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Post by Abbster on Jan 21, 2024 13:52:54 GMT -8
Sugars eyes widened in shock. She was the herd healers apprentice! That was all she ever wanted. “Thank you, lead mare Swan” Sugar said, dipping her head politely to the lead mare and then stepping close to her friends again as the glare of Stormflash made her flatten her ears. She looked down nervously at the ground and then waited for Swan to tel them what to do
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Post by tenebria on Jan 21, 2024 14:39:31 GMT -8
Galmúr closed his eyes briefly in relief as the Lead Mare briefly admonished Sugar, managing a slight smile for his friend. That was wonderful, he knew it was everything she'd wanted!
Swan blinked at the young filly then snorted, a delicate light snort of acceptance, then turned to the next one in the group, the young dark friesian. Her gaze was solid as she stared at the filly, then spoke. "The scouts also observed you Artemis. From you, they saw Speed and Agility, and a quick mind. For you, the apprenticeship of scout is offered" she said, her gaze unwavering as she studied the young filly, waiting for her response.
Stormflash shifted behind his mother. He hated that he had to stand there behind his mother as she gave out praises to the yearlings. Especially since he knew his mother, and he knew that she wasn't lying about any of it. But if they thought their test was over... they were bigger fools than he had taken them for. He snorted to himself and turned his glare to the friesan as his mother addressed her, but his angered look lessened slightly as he saw her glance at him and shift, her muscles rippling under her dark coat. As much as he didn't like to admit it... she caught his attention. His ears pricked slightly and he listened more with interest for the filly's response.
Galmúr couldn't stop the slight smile that came to his muzzle as he heard Lead Mare Swan speak to Artemis. Scout? That seemed perfect for her! Action and speed... lots of speed. He glanced over to her with a slight grin, but it froze as he intercepted Stormflash's look. And he didn't like that look. Not one bit.
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Post by wingfeather on Jan 21, 2024 16:13:47 GMT -8
Artemis met the lead mare's gaze clearly. When she heard the proposition of a scout her heart fairly leaped within her. Her mind wandered slightly to thoughts of the exciting adventures she would have, but she forced herself to remain calm as she answered the serene mare before her. She bowed before she spoke, ''Lead mare Swan I thank you for this generous offer and I humbly and gratefully accept. Noticing Stormflash's glance Artemis looked down, not knowing how else to respond.
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Post by Abbster on Jan 21, 2024 16:18:42 GMT -8
Sugar smiled and nudged Artemis lovingly as she listened to what the lead mare said about her friend. She wanted to ask if she could meet the herd healer now...but she wasn't sure honestly if that was the right thing to do. She was accepting the lead mare to bring her to the herd healer, but she just wasn't sure.
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Post by tenebria on Jan 21, 2024 16:53:08 GMT -8
Stormflash noticed Artemis's glance downwards and he couldn't help the smile that spread over his muzzle. And he had thought her the fiery one! she seemed to be quite more humble than he had expected... which suited him just fine.
Swan's expression relaxed slightly and she smiled as she saw the flash of fire in the filly's eyes. "Wonderful, you will meet your mentor in a moment." she said, then turned her gaze to the young buckskin... who seemed to be a bit preoccupied.
Galmúr was glaring ferociously over at Stormflash, having also caught the smile he'd slid over to Artemis. Earlier, he'd hoped his instincts about the colt were wrong... but he was swiftly taking back his words now. He did not appreciate the way the silver yearling was staring at Artemis. Suddenly a light snort caught his attention and he swung his gaze to Swan, flattening his ears slightly and dipping his head as she looked at him sternly before speaking. "Galmúr, son of Rassak the Warrior, I received curious reports from our scouts. They tell me that you were always the planner for each obstacle, and you always went first with each as well. But you also were not afraid to show fear, instead showing it and then pushing onwards. That is called courage, and that is the most vital trait of a Warrior." she said, a slight smile drifting onto her muzzle as she said this.
Galmúr listened closely, his eyes widening in surprise as the Lead Mare spoke, his heart pounding with sudden joy. He... a warrior? Like his father? Pride rushed through his veins and he brought himself up taller, a new fire sparking in his eyes as he met the Lead mare's gaze. "My thanks to you, Lead Mare Swan, I would be greatly honored to apprentice myself to one of your warriors and aid in protecting your... our herd" he said, letting his words ring a bit more boldly than he would have dared before.
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Post by wingfeather on Jan 21, 2024 17:03:47 GMT -8
Artemis smiled back at Sugar, excitement showing plainly on her face. When she heard what Galmúr was to become she looked at him with excitement, knowing that this was exactly the job for him. She glanced briefly at the blue roan noticing his smile, quickly she looked away.
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Post by Abbster on Jan 21, 2024 17:21:00 GMT -8
Sugar glared at Stormflash, flattening her ears at him. When suddenly..."whats your deal with Artemis, huh?" she asked him. "We can see the way you're looking at her, and can't you tell its making her uncomfortable?" she asked him. "if you can, then stop" Sugar said. Realizing what she had just done, she shut her mouth and stepped back nervously. Well...this was it, she was most likely gonna get kicked out of the herd before even meeting her mentor.
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Post by tenebria on Jan 21, 2024 18:59:17 GMT -8
Swan smiled once again at the young stallion "I am pleased you are all satisfied with your places in my herd. Now, a few rules, and then you may meet your mentors" she said, her gaze encompassing them all. Suddenly the young dapple filly burst out, boldly speaking to her son, and her gaze widened, then hardened.
Stormflash snapped his head over to Sugar, his eyes flashing with anger. "You have no right to tell me how to look or act!" he almost snarled in anger, stepping forward, only to be blocked by his mother, although her stern words were not for him. "Sugar, we have opened our herd to you, and it would do well for you to keep in mind that you are new, and are of no standing as of yet in this herd. You have no right to speak to my son this way." she spoke, her voice cold and eyes flashing with warning.
Galmúr drew a sharp breath as Sugar spoke up suddenly. Why could she never learn to hold her tongue? True, he'd wanted to say the exact same thing himself, but at least he'd known to wait till a better time and place!!
Stormflash glowered at the filly, his gaze no longer softening when he looked at the black friesian. "Mother, I believe I will go see if my mentor has set up a patrol as of yet" he said, his voice stiff. Swan turned her head, her eyes softening and she nodded "Good thinking my son, I will see you later" she spoke. He gave them all one more glare, specifically to Sugar, then turned and cantered into the herd, his silvery coat flashing in the sunlight. Swan waited until he had left before turning to the yearlings. "Sugar, if you expect me to extend my hospitality and open my herd to you, you must begin thinking less of yourself. In fact, your words give me every right to kick you all out of my herd. But, I am one who believes in giving newcomers more chances than they deserve, although believe me, I will be keeping an eye on you three after this." she said, her strong gaze sweeping over them all to be sure they understood.
Abruptly, she changed the subject. "If you are to stay with my herd, you must have knowledge of our main rules. Your mentors will speak to you of the other smaller rules that come with each of your roles that you have taken. But mainly, the rules are these: "You are not allowed to leave herd boundaries, unless accompanied by your mentor, or myself. No outsiders are allowed in, and if you sight any, bring word to the nearest stallion. Do not ever speak to any outsiders, unless I ask you to. Obedience is highly valued here, especially with your mentors, and respect towards all. Physical fighting is not tolerated amongst our herd members." she paused to be sure they had listened and understood "These are our main rules, that we uphold vigilantly. Now, if each of you are prepared to live under our rules, you may follow me, and you shall meet those that will continue your learning" she said, looking to each of them, her gaze probing for any uncertainty or rebellion against these rules.
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Post by wingfeather on Jan 21, 2024 19:12:24 GMT -8
Artemis was shocked and embarrassed by Sugar's statement, but she stood tall beside her friends when the silvery yearling glared at them, then walked off. She looked back at the white mare was about to speak. Hearing the rules she dipped her head in agnowledgement to the rules, waiting for Galmúr to speak on behalf of the tree of them.
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Post by Abbster on Jan 21, 2024 19:14:58 GMT -8
Sugar snorted a little. “Well if you want me to follow your herd rules then you should tell your son how to behave” sugar muttered under her breath, only loud enough for her friends to hear. She listened to the rules of the herd, and realized that when she followed Swan….she was going to be separated from her friends. That…that really scared her. She nodded, and tried to smile as she followed after the white mare, her mind spinning with thoughts a little. Would she ever see her friemds again once she met her mentor? Sugar wondered.
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Post by tenebria on Jan 21, 2024 19:29:54 GMT -8
Galmúr glared after the silvery roan yearling as he cantered into the herd, his own dark tail swishing slightly in anger. How he hoped that yearling wouldn't show up again anytime soon. As Swan began speaking to them once again he listened carefully, going over each rule in his mind then nodding swiftly, his ear flicking slightly as he heard Sugar's muttered complaint, but he staying silent until the end. Looking at both the fillies he turned his gaze once more to the Lead Mare. "We are ready to submit to these rules, and claim our places in your herd" he spoke firmly.
Swan gave a slight inclination of her head at his answer "Good, now all three of you, follow me, your mentors await your arrival" she tossed her light mane and turned smoothly trotting into the herd which seemed to part naturally before her.
Swiftly, the young buckskin trotted after her, remaining just behind her as excitement once again surged through him. He was about to meet his mentor, a warrior, to train to become a warrior as his father was! A fire lit his eyes as he moved forward, feeling suddenly ready for anything. After a few moments, Swan slowed to a stop in front of three horses that stood before her, each bowing their heads deeply to her. "I thank each of you for taking these new yearlings to train them up to better serve and fit in our herd. And now, your apprentices" she said, stepping easily to the side and revealing the three to the other three.
Immediately, Galmúr's eyes were drawn to the stallion that stood on the left. He was a rather tall, muscular, solid bodied gray stallion, with unflinching dark eyes, and an unreadable expression. Without even looking at the other two, he knew... this one was the warrior. This one was his mentor. A shiver of excitement raced through him as the silent stallion stared at him hard.
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Post by wingfeather on Jan 22, 2024 9:45:10 GMT -8
Artemis's heart began beating quickly as they passed through the herd behind the lead mare. When the lead mare stepped aside, Artemis assessed each of the three horses standing side by side, a kind looking brown and white mare, a tall impassive light colored stallion, and lastly a dark brown horse, their eyes immediately met and to her surprise he smiled slightly. Artemis could see his outgoing and adventurous spirit, she felt that she would enjoy training under him.
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Post by Abbster on Jan 22, 2024 9:54:22 GMT -8
Sugar padded up beside her friends. Her gaze landing on the kind brown and white mare. She was the only mare of the three, and Swan had said that Sugars mentor was a mare...so this must be her mentor. "are you my mentor?" Sugar asked the brown and white mare. The brown and white mare nodded. "thats right" she said. "We will get started in just a moment, young Sugar" she said. "but for now, lets see if lead mare Swan, has anything else to say"
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Post by tenebria on Jan 22, 2024 10:34:18 GMT -8
Swan smiled as she saw the yearlings's expressions, each seeming to have instinctively found their mentor. But still she felt that introductions were due... especially for the silent stallion that was stoically gazing at the young buckskin. She smiled slightly at the healer who turned to her to see if she had anymore to say. "Artemis, as you have seen, this is your mentor, Scout Treth" she said, smiling at the two who both seemed to mirror the same fiery spirit. "Sugar, Cinnamon will be your mentor, she is our herd healer" she said, another smile ready for the two, then she turned her glance to the stern gray stallion who stood in front of the contrasting young golden yearling. "Galmúr, your mentor is Lorcán, and our best warrior" she said with a slight dip of respect to the old stallion, who returned it chivalrously. "Now you may each go and begin your training. If any of you have need of me, have no fear to come and speak with me" she nickered then turned and trotted into the herd, leaving the apprentices with their new mentors.
Galmúr listened as the mentors were introduced, standing a bit taller as he was introduced to his own mentor. If this stallion got respect even from the lead mare, then he surely must be someone! When Swan left he kept his gaze on his mentor, awaiting instruction, but the gray stallion remained immovable, silently watching. Finally he decided to take the initiative and step forward, tossing his dark mane slightly to get rid of his momentary nervousness. "Sir, I am Galmúr, and I thank you for taking me as your apprentice" he said in a quiet respectful tone, and swiftly leaving out the added title "Son of Rassak the Warrior", as he could feel that it would not impress the warrior that stood before him. Suddenly the stallion moved, stepping towards him and looking down at him, his eyes calm, and yet almost searching. "Well, at least you seem to have learned manners if nothing else as of yet" he said suddenly, and the young buckskin felt a bit belittled by this statement. "I am sorry if I seem to be lacking in some aspect Sir, but perhaps that comes from having no one to learn from" he retorted strongly, then felt a twinge of regret for his bold speech as the stallion raised an eye slightly. But the words that came surprised him completely "Drop the Sir, my given name is Lorcán, or you may call me Mentor if you must." he said abruptly, turning away from the yearling and beginning to walk away. Galmúr stayed where he was, unsure if he was meant to follow or not. "If you're expecting an invitation then you need a lot more work than I thought." the stallions strong warning tone echoed behind him. Swiftly the young buckskin trotted after him, only glancing behind him once as he remembered his two friends and letting out a whinny to them both as he moved away. It seemed his training was to begin immediately.
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Post by wingfeather on Jan 22, 2024 10:51:26 GMT -8
When the Lead mare had left and all had made their bows, Treth stepped forward towards Artemis, ''Greetings Artemis, as you have heard, I am Treth, before we start anything I would like for you to meet the other scouts and the other apprentices, come.'' With that the dark horse turned and began a very fast trot toward another group of horses not far away. ''See you Sugar,'' Artemis said, nuzzling her friend lovingly, and answering Galmúr's goodbye, before following her new mentor.
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