Drowning And No One Cares...

[Shanza]

The mountain eagle took off from it's perch as the sun rose, soaring high above the swamp and the new life it contained. Perpetual mist was turned golden and the trees rising above it's veil had a eerie, island-like quality. The eagle saw deer to the south, but they soon vanished as the sun seemed to make the mist thicker. Only within the small plateaus that occasionally cropped up throughout the swamp was the mist thinner. The jaguar was a black spot on the earth, and the two mares were dark against the lush greenery.

<Them?>

The eagle shrieked her displeasure to the skies. Why did the Gray always doubt? <Them,> she hissed back. The presence receded from her mind, only to return moments later.

<Take one. Splitting them will be enough.>

The eagle's eyes flashed angrily. They always did what they wanted, no matter what anyone else thought or cared for. But it wasn't her place to question, just to serve. She would bring him his trophy, his prize. And then he had promised she would be free from his service. She screeched again, calling out to any who dared stop her. She was a Crusakl, the largest of the mountain eagles. And the mountain eagles were the largest eagles in the world.*

Tilting her head slightly, she gazed at the foals sleeping by the odd trio. There wasn't an opportunity yet, but there would be. She would do what came naturally, and wait.



*There are some larger magical birds, but I'm thinking to call them Rocs. What do you think?

[ϞSymreeϞ]

"I sure can," Aysoli said, "They're adorable." The miniature foal war under Feneri's belly ensued, and she giggled openly, watching them shove each other back and forth. The filly lost her balance and slid down Feneri's leg, rising soon after to glare at her brother. The colt yawned and plopped himself unceremoniously to the ground, asleep almost instantly. Feneri wished that she could sleep so easily.

The filly walked unsteadily under her mother, and made her way over to the sleeping colt. She folded her knees and dropped down on top of him, awakening an indignant squeal.
Feneri chuckled to herself and watched the two twist and turn before finally choosing a position in which they were both comfortable. "They are adorable aren't they?" She said more to herself than to Aysoli.

The night went by like a dream, the foals awoke once to suckle, but stayed fairly quiet. Feneri dozed on and off, dreaming of the tribe, and more specifically Ylrae. She couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he saw the twins. He would be in love with them immediately, just as she had been. She also dreamed of the task of returning to the tribe with two suckling foals instead of one. She slept most fitfully at these times.

Eventually the dawn came, stretching their black shadows across the clearing. It was just enough light to barely touch the foals coats, and they still slept soundly, heads nestled snugly on each others backs. Feneri wished that she could just transport them home and avoid the dangerous journey that she and Aysoli had survived. Even though the Chesire stallion was dead, the strange snake tattoo still remained branded in her brain, the way it seemed to live on even in the hour of his death.

"I know I said this before," Aysoli said, "But they are so dang cute!"
The mares eyed the foal's fluffy coats, and the quiet lull of their breathing. Feneri had to agree. She had never seen anything so adorable.

"Bet you never imagined you'd have twins! Whatcha gonna name them?"
Feneri shook her head, "No, never in my wildest dreams, Aysoli." She paused, staring at the sleeping forms of her foals. "The filly will be called Avani, after the earth. The colt will be known as Aeronwy, for the Berry River. He may choose to shorten it to just Aeron. Do you think those names suit?" She hoped so, she had never thought of herself as a particularly creative unicorn, but she thought that the names would be good enough.

"We should head out the tomorrow or the day after, I'm thinking. Any longer and I don't even want to think about the consequences. That should give them enough time to get strong enough for a slow-paced journey back, you think?" Aysoli asked.

Feneri nodded, "Yes, I don't want to stay here any longer than necessary. Only fools linger in paradise. They should be strong enough for that."

The sharp cry of an eagle brought Feneri's attention to the sky. Aysoli and the cat were watching it as well. Were they as nervous about it as she was? The dark chestnut mare shook herself uncomfortably.

"What is that eagle's deal?" Aysoli asked.

Feneri shrugged, a shiver running down her spine. She had no idea, but hoped that it would leave soon. Her ears pricked, catching a slight sound in the trees. Her eyes narrowed and she stepped slightly to the left of her foals, were they being followed? Or watched? A shape burst out of the trees and Feneri lunged towards it, horn barred. A deer scurried back into the trees, and her eyes narrowed. That hadn't been the sound that she'd heard.

A faint swish of wings turned her attention back to the sky, and she saw the eagle pulling out of a dive, it's talons inches away from her foals. The talons closed around the filly's hind leg. Feneri's breath caught in her throat, and she lunged forward, a battle cry on her lips. "Avani!" She screamed, trying to awake the foal. She knew that she was too far away as the bird started to lift her daughter off of the ground.

[/color]

[Shanza]

Aysoli watched Feneri as lunged towards a deer. She antsy, Aysoli refrained from speaking the thought aloud. The cat was lying sprawled out on the grass, as it seemed to be the mares' turn for watch duty. He flicked an ear at Feneri's reaction, but otherwise remained still. The foals were curled into a cute ball of fluff, and the bay mare couldn't resist grinning at them.

A ruffle of feathers and the eagle had grabbed the filly. The cat was still getting up as Aysoli lunged towards them, but she already knew she would be too late. The filly screamed as the bird power-stroked higher, the cat lunged upward, but was unable to reach the bird because Avani was in the way. The colt added his terrified screams to the mix, and then the panther turned away from the filly, running back towards the colt. Aysoli sprinted past him, not quite believing that he would give in so easily.

The eagle had risen three times their head height in the time it took the mares to react. She expected it to keep rising, but then an odd thing happened. As Aysoli ran, she saw the eagle looking at the filly, who was looking back at it. The filly's screams stopped, and they just stared at each other. The eagle was gliding now, but was still moving fast enough to push Aysoli to her limits. It was headed towards the lake, and Aysoli slowed, snorting fearfully. She didn't know what would happen, and was scared the worst scenarios in her mind would be played out in real life. Taking a chance, she bolted to the left, trying to catch up with the bird and the filly. It beat it's wings again, looking away from the foal as it headed towards the far shore. The bay mare flattened her ears and ran as hard as she could.

* * *

With a quick backwing, the mountain eagle let the filly down softly on her back. She landed, turning to face the filly who had rolled onto her stomach. The pied filly cocked her head sideways, and the eagle looked back at her. So this is what it felt like. Lifebonding. She never thought it could be so... she didn't know what it was; all she knew was that the Gray didn't matter anymore. Only this little one did. Only this little one.

The filly extended her muzzle, and the bird walked closer. Even on the ground she was taller than the laying newborn. She touched her beak to the filly's muzzle, and then the foal stood. The eagle's head reached her back, and the bird had a wicked looking beak and talons that could do severe damage if used against the foal. The bay mare was coming closer, pounding the ground, and it looked like she would use her horn as an effective weapon. Bobbing her head once, the eagle took off, leaving her new life partner with a gift she had learned from the Gray.

<I'll be watching from the skies, bonded.>

[ϞSymreeϞ]

Avani screamed as the eagle took her higher up into the air. Feneri watched the panther's failed attempt to catch the eagle, and felt glad that the cat had had the sense not to risk grabbing Avani.
The dark chestnut mare caught a glimpse of the jungle cat going over to Aeron, whose terrified screams called after his sister. Feneri looked away from them almost instantly, she knew that the cat wouldn't let anything happen to her remaining foal.

The eagle had risen to a seemingly hopeless height as Aysoli and Feneri raced after it and her newborn. The chestnut mare found herself wishing for the wings to save her filly. If only she had been born a Pegasus instead... But what was going on up there? The eagle hovered at about the same height, her head curved down to look at Avani's small form. The filly stopped screaming. Feneri exchanged a curious glance with Aysoli. What was going on up there?

The next moment, the bay mare surged ahead, fighting to keep up with the eagle's flight. Feneri pushed as hard as she could, but her legs were no match for Aysoli's. She soon lost sight of the eagle all together, and followed her friends prints in the turf. Avani would be OK...she had to be OK. She repeated the words over and over to herself, as if they alone would be enough to save her daughter's life.

She came out of the line of trees and saw her filly, safe and sound on the ground, and standing next to Aysoli. Feneri powered towards the two, her heart racing in her chest. It seemed to take forever for her to reach her fragile newborn, and upon arrival, she looked the foal over from head to tail, inspecting for any damage, but Avani looked perfect, and lightly exilerated from her wild ride.

"What the hell just happened?" Aysoli asked.

Feneri shrugged, gathering her daughter into a hug. "I don't know, but I think I just got a taste of what my parents must have felt when I nearly drowned in the tunnels." She replied with a nervous laugh.

* * *

The jaguar stood protectively over the painted colt, his teeth exposed in a wild growl, and claws extending and retracting into the loose soil beneath his pads. Not even a day old yet and the foals had managed to get into mischief. His nose twitched in annoyance, hoping that the stupid bird would realize exactly what these foals were before it was too late.

The colt shivered in fear beneath him, and he rasped a sandpaper tongue over the colt's ear. Something had changed. He could feel it in the air, and in the way that the colt sort of settled down beneath him. The jaguar relaxed, a purr thrumming deep in his throat. He saw the eagle wing overhead before disappearing beyond the trees. There was no way that the bird had dropped the filly. Whatever had happened between them, the bird had finally come to her senses. He licked the colt's forelock in a reassuring manner and his purr broke in cat like laughter. Wasn't it wonderful when things like this worked out for the better?

[/color]

[Shanza]

Aysoli woke with the sun. As the mists slowly disappeared, it filtered slowly into her mind that today was the day that Feneri had agreed they should start heading back. Her stomach flipped as she thought facing the tribe. True, they were within their stated rights, but there was a way to go about this kind of thing. They had definitely gone about this the 'wrong' way. There was expectations to live up to, and to follow. If someone didn't follow the unwritten rules, the consequences could be severe. The whole fact of the matter was worsened by the Prince's interest in Feneri. If he had managed to turn the tribe against her, as Aysoli had no doubt he could, they would arrive to a very rough and rude welcome. They very well might be chased out of the tribe in retribution.

Aysoli sighed, looking over at Feneri and the twins. The Jaguar sat on a boulder not far away, staring around at the surroundings. The filly stood and yawned, the colt bumping her forelegs with his nose, trying to get her to move over. She shook, and went to investigate the Jaguar's boulder. Are they strong enough? Aysoli thought, worried about all the dangers that could harm two-day old foals.

Wing beats came, and Aysoli jerked her head up to see the eagle fly over the filly. She snorted, moving towards them, but the large bird past by, talons ruffling Avan's mane. The filly whinnied, arched her neck and took off after the slow, low-flying eagle. Aysoli watched them, amazed at the interaction between the two. Feneri called to her daughter, slightly hesitantly, and she came back slowly. The eagle sharply rose into the sky, vanishing into the clear blue sky.

"I guess we better start heading back," Aysoli said slowly. Two animals? Protectors of the foals? She shook her head, worried by what she didn't understand. "That brings another question, Feneri. I think it's likely that at least the jaguar and probably the bird will follow us back. What will the tribe say when we stroll into camp, you with twins, and have two powerful predators on our heels?"



*What do you think about changing the filly's name to Avan? That way it's not so close to Aysoli.

[ϞSymreeϞ]

A slight wave of shock and excitement came with the thought of returning to the tribe. Time had passed by much more quickly than Feneri would have ever thought to be possible. She would be back with Ylrae in a matter of days. The thought made her jittery with excitement, and a bit of worry. Would he be angry with her for disappearing, even after she explained the situation to him? The dark chestnut mare snorted and turned all attention back to her foals.

Aeron and Avan lay next to each other, the picture of perfection. They looked so peaceful, so wonderful. Lovingly she nudged each foal with her muzzle. The filly stood, and her brother nudged her knees, trying to get her to move over. Avan wandered over to the rock that the jungle cat sat on, investigating the black masses of his paws.

With a flutter of wings, the Eagle swept low over the painted filly, talons brushing the fluff of her mane. She arched her neck, taking off after the eagle with a playful prance in her stride. They got along like old friends,nearly as well if not better than Avan and her brother. Already it was becoming clear which foal would be more of a magnet for danger. Avan was her mothers daughter.

Nervously, Feneri called her back, and the filly came obediently. With a cry the eagle was lost in the wild swirl of sky. The cat was now a trusted member of their group, but Feneri wasn't at all sure about the bird yet. She nuzzled her daughter, tickling playfully at the filly's ribs. The swamp was indeed a very strange place. Predators that should have hunted her foals befriended them, where else in the world could that possibly happen? If there was another such place, Feneri wasn't at all sure that she would be visiting any time soon.

Aeron stood and wandered lazily over to his Jaguar. Unlike his sister, he was perfectly content to sunbathe with the cat instead of frolicking around as Feneri had expected him to. She often wondered if there was something wrong with him, but no matter how many times she gave him a thorough inspection, he passed with flying colors.
She grinned, watching the colt stretch like a cat before leaping without warning onto the jungle cat.
The jaguar gave a yowl of surprise, and then settled into a happy purr as Aeron curled up by his side. Feneri shook her head in wonder at the colt. For all of his laziness, he was quite agile when the need arose. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she watched him doze. It was becoming hard for her to find any of Ylrae inside of him, and it worried her, for she seemed to find bits and pieces of the prince in his every angle, the set of his shoulders, the cool shade of blue that he carried in his left eye... and his coloring, grulla pinto, same as the prince.

She looked away from her son, absently nuzzling Avan. She looked like Yrae, and Feneri could see bits and pieces of his personality resurfacing in his daughter. She would be enough to convince the tribe that the foals were Ylraes...wouldn't she?

"I guess we better start heading back," Aysoli said.

Feneri nodded and shook herself, calling Aeron off of the rock. Unlike with Avan, it took several calls to get him moving in the right direction. If his sister was destined to be a danger magnet, then he was pegged for hotheadedness. Sleepily he came to a stop next to Avan, his jaguar in toe.

"That brings another question, Feneri. I think it's likely that at least the jaguar and probably the bird will follow us back. What will the tribe say when we stroll into camp, you with twins, and have two powerful predators on our heels?"

Feneri grinned, "They'll probably freak." The smile slid off of her face like butter. This was more serious than that. How were they supposed to explain to the tribe why her foals had Familiars? She sighed and at last just shrugged. "All we can do is tell them the truth and hope that they believe us." They had enough to worry about without the eagle and swamp cat, but at least with them around the foals would arrive to the tribe alive and with all of their limbs still attached. The rest could be worried about and dealt with later.

She snorted and swished her tail, leading the way out of the heart of the swamp. They traveled in relative silence until they reached the edge of the ring of trees that protected the small paradise. She stopped, looking back out over the green field, and the lake that she had played in with Aysoli, unable to shake the feeling that they were leaving all certainty behind.
The bay mare came up beside her and they watched the eagle fly across the vista, her beautiful cry echoing across the land. Feneri sighed, "Back to reality."
She and Aysoli shared a sidelong glance, each feeling the effects of this place fading. Anything could happen now, and as they turned away from the heart of the swamp, Feneri couldn't help but think of Adam and Eve when they left the Garden of Eden. The only difference was, that she and Aysoli could one day return.

[/color]

[Shanza]

The jaguar led most of the way, with Aeronwy padding along behind him. Feneri was right behind her son, with her daughter on her tail. Aysoli was last, and constantly stopping the filly from wandering off to check out some new intriguing sight. Every so often the eagle would fly over them, worrying the mares but invariably Avan would wicker in greeting.

The day passed slowly, and with every step the knot in Aysoli stomach would tighten. As the effects of the swamp left her, she started to realize how used to the jaguar they had become. He was a hunter for crying out loud. They were his prey. So why was he protecting the foals? And why was the bird seeming to do the same thing? She shivered, fear and bewilderment running through her. What would the tribe say, what would they do? Would the foals be accepted as omens of fortune or of disaster? Worst-case scenarios running through her head, she watched the filly in front of her and wondered if any of them would live to see the coming week.

Aysoli suddenly felt the ground beneath her feet as true soil, and not a mud mixture. She glanced around in confusion, realizing as she did that they were on the swamp's edges. The mists were clearing out and the plant life was changing to the normal forest growth. She had been away for so long that it seemed foreign to her. "Feneri, soon as we get away from the border lands we should take the tunnels; they'll be quicker."

The foals were feeling spunky, or more like Avan had so much energy that she was annoying her brother to death, so they moved out at a quick trot. Avan tried to tackle her brother on the run, but he dodged sideways between trees and Avan ended up hitting them. She rolled to a stop, then scrambled to her hooves. The filly gave a quick shake then ran to catch up with her mother. She didn't try to tackle Aeron again.

When they arrived at the tunnel entrance, Feneri leapt down, and with some hesitating, the jaguar and Aeron followed. The filly didn't budge. She whinnied, and the bird glided to a stop in a nearby tree. Aysoli tried nudging the filly closer, but she took off and stopped under the bird's perch. "Uh, Feneri, unless you know how to deal with a tempertantrum, I suggest we go above ground. Avan doesn't want to leave her bird."

Feneri leapt back to the surface, and stared at the odd pair. "I guess we'd better. Less fuss and we'll get their sooner." The jaguar and the colt followed slowly, reluctant to leave the dark tunnels.

"It figures that one would like it and the other hate it," Aysoli grumbled after Feneri had finally convinced Aeron to come out. When the small traveling party set out again, Avan decided to taste every new plant she saw. Both her mother and Aysoli had a hard time convincing her to do otherwise. When she gave in to their demands, she trotted in the middle of the group head down and ears flattened, sulking. In this manner the tired, worn out group made it back to the tribe's home just before sunset.

The two mares stopped at the edge of the vast meadow, shrouded in shadows. "So I guess this is it then," Aysoli said nervously. They lingered for a while, and Aeron was the first to wander into the light. His sister bounded after him, and then Feneri and Aysoli followed. The jaguar padded his way into the clearing, eying the other unicorns, as the eagle swooped over head, landing in a lone tree near the foals. Slowly everything stopped, until everyone was just starring at them. Aysoli looked around at her tribe, and could imagine what they were thinking. "Not as nice a welcome home as I would have liked, but it beats getting gored." She wispered to Feneri.

[ϞSymreeϞ]

It was just before sunset when they reached the edge of the tribe's boundaries. To Feneri, it felt odd to be home so soon. All this time, had they truly just been a days journey away? She shook herself, not having to wonder why she was so nervous. How would they explain their absence? How could she tell the tribe that she had run to save herself from their own prince? She wondered for the hundredth time if she should have stayed. Either way she would have broken Ylrae's heart.

They hovered hesitantly in the shadows, and Feneri contemplated turning around. How could the tribe possibly understand? She couldn't explain why she'd left, she couldn't explain exactly who had sired her foals, she couldn't even explain why they were being followed by a swamp cat and a mountain eagle! How could she expect them to welcome her back with a warm reception? She and her foals would be lucky to not be chased off upon first sight.

"So I guess this is it then," Aysoli said nervously. Feneri nodded, but couldn't bring herself to move from the shadows. What would her sire say? What would the prince say? What would she say to the stallion who had sired her foals? They had left every drop of certainty back at the swamp.

Aeron wandered out into the light first, and She watched for a moment as his mousy gray coat caught the light. He seemed regal and positively dripped with feline grace. He looked every bit the princes son. Avan bounded out after him, near black form sliding into place next to him. Some of her curves mimicked Feneri's own, and they shared dark eyes, but every other part of her screamed Ylrae's name. Feneri couldn't think of a trait that she shared with her son.

She glanced at Aysoli and together they went after the foals, and the Jaguar and Eagle followed in toe, and overhead respectively. The unicorns standing in the clearing looked up at the sight of the predators, their eyes flashing as the eagle perched gracefully on a pine. Eyes roamed over her dark chestnut coat, and seem to prod the forms of her foals and Aysoli.

"Not as nice a welcome home as I would have liked, but it beats getting gored." She whispered to Feneri. The liver chestnut mare nodded, chuckling weakly at her friend's dry humor. She didn't know what to say, and glanced around the tribe, looking for a friendly face that wasn't full of shock or anger. She didn't see Ylrae among the grazing members of the tribe. Perhaps he was on watch?

The prince caught her eye, a slight smirk shining in his icy blue orbs meant only for her to see. His gaze softened slightly and lingered for a while on Aeron. He saw in the colt, exactly what she had, and smiled before looking off to the swamp cat.

The jaguar's inky black fur bristled, unused to being around so many unicorns, and he inched closer to Aeron, his stance protective. In a flash, the prince had closed the distance between himself and Feneri, and his hooves pounded the earth where the cat had been about to step. Aeron twisted agilely out of the way, his teeth barred and ears pinned. The cat's stance on the other side of the prince was identical to the colt's.

"What are you doing?" Feneri snapped without thinking. All eyes were trained on her and the prince, with the exception of a few, whom were eying the eagle perched on her tree.

The prince's eyes grew wide, with concern that was as false as the deed he sought to commit. "Feneri, these creatures steal foals, they are notorious killers, they cant be allowed to stay here! We must drive them off before they harm any of the other newborns!"

Her ears flicked back, but Aeron distracted her from speaking. "NO!" He shouted, headbutting the princes flank. "Cat stay!"

The prince tried to hide a flinch at the colt's bony forehead, but chuckled lightly instead, flicking his tail at Aeron, muttering something that sounded a lot like "little tyke". The prince whistled at a Pegasi in his guard, calling, "Get the eagle, I'll take care of the swamp cat."

Feneri watched in terror as the prince charged the Jaguar, and she gripped Aeron's mane just in time to stop him from pouncing the prince. In a heavy beat of wings, a Pegasus was airborne, and flying towards the eagle, teeth bared. "Wait!" Feneri shouted, as Aeron broke free of her grip. Avan surged out of Aysoli's tentative hold at the same moment, and the twins met, eyes locked on their guardians attackers in anger and fear. Aeron glanced pointedly at Avan, and Feneri knew, in a way that she couldn't explain, that her foals were more than capable of protecting their familiars. She knew that something would happen now, and that she would never reach them in time to stop it, but the question was, what exactly were they capable of doing?

[/color]

[Shanza]

The eagle screeched in warning as the Prince charged. She flared her wings, eying the others around the tribe. How can they be so stupid? Jyri and the colt twisted out of his way easily enough, but she was concerned. Didn't that unicorn know what he was doing? The foals' mother snapped at the intuding unicorn, and he talked back. She had never been one to understand the equine tongue, but now she wished she had taken the time to learn it from the Gray.

The colt leapt forward with a headbutt, and she smiled to herself. It would take a lot more than that to get that unicorn to back off. Thankfully, he and his sister had a lot more to give. As the pegasi left the ground at the stallion's command, she leapt into the air with a huge stroke of her wings. That unicorn was making a mistake if he thought that he could take out a swamp cat alone. Same with the pegasi. She eyed the equine form coming at her, and his wingspan was twice hers, but she had talons and was much more mobile.

Glancing down, she realized why the stallion knew he could take out the cat. He had power over the body, and she realized it was starting to affect her as well. Her wings beats slowed, and she found it harder and harder to change course. She screeched as the cat growled in warning, but neither of the normally terrifying sounds fazed their pursuers. The mountain eagle looked down at the sight below her as suddenly everything changed. The foals were standing next to each other, and an eerie light seemed to be emanating from them. The skies darkened, and the wind picked up. Plants came to life as the earth rocked like water. Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating dark storms clouds that weren't there just moments before. She felt the release of the stallion's magic as the stallion crumpled below her. He bellowed in pain, thrashing his head back and forth. One of the pegasi's wings snapped like a twig from some unseen force and he was hurtled earthward. Right before he struck, the pegasi slowed so he landed with a soft thump. The unicorn stallion who had started it all was on his knees, and groaning into the dirt.

Slowly, everything started to go back to normal. The lightning stopped flashing as the air took on it's previous lightness, but the clouds took longer to fade. The light that illuminated the area seemed to come from everywhere, but as the sunlight broke through the clouds, it started to disperse. The unicorn stallion lay groaning in the dirt while the pegasi struggled to stand, trying not to move his injured wing. The ground was torn up and turned over, trees were bent in half but not broken, and water plants that should only live near the stream were rooted in the far side of the clearing. A gentle breeze was blowing, and she used it to float softly down to one of the lone pines that were in the clearing. That was odd; before the closest pine trees were in the swamp plateaus. The colt shook himself and walked over to the panther. Avan squealed in happiness as she dashed over and around churned up piles of earth. The mares stood in shock, watching the foals enjoy the new environment they had created.

She watched as the stallion staggered to his feet, and after a moment's hesitation a mare and stallion quickly walked over to him. They looked like they were in charge as the mare looked over her son's injuries, while her mate doled out orders. Several unicorns and pegasi were sent in all directions, and she watched them until they vanished into the forest and the sky. The two leaders glanced several times at the foals and their mother before looking at her and the swamp cat. She stared at them, unblinking, until they looked away. Their son had used magic, therefore allowing and indeed incurring retribution with magic. That he had no idea what he was getting into was not an issue. He should have recognized the foals for who they were when he saw they had partners, lifebonded, none the less. The large mountain eagle started preening, content now that this group of equines the foals' mother had brought them to knew who was in charge.

[ϞSymreeϞ]

Feneri took a sharp breath as her foals started to glow. They seemed to be lighting up from the inside out, and she could feel , even from fifteen feet away, what stupendous power they were summoning. She had never experienced anything like what happened next.

The sky darkened, and clouds came out of nowhere to block the sun. The wind picked up and blew Feneri's forelock into her eyes. She shook it out, fear filling her heart as plants started to flourish.The earth rocked like water, a surreal feeling of grass brushed over her back and she lost her balance, floating on a water bed of normally hard earth and spring grass. It was like riding the gentle tide of the sea.

The peace didn't last long. Lightening flashed across an inky black sky, much darker than it had been mere moments before. Feneri cringed at the following boom of thunder. Soon after, she saw the prince collapse, bellowing in pain as he curled in on himself. Something inside of him seemed to break, and his painted grulla form thrashed on the earth that writhed beneath him.

She saw the Pegasus fall from the sky, and heard the snap of bone that she felt certain was his wing. He slowed just before the ground to land with a soft thump. Most eyes were on the prince, on his knees and groaning into the dirt. Feneri's heart raced, and she suddenly felt Ylrae's absence like an open wound. Where was he when she needed him?

Soon enough the ground stopped churning, the lightning stopped flashing and a light glow seemed to come from every corner of the landscape. It faded as the sun peeked out from it's shelter of clouds. She felt the warmth touch her face and back, and shivered, trying not to think about what her foals had just done.

The clearing was turned upside down it seemed, clumps of earth rose in small hills to the sky, trees were bent at odd angles, but still mercifully in tact. A few days old and her foals had that kind of control over their powers? The whole thing felt like a dream, both terrible and wonderful. Plants that reminded her of the swamp grew impossibly at the far side of the clearing, and a few pines grew in tall lines from the churned earth. She watched the Pegasus rise to his hooves, nursing his brutally broken wing.

Her legs shook as she watched Aeron walk over to the jaguar, rubbing his neck, cat like on his familiar's shoulder. His sister ran joyously among the fresh hills that they had created. This was a game that even Aeron couldn't resist for long, and soon he joined her, launching himself off of mounds of soil, balancing on thick branches of the trees that had been bent and toppled. Feneri stood frozen in place, sharing a look of unfiltered shock with Aysoli. Perhaps it had been a good thing for Ylrae to miss...at least he wouldn't think his foals were sorcerers right off the bat.

The prince staggered to his hooves, arousing the attention of the confused and excited faces of the tribe members. A moment passed, and Feneri watched the king and his queen attend to their son, or rather, the queen attended while her mate barked out orders to the unlucky bystanders. Unicorns and Pegasi scurried out of the vicinity.

Once the clearing stood nearly empty, the royal's eyes settled on Feneri and her curious twins. She shifted uncomfortably, having once been on their good side, she now stood with a lifted head and heavy heart. They would not allow this sort of thing to happen again, but how could they control it? The pair let their eyes wander over the jungle cat, and up to the eagle, silent on her perch.

The King's gaze met Feneri's, a kind smile softening the hard expression in his eyes. "I think," He said quietly, " That you had better tell us what you two have been up to for the past three months."

Feneri dipped her head respectfully and told them of the journey, how they had stayed in the swamp until her foals were born, and of the mysterious appearance of Jyri, and later on, the eagle.

The king and queen listened attentively, never once stopping her to ask a question or clarify something they hadn't been sure about. When she had finished, they exchanged a knowing glance and the queen took a deep breath, glancing over at the still frolicking foals.

"You have brought two very special lives into this world, Feneri. They are precious gifts to our tribe. Their power is great, far greater than we have seen in over a century." She smiled, touching her muzzle to Feneri's Aaiswika. "We knew that you would do great things."

The liver chestnut mare suppressed a shiver, feeling that there was more behind the queens words than praise. A compliment always sandwiched bad news. "But?" She whispered, fearing the answer.

The king smiled sadly, "Feneri due to your actions, we're not sure that you can be trusted to raise so much power on your own. Even with Ylrae's help, the burden would be great. You will keep the foals until they are weaned, and then my mate and I shall take over their care. I'm sorry, my dear, but the Unkicia are too precious to leave to chance. You know their rarity, and never have there been two alive at once. In trade for your cooperation, we will overlook your abandonment, Feneri...it will be as though you never left."

Through his tender smile, her heart shattered.

[/color]

[Shanza]

As the world returned to normal Aysoli stood frozen. How could those foals possess that much power? Even though the knowledge was staggering, she knew without question the foals were the source of the magick. It all made sense now; the actions of the swamp cat and the eagle, well, most of their actions made sense at least; how the other swamp animals would just stare when Feneri had gone past; even the earthquake that had partially collapsed the tunnels. It was all a result of the foals magick. She was berating herself for not seeing it sooner and at the same time wondering how she could have connected the dots. Maybe it was the swamp, keeping them content and therefore not seeking answers; or maybe it would have taken in any case a display of power like the one just given for the truth to come out.

Aysoli shook her head in wonder and startlement as the foals scampered of to play in the newly sculpted world. The prince and the pegasi stood, both badly shaken from their encounter with the foals. The bay mare found herself wishing that the prince would be mentally crippled for life. The tribe, and Feneri, would be better of without him.

The royal pair walked over, and Aysoli felt ready to bolt. She had never been on great terms with anyone in power, and was rather uncomfortable to be close to the leaders of the tribe that had helped to make her life a living hell. She looked away, instead focusing on the painted foals scampering around the clearing. Aysoli knew she was of little importance to them and would have left except she had to support Feneri. As the King and Queen questioned her about what had happened in the previous three months, Aysoli worried what this new development could bring. Strong magick was valued highly by the tribe, enough so that some foals would be raised by the elders or the royal family to ensure a proper upbringing.

The queen started speaking, and Aysoli listened closely, still looking away. "You have brought two very special lives into this world, Feneri. They are precious gifts to our tribe. Their power is great, far greater than we have seen in over a century. We knew that you would do great things." The bay mare looked over at the royals, not being able to stand the tension much longer.

"But?" Feneri whispered, her fear apparent on her face.

"Feneri due to your actions, we're not sure that you can be trusted to raise so much power on your own. Even with Ylrae's help, the burden would be great. You will keep the foals until they are weaned, and then my mate and I shall take over their care. I'm sorry, my dear, but the Unkicia are too precious to leave to chance. You know their rarity, and never have there been two alive at once. In trade for your cooperation, we will overlook your abandonment, Feneri...it will be as though you never left."

When the King spoke, Aysoli felt like her heart stopped. How could they do this? Feneri risked everything for her foals, she didn't deserve to lose them now! As the pair turned to walk away, she stepped forward, stunned at her own bravery. "Sir? Ma'am?" They stopped and looked back, likely as surprised as she was that she spoke up. "I know Unkicia foals are rare; so rare, in fact, that they could change the course of history." She took a deep breath, and continued slowly, trying to form the words into a cohesive argument before she said them. "Feneri and I both know this, and both of us have been taught the value of magick. I'm asking, begging you, not to reconsider, but to postpone your decision for the moment. It's a shock to all of us that the foals are so strong, and it would be a shame to rush a decision without all the facts." For the first time in her life she held the attention of the two most powerful members of her tribe, and she wasn't going to ruin it by fumbling what she was saying. She had to get her message across, for Feneri's sake. "We were well within our rights to leave the main herd boundaries, and we didn't leave the tribe's territory either. It was my idea to go, as there were certain elements in the tribe threatening both Feneri and her foals' well being. In order to protect her unborn offspring, Feneri trusted me and I led her to a safe haven. I assure you that it was as safe as could be, safer than here even, where Jyvn raids have been known to reach. At all times Feneri acted selflessly, even refusing mates because she wanted the foals' true father to be present in their lives. As you well know, her parents disagreed with her decision and her back bears the burden of it. As for her aggressors I can not name them in good conscience, but be aware that with the foals' birth they will no longer be a problem. I also will not divulge the location of the safe haven, as it has many painful memories for me of the times following my parents' deaths. I beg you not to push me to reveal it, as I do not wish to go down that road." She finished, not quite believing that she had stated her mind and possibly insulted them by not giving over information.

[ϞSymreeϞ]

"Sir? Ma'am?" The king, and queen, and Feneri looked back at Aysoli in surprise. What was she up to? She never stood up to others like this, and certainly not to the king and queen! As much as Feneri feared that her friend would make things worse, a warm feeling filled her heart as she realized what Aysoli was risking for her benefit.

"I know Unkicia foals are rare; so rare, in fact, that they could change the course of history." She paused, and Feneri tried to urge her on through glossy cinnamon eyes. Aysoli was trying to help, she couldn't stop now. "Feneri and I both know this, and both of us have been taught the value of magick. I'm asking, begging you, not to reconsider, but to postpone your decision for the moment. It's a shock to all of us that the foals are so strong, and it would be a shame to rush a decision without all the facts."

Feneri found herself hanging on to the thread of hope that Aysoli had woven, and eyed the king and queen anxiously. Would they listen? Would they consider her words?

"We were well within our rights to leave the main herd boundaries, and we didn't leave the tribe's territory either. It was my idea to go, as there were certain elements in the tribe threatening both Feneri and her foals' well being. In order to protect her unborn offspring, Feneri trusted me and I led her to a safe haven. I assure you that it was as safe as could be, safer than here even, where Jyvn raids have been known to reach. At all times Feneri acted selflessly, even refusing mates because she wanted the foals' true father to be present in their lives. As you well know, her parents disagreed with her decision and her back bears the burden of it. As for her aggressors I can not name them in good conscience, but be aware that with the foals' birth they will no longer be a problem. I also will not divulge the location of the safe haven, as it has many painful memories for me of the times following my parents' deaths. I beg you not to push me to reveal it, as I do not wish to go down that road."

At the mention of the prince, Feneri found herself glancing at him, hating that she had no proof of his blackmail, and hating that he would never be punished for what he had done. She could name any other stallion, and there was a chance that she would be believed. How infuriating! She sent a grateful glance at Aysoli, and wondered if it would be enough.

The king and queen exchanged a glance, and the latter took a step forward, eying Aysoli with open respect and surprise, "You speak with wisdom beyond your years my dear, and in any other case, we would take your advice, but with the Unkicia, it has always been done this way. Ever since my mate was young, he had always heard tell of how the king and his queen were gifted the honor to raise the Unkicia, along with the elders of the tribe. With great power comes great responsibility, my dear," She continued, now addressing Feneri, "No one could handle it alone."

"But I'll have Ylrae, he'll be a fabulous father, I know-"

The queen shook her head softly, "I'm sorry, Feneri, that's our final word."

[Shanza]

"I'm sorry. I tried," Aysoli murmured as the royals walked away, taking the last hope from the mare's being. What could they do now? She stared after the pair, hoping, praying that they would turn around. They met with several of the elders that had arrived, and Aysoli finally turned back to her friend. "I'm so sorry."

"I have to find Ylrae."

Aysoli jerked at her friends tone. It was flat and lifeless, and yet a the same time desperate. For some reason she suddenly had the feeling that was a very bad idea. Feneri started walking towards the forest, calling her foals after her, and the tall bay mare sprung after her friend. Avan came quickly, but her brother took a little more convincing in the form of a whinny from his sister. Their protectors slid after the foals with the ease of skilled predators. Aysoli noticed many fearful looks cast upon the cat and the eagle, all clearly worried about the foals. Finally catching up to her friend, she stopped in front of her. "Feneri, listen to me. Can't this wait? Can't he come to you? I know you're dying to see him, but let him come to you. Please," she pleaded as Feneri pushed past her. "Feneri, wait! Please, calm down first at least! You're not in your right mind right now!" Aysoli didn't know why she had to stop this meeting, just that she did. Her voice was low, not quite controlled, and she had more than a little bit of desperation in it.

Feneri glared at her, and Aysoli was taking aback at the vehemence in it. "I'm fine," she spat.

Aysoli stood slightly stunned as her friend brushed by her. The jaguar passed, and she came out of her shock, spinning to trot after Feneri. "Listen, I just have a very, very, very bad feeling about this, ok? I don't know why, I don't even know how. I just know." She hoped she wasn't picking up vibes from the foals; that would just be weird. "Please, Feneri, let him come to you. I'm begging you."

[ϞSymreeϞ]

(switching to first person, don't be alarmed!)

I felt as though a hand of stone had gripped it's solid fingers around my heart, and now it seemed to squeeze, as hard as it could. I felt like I fought for every breath, struggling to receive it's nourishment. My foals were being taken away. A few short months, and they would have a new dam, and a new sire. When they were grown, what would I be to them? Some stranger in their distant past? No. I couldn't bear that. I was strong, I was hardy, but would that really be enough to make this all be OK in the end?

I tried to tell myself that this was what was best for the tribe. I tried to tell myself that I was being brave, sacrificing my claim on my own foals, but it didn't feel like bravery. It felt like cowardice. But did I really have a choice? I couldn't leave. I couldn't go back to the swamp and hide from the rest of the world. That was a treason to my soul that I refused to commit again. No. No matter what happened next, I would stay. I would hold my head high, not allowing a single tear to fall. When I spoke next, it was with a flat determination. "I have to find Ylrae."

I walked towards the forest, calling to Aeron and Avan. As usual, the filly came without much coaxing, but had to call after her brother to get him moving. I tried not to dwell too long on how much I would miss them.
Aysoli sprung after me, her expression tense and worried. She caught up, and her body swung in front of mine. "Feneri, listen to me. Can't this wait? Can't he come to you? I know you're dying to see him, but let him come to you. Please," I frowned, hating that she was trying to keep me away from him. Couldn't she understand that he was all that I would have left? I shoved past her.

"Feneri, wait! Please, calm down first at least! You're not in your right mind right now!"

Not in my right mind? Exactly. That was exactly why I needed to see Ylrae. He always made me feel better. He always knew what to say. "I'm fine!" I snapped, continuing on past her.

She stood looking rather stunned until the jaguar passed by her, and she sprung into a trot after me. "Listen, I just have a very, very, very bad feeling about this, ok? I don't know why, I don't even know how. I just know." I didn't even stop to glance back at her. I needed to see my mate. Why couldn't she understand that? Just because she didn't understand what love was yet...

"Please, Feneri, let him come to you. I'm begging you."

"Aysoli, You're my best friend, and I trust you, but I need to see Ylrae. Now."

I tore my gaze away from the bay mare, and continued on, whistling for Aeron's attention as he tried to stray away. I only had a few months with them, and I was determined to make the best of that time. They weren't going to just vanish from my life, never knowing their sire. They needed to understand where they came from.

I moved quickly towards Ylrae's favorite haunts, the places he had walked with me, the main stations for the look outs. I finally found him in a copse of trees, where he and his family often talked and slept. I caught sight of his burnt copper coat, splashed with larger splotches of white. His silver mane and tail caught the dapples light that shone through the canopy, and I sighed, smiling to myself. I had almost forgotten how beautiful he was.

As I came closer, I caught sight of a second form in the trees. From the scent, I could tell that it was a mare that held the company of my mate. Her coat was gleaming chestnut, but ribcano upon closer inspection, a slight roaning on her belly. Her laugh reminded me of a bubbling brook, or water running over pebbles in a stream. This mare was completely unfamiliar to me. My curiosity peaked, and I moved closer yet to Ylrae and the stranger.

Upon closer inspection, the mare was stunningly beautiful, the kind that made me feel like a ghastly creature of the mud in comparison. She was long and leggy, built much like Aysoli, but with a coat that was bright and glossy. A white blaze ran the length of her face, and a stocking sat beautifully on her left hind leg. Her mane and tail were rich and thick, like the canopy above her head in autumn. A long sculpted horn jutted smoothly from her brow, mainly white, but swirled with the same hues of her mane.

I watched Ylrae then, and realized how similar they were. Both looked like immortals, too beautiful, and too divine to walk here on earth. What a pair they would make if Ylrae didn't belong to me. The stallion closed the small gap between them, and he let his muzzle linger at her throat, and then flowing down, following the graceful curves of her neck, her shoulder, the swell of muscle on her chest.
The ribcano mare lifted her head, letting his muzzle explore every corner of her body. Neither one had noticed my presence yet, but I had seen enough. When I spoke, my voice was flat and lifeless, "Ylrae." It was not a question, but a statement. I could barely bring myself to look at him, hating him for what he had done, and hating the nameless mare that he now courted openly.
I eyed the smoky black line of Ylrae's Chesire tattoo, and finally met his eyes as he looked at me. "Feneri," He said quietly, "You came back." He rushed towards me, wrapping me in a heavy embrace between his neck and chest. His muzzle left a lingering kiss on my cheek. The same muzzle that had just wandered the lines of his new mare. Angrily I shoved him away, glancing at the chestnut roan mare.
"Who is she?" I asked, indicating to the mare. My voice was still flat, not wanting to hear the answer.

Ylrae took a step back, smiling, "Feneri, this is my chosen, her name is Alvi."

Whatever was left of my heart shattered in that moment. "What the hell?" I asked him softly. I couldn't take this. I couldn't give up my foals and still brave this betrayal. "Why did you do this to me!?" I shouted, bearing my horn at his exposed throat.
His smile faded, and he batted my horn away from his throat. "Calm down, Feneri," he ordered, "I didn't do anything to you. You've done all of this to yourself. You left me, remember? Without a word. I thought you'd been captured, taken by the Jyvn, along with your friend. I was going to make us official that night. I was going to make you my own forever, but instead you chose to run off. Who was it that you chose to replace me? I heard a rumor that it was the prince, he snuck off from here often enough. I thought that he was just looking for you, but apparently it was more than that."

I slapped the flat of my horn across his face, about to tell him that I would never betray him like that. I never got the chance. In a flash, he turned his rump towards me, and with both hooves, kicked. In the force of his kick, I fell to the ground, ribs aching. He leaned over me, one hoof pressing against my throat, and teeth bared, " I don't owe you anything," he spat.

I fought for breath, but in a moment, The ribcano mare had pulled him off of me, and whispered something in his ear, gesturing into the forest. I glanced behind me, and there stood Aeron, teeth barred, and grulla coat shimmering in the dappled light. Avan stood not too far behind him. "Your foals," I spat, standing, "Twins, and Unkicia. I have them only until their weaned. Then they become property of the King and his queen. In case you're wondering, we are over, but you are still their sire. You have every right to know them."

[Shanza]

Aysoli sucked in her breath when she saw the beautiful mare with Ylrae. She had followed the foals up, but had little attention for their antics. Areon stopped at the clearing's edge, and his sister stopped next to him. She glanced sideways, then inched closer. Staring directly ahead, Avan took another half step closer, then stood stock-still. Quickly she shoved him sideways and took off with a squeal, vanishing temporarily back into the forest.

Aysoli heard the foals' bickering, but her attention was taken by Feneri and Ylrae's 'discussion.' As the arguement turned heated, he swatted her away as if she meant nothing. The bay mare trumpeted as he kicked her friend, and then the foals caught her attention as they caught his mate's. The two were standing in the forest edge, Aeron dappled with light and Avan coated with darkness. They stood less than a length apart, but Aysoli suddenly realized how similar and different the foals were. The shadows and lights helped to emphasize how much of polar opposites they really were, yet their anger was something both shared and fierce.

Ylrae's eyes widened as his 'chosen' directed his attention to them, and it was obvious that he could tell they were different. Anyone could tell that when the foals were angry, for then their magick, uncontrolled and terrible, shifted through the air about them. He glanced at Feneri as she stood, speaking of the twins.

"Your foals, twins, and Unkicia. I have them only until their weaned. Then they become property of the King and his queen. In case you're wondering, we are over, but you are still their sire. You have every right to know them." Her voice was angry and insulted, but Aysoli couldn't believe what she heard.

"What?!" Aysoli nearly shouted. "Well, if it's his right to know them then it's my right as unofficial aunt to make sure they know the reality of situations." Feneri looked at her, and she continued stubbornly, "Well, do you think he'll be fair in his portrayal of others?"

"Come on Feneri, lets go somewhere else. Then you can explain to me the crazy reasoning behind your decision." She paused, gazing into the forest. Suddenly she glanced back at her friend, "You've always liked my crazy uncle Ridgero, right? Well, your foals should have a chance to meet their favorite aunt's favorite uncle before they go to the royals."

"Favorite aunt?" Ylrae looked more startled than anything, and his sneer came out mostly as surprise.

"Yeah, since I'm their only aunt, I have to be their favorite. We going, Feneri?"