Summer was starting to fade, with the days becoming shorter and the air becoming cooler, it would once again start a very long and challenging season for the mare. Though she had come to make new friends in this land, she would still lack the comfort having a full herd gave. The added protection, the safety in numbers, and the company of various personalities living harmoniously together, were all aspects of her past life she missed greatly. Not to mention the comfort her beloved grove would give, with small but plentiful trees to weave through and discourage predators, and the various fruits and nuts that could be found throughout the forest. It was a perfect heaven for her species, one of a kind in a world full of torment. It had not struck the woman, not fully, just how great her past life was, and what a complete screw up she was. Kamilah had once been a queen, a lead mare, with friends and extensive family to support her reign. But she had thrown all of that away, and for what purpose? To better the genes in the pool? To protect the future generations?

There was no protection for them now.

Outcast and discouraged, the mare had traveled to the lands of Boreas in hopes of joining another herd, and climbing the ranks once more. But there were no herds to be found, and now the mare had to seek out the remaining horses spread to the far corners of the land, and pray she can weave them together. This was her cause for straying from the Dance Floor of the Gods, a grazers safe haven, and to a thunderous waterfall just north east of her familiar land. Even from a great distance the waterfall could be heard, and the towering mountain could be seen from even farther. It was unlike any other mountain she had visited before, in the sense that even though life grew around the pool at the very bottom, very little was able to scale up the rocks. Instead, the mountain appeared stone cold, but a fierce appointment for even the most talented climber. The mare made her way towards the pool, weaving around the frost bitten vegetation, and keeping her ears perked for any signs of danger lurking nearby.

"Kamilah"

The north was an area he hadn't trekked into yet. After walking all the say from the south to come here, Eraithus somehow felt it important to cover all his grounds. The scents of his brother and sister had gone though and there was nothing to track since he had washed up on obsidian beach. He had learned a few things about the Ashen empire, Valhalla as well to the south. His tail twitched there was a pack in the north as well but he wasn't going to bother them at the moment. He was moving on thin ice moving towards packs anyway and admist his thoughts he found himself at this waterfall. It drowned out most scents and noises making him a bit on edge then again he was never one to really fear anything. It wasn't until he noticed a rather large shape near the waters that he stood up and perked his ears.

He'd seen one of these creatures before in his travels with his siblings. A horse they had called themselves normally they lived in large groups called herds much like a pack. Rarely did he see one on their own, then again Boreas seemed depleted of horses from his time here. An unfortunate thing he was lucky that he had washed up in a wolf populated area. To be a social creature and to see none of your kind it was a sad fate. Eraithus made the decision that perhaps he could offer up some company, judging from the scent it was a mare. The wolf gave out a bark making sure it could be heard over the waterfall before he approached but still stayed a few feet away from the massive creature to maintain a respectful distance.

"Greetings!" he offered a kind smile like he always did. His tail twitched, moving slightly back and forth not quiet wagging but interested. "You're a horse correct? What brings you to this waterfall all alone?" he was genuinely curious if she did have a herd around and he didn't see it. "My name is Eraithus, pardon me saying but you are a beautiful mare." he had always loved the colorings on the horses in his travels. They came in all sorts of patterns and interesting designs, some with haired feet others were fairly small. Eraithus was happy that he at least at minimal knowledge but perhaps he could make a friend here today to ease his worries about his siblings.

At the sound of a sharp bark, Kamilah's entire body froze. She stopped moving mid-step, gently placing her hoof on the ground as softly as possible. Her breathing, once quiet and calm, all but stopped completely. Wolf she would hiss mentally, her head turning and spinning like a top. But where? Where? Finally she caught sight of something moving in front of her, but while every fiber in her being urged her to turn and run like hell, something was off. This wolf.. this creature... was not like any wolf she had ever seen before. Did her eyes deceive her... or was this predator.. blue? Instead of lunging and snapping it's jaws at her, the wolf approached slowly, making Kamilah stamp her feet with anxiety. A predator so close to her... it was never something she enjoyed. But despite this, the wolf called out in a greeting, a seemingly harmless matter. But he began to ask questions that seemed... suspicious. It made the mare question his intentions... but there was only one way to find out. Interactions. "Do you always play with your food? Or does my beauty compel you to do so?" Her voice was harsh, her eyes narrowed, and her ears pinned to her head. She was not going to hide her anger, nor her fear. She knew what this Eraithus was, and she would see through his lies. Perhaps he had friends in the woods nearby, lurking and about to go in for the kill. Perhaps he was a loner who was indeed looking for communications, but to the mare, what benefits could be had with speaking to a carnivore? Her piercing blue orbs looked over his frame once more, before speaking once again. "What kind of wolf are you? You are not like others. Are there more that look like you? Are they nearby?" A load of questions spilled out without consent, more out of terror than out of curiosity. Standing her ground, the mare would tense her muscles, itching to make a quick escape at the first sign of danger. "Speech"

Art by Ulfeid3. Table from Ardent.

At first he was a bit surprised, blinking as the gentleman took a step back even if he was a safe distance away. It was clear that he had somehow offended the horse. He had never thought of that - they were prey animals? The herds he had seen before were powerful creatures if any predator dare to go after them a stamp of those hooves would cause a lifetime of misery or even death. Eraithus as far as he knew, Horses were very intelligent creatures. What sort of predators had plagued this one? He felt bad, the life of prey must have been hard he knew that very well. Yet as she barked out accusations he was almost left tongue tied. "My Dear Mare I'd never dream of eating a horse! I've met a few herds in my travels and I didn't even know you were a prey animal." well they were herbavors sure but so were many other animals. She asked if there were others like him and he understood she was new to this land too.

"I am alone currently. I'm... just a wolf I never really thought something was strange about me. Many wolves that inhabit these lands have strange things, fangs, markings twice my size. I hate to be the bearer of bad news if you're afraid of wolves Boreas is covered with them and multiple packs." he probably shouldn't be telling her this but if it meant her saftey than it was important. "I never seen horses as prey. Those hooves of yours are just as dangerous as my fangs. My name is Eraithus, what's yours." he kept his good natured smile. After all - the only blood he usually was after was wolf's blood. He was a wolf in sheeps clothing even if he was a wolf. However, he was kind in any sense and would not seek to harm out of consent of others.