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chimtori — CV | Kestrel #2 - Word of Warning
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Published: 2022-10-01 03:04:22 +0000 UTC; Views: 440; Favourites: 21; Downloads: 0
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The dynamic duo have been trekking over mountains and hills for a few nights now, and tonight was an especially calm one. Thanks to Val’s pushing, her and Kestrel managed to cover some considerable distance since the start of their migration south, even the weary stallion could admit that they’ve made good progress despite having most caution thrown to the wind by now. However, his brown eyes were narrowed slightly as he watched his sister trotting ahead of him, leading him.
It was the stallion’s duty to lead the herd, to protect it, he remembered as much from his birth herd. Father was always in front, stern and proud, his eyes sharp and ever searching for danger, and the mares followed behind with their foals, gentle and smiling.
And then there’s him and Val, his hooves trailing behind as she blazes ahead with her dark tail swishing happily. He can’t help but feel weak... pathetic, even. What would father think if he saw his eldest son being led by a mare?
The liver stallion must’ve let out a depressing snort because Valhalla had now tilted her head back to peer over at him. “What’s got you in a sour mood?” Came her high-pitched whinny, but Kestrel just looked away in response, grumbling to himself.
Val just rolled her eyes, unamused by her brother’s moping. “Well, if you’re going to have a thorn up your rear, at least speed up. We need to find somewhere to settle for the night.”
Kestrel looked up, staring at the full moon that hung low overhead, indicating just the start of the night. Though the air was still and quiet and the moon shone beautifully, the stallion received an odd sinister feeling in his gut. Unsure what to make of it, Kestrel just shook his head and sighed.
“Look, Val, -”
Suddenly pausing, he looked left and looked right. She was gone. Panick rising in his chest and throat clenching up, Kestrel set off in a canter. He looked away for just one second and that bloody mare wandered off! Or perhaps she saw something and went to investigate? It wouldn’t be out of character, he only hoped it wasn’t anything dangerous – or anyone.
Thankfully, the moon lit up the environment spectacularly and with just one dash over a hill, Valhalla’s familiar frame was in sight. But Kestrel’s heart sank in his chest as he realised there was someone else with her, too. Approaching the pair tentatively with ears pinned, the stallion gave a low whinny.
“What are you doing, Valhalla?” He questioned, narrowing his eyes at his sister before even acknowledging the stranger. Truthfully, he was nervous to stare this horse down, but working up his courage, Kestrel managed to raise his eyes to meet this... stallion? He couldn’t quite tell, but the figure was large, towering over the two mustangs. Their stance was strong and powerful, and their bright chestnut coat glistened like fire in the moonlight, but meeting their gentle gaze undid any anxiety he had of this encounter. Just who is this?
“Kestrel!” Valhalla trotted over to her brother, her expression hard to read. “They... they were just warning me.”
“Of what?” His eyes grew wide at the insinuation of danger, and he turned to the stranger. “Who are you?”
The chestnut horse stood unwavering for a moment, seemingly inspecting Kestrel before they spoke in a low, silky-smooth voice and delivered their foreboding warning.
“I am Deva. I’m here just to bring a warning to those nearby; there are humans further down the valley. You must be weary. They are my old keepers from which I’ve escaped, and they search for me now, but I fear they’ll capture anyone they can find in my place.”
Humans...
Kestrel glanced nervously at Val who was looking at him right back, visibly unsure of the situation yet he could tell she was curious – she has never seen humans before, and on his watch, she never will. With a strong stomp of his hoof, Kestrel dipped his head to Deva.
“Thank you, I’ll make sure we steer clear of them. Right, Val?” Valhalla pouted a bit in response, the mare clearly had something to say but thought best to keep her mouth shut, for now at least. But Kestrel took her silence as agreement, mutual understanding that humans shall and will be avoided.
“And uhh...” He began, looking back at Deva who was now turning away. “You say you escaped? Where will you go now? You’re... welcome to stay with us, if you’d like.”
That offer left Kestrel’s lips rather abruptly, even Val stared at him in surprise. The stallion was beyond weary of strangers outside of their duo, and now he was inviting a complete stranger to travel with them? He could hardly believe what he was saying. And it seemed Deva was also stunned for a moment, pausing mid-step as they thought on it.
“... I -” They opened their mouth to speak, but before they could get a word out, distant calling sounded from further below. The voices were muddled but spine-chilling and it immediately broke the calm between the group.
“I must go now; may the stars guide your hooves to safety.” Deva’s calm voice took on a more hurried tone and they galloped away with thundering hooves, leaving Kestrel and Valhalla alone once more.
Stallion ID: #59
In response to: Unclaimed Meadow
Art features: Valhalla & Deva [Gelding 16]
Story features: Valhalla , Kestrel & Deva [Gelding 16]
Word count: 894
Items Used: --
Companion Animals: --
Rolls: Feather/Items
Other notes: N/A
