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Tribes

Mountain Tribe:

Leader - Lynn, a black draft mare with forest green eyes

Deputy - Andre, a gray and white draft stallion with sky blue eyes

Nurse - Versailles, a light buckskin mare with white stockings, light brown eyes, and a blaze on her face; thinner than most horses in the Mountain Tribe

Guard - Chantrea, a graying black draft mare with white socks and forest green eyes - not prone to losing her sight

• Daughter to Lynn and Andre

Members :

Ayla - a black and white mare with a star on her head and blue eyes; thinner than most horses in the Mountain Tribe

Chava - a smoky black mare with blue eyes and a blaze on her face

Hikari - a creamy buckskin stallion with brown eyes

River - a reverse blue roan draft mare with brown eyes

Foals:

Abir - a light bay colt with brown eyes, a blaze on his face, and white spots on his chest, underside, and pasterns

Glen Tribe:

Leader - Hymn, a white mare with pale blue eyes

Deputy - Juan, a bay stallion with brown eyes and a white star in the middle of his head

Nurse - Anémona, a small black mare with a flaxen mane and tail and dark brown eyes

Guard - Bari, a graying bay mare with light brown eyes--prone to losing her sight

• Stepdaughter to Andre

Members:

Bruno - a buckskin stallion with a white nose and brown eyes

Chex - a light bay and white mare with green eyes

Emily - a flaxen chestnut mare with splash markings and teal eyes

Keanu - a buckskin stallion with brown eyes

Foals:

Eros - a chestnut colt with one white pastern and sky blue eyes

• Son of Hymn and Juan, younger brother to Skye

Skye - a cremello filly with white frame overo marks and light blue eyes

• Parentage unknown: Adoptive daughter of Hymn and Juan; older sister to Eros

Tiger - a buckskin colt with a leaky dorsal stripe and flaxen mane and brown eyes

• Son of Bruno and Anémona, younger twin to Yumi

Yumi - a black filly with a white stripe on her face, two white hind fetlocks, and forest green eyes

• Daughter of Bruno and Anémona, older twin to Tiger

Forest Tribe:

Leader - Rane, a chestnut and white mare with brown eyes

Deputy - Vitya, a bay stallion with dark brown eyes

Nurse - Sun Belt, a palomino stallion with blue eyes, stepbrother to Rasha

Guard - Chiko, a black stallion with dark green eyes

Members:

Cruz - a buckskin stallion with a white nose and blue eyes

Emilio - a blue roan stallion with light brown eyes

Kapri - a sorrel flaxen mare with blue eyes and a white blaze

Rasha - a bay and white mare with dark brown eyes, daughter of Rane and Vitya, stepsister to Sun Belt, Aleena, and Coro

Foals:

Aleena - a bay filly with midnight blue eyes*

Coro - a chestnut filly with forest green eyes*

* Both are Vitya's daughters

Ocean Tribe:

Leader - Edwina, a blue roan mare with white stockings and blue eyes

Deputy - Ezekial, a flaxen chestnut stallion with green eyes and a white nose

Nurse - Amar, a smoky perlino stallion with a blaze on his face and blue eyes

Guard - Elda, a gray mare with brown eyes

Members:

Clímaca - a chocolate silver dapple mare with a white mane and blue eyes

Coral - a red dun mare with mottling on her rump and guard hairs on her tail with brown eyes

Marci - a chestnut mare with blue eyes

Foals:

Esther - a red roan filly with green eyes

• Daughter of Edwina and Ezekial

Jesper - a palomino colt with brown eyes

• Son of Amar and Elda

Desert Tribe:

Leader - Zowe, a bay and white mare with brown eyes and a star in the middle of her head

Deputy - Aitor, a black stallion with a blond mane and sky blue eyes

Nurse - Yaffa, a gray mare with green eyes

Guard - Stygian, a dark chestnut stallion with brown eyes

Members:

Aahwaanith - a black stallion with forest green eyes and a blaze on his face

Bushra - a chestnut roan mare with one brown eye and one blue eye

Gitano - a strawberry roan stallion with green eyes and a snip on his nose

Hildegarde - a black and white mare with blue eyes

Laica - a chestnut mare with brown eyes

Lolita - a dun mare with green eyes and a white sock

Vespera - a chestnut mare with blue eyes and one white stocking

Yamka - a blue roan mare with brown eyes

Xanthe - a gold dun mare with blue eyes

Foals:

Maciela - a buckskin filly with green eyes

Xipilli - a dark chestnut filly with brown eyes and a star in the middle of her head

Zinerva - a dark brown dunskin filly with flaxen mane and blue eyes

Zuwena - a palomino filly with blue eyes

---

Chapter 1

A bay stallion fled into a cave that stretched beneath the cliffs, moving upward and inward. A chestnut-brown and white mare shrieked in panic. She didn't want her mate to end up dead. "Be careful, Vitya."

"Rasha is in there, Rane. I need to go in and find her."

"I am begging you, Vitya, do not go in there!"

He looked back at her. "She is in there and possibly getting despoiled! I cannot allow the Glen Tribe's stallions to hurt my precious daughter."

"She is in love with one of them. Keanu is his name."

Vitya looked at the mare in shock. "That golden stallion?! He is no good for her!" He stomped a hoof in the dirt. "I will talk with Glen Tribe Leader Hymn about this. You stay here." He turned back and galloped into the cave.

Rane watched helplessly as he did so. "Vitya..."

---

Dirt gently crunched underneath Rasha's excitement-filled hooves as she galloped along the path to the Glen Tribe, an easy task for her. A song filled her heart, and giggles filled her mouth as she knew today was the day she'd go to the Tribe's lead mare Hymn and ask her for membership. It was common knowledge all throughout the land, that once a mare or stallion reached the age of four springs, they could choose which Tribe they wanted to belong to. Naturally, Rasha knew the perfect Tribe for her to join, and couldn't wait to get there.

Sunlight filtered into the cave tunnel, shining on her bay-and-white fur. She must be getting close. Rasha could smell the fresh grass that always tickled the soft flesh of her feet. It put a smile on her face. Her eyes drank in the plains the Tribe grazed upon, as well as another mare nearby approaching her.

"Forest Tribe Rasha," the new voice greeted her.

Rasha blinked at the one in front of her. "Glen Tribe Bari." She bowed to the graying bay mare. "I wish to see Glen Tribe Leader Hymn."

"But of course. Come with me." She led the way out of the cave, but Rasha couldn't help but notice some clouding in one of the Tribe guard's eyes. It had been rumored that Bari would lose her sight at thirteen springs, but the Forest Tribe mare didn't know if that was the case.

Rasha stifled her giggles as her hooves crossed the grassy knoll. If you're going to become a Glen Tribe member, you need to get used to this feeling. She turned her head to the left and saw her buckskin sweetheart grazing in the sunlight. He did not notice her, but Rasha did not care. Soon he'd see her every day.

Bari's voice jolted the mare out of her thoughts. "Glen Tribe Leader Hymn, Forest Tribe Member Rasha."

Rasha looked, as the white mare came out of her cave outcropping the Glen. "Forest Tribe Rasha." She bowed to her. "I trust that your journey was a safe one. The caves can get occasionally dangerous."

The bay and white mare bowed back. "My journey was safe, Glen Tribe Hymn."

"What is the purpose of this visit? To have one from you alone is a perturbing sight."

"I know my presence is a bit of a peculiarity. However, I have reached the age of four springs. As per tradition, I would like to become a member of the Glen Tribe."

Glen Tribe Leader Hymn nodded. "Very well... I shall alert Nurse Anémona and Deputy Juan immediately. Make yourself present in my cave. You deserve a respite someplace comfortable."

Rasha nodded, walking into the Leader's cave, watching her leave out of the corner of her eye. She laid her body down, giving a yawn in response to the gentle dirt that caressed her hair. It had been a long, taxing journey for her, from the Forest Tribe to the Glen Tribe, and the caves she galloped through were no shortcut whatsoever. Had she not been attempting to avoid detection by a member of her own former Tribe, she would have certainly sought a quicker route.

Of course, just as she thought she had left every single Forest Tribe member behind, a familiar voice filled her ears, jolting her upright with a start, and encasing her heart in fear.

"There she is!!"

Getting a good glance, she found it to belong to none other than Vitya, her father. Trying to keep her composure, she watched Bari intercept the stallion's path before he could approach the cave, bringing him to a complete stop.

"Forest Tribe Vitya, your presence is not welcome here," the aging mare glared at him with her half-blind eyes.

"Glen Tribe Bari, my daughter is in there!" Vitya's interjection was filled with fear and surprise.

"She came of her own will, and she is of the age to change Tribes. She just announced to Glen Tribe Leader Hymn that she wishes that exact fact. Once a mare or stallion of the Tribes becomes four springs, then the choice goes into their own hooves. Rasha has made her decision. As Tribe Guard, I hereby order you to leave." Bari stomped a hoof into the grass.

Vitya's face fell. "But she--"

"Leave, unless you want me to chase you into Mountain Tribe territory. That journey will make for a long one...if you wish survival unto yourself."

Vitya looked at Rasha one last time. "I only wanted the best stallion for you."

"Father, I am a grown mare. You cannot keep me from true love. Forest Tribe Emilio only wants me for my body and foals without my decision on the matter. Now, I believe you have to go back."

"Just know that I will love my daughter, even if she exists in another Tribe." He turned to leave. "Tell Glen Tribe Keanu that he has my blessing."

Rasha bowed her head in appreciation. "Thank you, Father."

Vitya walked down the knoll and out of Rasha's sight.

Bari turned around. "Are you well?"

"I am doing well," she yawned. "Father forgets my own age."

"I hear you. Mountain Tribe Andre tried to force me to return when I made my choice to live here."

"It's good to have a mare in the kindred."

"There are a few stallions and mares you will have in the kindred."

"The Glen Tribe is a special place. The Forest one only allowed Mountain."

"We also have a few Desert Tribe members."

"One only knows how they survive in the hot sun." Rasha rose to her hooves, feeling her legs wobble.

"Easy, Rasha. You had a long journey in order to switch Tribes. Lay yourself down, young one. Leader Hymn, Deputy Juan, and Nurse Anémona will come to you. It is not in good thinking to trot around when you are bone-weary." Bari gently nuzzled the newcomer's neck. "I, too, had tired my breath away galloping to the Glen Tribe."

The gesture helped Rasha lay back down.

"This is the greatest news, Leader Hymn. It has been so long since we had a Forest Tribe member join our own. And she is Forest Tribe Deputy Vitya and Forest Tribe Leader Rane's filly!" Rasha heard Glen Tribe Nurse Anémona's excited voice whinnying over the knoll.

"Yes, Anémona. My heart is filled with joy and pride. However, the heritage of any Tribe Member does not matter. She could have been an Ocean Tribe Member, and I would still accept her. Do not confuse a new member with his or her inheritance." Leader Hymn trotted into view, followed by a squat mare with a sleek black body and palomino mane and tail. Behind them walked a bay stallion with a white star in the middle of his face.

"Forest Tribe Rasha--nice to finally meet you," he said, voice slightly lower. "I am called Juan. If a mare or stallion troubles you, you are to report straight to me. I will talk to them."

"Thank you for your introduction and support, Glen Tribe Deputy Juan," Anémona sweetly muttered, looking Rasha over. "She is four springs old, and soon to be in season. I shall give you some herbs for rest. Your legs must be aching from the journey. I make no blame to you. The caves, while they are mostly safe, can be imbued with snakes and spiders. You had no encounters, I trust?"

"I saw no snakes or spiders on my way here," Rasha answered.

Anémona looked at her hooves next. "I see your feet are sensitive to our Glen Tribe grass. However, a poultice shall relax them to our surroundings."

Rasha nodded. "It took all of my wills to uphold my request in a straight matter."

"I have no such judgment on how your request shall ease my ears." Glen Tribe Leader Hymn burred amusingly. "One of the Ocean Tribe Members had such toil maintaining his composure that his laughing whinnies caused a few of our one springs to enjoy following him. I pointed my foot to my cave, and he slept with them tucked against his chest and stomach."

Rasha turned her head. Juan managed a sheepish grin. "That was you?"

"It was. But I did not become Glen Tribe Deputy for being a jester to the one springs."

"Indeed you did not." Anémona turned around and walked. "I am going to gather the herbs and poultice. Make sure she remains in your cave."

"I am glad to share my cave." Hymn was pleasant and calm as she gently and comfortingly nuzzled Rasha. "Is there anything I can get to your satisfaction?"

Juan gave the Tribe Leader a slight nudge with his hoof, looking slightly surprised. "Hymn, the mare has had a long journey."

"True, but her comfort is most important," the white horse retorted, keeping her upbeat personality. "Happiness is around her corner, after all."

Rasha couldn't help but giggle, as she looked up at the leader of the Tribe. "Do you think Keanu could join us?"

Hymn nodded without a second thought, before giving Juan her gaze. Little did she realize that this was her primary reason for joining her tribe. "Juan, trot forth, and return with Keanu."

Bowing respectfully, the bay stallion launched into a fierce gallop out of the cave, and down the knoll. Excitement built within Rasha as she awaited the Tribe Deputy's return. She could just about imagine how excited Keanu would be to see her, as her own was threatening to swallow her up. The moments in-between seemed to last an eternity, nearly destroying the tiredness she felt moments before.

Yet only a mere moment later, Juan had returned, and along with him, came her beloved stallion. Her eyes widened; the fading sunlight dancing across Keanu's coat set her spirit alight, moments before the buckskin stallion found himself copying her gesture, but for a different reason.

"Keanu!" Rasha's voice threatened to leap out of her throat.

"Rasha?!" Surprisingly, instead of showing his enthusiasm for her sudden appearance, great surprise overtook him, as he grimaced. "W-w-what are you doing here?!"

Hoping to change the outcome, Hymn gently intervened, trotting between the two.

"Peace, Keanu," she spoke calmly, her tone almost sounding like a mother speaking to her worried foal. "Rasha is not a Forest Tribe Member any longer. She just switched her loyalties on this day; she is four springs old."

Keanu's muzzle relaxed, slightly. "Really?"

"Yes, Keanu," Rasha confirmed, her smile increasing. "I am now part of your Tribe."

The fear and confusion within Keanu were quickly displaced with excitement and joy, knowing that his beloved mare was no longer a long distance away. A smile slowly began to break onto his face, as the gravity of the situation finally sank in.

Just as quickly as it came on, however, the happy moment between the two was interrupted, as Anémona trotted up, bearing some bark.

"Make a path, please," she gave a calm whinny, gently nudging Keanu a couple hoof beats to Rasha's left, as she placed the bark she was carrying down near the mare, revealing leaves and a poultice. "Pardon my lateness. Tiger of all foals wanted me to play a game with him and Eros. You will have the pleasure of meeting with them and the others when the sun comes up." She picked up the poultice with the bark and trotted over to Rasha's hooves, gently packing it.

Rasha winced slightly at the stinging sensation in her soft skin.

"Many sorrows. The poultice is quite strong for some Tribe Members. It is going to take some getting used to." Anémona made quick work of the paste and let it set.

"Is there something I can do to help?" Keanu walked up to the Tribe Nurse.

"Rest with her tonight," she nickered as she walked to gather the herbs, walking to their new member. "Eat these. They will help ease your sore muscles and make you sleep well."

Rasha chewed the leaves, the juices flowing down her throat, as she tried hard to ignore the feeling in her feet. "Thanks."

"You have done splendidly this night. Be with your foals and mate," Hymn nodded appreciatively.

"Thank you, Leader Hymn." Anémona bowed and trotted down the knoll.

Juan nuzzled her. "Welcome to your home. It may not be like the Forest Tribe, but we will do anything to comfort you."

"Many thanks, Deputy Juan."

Keanu lay next to Rasha's side as the bay stallion walked out of sight. "If you didn't make the journey here just this day, I would have switched from here to the Forest Tribe, that only Mountain Tribe rule be condemned to an early last breath."

Hymn nodded. "It is true. Keanu cares deeply about you."

Rasha felt her body heat up, burring in mixed embarrassment and happiness. "I am so happy to be here."

"Now I know that my place is with the Glen Tribe...with you," he nickered.

She yawned.

"It is late, my subjects. Time for rest until the sun comes up." Hymn lay beside the buckskin stallion. "Deputy Juan will guard the Tribe tonight."

---

Rasha woke up from her slumber to find only her and Keanu resting in the cave. The morning sun filtered through her vision. She nuzzled him. "Keanu..."

He blinked and yawned. "Oh... I have not slept yonder long in several springs."

"It is morning," she nickered, gently nudging him. "We better find out what needs to be done."

"Oh, for the last time, Eros, nay! I have too much on mine mind to have you and the rest of the foals wend to the river," an irritated whinny echoed throughout the glen.

"Who was that?"

Keanu sighed. "Must be Chex. She normally has a sweet disposition, but I guess some foals gave her too many questions again."

The mare rose to her feet, still packed with the poultice. "Looks like this is a job for us, right, Keanu?"

"Yeah."

Rasha and Keanu left the cave, taking a short trot in the direction of the whinny. It wasn't very long at all before they came across a light bay mare, who looked washed in white with green eyes, standing underneath a tree. Next to her were four foals, all bouncing and galloping around her, seemingly giving her trouble.

"Is there something I can do to help?" Rasha asked the mare politely. "You look like you need it."

She pulled her attention up and away from a chestnut colt she was focusing on before, raising an eyebrow as she gained a slightly confused expression. "Who are you?" Her voice was slightly agitated, but calm, nonetheless.

"My name is Rasha. I just switched Tribes last night," she burred. "You look like you need some assistance."

Her eyes widened. "Oh, you switched from the Forest Tribe. Anémona told us last night, but I was too tired to recall."

"It is well, now. I am so glad to be here. You must be Chex. Do you think I can help?"

"Well, if you are valorous with foals, then ay. I am much too busy to make a journey to the river," the light bay mare snorted. "I need to get these twigs to Nurse Anémona betimes. Then Deputy Juan has a few things for me."

"I am good with foals. My stepsisters were sometimes hard to keep together, but I managed." Rasha nodded, an affirmative air around her. "You can count on me."

"Well, many thanks, Rasha," Chex whinnied appreciatively, walking up the hill. "And welcome to Glen Tribe."

"Many thanks, as well."

With Chex gone, Rasha looked down at the four foals in front of her. "Hello, there."

"So you are a real-life Forest Tribe horse?" squealed one, a cremello filly with white covering almost all of her body.

"Yes, I am."

"Oh, wow, that's so cool! My name is Skye!" she squeaked.

"Well, it is valorous to meet you, Skye." She turned her attention to the others.

The chestnut with one white ankle spoke up next. "I am Eros, and may I say, you are so pretty. I am sure once I am big enough--"

"Eros, enough with your ego!" a black filly snorted. "This is her first day here!"

"And your name is?" Rasha asked her.

"I'm Yumi. That colt over there is Skye's brother. He is quite a talker, even though he is speaking nonsense." She shook her tiny head. "He thinks that he is the oldest, but I was born first."

"I see. So, we have Skye, Yumi, Eros..."

A flaxen buckskin colt with a stripe down his back and a tiny bit down his shoulders ducked behind Skye, causing Rasha to cock her head to one side.

"Oh, that is Tiger. He is a shy colt," the creamy filly answered. "He is Bruno and Anémona's foal, same with Yumi."

"Aw... How about we go to the river, okay?" Rasha burred comfortingly toward the hidden one. "I am sure there is a lot of excitement we can do."

"Yeah," Yumi, Eros, and Skye cheered.

Tiger merely nodded.

The older mare smiled. "Great!"

Keanu, who had been watching with appreciation for what his love was doing for the foals, suddenly shot to attention. "Uh... Rasha. You do not know the way to the river from hither, remember?"

Her eyes widened. "Oh, yeah. You are right."

"Don't you fret. I can lead the way," he reassured. "Foals, Rasha, follow me."

They leisurely trotted down the glen at a moderate pace, their hooves making a gentle pitter-patter in the grass behind them, before making a left turn, toward the direction of the river. Keanu's path proved to be a short journey, as the gentle sounds of the water lapping over the stones soon graced their ears.

Soon, they had arrived, and the young foals wasted no time racing into the relaxing waters, neighing happily as it caressed their hooves. Rasha immediately felt tempted to join them, but Keanu gently tugged at her dark brown mane.

"I do not recommend you dipping your feet in the river yet." He looked at her. "That poultice has to stay dry on your feet until Anémona takes it off."

"That's fine. I just need a drink."

Keanu stood a few lengths away, keeping a keen watch over the five. Little did he know, some horse stood several from him, smiling. "You know, if I had not known better, you would probably be a wondrous Deputy."

He looked behind him, seeing the solid bay stallion overseeing him. "Oh, Juan, it is only you."

"Yes. And I would not be surprised if it were true that you wanted Rasha as our leader, one day," he teased.

"She would have to earn her place for that." Keanu returned his gaze to his love and the four foals. Eros was trying to regale his tiny audience with stories of his own valor, to which Yumi yawned and splashed in the river.

"Don't splash too much. We do not want a repeat of water snakes again," the buckskin stallion ordered. "Remember what happened to Imber."

"Oh, right," she sheepishly smiled, stopping herself.

"That was a great tragedy," Juan admitted in a low tone. "Never had we lost one of our mares so suddenly."

"And she was with foal as well." Keanu swished his tail. "It was very tough for all of us."

"I know. Then poor Dyre had his last breath from grief. He was yours and Bruno's older brother."

"It was a sad moment for us all. But we gained a new member yesterday from Rasha," the buckskin whickered, trying his best to sound upbeat. "And from the looks of things, she's fitting in just right."

"Makes me wonder who will join us next," Juan nodded.

Keanu dug an enthusiastic hoof in the grass. "Yeah. Who knows?"

Soon the foals started to slow down and wearily made their way to the buckskin stallion. "That was excitement, Keanu," Yumi smiled, water dripping from her body.

Rasha walked up the hill, completely dry. "I am sure everyone had their excitement."

The buckskin stallion and Juan slowly led everyone back to the glen.

Right away, the white mare, the leader of the Tribe, trotted down from her spot and nodded appreciatively toward the bay and white mare. "That was very sweet of you, Rasha. Chex sends her deepest gratitude for taking the foals to an enjoyable spot."

"Just doing my best to help the Tribe. She had some stuff to do," she burred.

"You did not have to take on duties right hence, Rasha. The Glen Tribe has a grace period of three sunrises to help others adjust. But we are most grateful to you. My colt and filly will recall you for the longest time, as well as Anémona and Bruno's own foals," Hymn continued as Anémona trotted up the knoll.

"So, Skye is yours?"

"Indeed. Unfortunately, we do not know her mother or father. I found her lying in the dirt one day, but no one came to claim her as their own. The only thing she knows is her name."

"Such a tragedy. The filly looks very sweet."

"Yes, and I am pleased about that. Skye has grown with my son, and I am happy with her progress." Hymn raised her head high. "She gets along with all the foals."

Just as she finished her sentence, Bari came stumbling up the hill. "My scent patrol has come up with nothing for the day. Many sorrows if I am intruding on anything of special importance."

"None of that," the white mare reassured. "I was enlivening Rasha on some of our history. You came in at the perfect twinkling."

Juan walked to stand beside his mate. "That's excellent news, though, Bari. Are you well?"

"Never healthier," the graying bay mare nodded. "Just getting used to my fading sight."

"We could have some horse else take your spot when the day comes, Bari." The bay stallion gestured toward the buckskin stallion with a white nose, walking up the knoll toward Anémona and giving her a nuzzle. "You do not need to force yourself to do this on your own. Bruno has told me--"

Bari arched her neck, baring her teeth. "To grass what he says, Juan! Bruno will take my spot the day I take my leave from this Tribe."

"Okay," the deputy sighed. "Dismissed."

The graying bay mare trotted down the hill, her hooves finding the grass easier to go down than upward.

"Has she always been this stubborn?" Rasha asked. "When I saw her at the meeting, she was demure and sweet. Where did her resistance come from?"

"It happened at nearly the same time we lost Imber. After she prematurely left the Tribe with her foal, Bari's eyes started to fail her at the time Anémona said she would."

Rasha bowed her head. "I understand."

"She is troubled about it."

Feeling the need to change the subject forthwith, Juan shook his head. "Let's not pay much heed about it. After all, the next sunrise shall be our next meeting. I'm sure Rasha would like to join us."

The bay and white mare rose back to full height and nodded. "Well, it will be my first one in a new Tribe. I can't wait."

One of Anémona's ears cocked back, while the other ear stayed facing forward. "Before we get befuddled with that, I would like to check your feet before you catch a wink tonight. Did she keep them dry, Keanu?"

He bowed his head. "Yes, indeed, Anémona. Even when we trotted down to the river, she only drank and watched the foals."

"And it was excitement!" Skye interjected before her tone turned slightly sour. "If only Eros would stop trying to tell us stories..."

"He is still learning," Rasha reassured. "My older stepbrother, Sun Belt, had a massive ego, but he trained out of that."

"I saw how he was when he was a little colt," Keanu snorted, feeling quite entertained. "He caused such a racket trying to get the others to play, all the leaders had to halt the meeting to round him up."

She burred in amusement. "Poor Mountain Tribe Leader Lynn. She tried to grab his tail, but Sun Belt was slightly faster."

"And her filly Chantrea resented him until he started to settle down and fill the role of Tribe Nurse," Hymn recalled.

"How is that stallion, by the way?" Bruno spoke up.

"He is always making sure every horse is happy. But last I saw of him, he seemed to be butterflying after Kapri," Rasha burred, lifting a hoof so Anémona could check it. "That sorrel flaxen mare is quite fond of him."

"At least he is keeping out of trouble," Chex snorted. "We don't want him kicking up dust at the tribal stones."

"He has not since training under Parthenios's feet. He had my stepbrother under strict teaching since that fateful eve, until he was too weary to impart him any more knowledge than he had given him."

"His departure was shocking. He didn't even have any foals to carry out his legacy," Juan noted.

The bay and white mare lowered her head. "I know."

"Maybe he just did not like the mares the Tribe had to offer," Keanu offered.

"It is imaginable," Rasha replied. "I never saw any of the Forest Tribe mares go after him, either."

"Well, other than that fact, I can see your feet are ready for me to remove the poultice for tonight," Anémona burred, grasping a twig in her teeth.

Rasha held still, letting the Tribe Nurse fit it in between her foot and the packed material. Soon, the poultice gave way and fell to the grass below with a soft thud. The squat mare repeated the gesture three more times, the sound recurring. "There. Now your feet will feel used to our Glen grass."

"Many thanks, Nurse Anémona," Rasha smiled.