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Description
The stallion’s cries could be heard echoing throughout the valley. The battle had been raging for some time now, both contenders slathered in frothy sweat. A group of mares watched excitedly and made bets among themselves as to the outcome. Finally, a victor seemed to be making himself known. With a final roar, Jason surged forward and knocked into Perseus’s shoulder, forcing the smaller stallion to topple over with a loud THUD. The mares cheered and booed in turn as Percy heaved himself back onto his feet, chest expanding and contracting as he panted.

”Good fight!” Jason trumpeted, bumping into Percy good-natured-ly this time.

Percy grimaced and winced at the contact. ”Yeah. Good fight on your end, maybe. I’ll be black and blue for weeks.”

”Ah, cheer up! The ladies love a battle marked stallion!” Jason attempted to comfort as he flashed a dazzling smile at the watching mares.

”My goodness, he’s handsome and SO formidable!” Pigeon cooed, batting her eyes back at Jason.

”Looks and brawn. Just what I like in a stallion.” commented Anhinga, looking Jason up and down.

”So hot…” sighed Nightingale dreamily.

”Ugh. Control yourselves.” Denna grumbled as she walked over to the pair of stallions. ”You alright?” she asked Percy, turning her back to Jace.

Percy smiled lopsidedly. ”Yeah, I’ll be fine. No permanent damage...I hope.”

Jason cleared his throat. Denna ignored him.

”Well that’s good to hear. Lets get some water.” Denna offered as the pair walked toward the lake.

Starling snorted to the other mares as Denna and Percy left out of earshot, Jason watching them with drooping ears. ”That mare. She really doesn’t get how lucky she is, does she? To have a stallion like Jason fawning after her.”

”Well, you know she’s still hurting after you-know-who up and left.” Wren said in a hushed tone. ”She was so in love with him.”

”Yeah, well, he was an idiot. And now she’s acting like one, too. She needs to get over it and see who’s right in front of her.” Starling said with a decisive nod and swish of her tail.

Stealing her courage, Pigeon trotted away from the rest of the mares and toward Jason, who had turned away from the two retreating horses and was looking rather sulky.
”G-good fight, Jason!” she said in a too-high voice.

Jason offered her a smile and tried to pull himself back up. ”Thank you. Pigeon, right? You can call me Jace, by the way.”

Pigeon’s face turned bright red and she stammered something unintelligible before giving an excuse and hurrying back to the waiting mares. Jason quirked a brow and couldn’t help but smile. At least his looks and charm still worked on some mares. It was just too bad they weren’t the right one.

Curious, he tossed a glance over at the rest of the herd, eyes resting on each mare in turn.

There was Pigeon of course. A beautiful, lovely mare. She always had a smile and kind words at the ready for anyone who needed them.

Sparrow was a fun mare. She was strong-willed and fiery, both traits that Jason admired.

Anhinga was...a little strange. Not only in her appearance, but in her mannerisms. She was generally reserved but would occasionally offer a dreamy revelation for everyone else to ponder.

Lark was truly beautiful. She was proud and held herself well. When she moved, it was with power and grace.

He knew he liked Heron as soon as they met. The mare’s sarcastic wit and more-than-a-little-romantic tendencies made her very enjoyable to be around. He loved any type of good fight, whether physical or mental.

Nightingale was another mystery. She generally tended to keep to herself, but could often be heard humming or singing to herself. And when she offered her voice to the whole herd, Jace could feel himself swoon to her beautiful melodies.

Crane, if he was being honest, intimidated him. The mare was no-nonsense and her face always expertly hid her inner monologues and feelings. Jason couldn’t get a good read on her, but she clearly loved her herd dearly.

Dove was the newest herd member and Jason already liked her. She’d joined with the herd shortly after he had, marching right into their midst and demanding acceptance. She hadn’t offered any insight into her past, but she was loud and clearly had a rebellious streak a mile wide.

Wren was another outspoken mare in the group. Her moods often got the better of her and seemed to change minute by minute.

Jason didn’t know much about Merlin. Whenever he had approached, she’d quickly made herself busy and avoided him. But, despite her obvious pregnancy, she still helped patrol around the herd and made sure everyone was kept safe.

Shrike was friendly enough, but was clearly wary of him. Jason didn’t know much about the herd prior to his arrival, but he gathered there was some drama over the previous Lieutenant. Sometimes he would catch Shrike staring at him and his skin would start twitching. He didn’t want to get on her bad side.

Starling was another fun mare to be around. She was sassy and comical, always making jokes and funny comments. But she was also very thoughtful and compassionate.

Vireo was hard to get a read on for Jason. She tended to keep to herself, even among the other mares.

And lastly, Canary. She was young and shy and also seemed deeply affected by whatever had happened with the last second-in-charge. Thanks to Starling, he knew she was carrying the stallion’s foal. Jason felt for her and always offered a kind smile when she was near.

But none of them could be compared to Denna. Beautiful, fiery, courageous, powerful, amazing Denna. He had never met a mare so gorgeous and compelling. As soon as he had seen her, he knew he had to have her as his lead mare. He had envisioned everything in those first few seconds of seeing her. How he’d whisk her away and they’d begin a herd together. Their foals would be beautiful and strong, just like their parents, and would go on to do great things. And then, when time finally came to an end for them, they’d go together into the starry night sky. Jason’s father had always told him how it had been love at first sight for him and his mother, and Jason had been so sure he had found his as well.

And then she had stomped all over his heart, chewed him up and spit him out.

And he fell even harder for her.

Each day he spent in her presence, he could feel his heart yearning to join with hers. He wanted nothing more than to run with her, to feel the wind in his mane and face as they conquered the whole valley together. So he had to learn a new trick: patience. Perseus had graciously allowed him to stay in his herd and didn’t even seem bothered that Jason’s intentions were to steal Denna as soon as he could. Jason’s ears drooped and he sighed, glancing once more over his shoulder at Percy and Denna before making his way into a copse of nearby trees. He knew he was acting like a sulking colt, but he didn’t care. His heart ached and he wanted to be alone.

His plans were foiled as he heard a strange noise in the bushes. Curious, he went over to investigate and, upon seeing what had made the noise, he almost hightailed it back to the herd.

A young bear cub looked up at him with dark, beady eyes. Jason’s own eyes widened at the sight and he backed away quickly, nearly giving himself whiplash with how quickly he looked all around, searching for the cub’s mother. But no roaring monster bore down on him and he was slowly able to calm his quick breathing. Hesitant, he took a step back toward the baby bear as it came tumbling out of the bush toward him, mewling pathetically.

”Uhh...are you lost?” Jason asked, feeling very silly talking to a baby bear.

The cub continued to look up at him and sniffled.

Jason gulped and took another step forward. The little cub came padding over and reared back onto it’s hind legs, placing its front paws around one of Jason’s legs.

”Oh...nonono. I’m not your mommy. Go on. Get off.” Jason panicked, trying to shoo the little creature away.

But the cub hung on and continued to make those pathetic, loud sounds. Jason looked down and moaned, trying to shush it before a furious mother came raging after him for upsetting her baby. Finally, he was able to pull his leg away and take a step back. The bear cub plopped down and stared at him sadly.

Jason sighed. He glanced around and scented the air. The whole forest had a cool, damp smell about it. But maybe he could still find the bear’s mother before she found him. Jason began walking deeper into the trees and looked back to see the cub plodding after him.

”Alright, come on little guy. Let’s see if we can find mom. And maybe she won’t eat me…” Jason muttered, feeling very stupid for doing this.

The unlikely pair wandered further and further from Jason’s herd, which he guessed was a good thing. They didn’t need a mother bear as their immediate neighbors. In the back of his head, Jason hoped he’d be able to find his way back home through this maze of trees. Finally, Jason stopped, his instincts telling him not to go forward. He guessed he knew why. Turning around, he stepped behind the bear cub and nudged it forward with his nose.

”Go on. Go that way.” he urged as the bear looked at him placidly. ”Go to momma. She’s probably right over there.”

As if on cue, a grunt came from just over the bushes and Jason gulped as the bear cub cried out in joy. He back pedaled right into a tree as a truly enormous monster of a bear trudged right over the bushes, squashing them into the dirt. The bear looked down at its cub and then back at Jason. Jason stopped breathing. The bear scrutinized him for a long time before turning away, its cub happily following.

Jason let out a whoosh of air and nearly fell over with relief. ”You’re welcome.” he muttered as he turned and hurried back to the herd and its numbers.

It was faster going back without a bear cub in tow and he soon burst out of the trees, trying to slow himself down and look calm. Some of the mares looked up at him as he returned, curious as to why he looked so shaken and disheveled. Jason smiled and nodded at them as he made his way to the lake, taking a deep drink to try calming himself down.

”What’s up with your face?”

Jason whirled around, still jumpy, to see Denna watching him with a raised brow and unamused expression.

”Oh nothing. Just reunited a bear cub with its terrifying mother. That’s all. No biggie.” Jason replied, hearing his voice go up in pitch with each sentence uncontrollably.

Denna’s other brow went up in surprise. ”Well, you certainly are “formidable.”” Denna said with a smirk as she turned and walked away.

Jason’s face broke into a huge grin. That was almost a compliment!

Percy passed Denna as she walked away and he approached Jason. ”What’d you say to make her smirk like that?” Percy asked with a laugh.

Jason’s smile grew even larger. ”Oh, you know, just proved how heroic and brave and compassionate I am.” Jason replied, puffing out his chest.

Percy snorted in laughter and shook his head.

Jason watched Denna join the rest of the mares. He knew Percy was joking, but he was right. Jason was going to win her over, whatever it took. He’d fight a hundred mother bears if that’s what she wanted. One day, they’d be together. He just knew it.

Description
The stallion’s cries could be heard echoing throughout the valley. The battle had been raging for some time now, both contenders slathered in frothy sweat. A group of mares watched excitedly and made bets among themselves as to the outcome. Finally, a victor seemed to be making himself known. With a final roar, Jason surged forward and knocked into Perseus’s shoulder, forcing the smaller stallion to topple over with a loud THUD. The mares cheered and booed in turn as Percy heaved himself back onto his feet, chest expanding and contracting as he panted.

”Good fight!” Jason trumpeted, bumping into Percy good-natured-ly this time.

Percy grimaced and winced at the contact. ”Yeah. Good fight on your end, maybe. I’ll be black and blue for weeks.”

”Ah, cheer up! The ladies love a battle marked stallion!” Jason attempted to comfort as he flashed a dazzling smile at the watching mares.

”My goodness, he’s handsome and SO formidable!” Pigeon cooed, batting her eyes back at Jason.

”Looks and brawn. Just what I like in a stallion.” commented Anhinga, looking Jason up and down.

”So hot…” sighed Nightingale dreamily.

”Ugh. Control yourselves.” Denna grumbled as she walked over to the pair of stallions. ”You alright?” she asked Percy, turning her back to Jace.

Percy smiled lopsidedly. ”Yeah, I’ll be fine. No permanent damage...I hope.”

Jason cleared his throat. Denna ignored him.

”Well that’s good to hear. Lets get some water.” Denna offered as the pair walked toward the lake.

Starling snorted to the other mares as Denna and Percy left out of earshot, Jason watching them with drooping ears. ”That mare. She really doesn’t get how lucky she is, does she? To have a stallion like Jason fawning after her.”

”Well, you know she’s still hurting after you-know-who up and left.” Wren said in a hushed tone. ”She was so in love with him.”

”Yeah, well, he was an idiot. And now she’s acting like one, too. She needs to get over it and see who’s right in front of her.” Starling said with a decisive nod and swish of her tail.

Stealing her courage, Pigeon trotted away from the rest of the mares and toward Jason, who had turned away from the two retreating horses and was looking rather sulky.
”G-good fight, Jason!” she said in a too-high voice.

Jason offered her a smile and tried to pull himself back up. ”Thank you. Pigeon, right? You can call me Jace, by the way.”

Pigeon’s face turned bright red and she stammered something unintelligible before giving an excuse and hurrying back to the waiting mares. Jason quirked a brow and couldn’t help but smile. At least his looks and charm still worked on some mares. It was just too bad they weren’t the right one.

Curious, he tossed a glance over at the rest of the herd, eyes resting on each mare in turn.

There was Pigeon of course. A beautiful, lovely mare. She always had a smile and kind words at the ready for anyone who needed them.

Sparrow was a fun mare. She was strong-willed and fiery, both traits that Jason admired.

Anhinga was...a little strange. Not only in her appearance, but in her mannerisms. She was generally reserved but would occasionally offer a dreamy revelation for everyone else to ponder.

Lark was truly beautiful. She was proud and held herself well. When she moved, it was with power and grace.

He knew he liked Heron as soon as they met. The mare’s sarcastic wit and more-than-a-little-romantic tendencies made her very enjoyable to be around. He loved any type of good fight, whether physical or mental.

Nightingale was another mystery. She generally tended to keep to herself, but could often be heard humming or singing to herself. And when she offered her voice to the whole herd, Jace could feel himself swoon to her beautiful melodies.

Crane, if he was being honest, intimidated him. The mare was no-nonsense and her face always expertly hid her inner monologues and feelings. Jason couldn’t get a good read on her, but she clearly loved her herd dearly.

Dove was the newest herd member and Jason already liked her. She’d joined with the herd shortly after he had, marching right into their midst and demanding acceptance. She hadn’t offered any insight into her past, but she was loud and clearly had a rebellious streak a mile wide.

Wren was another outspoken mare in the group. Her moods often got the better of her and seemed to change minute by minute.

Jason didn’t know much about Merlin. Whenever he had approached, she’d quickly made herself busy and avoided him. But, despite her obvious pregnancy, she still helped patrol around the herd and made sure everyone was kept safe.

Shrike was friendly enough, but was clearly wary of him. Jason didn’t know much about the herd prior to his arrival, but he gathered there was some drama over the previous Lieutenant. Sometimes he would catch Shrike staring at him and his skin would start twitching. He didn’t want to get on her bad side.

Starling was another fun mare to be around. She was sassy and comical, always making jokes and funny comments. But she was also very thoughtful and compassionate.

Vireo was hard to get a read on for Jason. She tended to keep to herself, even among the other mares.

And lastly, Canary. She was young and shy and also seemed deeply affected by whatever had happened with the last second-in-charge. Thanks to Starling, he knew she was carrying the stallion’s foal. Jason felt for her and always offered a kind smile when she was near.

But none of them could be compared to Denna. Beautiful, fiery, courageous, powerful, amazing Denna. He had never met a mare so gorgeous and compelling. As soon as he had seen her, he knew he had to have her as his lead mare. He had envisioned everything in those first few seconds of seeing her. How he’d whisk her away and they’d begin a herd together. Their foals would be beautiful and strong, just like their parents, and would go on to do great things. And then, when time finally came to an end for them, they’d go together into the starry night sky. Jason’s father had always told him how it had been love at first sight for him and his mother, and Jason had been so sure he had found his as well.

And then she had stomped all over his heart, chewed him up and spit him out.

And he fell even harder for her.

Each day he spent in her presence, he could feel his heart yearning to join with hers. He wanted nothing more than to run with her, to feel the wind in his mane and face as they conquered the whole valley together. So he had to learn a new trick: patience. Perseus had graciously allowed him to stay in his herd and didn’t even seem bothered that Jason’s intentions were to steal Denna as soon as he could. Jason’s ears drooped and he sighed, glancing once more over his shoulder at Percy and Denna before making his way into a copse of nearby trees. He knew he was acting like a sulking colt, but he didn’t care. His heart ached and he wanted to be alone.

His plans were foiled as he heard a strange noise in the bushes. Curious, he went over to investigate and, upon seeing what had made the noise, he almost hightailed it back to the herd.

A young bear cub looked up at him with dark, beady eyes. Jason’s own eyes widened at the sight and he backed away quickly, nearly giving himself whiplash with how quickly he looked all around, searching for the cub’s mother. But no roaring monster bore down on him and he was slowly able to calm his quick breathing. Hesitant, he took a step back toward the baby bear as it came tumbling out of the bush toward him, mewling pathetically.

”Uhh...are you lost?” Jason asked, feeling very silly talking to a baby bear.

The cub continued to look up at him and sniffled.

Jason gulped and took another step forward. The little cub came padding over and reared back onto it’s hind legs, placing its front paws around one of Jason’s legs.

”Oh...nonono. I’m not your mommy. Go on. Get off.” Jason panicked, trying to shoo the little creature away.

But the cub hung on and continued to make those pathetic, loud sounds. Jason looked down and moaned, trying to shush it before a furious mother came raging after him for upsetting her baby. Finally, he was able to pull his leg away and take a step back. The bear cub plopped down and stared at him sadly.

Jason sighed. He glanced around and scented the air. The whole forest had a cool, damp smell about it. But maybe he could still find the bear’s mother before she found him. Jason began walking deeper into the trees and looked back to see the cub plodding after him.

”Alright, come on little guy. Let’s see if we can find mom. And maybe she won’t eat me…” Jason muttered, feeling very stupid for doing this.

The unlikely pair wandered further and further from Jason’s herd, which he guessed was a good thing. They didn’t need a mother bear as their immediate neighbors. In the back of his head, Jason hoped he’d be able to find his way back home through this maze of trees. Finally, Jason stopped, his instincts telling him not to go forward. He guessed he knew why. Turning around, he stepped behind the bear cub and nudged it forward with his nose.

”Go on. Go that way.” he urged as the bear looked at him placidly. ”Go to momma. She’s probably right over there.”

As if on cue, a grunt came from just over the bushes and Jason gulped as the bear cub cried out in joy. He back pedaled right into a tree as a truly enormous monster of a bear trudged right over the bushes, squashing them into the dirt. The bear looked down at its cub and then back at Jason. Jason stopped breathing. The bear scrutinized him for a long time before turning away, its cub happily following.

Jason let out a whoosh of air and nearly fell over with relief. ”You’re welcome.” he muttered as he turned and hurried back to the herd and its numbers.

It was faster going back without a bear cub in tow and he soon burst out of the trees, trying to slow himself down and look calm. Some of the mares looked up at him as he returned, curious as to why he looked so shaken and disheveled. Jason smiled and nodded at them as he made his way to the lake, taking a deep drink to try calming himself down.

”What’s up with your face?”

Jason whirled around, still jumpy, to see Denna watching him with a raised brow and unamused expression.

”Oh nothing. Just reunited a bear cub with its terrifying mother. That’s all. No biggie.” Jason replied, hearing his voice go up in pitch with each sentence uncontrollably.

Denna’s other brow went up in surprise. ”Well, you certainly are “formidable.”” Denna said with a smirk as she turned and walked away.

Jason’s face broke into a huge grin. That was almost a compliment!

Percy passed Denna as she walked away and he approached Jason. ”What’d you say to make her smirk like that?” Percy asked with a laugh.

Jason’s smile grew even larger. ”Oh, you know, just proved how heroic and brave and compassionate I am.” Jason replied, puffing out his chest.

Percy snorted in laughter and shook his head.

Jason watched Denna join the rest of the mares. He knew Percy was joking, but he was right. Jason was going to win her over, whatever it took. He’d fight a hundred mother bears if that’s what she wanted. One day, they’d be together. He just knew it.