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#anteros #arpg #cv #drama #fight #horses #stories #cottonwoodvalley #digitalart #dramatic
Published: 2023-09-26 18:32:07 +0000 UTC; Views: 5399; Favourites: 24; Downloads: 0
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Now that spring was finally upon the valley, Anteros knew foals would be arriving soon. Kiku, Elektra, and Phaenna would be any time now, while all the others were soon to follow closer to summer. So the goal now was to find the best place he could to provide all of them with shelter and easy access to food and water.
He looked ahead at Melika, leading the herd as usual, with Penthia and Petunia at her sides. They’d grown so much already, it felt like he’d only blinked and they were a year old already. Yearlings… The idea was wild to him. But as he glanced around, he could really see just how much time had truly passed.
Atreus, Letizia, and even little Sophie were yearlings now, though Selene and Iphigenia would be later in summer. While Moirae, Hermes, Briar Rose, Asteria, and Blaise would be turning two. Even Arayani wasn’t really a foal anymore but a full grown mare, still the youngest and watching over all the young ones like a nanny. The realization made him frown. There were many open mares this year, but also maturing fillies. He would have to be extra vigilant, as the herd would be a likely target for bachelors hoping to steal a mare for themselves.
As the terrain around them began to level more, the herd knew they were reaching the foothills. The land rose and fell not as sharply as in the high mountains but almost lazily. The trees were more sparse here, the few thicker places were mostly conifers. Not the kind they were seeking. They still had a way to go if they were to get to the forests more familiar to them, and quickly if they wanted to reach it before any of the mares gave birth.
Phaenna was very heavy with her foal and she was much slower in her pace. Khloris was always at her side and doting on her like the expectant aunt that she was. He smiled, it was nice to see the two of them becoming closer. After the big explosion between the two of them, and Phaenna revealing a deeply hidden truth about them, he’d almost worried how it would affect them, and his unborn foal. But Melika had the full story and was able to explain everything to Khloris, and with the help of his brother Eros, the two half sisters were able to forgive one another.
He glanced over at his brother, who was walking alongside Theia and Vasilisa, their two foals ahead of them with the other yearlings. They hadn’t had any more foals, and he wondered why that was. Of course, maybe Eros wasn’t as quick on things as he was. His gaze shifted over to Xylia and Etsuko, noticing her rounding bellies. Their foals were yearlings this year, but already they were expecting. Well, maybe, he was a bit too quick.
With Melika however, they hadn’t tried since she was so drained from the twins. They had both agreed they should wait a year for her to try for another foal, to give her body time to fully recover. Though, shortly after Khloris… well, their unnamed foal had been born, they had tried for a foal but for several years nothing had taken; until they’d finally managed to conceive the twins. He’d just chucked it up to maybe stress and other things were in the way, after all she was the lead mare and at the time they were… Well, there was a lot going on with the herd. A lot being mostly just the fact that his father was still in the herd.
But after hearing her story, of the intensely kept secret she’d held for the past four years, he realized what had really been the cause; Grief…and perhaps a bit of guilt. She was raising another mare’s foal as her own, while pretending her foal who had been born still never existed… and she’d never told him about it.
He felt a lump in his throat, and swallowed hard against it. He glared down at the ground. How had he not noticed? How could he not have known? She was in pain, and he didn't have a clue… Was he that oblivious to the feelings of those he cared about?
“Anteros?” He was brought from his self destructive thoughts by Melika calling his name. He looked up to see that she had stopped at the top of a hill and was looking back at him, the rest of the herd stopped at its foot and waited. Her blue eyes seemed partially concerned but she was keeping a calm expression. Something was wrong.
He moved between the others carefully. He heard the whispers beginning, Lilly had turned her head to Hesychia and Ressie, speaking low where only they could really hear her. Kassidy tilted her ears back, giving Lilly an uneasy look. Anteros frowned, wondering what was going on but chose to ignore it for now. Elektra watched him making his way through the crowd, her blue eyes wide as she gazed up at him, “Is everything okay?” She asked quietly as he stepped past her, and he paused to smile down at her, lowering his head so he was at her level, “I think so, don’t worry.” She returned his smile, but it didn’t meet her eyes. The poor little mare was struggling, her sides wide with her unborn foal. He hoped, for her sake, the foal wouldn’t be too much for such a small mare as her.
Tahiti was leaning against Cybele, joking with her while Amber Rose and Eleni giggled. Cybele smirked but she wasn’t laughing, she opened her mouth, probably to retort, when she saw him and stopped, “Anteros, do you know why we stopped?”
He shook his head gently, “No, but I’m sure it’s nothing major. Just take the moment to rest, I know some of us could use it.” He glanced over at the pregnant mares, “Don't worry, we will be moving again soon.”
Then he approached Melika, at the top of a rolling hill, leaving the herd to mingle beneath them for the time being. “What’s wrong?” He whispered lowly, too low for anyone else to hear.
She chewed her lip for a moment before turning to point ahead with her nose, “Do you recognize anything?” Her voice was soft, but not quite a whisper. He glanced at her a second time before looking out ahead of them, his brow lowering as he frowned. He didn’t.
He turned in a slow circle to look in every direction, his blue eyes scanning the rolling foothills for any familiar landmarks. But there were none, aside from the mountain they’d come down from. It was then he realized they'd come down the wrong side. They were clearly lost.
He swallowed nervously but recovered quickly, “We went the wrong way. We probably got turned around when we were leaving that two-leg nest.” He looked at her, seeing the fear in her eyes that she tried to blink away, “It’s not your fault Melika. I think we'll be alright, we just might not get to our familiar woods before foals begin to drop.”
She whispered, “That’s what I’m afraid of. What… what would happen to them if we-”
He shushed her and touched his muzzle to her nape, “It will be fine. We have plenty of eyes and ears. Now, let's see what we need to do.” He searched the outline of the mountain, looking for a way to go around without having to go all the way back up and down. No one minded being in the mountains during winter as it was much better than being on the open plains when the big storms of winter howled across the land. A winter storm could kill them out in the open like that with no shelter to block the icy winds. But he didn’t want to “be up with newborns, the terrain was too rough and treacherous for little ones to navigate safely.
“We will circle around, avoid going back up as much as possible. We will make sure to keep the mountain on our left and we should be good.” So Melika began turning the group around, and explaining the change in plans as she passed through the crowd. Most of the herd were accepting and just grateful that the mistake had been realized before they’d gotten too far away. But there was one who showed their disdain as plainly as if they’d spoken; Lilly. She glared at the back of Melika’s head as she passed. Anteros narrowed his gaze, watching Lilly closely.
Then, she composed herself, the expression disappearing. She glanced over at him and smiled; clearly she didn’t know that he’d seen her, and he pretended he hadn’t. Pleased with his returned pleasantries, she pranced ahead, her belly bouncing with the beginnings of being laden with foal. He frowned. He might care deeply for each and every mare in the herd, and even love them, but no one was above Melika; no one. Lilly, had better watch herself.
It took them an extra two full days' travel, walking all day up and down hills and stopping to rest only when the sun began to set. Then the entire morning of the third day to get back to familiar territories, by noon they all knew they were nearing the end of their journey and everyone was exhausted. Melika let out a breath of relief when she immediately recognized a group of distant cottonwoods. They were back home. Petunia and Penthia glanced around them, absorbing as much of the area into their memories as they could. She always told them to be aware of the area around them, and to pay close attention to distinct landmarks, for one day they would need that knowledge for themselves. Especially if they were to ever become lead mares in their own herds one day.
She touched Petunia's pale head, nuzzling the smaller of her twins. She smiled up at her mother “Are we almost there?” Melika smiled, “Yes, we are nearly there. By the end of the day we should be at her new home for all of spring and part of summer. We will probably move to the lake during the summer though.”
Penthia bounced next to her, “Is this where we were born?” She asked, her eyes wide with curiosity, “Well, close to it. Not quite at the same place. But this valley in general is where you were born.” She turned her head, like an outstretched hand to indicate the vast expanse of valley before them, the distant mountains arranged like a semi circle around it.
“Wow…” Both fillies said in unison. Then they turned to grin as Anteros approached. “Dad, we’re almost there!” They proclaimed to him excitedly.
He breathed a laugh, both as relieved that most of their journey was over and in humor at their excitement. “Yes we are.” He touched Melika tenderly, “We will rest once we get to the cottonwoods, there’s a pond there, and we can worry about everything else after everyone has had a good night's rest.” He nuzzled her gently, and spoke low in her ear, "Maybe you and I can have some time alone..." Giggling, Melika nodded in agreement, “That sounds perfect to me.”
With the end in sight, the exhausted herd began to relax, because once they were in the cottonwoods they wouldn’t be so noticeable to other passers by. They would all be able to rest and peacefully await the arrival of the foals. Right now, out in the open they were easy targets, and they should be keeping a sharp eye out for trouble. But even Anteros felt the tension leaving his shoulders as he let his guard slip with safety being so close. But that was exactly according to plan.
A bugle to the side had Anteros’ snapping to attention and many of the herd began to move around nervously. A group of bachelors were rushing toward them, a few young and boisterous but most were large and clearly determined. They were coming for the mares. Anteros pinned his ears and responded with his own battle cry then met his brother’s eye, “There are too many, we need to get the herd out of here!” Then he charged toward the closest bachelor to meet them head on. Eros turned to Theia and Vasilisa, “Move them! Run for the trees!” He didn’t have a moment to wait and rushed to meet the challenge head on with his brother.
Theia and Vasilia were quick, nipping at heels and herding the group toward the trees. The foals, if you could call them that now, squealed and cried in fear. The pregnant mares were struggling to keep up, their sides heaving with the strain. “Wait for me!” The small black and white mare cried out over the thunderous hooves. Elektra was heavy with foal but also small due to her dwarfism. She could barely keep up with the longer legged horses of the herd as it was, but now that they were running and she was heavily burdened, she was faltering.
Theia looked back at the mare’s distressed call and quickly rounded to get behind her. As she went to Elektra’s aid, she was able to get a look at what was going on behind them. Eros and Anteros were fighting the other stallions, but it wasn’t going well at all.
Eros was battling a mostly white bachelor with spots of cream on his head, chest, and flank. They reared up at one another, mouths open and jaws gnashing at each other's necks and faces. They were evenly matched so it was bound to be a long battle. While Anteros was tussling with a younger bay stud, it became quickly apparent that he wouldn’t have to deal with him for long. But unknown to either of them was another stallion prowling closer and waiting.
As the bay turned to run, Anteros was about to chase after him when the other stallion struck. He surprised Anteros, who squealed as the massive blue roan charged up behind him, slamming into him with his mass.
Theia had to look away and focus on driving the herd as she saw that three others were avoiding the fight and chasing after them. Her job was to get the herd to safety, and that was what she was going to try to do. But as they reached the trees, Melika made the mistake of looking back. With a gasp she stumbled, scraping her knees bloody. She looked up as the others passed her by, weaving around her to avoid trampling her. Penthia and Petunia tried to stop but she shouted over the thunderous hooves, “Keep going! Don’t stop!”
She struggled to her hooves as quickly as she could, letting everyone pass her as she looked back again. Anteros was struggling. The massive brute had managed to get the upper hand by catching Anteros unprepared, and now rearing up on his hind legs he towered over him, viciously attacking the stallion that she loved. The blue roan had sharp, unnaturally split hooves which protruded from thick, feathered legs and he was big. Anteros and Eros were on the larger side for most mustangs, but this was no ordinary mustang. Her mind flicked to Asteria, the large filly with feathered hooves; mixed blood. Perhaps this interloper had more foreign blood than mustang!
A well aimed strike to the head sent Anteros stumbling, disoriented, and Melika screamed. She pushed against the wave of bodies, forcing her way out of the fleeing herd and back toward Anteros. “Melika! Melika don’t!” Theia tried to stop her but Melika didn’t care. That was her mate back there, and he needed help!
Theia and Vasilisa had no choice but to let her go and they kept driving the herd toward the pond they knew was tucked away secretly in the forest. If Anteros and Eros managed to fight off the challengers then they would find them there when it was safe to do so. Within moments the herd had vanished into the shadowy forest with Melika as the only mare in sight, running desperately back toward Anteros.
She was so blindly focused on the two warring studs that she didn’t even notice the two that ran up on her. A sharp nip to her right flank made her buck and squeal. A forceful shove against her shoulder almost knocked her over but she recovered quickly moving with the pressure being put against her. From the corner of her eye she could see the cream and white bachelor driving her away from the fighting but also from her forest. She panicked and tried to turn around but the other, a grey varnish and white brumby, quickly blocked her left and she was pinched between the two studs.
“Get away from me!” She screamed, and kicked out at the one to her right. He grunted as her hoof connected with his ribs with a hollow thud. He pinned his ears and nipped at her again, harsher than before, inciting another buck. The other fellow tried to sweet talk her, “Aye little Lass~! Ha ha she's got a kick to her, I like that~.” But she barely registered his words from the pounding of blood in her ears.
Distantly, she heard a voice that made her heart stutter, “M-Melika!” Anteros! She tried to look over her shoulder, before she was shoved again. In that brief moment she was able to see him, laying on the ground and struggling to get up. The roan would have considered finishing him off but Eros had chased off the cream and white bachelor and was coming to his brother’s aid. Another fight began but she couldn’t see what happened as she was driven away and into another section of forest.
Limbs slapped at her face and head as they drove her onward, deep into the trees. Shoved from both sides, she stumbled but thankfully didn’t fall like she had earlier. Her white forelegs were stained red as her bloody knees soaked them. Running had splattered crimson across her white underbelly and even onto her back legs in places. Neither of the bachelors driving her had seemed to notice, or they didn’t care.
Her nostrils flared with the exertion of running full stretch for so long, and she could feel sweat foaming up white and frothy along her nape and chest. Foam collected at the sides of her mouth and she gasped for air. Still they drove her, determined to get as far away in as little time as possible. How much further are they going to run me? She thought, while glancing around for any means of escape.
Another set of hooves was behind them, and she peeked back to see a third male running up behind them. He was part of their group it seemed. She hadn’t noticed him before and from the looks of him, he hadn’t done much fighting.
“Keep moving!” The cream and white stallion bit her again, and she winced in pain. She pinned her ears and lunged toward him like a striking snake. Her teeth met on his neck, drawing blood. “Hey bitch!” He slid to a stop, rearing up to knock her away.
Her momentum and his shove threw her off balance and she tumbled, rolling over her sides. She lay on the ground for a few moments, trying to catch her breath. The male she had bitten was stalking toward her, fire in his eyes. “I’ll teach you to-” He raised his hoof, prepared to stomp her when the one following them slid quickly between the two of them, blocking his path. “H-hey, woah woah, woah. You know what Talon said, Zaraf. Don’t scuff up the merchandise. We need to wait for Oz.”
Melika looked up weakly at the stud who had “saved” her, if you could call that saving. The younger male was grey with a fading brownish coat. He glanced back at her behind him, with a look that was so briefly there she couldn’t be sure if she’d imagined it; pity.
Stallion:
Anteros (#19-2)
In response to:
E-Stallion 84
E-Stallion 121 MS
E-Human
Lost
Story features: (39 total)
--- (17)
Anteros (#19-2)
Eros (#19-2 2nd) Theia (#1077)
Melika (#1521)
Etsuko (#1293)
Xylia (#1776)
Cybele (#685)
Amber Rose (#248)
Lilly (#1715)
Hesychia (#1953)
Ressie (#2057)
--- (14)
Hermes (Foal)
Moirae (Foal)
Aranyani (Foal)
Khloris (Foal)
Sophie (Foal)
Briar Rose (Foal)
Asteria (Foal)
Atreus (Foal)
Penthia (Foal)
Petunia (Foal)
Letizia (Foal)
Selene (Foal)
Iphigenia ( Foal)
Blaise (Foal)
Other --- (8)
Bachelor 121 - MS
Word Count:
3371
Pregnancy:
Etsuko (2/3)
Kassidy (2/3)
Mare Steal:
Melika (1/3)
Destination of Bachelor:
Bachelor 84 - back to folders
Items you are using:
1x Peanutwood
1x Maplewood
1x Pumpkin - ljslibby #53
2x Pumpkin - Skullymo #6
Companion Animals:
Huginn (Protection)
Muninn (Protection)
Vixen (Helping)
Meera (Healing)
Lotfi (Nursing)
Members that own outside horses:
Kiku (#1416) [#44 TheWarriorMoon ]
Talon, Lucien, Quill, Asmodeus [#6 Skullymo ]
Collab:
Yes, with ljslibby
Rolls:
Normal
Other:
I did the literature, Ljslibby did the art
I really enjoyed this collab. Libby really captured the moment and it's so beautiful!!!
Stallion:
Spoiled Milk (#53)
In response to:
---
Art features: (6 Total)
Items you are using:
1x LoudCall
Collab:
Yes, with FabledUnicorn
Rolls:
Feathers & Items
Other:
I did the art, FabledUnicorn wrote the literature
