{ a diplomatic solution

[nuzzer2]

{ a s t e r i a

- let the stars guide you.

I wiggled my legs in an attempt to shake the sleepyness out of them, it was early morning and most were asleep by now – hell even Chiron had to be asleep now, but I had an errand, a mission if you can call it that – to gather allies for Moonglade. Duo colored pelt lazily shone as the first rays of sunlight hit it and I felt my slender body warm up slowly. I let the peaceful songs of the firebirds that resided in Moonglade guide me to the edge of my territory, at the border I stopped for a second to glance back and I felt a wave of sadness overcome me as I realized that I missed the big black mare by my side, however I quickly shook it off and set off towards unknown lands with a fast pace.

I came to a halt as I crossed the border to a land dominated by darkness and creatures of the night, I felt my icy eyes shift from side to side in an attempt to scan the nearby terrain for creatures. I let out a soft sigh, I needed to gather a bit of courage before wandering in on these dark lands, I might not be successful in my mission – but who knew? Wouldn’t this king like a few extra colts? I knew a peace treaty didn’t come without something to trade with and I had decided to trade the colts of Moonglade – and perhaps once in a blue moon if no colts were born, a filly would be brought to the Woods. It was an harsh decision for me to take, to let some completely unknown stallions cover my precious valkyries, and expect them to hand over their foals – but this was the price we had to pay for our existence, I had heard the bees and the birds sing about how strong this land was in numbers – so it was the best choice for an alliance. “Come forward king of The Hollow Woods, the Queen of Moonglade demands your attention!” I screamed out in a calm tone, I wouldn’t give in to my fear![/size]

[lynx'']

{ c h a o s

You could spill a thousand words and none would mean a thing.

Now all was silent, the late night spring wind whipped at my firmly structured bodice, my eyes were at a narrowed stare as i watched a few ravens gather in a nearby tree. A sharp snort escaped my muzzle, scaring them away, i stood where they had rested for a few moments, before carrying my heavy figure down the cliffside and to the river, which at this moment, was fast flowing, lowering my mug, and drank, the icy liquid pierced my throat, and my skull shot upwards as a call was erupted by some femme, close by, calling for me. I smikred, and blinked, my black eyes opening wide against the wind. A low cackle was released in return, carried to her by the wind. Oicking up an easy lope across the lands, i soon caught sight of the black and white wench. She looked different and stood out, in the territory that was covered with fire coloured pelts. I slowed, and stalked up close to her. Yes; wench? I snarled, simply, no other words escaped my maw as my eyes dragged over her contrasting frame, i stood and glared down at her, waiting an answer.

[nuzzer2]

{ a s t e r i a

- let the stars guide you.

Strong winds grabbed my mane and played with it yet I didn’t move an inch, just staid still and gazed off into the distance, I felt the planets moving around and the stars wink at me from above, but for now I didn’t pay them any attention. From a distance a cackle returned to me and I felt a shiver run through my body, I wasn’t quite neutral, but to which side did my alliance tip? That was an unanswered question, and I wasn’t even sure if I could answer it myself. I shifted my focus as a handsome red stallion came into my view and soon sapphire orbs clashed with his ebony ones.

I felt my orbs narrow in response to his greeting, but I decided to keep it civil – be the adult one, a mocking smile appeared on my pearly lips. “Is that the way you darks greet another leader? Or is it just the stallion thing which is shining through?” I let out with a hiss – I probably sounded more like a cat than a equine, but hey! Feral is good! I circled the fiery stallion with a slow – yes almost seductive pace – as I explained why I had arrived. “On to business, I’m leading a growing herd of valkyries – or mares as you so gracefully would call them – and I have a suggestion to propose for you” I stopped my speech for a second to let the poor stallion keep up, surely he wasn’t used to talking much that poor uncivilized creature “I´m offering you or your sons, protector and other stallions under your command, the chance to cover my valkyries and I every year in fall, we will keep the fillies but the colts will be delivered to you when they’re weaned.” I spilled out slowly, there wasn’t any need to rush things, this was serious business and he probably knew that too. “In return I want a peace treaty between the Glade and Hollow Woods, you and your herd will be our allies and assist us if any war should erupt. We will of course offer the same assistance should you need us.” I finished with a soft tone – for a moment I looked vulnerable and lost, but I quickly regained my composure and met the stallion’s eyes unfazed by his tainted look. I knew I hadn’t spilled my name to him yet, but if he didn’t accept my offer there was no point in spilling out personal details. [/size]

[lynx'']

{ c h a o s

You could spill a thousand words and none would mean a thing.

[/color]

As she spoke, i smirked, and licked at a wound on my shoulder, where a deep thorn had placed itself, but to me, that was nothing too extreme. Its a bit of both really. you see, i don;t think you've realised exactly where you've stopped by, do you? I snarled, the smirk remained on my skull, nares flared, taking in her scent, it was sweet, and her eyes, sapphire, made my harks snap back in anger. Could she be any relation to Riku? A sharp snort was emitted as she began to circle me, as she neared my hind, i slyly stepped back quickly, colliding my body with hers, before twisting my body around to face her, before she could complete her circle. At her next words, and i replied with an even tone, yet a hint of twisted evil could still easily be spotted. and of what blood and temper are these Valkyries? I'm rather fussy, you see. only the finest come here, and are accepted here. Your offer seems resonable, but i can assure you, i dout a herd of females will be of good use in a war. I finished talking, and widened my eyes at her. And say; if i was to accept; you would give us additional information to the outside world? We don't often venture out, we keep quiet, yet we are well known. I'm the darkest stallion here, at midnight Acres, and many know of it. chaos, is the curse. I added, speaking of my name, i wanted her to know it.

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{ i n t r e p i d

I hear them calling king.

The journey back from Black Lake was depressing, i had eft my child there, and i would return for her shortly. My thoughts ran wild, mixed emtions, what would my family, back at home, in Hollow Woods think of me now? riku would no dout curse me for returning to Hollow Woods, but what choice did i have? I was heir to the throne, and i couldn't give it up. I deperatly wanted to hear Einjeru's voice, to ask for her advice, i wanted her to tell me what to do, where to go and who to be with. I couldn't do any of this myself, i couldn't think straight.

Walking past the borderline without hesitation, my nares picked up the scent of familiar equines living here, and also a few new ones, i followed the strongest, that of my father, the great king, chaos. I let out a call for him, but it wasn't long before i found him talking with...Einjeru! I shouted, delighted, i picked up a fast canter, bounding to the mares side, but i soon shied away, tears in my eyes. It was dark, a hallucination. this wasn't Einjeru, Einjreu was dead. Gone, lost forever, in the stars. Seeing my father, i looked up to him with sad eyes, but the look i got back made me think about my actions. I rasied my head and nodded to him, i had yto get over this, hollow Woods needed me, i needed to be strong. sure, einjeru would always be in my heart, but she wouldn't want me mournin over her forever.

There was no apology given to the mare i had mistaken for Einjeru. Instead, i stared at her, my black eyes had now become emotionless. Back to myself on the outside, yet still hurt and damaged on the inside. Evening, father. I spoke proudly. but the gentle nip i got on my shoulder was a note that we would talk alone, in private, later.
[/size][/color]

[nuzzer2]

{ a s t e r i a

- let the stars guide you.

My auds fell back and pressed against my skull as I felt the brute smash back into my side, I quickly reply to his rude behavior, I curled my lips up and aimed for his soft thigh with my sharp fangs. I then quickly darted to the left and spun around to stare directly into the stallion’s dark eyes. “Oh I know what I’ve stopped by, and two can play that game” I purred out in a catty tone as my sapphire orbs flashed with – amusement? I stopped my little tirade to listen to his reply concerning my treaty and a loud laugh slipped from my kissers. “Most of my valkyries are of Arabian heritage like me – and why does the temper matter? Shouldn’t your big and dangerous gene shine through, or perhaps you need a good mare to provide that part?” I mocked the fiery stud. “You underestimate the strength of free mares Chaos” I cut my speech off yet again to listen to his lyrics, and was surprised by his next words. “You seek information? I regularly send my valkyries on missions – and I am a Stargazer; a speaker of the stars, you’ll have all the information you require” I spoke out in a proud tone, yes I had slipped one of my biggest secrets – and he should know the value of that. “And to your former question, my second in command Chiron is a powerful frisian mare with amber colored eyes – if you don’t believe mares can fight, I’ll gladly set you up in a duel with her.” I continued my eyes were sparkling with excitement and curiosity; this stallion really woke my temper from its dormant sleep. Soon however a new set of hoof beats approached and I quickly twisted my head to focus on this intruder – and I was surprised to see a young stallion come galloping towards me yelling some weird name. Instinct drove me to the left to avoid the running brute, and I stared with fascination at his slender frame.



Duo colored pelt dominated his muscular frame – black and white like myself, he was of Arabian heritage and; my eyes slowly slid up to meet his, and I wrinkled my nose in disappointment, he had dark ebony eyes, not sapphire blue like myself. I watched the exchange between the two stallions with growing curiosity, but as the young stallion’s emotionless eyes landed on me, I let my auds fall back once again and a snarl grace my pearly mouth. “Such grace your spawn carries Chaos, almost running down a guest and not apologizing? Hum! You should think his mother would have raised him better” I huffed out in an slightly insulted tone – that stupid stallion could watch where he was going! And he didn´t even state his name or even look at me! Whoa, where did that thought come from? I blinked a couple of times to rid myself of silly thoughts like that, it was no use acting like a young filly in love with these two mongrels! I clenched my jaw and shifted my gaze back to the older stallion, it was much safer to look at him, he wasn’t as young or hand – STOP IT! I flattened my ears once again as I fought with myself. Suddenly I jumped forward and started my circling around the pair once again, I had to keep moving else I was afraid that my mind would betray me again.
[/size]

[lynx'']

{ c h a o s

You could spill a thousand words and none would mean a thing.

[/color]

I listened intently to the mares words, harks twisting towards her to catch every lyric. ah, all arabian, like herself, slender, intelligent and powerful. A short huff escaped my kissers. She showed such beauty, and intelligence, and if most of the other mares were like her, i would be happy to oblige. I wouldn't say 'underestimate' mare. I have simply not come across many that are as intelligent as you. It wasn't a compliment; i was simply arguing the point she had against me. Dipping my skull and arching my neck so my chin gentle bumped my chest, i spoke again, a smirk across my kissers. It won't be necessary, fighting females really isn't my thing. I added, however, this masculine sounding mare sounded thrilling. I think we have found ourselves an agreement, mare. You bring your mares here when the need mating, and in return, we will accompany you in any war you may find yourselves entangled in. I finished, with a brief nod to her.

Black pools carried to my son, the heir of my lands, my harks went backward but soon came forward as his 'loved up attitude' dissapeared, now the son who had left hollow woods last year was the same, strong, weild and proud to be who he was. I nodded to him, and glanced over at the painted mare. Telling him to introduce himself.
[/color][/size]

{ i n t r e p i d

I hear them calling king.

[/color]

I caught my fathers gaze, and looekd at the mare,it was hard to look at her, she was so much like Einjeru! Her personality, strong, free minded. She was just perfect. But guilt struck me as i found feelings for this mare, i cleared my throat and stepped forward, nodding to her, simply. I am Intrepid, Heir to Hollow Woods. I do beleive i've missed the explanation of why your here, so instead, i ask your name. I spoke proudly, my black eyes glinting silver from the light given off the full moon that managed to streak down through the tightly packed trees. As she spoke, my harks snapped back, my jaw tightened, how dare she talk about my mother like that! My mother brought me up just fine: Its not her fault i was weakened by love, but now, thats all over. I snarled at her, licking at my muzzle. My harks remained slightly tipped backward. I knew i had told her too much already, i had mentioned i had been in love, and now it was gone, and i never wanted to feel that way again; never.
[/size][/color]

[nuzzer2]

{ a s t e r i a

- let the stars guide you.

Icy orbs shone brightly with amusement as I kept my gaze fixed on the elder stallion while circling around them, did he really just call me intelligent? I glanced quickly at the duo colored hellion before darting my eyes back to the older again. I stopped and let out a sincere laugh as I listened to the fiery brute’s speech. “You’re cute Chaos, I think we will enjoy our partnership very much indeed” I meowed out in a slightly teasing tone, and then shifted my blue orbs to the younger stallion known as Intrepid. I twisted my head to watch him with growing interest; boy was all the stallions here so interesting? Chiron will kill me for being interested! I giggled slightly at the thought of the lecture Chiron would throw at me, she was like an overprotective sister, but I loved her very much and wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world. “The Lost son aren’t you? The stars spoke fondly of you” I let out as my look became distant and instead focused on something far away, or rather far above. Soon enough I snapped out of my daze though and smiled happily at the young stallion. “I am Asteria, Queen of the Moonglade a pleasure to meet you Intrepid – I’m guessing your mother must be the queen?”I questioned in a curious tone, however soon my mood shifted – I stared at the duo colored brute with a neutral look. “Do you think love is a weakness? If then your dead mate is indeed lucky to be dead” Hissed out in an angry tone, why was it that brutes couldn’t see the strength of love? Didn’t they know that love could be the greatest weapon? Silly stupid stallions.

[/size][/color]

[lynx'']

{ c h a o s

You could spill a thousand words and none would mean a thing.

Her gaze, bright orbs of ice struck me, and i held the fix with cold black pools, staring meaninglessly into hers. At her words, i rolled my eyes, and gave a firm snort. Less of the angelic tone; I said, a calm tone was released, but the look i gave her was firm. I tossed my skull to the right, shifting my long silk forlock out of my eyes, and i stood, watching the other pair talk.
[/size][/color]

{ i n t r e p i d

I hear them calling king.

As she spoke to my father in such a catty tone, i huffed slightly, mocking her in a way. And when my father spoke, i couldn't hold back a smirk, my black pools, so much like my fathers glanced over at5 her as she spoke to me. How did she know this? I wouldn't say i was lost; in searching; explains it more. I told her, my voice low, as always, yet it held a friendly tone, but not overly so. As she smiled at me, and introduced herself, i nodded with a sharp gesture, a firm smirk remained on my skull as she spoke her lyrics. Yes; of course. My mother, Lakita, is Queen, and my twin sister, heiress. I announced, however, as her mood changed, so did mine, and at her words my anger rose quickly. I reared, not too full height, just enough to cower over her, then i returned to earth with a dead thump. How dare she say that about Einjeru! I narrowed my eyes, and snorted loudly. Love itself is not a weakness; it has weakened me, for i have lost a loved one. I snarled, angrily punching my right forehoof into the dry ground underfoot. Baring ivories at the mare. I liked her, i really did, but no-one would get away with speakin about Einjeru in such a way.
[/size][/color]

[nuzzer2]

{ a s t e r i a

- let the stars guide you.

I ignored the red stallion as the duo colored male replied to my tones in the way I expected him to. I jumped back from his rear and instead of backing down; I bared my teeth like a panther would do and released a furious snarl. “Foolish brute! There is no time to mourn the dead – look forward, soon the drums of war will ring again and you must be prepared!” I hissed out with unfocused eyes – did I know myself where the words came from? Not exactly, but I figured it might be the glade’s magic that shone through myself as a vessel of power to increase my own. I soon woke up though and studied the youngster closely, was he out of reach? I shifted my gaze to the other brute, who of them would be the father of my future colts and fillies? Didn’t they know of the power they would gain over us? Couldn’t they show a little mercy? I shook my head as a wave of dizziness hit me, and I soon realized it was the calling of Moonglade demanding its Queen back. “If there is no more to add, I will be leaving now – my mares and myself will return a little before fall so we can work out the remaining details.” I slipped out with a calm tone – however a new subject popped up in my head. Quickly I turned to the fiery hellion. “Your former slave mare is currently residing within Moonglade, is she spared from our treaty?” I asked with an emotionless mask on, it wasn’t my place to decide who would be covered – and who wouldn’t – anymore, hopefully the herd would take to the news well enough.

[/size][/color]

[lynx'']

{ i n t r e p i d

I hear them calling king.

[/color]

As she bared teeth, a low hiss escaped my kissers and i clacked ivories together in thin air, harks tipped slightly back, but at her words, one hark flickered forward. I am not mourning over her Asteria. I simply snarled, arching my neck up to it was further away from her. as she looked over to father, i followed her gaze, as always, he didn't get involved in my business, he stood and watched, listened intently; and for this, i gave him a quick smile.
[/size][/color]

{ c h a o s

You could spill a thousand words and none would mean a thing.

[/color]


As she spoke her last words to me, cold eyes stared into hers, from the way she acted, i could tell she liked my Son; and it was a good job she was a fine equine, otherwise, i would of put a stop to it. sure, Intrepid was now three years old, old enough and strong enough to fend for himself, without me, but i still felt that fatherly instict hanging over the pair of us.

Dials shifted position, spining forward, and i nodded wiftly Yes, that will be all; Asteria. I spoke out in a calm, yet dark voice, yet when she added her last sentence, a low growl came from my stomach; so now i knew where Nevaeh was, i knew we only had a year to spare before i could fineally kill her; a smirk spread across my face and i looked at Asteria with glowing eyes. I will have to come to a later decision, but somehow, i will let you know. I stepped forward, and gently pulled on her mane, before twisting my slender yet muscular frame around, catching the look on my sons face, as the mare stated her exit.
[/size][/color]