border, as they suspected their sisters had, but they wanted to see what their options were. Yes, they were wanderers, much like their sisters, but they were older than their female siblings, and had lived amongst a herd for some time – their parents’ herd. Whilst they did not aim to lead any lands together, they served well as protectors of a land, and had even been known to cover any mares that might take their fancy. They had even led small bachelor herds together, never arguing over who held more authority – they each knew the other’s strengths and weaknesses and so worked harmoniously with them.

They were an invaluable tool in the right hands, but whose hands would grasp them first?

Quote:A pearlescent mare wandered gracefully through the trees of the Threshold to Helovia, following an interesting thought trail. Having only recently left the company of Mirage in the Spectral Marsh, she had picked it up and found, surprisingly, that it came from two which were one They were much like her twin foals, but far, far more cohesive. So puzzled was she that she continued to follow the trail, riding on the wind, until she found the two. She figured she could ignore the volatile tint to the emotive trail in order to meet such an interesting pair. Gossamer floated silently though the forest, her silver pelt glowing in the patches of springtime sun. A glorious figure to behold, she rounds the corner of a trunk with her mane and tail fluttering about her like a cloud, filaments suspended...and finds the sight of two stallions, a hand taller than herself, and black as night. Her golden brown eyes consider them for a moment and conclude that they look just like the male versions of Mirage. Perhaps, she thinks, they are her twin brothers? Regardless of their relations, these two were certainly warriors, and powerful ones too.

If Mirage was their blurry sister in thought trails, they were her complete opposite in their extreme clarity. One emitted absolutely no emotions or pushed-out thoughts, to an extent she had never before seen, and so she could only assume he had a great and powerful control over himself. The latter, other horse, emitted enough angry strength for the both of them: he was pure power. Gossamer could have grinned to herself for they were two stallions who were, quite obviously, going to be great assets to whomever managed to gain their alliance.

Her assessment had taken no longer than a split second and now she bowed her head respectively, not one of submission, but one of those who were obviously her equals in age'd years and intelligence. Then she spoke in a voice which was wise and kind, calm, and graceful, "Greetings newcomers, I am Gossamer, Chieftess of the Windtossed Foothills. How fare you this warm spring day?" Her body language was strong and kind, and showed one who bore great intelligence. The Benevolent, honest and fair, waited to hear their reply.

Quote:Their pace slowed, and easily fell into a walk. Footsteps were dawdling now; they could feel another near. Ears twitched, both brothers looked towards the great trunk of a tree which shielded their greeter from view. They had stopped now, their gaze piercing like one a predator might hold. Those creepy glowing eyes you sometimes see when you look out into the forest at night? Those were the eyes these brutes shared. They missed nothing, and the same was said for when the Benevolent one stepped out from behind her tree. It was typical warrior behaviour, they assessed the situation in mere seconds – should their lives depend upon it, would they be able to take her down? How would they slaughter her? Were there any more in their surroundings that could pose a threat? Were they in any immediate danger? A second had passed as they made the quick assessment, and both had apparently decided to at least allow the mare the chance to speak. Half a step was taken by each steed, away from each other, a gap of about a foot now rested between their bulky bodices. It was yet another warrior-reaction, one that enabled them to easily jump to into attack or defence mode should the occasion require.

They watched her critically, matched eyes and mismatched blazes tilting as she nodded her cranium. They noted the air with which she carried herself, assuming she was a mare of importance within these lands. Good, perhaps she would have information on their sisters. She was certainly queenly in her manner, and the way she spoke was refined, open and yet guarded at the same time. Her age was to be lift for one to guess, certainly she was no young blossom but rather a mature rose, one ripened with years and experiences. Smiles crossed the rugged features of the brutes, as they considered the words she spoke. Madyrn broke away from his brother, stepping forth and altering his path to circle around the mare, like a predator might observe their prey before leaping in for the kill. He was not sinister in his manner, though certainly his body language could be read that way, but rather devious and playful in a darker sense of the word. His husky breath dripped from his muzzle not far from her own luminescent hide, his crimson forelegs marking a track about the mare that most likely invaded her personal bubble. Upon finishing his closer assessment however, he resumed his position alongside his brother, only now he was by his brother’s left side instead.

“As fine as the Spring day that is upon us do we fare, O mighty Chieftess. And yourself?” The voice was spoken by the brother who had not moved, Maskan. The smirk upon his lips added just a hint of cheek to his words, but they were otherwise honest. His voice had a soft poetic cadence to it, and his punctuation was altered slightly by the accent that tainted his tongue. It was the same accent he and his sister’s shared, the Path of the Moon was a faraway realm and theirs was an accent unlike any other. “These Foothills you speak of, they are but a small part of a greater realm, are they not?” Madyrn spoke now, not bothering with colourful language, simply diving straight to the point of information he wanted to know about. “We seek information, Lady Gossamer, of those who share our blood have crossed these borders. We will find them in due time.” Maskan spoke again. “Perhaps you know of them.” Madyrn spoke the last statement, not as a question but rather as if he knew it to be a fact already. Theirs was a family that did not often slip in under the radar, but rather came up as some kind of cataclysmic event sure to stir some chaos.

Quote:Though she wanted to, she didn't flinch or show a singular sign of being uncomfortable, even as one of the two circled into her personal bubble. She felt his breath as he breathed down her hide and circled her body. She knew she was in an exposed state, that if they attacked she'd have little chance of escape, but she felt that they were not in the killing mood at the moment. Their reply to her greeting was somewhat sarcastic and they chose not to name themselves, and continued to explain whom they were looking for in a tone which she had heard only from Mirage, yet again confirming her suspicions.


She did not reply right away to their sarcasm an let them finish their final statement before speaking again, graceful as always with a wise authority to her voice she replied craftily, "The day is well for I as well because I believe I've found long lost brothers of a dear friend. Though, I cannot speak of them to her for I know not their names yet. " It was a response of stating that their lack of introduction had not gone without notice despite her being kind enough to give them hers. She would give them her information when they replied and offer them her aid, as was her standard to all horses, because though these two seemed volatile they were most certainly not evil.

Quote:The grassy land soon turned into the familiar trees of the Threshold. The last time Seiren had ventured here she had come across a rather macabre mare in Umbra. She had managed to get the mare to join their herd at the time but never really got to know her much more. The little grey found this a shame, she rather liked Umbra's way of thinking. The mare made a mental note to track the skinny black one down once more, it wouldn't be much of a problem for the likes of her. Seiren also mused on d'Artagnan. She had 'saved' him from the acid rain of Histe, but after the young girl had left so it seemed had d'Art. For days she had punished herself for not seizing the moment she had been gifted to kill him, but at least now she had a proper sense of him and she knew she wasn't following false leads. Still, Seiren lamented her lost chance.

A new scent entered her nostrils and Seiren picked up her pace into its general direction. Her calculations surmised there was three horses, one of the Foothills but the other two were unknown. Interest tweaked, she plunged through the trees and this time made no attempt to disguise herself. What would be the point in the end? These were not on her hit list, not today anyway. Force of habit made her approach from down wind and emerge on the scene before her.

A rather regal looking white mare stood conversing with two seemingly identical twins. In Seiren's eyes the twins looked to hold authority, the mare could be faking it but the little arab would have to go on instincts. Twins were rare to see, especially ones so similar in appearance. Walking up to the small group, her quiet ghostly voice imposed on their conversation "oh I'm sorry, am I intruding? If I am you can tell me to go away... Whether I will or not is a different question" she stood and watched them.

Quote:The knowing way in which the pale leader took their words spoke almost as much as if the mare had uttered her thoughts out loud. The twins each twitched an ear towards the space between them, and it was almost as if they were communicating telepathically; though of course that was not the case, they merely saw the world through very similar eyes. Their respect for the mare actually rose by her actions, she was similar in her carriage of herself to their mother, and thereby, to their sister, Mirage; and yet, they were worlds apart in their differences. But she had passed one of their many little tests, and she was that much closer to obtaining their friendship as opposed to their rancour.

“Madyrn.” “Maskan.” The names were spoken barely a breath apart, the one with crimson forelegs identifying himself as Madyrn and the one with similar patterns upon his hindlegs as Maskan. “Though we are never lost.” Maskan could not help adding, as he digested the words Gossamer had spoken. She knew one of their sisters, that much the brothers were able to deduce. He pondered which one it might be, though they had hoped to locate both their siblings sooner, certainly one would be better than none at all.

The arrival of another triggered a reaction from the boys that was as synchronised as their arrival. Each of them shifted their bulky weights, masculine forms now between this newcomer and Gossamer. It was instinctual, and the Lady Gossamer had earned enough of their esteem to be rewarded with such immediate protection. Orange eyes looked sharply at the grey maiden who came, critically analysing the horn that sprouted from her forehead, absorbing every about her. She was not one to be underestimated, her strength came from within, her form suggestive of a hidden power. Once again, they were reminded of the female members of their family, for they all possessed such strengths – but it was their weaknesses that differed, and it was the weaknesses of a being that defined them.

“Why, we never would have thought about asking you to leave.” This time Madyrn spoke, his rough, gravelly voice rumbling. He stepped forward to this new mare, wanting a closer look, wanting to test how deep the waters were. Purposefully he drew closer to her than he had to Gossamer, his whiskers would even trail along the length of the mare’s back – assuming the unicorn had not shirked away from him. “Hmmm, no, you can definitely stay.” He spoke, his voice insinuating things that were rarely spoken out loud. The rich masculine scent of the brothers surely made the undercurrents of his words quite obvious.

Maskan, meanwhile, chuckled at his brother’s antics. A sidelong glance was awarded to Gossamer, his stance still suggesting that he very much would defend her honour should a harmful situation arise. “Which of our kin might you know, mighty Chieftess?” He spoke her title not with sarcasm but actually with a playful respect, trying to convey that he trusted her, at least somewhat. As his brother resumed his spot somewhat beside him, while also still providing a buffer between the mares, Maskan continued to speak. “To what purpose do you tread upon this land, little unicorn?” Once again he meant the descriptor to be simply that, not an insult, and he spoke in a tone that suggested as much. Madyrn shifted his weight, his patience growing thin already – too long they had been standing still. Whipchords lashed against his hide, a slap from his brother’s tail, telling him to quell that foul temper.

All good things come to those who wait.

Quote:The instant her words were spoken an imperceptible change went through the two. They introduced themselves and she gave them a small nod of appreciation. She had somehow passed some small test of the two, no doubt aided by the fact that she had information on Mirage.

Just then the Unicorn mare whom she had been sensing wandering about nearby made herself known by entering the area. Though Gossamer was not at all surprised by the mare's arrival, having heard her thought trail despite her being downwind, the twin's reaction was both intriguing and surprising. Not only had she somehow gained their respect, they were willing to protect her, if not for just her but for the information she held. This was shown by their instant placing of themselves between her and the Unicorn mare, their predator-like instincts immediately turning upon the newcomer.

The little grey mare was much like the stallion Narmer, though unicorn, and perhaps not quite as Arabian. She spoke rather bold words for simply coming across newcomers and recruiters in the Threshold, in fact, Gossamer found them almost necessarily bold. The mare clearly intrigued Madyrn, whom she was quickly finding out was the more sarcastic of the two, as he moved forward to toy with the little mare. She caught Maskan's chuckle and noticed his sidelong glance at her and she smiled, too, at Madryn's antics. While this happened though, she took the opportunity to quietly slither into the mare's mind, knowing that the mare would be too fixated on the stallions and her current situation to pay strict attention to magic presence. Thus, she made her way through Seiren's consciousness as delicately as a butterfly landing upon a twig and discovered a more sinister mind that what had been immediately available to one's eye. While the two before her were mysterious and volatile, they did not possess quite the same, evilness that this mare possessed. The mare was macabre and enjoyed knowing she was. The Benevolent narrowed her eyes at the mare briefly, an instant of a twitch, before removing the tendrils and leaving the mare to herself once more.

She was rewarded once more by Maskan as he stated her name again, but without the sarcastic hint this time, to question her which of his kin she knew. The family still grew? Well, that was unexpected. She mulled this over for less than a moment before casting a quick glance at the grey kelpie, for she was not all whom she seemed, and thought her reply. If she told them her name this mare would have information about her alliances to take back to, what smelled like, World's Edge, and the brothers, who were like Mirage in not being keen to give names, might be upset with her for revealing their sister's name in...unknown company. Furthermore, if she said where Mirage was likely to be found right away she'd loose their presence and the mare would also know this. However, if she told them in cryptic form, whom she knew they would respect her for not giving up their sister's name and if she got them to, even for the moment, stay in her herdlands, this mare would have to report that two, very powerful, very deadly stallions were in her herdlands..and that she was unsure to when they were leaving...because she did not know. Her mind made up Gossamer spoke kindly, but cryptically, "Ah, wise Maskan, she is the one, as black as the night, who walks, and blurs, amongst the shadows, but is accompanied by flying gold" She gave him the same respectful title he had gifted her in his playful manner and the first part of her hint would be easy to go off of, even if they had no knowledge of her dragon. "However, she is also my friend, and as such her location is best revealed only amongst other friends." For Gossamer truly had come to care for and respect the quiet mare and would do whatever she could to keep Mirage's friendship. Thus the ivory mare looked at them with calm but loyal eyes.

The fiery Madyrn's obvious impatience pushed her to put out her final offer so as to allow them to get moving in their search for their siblings. "You are welcome to come to my herdlands, where such conversations will be more easily conducted. I will be most happy to even lead you to her. If you so choose, you are most welcome to reside, with honor, in my lands while you look for any other kin, as your statement suggests." She had offered them aid, a safe haven, continued support, and even hinted at being warriors while they stayed if they wanted to become so and thus could do, really, no better.

Quote:Seiren watched in amusement as the one named Madyrn spoke up, he seemed the more adventurous one. Intrigued as he stepped closer, the little grey stood and enjoyed the examination she was undergoing. Her back twitched as his whiskers ran along it, the words he spoke after tickled her more. This stallion had more than tweaked her curiosity, she turned to the side to more appreciate him, a soft nose ran near his withers before running along to his back end. Hoping he didn't move as she in turn, examined him too. "Well, aren't you a bold one. I think my luck may of turned... what pleasant company you are" her tongue slid over each word as she adding her own meaning to them.

Keeping an eye on Madyrn, she tilted her head to the other two. Her focus fixating on Gossamer to examine more closely. "My, what a pretty thing you are" each word like a double edge knife. Seiren meant no harm to this mare, her personality often made her come across as someone who had a permanent black cloud hovering over them. This didn't bother the unicorn, she liked that they kept their distance but was even more enthralled if one dared to come near. She threw another suggestive glance at Madyrn before turning back to the pale one " 'my herd lands' hmmm? You really are a pretty one..." she laughed through each word. Her suspicions were that this mare was of somewhat important, maybe even a leader. The grey however, wasn't here to investigate... Rather she was bored. Seiren left her comments there, feeling she'd poked at the other enough to satisfy her whims.

Turning swiftly, the mare stole a fly that had landed on her behind, teeth lightly brushing against dappled fur. It buzzed slightly before falling to the ground in the grips of death. She stared at it with satisfaction, a dark grey forelock partly covering one side of her face. The mare rather liked the way it laid silent, much less a nuisance and something for the spiders to eat. The crimson vein that thumbed up her horn lifted up into the air as she raised her head from the ground. Two black eyes now turned onto Maskan, whom she gazed sweetly at before returning to Madyrn.

Of all the different creatures she had met here, he was the most intriguing.

Quote:The brothers listened closely at the description which fitted their youngest sibling most aptly. Maskan grinned a knowing smile, Madyrn’s smile showing the ivory incisors it was so broad. Madyrn was slightly distracted by the antics of the unicorn however, thrilled that she had returned his gesture. Greedily he leaned into her touch, inviting her closer and closer still. Maskan, upon watching his brother, would admit that the unicorn’s scent was attractive and she was perhaps more cunning than other mares they had come across, and by way of not interfering, seemed to give his permission for the situation to continue. Not that Madyrn sought permission, but he certainly held his brother’s opinion higher than all others, and had Maskan detected anything unattractive about this unicorn, the temperamental one would surely have chased her away, instead of continue to play and stroke the minx. As it was, the other minx spoke tones which may have been sinister, but only as sinister as the ones the stallion had originally thrown at her. Allure was thick between them, and curiously both brothers wondered exactly why the mare was present – she danced so expertly around their direct question. It was something Madyrn deigned to get out of her, eventually.

However, when Gossamer spoke of leading the brothers to their sister, both erupted in deep, rumbling laughter. Who was she to thinks he could ever control the whereabouts of their sister? Their beloved little shadow, who danced in moonlight with her golden companion, would only ever be found if she wanted to be found. That Gossamer thought to use this as a bargaining chip to gain their loyalty was thoroughly amusing to them. “You assume much, Gossamer. Should she wish to be found by us, we will not require your assistance there. Should she not wish to be found, not even you would be able to locate her.” Laughter had stopped and respectful tones from Maskan informed the mare just how well the brothers knew their sibling. As for the matter of joining herdlands, the brothers considered it. A herd was what they were suited to, if they respected the leader (or were the leaders themselves) and everything was done in a way they approved of, they would serve quite willingly. But there was always the issue of familial loyalty – their hearts laid with those who shared their blood first, no matter what. If they joined this herd, these Foothills, they would serve them, but if one of their sisters were to join a cause there was no doubt as to who they follow first.

“Our loyalties are with our own blood.” Madyrn spoke now, gruff tones always directly to the heart of the matter. “We will happily serve these Foothills as warriors, but should our kin require us we will not hesitate.” Maskan summed up. Facts were delivered, nothing more nothing less. The brothers assumed that Gossamer was wise enough to know that their statement also suggested that should their kin raise an issue with the Foothills for any reason, they would not falter in placing their strength against the lands. Madyrn moved now, as Maskan awaited a reply, to once again get a closer look at the horned one. The grin upon his façade was devilish, he didn’t think twice about invading her personal bubble once more – after all, she had allowed him once. He had to see just how many times he could push that button. Broad chest was angled to lean right up against her, his thick nape draped over her own. It was as if he was intending to mark her as his possession – in fact, that’s exactly what it was. Teeth gleamed from behind his lips, he designed to plant what one might call a ‘love bite’ upon her, draw a little blood, give a small scar. He wanted to brand her as his own - assuming she didn’t dance from his reach of course.

Both brothers shifted now, detecting no danger threatening either of the mares (except possibly themselves of course), Madyrn coming to stand shoulder to shoulder with his brother. A fine pair of soldiers they made, a lifetime of battles they had seen and a lifetime more they longed to see. Eyes that burned brighter than the midday sun peered at both mares, and always their ears tilted atop their majestic crowns to give them the best chance of detecting any oncoming danger early. Curiously, Maskan awaited Gossamer’s response to their ‘contract’, while Madyrn gave Seiren a shrewd and husky glance.