the mistress faced her with sharp orbs, pale and blue as the morning sky. when was the last time she'd seen morning?
it was getting hard to remember. but she did not flinch, standing to gaze back with uncertain defiance, unsure if this was
the correct response to the calculating stare, but not wanting to bow with her tail between her legs like a fearful canine,
either. she must have been rewarded for her actions, for the lady replied to her inquiry.
"..we are very strong in many ways, but our strongest is the dragon captive in our land, aiding us during our hardest battles."
a dragon, a dragon! was the mare jesting her? did such majestic creatures exist? surely,
the equines of world's edge must be fierce if they had such a creature as a ally.

the mistress introduced herself as antheia, dipping her dome towards her as she did so.
but surely the mistress did not understand, for kai would want to defend her future
settling, if it proved to be satisfactory. if she did not have to escape from a brute.
she was soft-spoken, shy, fearful even, but that did not mean the speckled pegasus
would wish to watch as her home were to wade into war, to watch others
die, and sit back comfortably.
she just didn't know how.
it was a desperate line of thoughts. as she began to tentatively accept the invitation,
another mare came forth from the shadows, and her bright yellow orbs flashed to the leopard-spotted coat.
she was tall, stocky, with muscles rippling just under her shimmering coat.
but whilst she was indeed bulky, she was elegant, and easily distinguishable from a brute.
her orbs were the shade of ice, crystalline and clear.

her voice was that of a flame, warm, comforting in the darkness.
the new mistress was kind, she told her she had a lovely name,
and kai's wings fluttered with light embarrassment.
"thank you, mistress, although i fear you are too kind. it is a simple title."

adelaide, she said, and then mentioned the endless night.
the storm strike.
she fought for righteousness, justice, equality.
no- they fought.
the words filled her mind, and confusion settled in it's wake.
what would she choose? she knew she mustn't leave this place as an wanderer,
without a herd, for she would not make it long on her own in this land.
helovia, adelaide had said.

a set territory, or a wandering herd, surely more freedom
would lay with the latter, but could she really call it a home?
she knew she would with the first.

she noticed antheia's hark's flatten,
felt a tinge of fear in her chest at the prospect of a fight
occuring due to her.

and so with brimming uncertainty she glanced
between the two. what would she choose?
they were waiting, and she did not know.