Trapped in the perpetual blackness of night, without the milky moon’s haze to grant ease of passage, nor sparkling star-shine to encourage her on, the young horse stepped quietly, carefully and alone.

It had been many months since Kanti’s warmth had soothed her soul, and while she did not understand the mare’s sudden desertion, no grudge or angst tarnished the treasure trove of fond memories they had filled. Deep beneath the gentle pulse of her heart, Cat often wondered if it wasn’t her father’s doing; his selfish lustful existence. Sadly she presumed as much, because her mother’s heart was weakened by her romantic cravings, it was her vulnerability; and her heart had always been chained to his, unfaithful self.

Cat would not succumb like that; love was for the feeble and hopeless, and the resolute filly’s intentions lay galaxies away from that sort of silliness.

It was not easy to see though the smothering black, and so she turned conscientiously to the senses which remained, hyper vigilant and ready. Sooty-cream ears swivelled constantly, straining to dissect the delicate melody of night-life so that she could make some sense of her surroundings. A predicament it was not, Cat was by no means lost; neither did she feel exposed as she slipped delicately above gnarled tree roots through the hoarfrost which was strewn thickly across her path.

Each nostril flared at the end of her slim, feminine face, sucking the scents from the billowy breeze as it tousled the bristly pine needles above; so too the long, lazy hair which draped stylishly about her burly shoulders. There were many around her, she knew, though their identities were unfamiliar as she continued along. Cat had spent her childhood dabbling through the wilds, without a home; without security. But she could waste no more of her life wandering; the time had come to find somewhere to settle- to grow.

The air was biting cold, as Cat stepped through it unfazed. Having spent her childhood drifting with the seasonal breezes through Helovia’s vast wilderness, the filly was hardened and took the bitterness of Frostfall in her graceful stride. Her coat had thickened significantly, insulating her and providing her with the necessary warmth to endure even the cruellest of climates. Her stride was unfaltering and calculated, all senses alive and responsive, relaying every tiny movement around her; the slightest shift of fragrance, straight to her finely tuned brain.

A sound did split the silence which gripped the forest that night (or day, she could not tell which it was). The measured step of another snagged her attention and Cat paused, mid-stride to peer ahead and note the approach of another, whose bright blue eyes reflected her own reserved curiosity. The strangers outline was dim but bright against her grim, black surroundings, and the young horse noticed in one swift assessment that she was of Unicorn blood. Cat knew well of the disease building through the north, and that it was founded by those alike to this mare, but she was never judgemental, and neither was she quick to presume the other’s involvement in such felony.

Her eyes ventured down and away from the mare, to peer at what she supposed was a feline. Likewise she examined the creature with thirsty, though well concealed interest.

Her assertive manner, though not consciously obtrusive or impolite, was indeed deliberate because Cat was not at all a child longing for a mother’s tenderness; a family’s guidance. Nor was she about to write herself a life sentence to one who sought her for the solely self gratifying purpose of expanding their egos; their herd of lovesick heifers.

Not deterred, the filly lifted her face appropriately and sought the mare’s gaze once again, positioning herself neither dominantly, nor submissively- just equally. So too did the other apparently, and Cat thought quickly, shrewdly, as she poised beneath that invisible limelight, that she had perceived a note of approval. “You are alone,” came the voice though softly, forcing her small skull to tilt subtly to listen. The statement was met with her brisk nod, and gentle fluttering of flaccid nostrils. Cat was indeed alone, while she was not introvert, little pleasure came from the bumbling company of half the ignorant population throughout Helovia- and her view was well informed.

“My name is Yseulte, and that is Itzal." The filly peered down; following the motion of Yseulte’s flicking flaxen tail to the dim outline of the tiger where it was stationed attentively and close-by. Again she nodded, enough to be noticeable through the darkness, but not overly so. Yseulte continued smoothly, her voice strung with some feminine coolness that was undoubtedly quite appealing. “I am Vasílissa of the Valkyries. We are an independent sisterhood; free of men and the rule of kingdoms. You would do well among us, I think."

A Sisterhood... “Mhm.” Cat’s eyes narrowed slightly as she considered Yseulte’s introduction with a calm murmur.

“Cat.” She replied finally with her name, after taking her time to understand thoroughly all that had been said. “My values align your cause, your Sisterhood.” She agreed simply, through a half smile. There was no need to elaborate; the message was as stark as the stars on a moonless night, so the yearling continued without further delay. “I agree, Yseulte; Sister.”

The fact that Yseulte’s Valkyries were only at the moment two strong did little to faze the young mare. At no point did the resolution cloaking her amiable expression dither.

“I do swear, Yseulte.” Came the smooth, deliberate note of her feminine voice, sliding through the cool air to confirm her complete and utter allegiance to their growing Sisterhood. “I will not falter from your side, nor that of my sisters’ yet to pledge themselves as Valkyries.” A thin warm smile flashed across Cat’s slim muzzle, and her head tipped forward through the darkness to portray her respect and commitment.

“You can swim, yes?” The yearling nodded appropriately at this. She could indeed swim having lived the span of her golden childhood in the company of that very sea her Older-Sister now spoke of. Though the salt-laden waters were often windswept and frothy, Cat was quite familiar with the hidden sandbar which bridged both the secluded island and the mainland, and offered the mindful, safe passage. Her mother had never tolerated her daughter’s desire to venture out into the murky depths though, and so until now the distant island had remained, by herself, unexplored.

Catalina had not the mind-set for fighting and violence yet, her soul remained rightfully pure while her bones matured and her still lanky, juvenile bodice transformed. She had been raised to be both eloquent and swift-witted however; to hone both her ability to listen and sharpen her awareness. Many hours had been spent reflecting on those things trivial, and beyond the borderline which marked the very opposite. Again with a quick thoroughness that defied the innocent gaze which glowed on through the night, Cat considered the mare’s offer.

“I wish to expand my knowledge of lore and divinity; to build the Valkyrie’s legend and weave it through the dreams of our youth and the hearts of our Sisters, so that they might share our values with the women of this world who are trapped and without hope.” Cat’s eyes narrowed intently as retribution filled her thoughts; she spoke with clarity and unfathomable fortitude. Perhaps one day Kanti might slip from the romantic shackles binding her heart, and come to live as a Valkyrie herself- she could only hope. “When we have soldiers, I will train amongst them, aside from my preferred studies, and learn to fight.” Catalina would devote herself completely and exclusively, to the protection and growth of the Sisterhood.

Yseulte’s voice fell away causing the painted filly to refocus her teeming thoughts, though not once had her confident blue eyes swayed from their lock with the pale-hued mares. “I have no questions.” Once parted from her Vasílissa, Cat would set to work searching for those who reflected the virtues shared by the Valkyries.