The Lost Son

[lemuria]

Taro nodded, he was definitely willing to lead, even if the larger stallion was an experienced fighters, demons where never your average opponent...

He followed Vester into the depths of the cave, he lifted his head at the echo of their hooves and smiled slightly, he found it amusing... it reminded him of that time when he had sneaked into the shogun's stables to see his mate, they where so large his hoofs would echo... she had been kept on a stall far from other horses, he had escaped his own stable just to see her again before battle.
He shook his head, it was no time to think about the past.

"I'd like to thank you for all your help" he bowed his head, it was a tradition he had grown up with "I am a step closer to finding my son" he looked back to the entrance of the cave, light was still coming from it but it would be easy to see when darkness approached, foxfire should be easy to see from that height.
"now we wait"

[paperboat]

Vester's ears twitched at the sudden voice, and he turned around to look upon the smaller horse. He nodded courteously at Taro's thanks and looke dout past him and out of the cave. "We should be able to see everything that goes on down there up here", he said. "I hope that we will catch sight of your son." He moved to the darker parts of the cave and sunk to his knees with a grunt, rocking in a curious fashion to lay down on the hard rock floor, polished with the amount of times he'd pawed and walked around within it. "And now we wait", he agreed, resting his head on a hoof thoughtfully as he gazed at the pony. He wasn't used to company, it was true, but he was finding it wasn't quite as bad as it had been before. Then again, this was a warrior like him; they complimented each other well.

[lemuria]

"I hope not..." the old gelding shook his head "If he is brought here it would be to die" his heart skipped a beat at this though "it's possible they are keeping him prisoner somewhere, you see... they like to tease men, so they steal what they love the most, from those small pieces of metal they trade for food, to members of their own families..." A mental image of his son, torn apart and rotting among the thorns flashed trough his mind, he shook his head, snorted and turned around a bit... shaking away the though "Our master is an old man, strong heart but weak body... he lives alone on a farm with only us and some cats as company, he saved our lives so we help him live his, without us I don't think he may be able to work... but it's more than that, it's as if he lost a son, too, demons enjoy watching his distress"


Taro lowered his head and rested one of his legs, his head turned towards the cave entrance with one ear pointing towards the tall stallion, he chose to remain quiet, he had spoken too much already.
Controlling his respiration... his heartbeat slowed down, it was a technique he has mastered many years ago... it allowed him to focus on battle without letting emotion get in the way... once his pulse was in check he rested a different leg.

The cool, dark environment of the cave soothed his tired body and the sound of the wind helped ease his mind, the grey warrior had chosen his dwelling wisely... specially if the wind followed him.

[paperboat]

Vester watched the older horse with interest. For once, there was someone who had piqued his curiosity, and it was a very rare occurence indeed. He looked out of the mouth of the cave silently and listened to Taro's words absently. "Having a family is a weakness in itself", he said simply, more as a statement of fact rather than an incitement of insult. "I haven't seen my own for many, many years. I'm sure they have forgotten me by now." He flicked his tail against his flank and it flopped lifelessly to the cave floor like a dead snake. He lowered his head and nuzzled the ground, picking up his old scent. It had been a long time since he had thought back to such an old period in his life, and it wasn't an altogether pleasent experience. His blue eyes focused onto Taro and he said in a deep, almost regretful tone, "demons are difficult foes to vanquish, but I shall help you as much as I am able. Your son has a faithful and loyal father to look out for him. I envy him." He offered him a small smile, one that was rare and cherished for many, before he lay flat out and let his head rest on the floor of the cave, the wind still curling about him as he slowly began to succumb to sleep.

((OOC: We can skip it to a later time if you want, seeing as lazy bones has fallen asleep xD))

[lemuria]

((OK ))

Taro though about Vester's words in silence, true it was a weakness in itself, but he regretted nothing. He had been raised to serve in battle, there was a time where he though the only thing that mattered was obedience and loyalty... then he met Hanako and she had shown him otherwise, it was only after knowing her that he began to understand what living truly meant, and even tough he had sworn to serve, he began to carve life... wishing to live another day to stay with her...
She was gone now, taken from him by war, but part of her lived in his son, his first and last son, knowing loss and hardships definitely made you value what you had more... no creature, be it demon, predator or horse could take something so precious from him.

He rested one of his legs and lowered his head to rest for a while, controlling his breath one again, regaining the quiet trance before battle.

*********
It was already dark when Taro's neigh broke the silence "It is time" he trotted towards the cave entrance and looked to the sea of darkness below him, his ears perked and his head held high.

A faint, blue glow could be distinguished among the darkness... balls of light, like fireflies, but bigger flickered between the vegetation... quivering like fire and moving silently in the air like phantoms "Foxfire"
He turned to look at Vester and nodded, then began climbing down as silently as he could.

[paperboat]

Vester was roused by the other horse's neigh rather easily; he never slept very well these days, and the dreams that plagued him were enough to keep anyone awake for a lifetime. He rose to his feet with a small grunt and swayed slightly as he got his balance. Once he was sure he was awake enough, he walked over to Taro's side and looked down the incline. Sure enough, there was the foxfire Taro had described. He felt his blood begin to boil with the sheer excitement of it all, and he looked to the smaller horse. He nodded at his words silently, and followed the pony on the careful toil downhill. It was slightly easier going downhill than up, he knew, and his instinct told him where to put and place his hooves to prevent himself from falling to an untimely end. He kept his ears back, though he still listened, and tried to keep the wind around him to an absolute minimum.

[phantomfilly]

If you dont mind id like to jump into this(:
Name: Amaya
Age: 6 mos.
Gender: Filly
Height: 12.3hh ((she will be much taller when she is done growing.))
Breed: Appendix
Coat Colour: Mullberry Grey
Eyes: Deep purple
Markings: Grey/White coat with a cherry mane and coat, acompanied by a dorsal stripe and fading cherry colour on her legs. ((picture soon to come))
About: She was a small long legged little filly with large almond shaped eyes with a peculiar mutated gene that caused them to appear purpal tinted in colour. She was always curious, outgoing and playfull as a filly, that was until she wandered off and was unable to find home again. Amaya was her mothers only foal, and she had not known who her sire was, nor did her mother ever speak of him. After she became lost, she faced many a trial with predators hunting her, and cruel men trying to capture her. Her once vibrantly white coat has become dull and her mane, forelock and tail matted and unruly tangled with twigs and burrs. Over time her inocent playfull foal personality has deterioted into a shy and highly skittish one, who is distrustful of everyone that comes near her, despite her young age she has grown quite intelligent over few months and to some would seem a mare of many years, in looks as well as smarts. However somewhere under all that there was still a beautiful young filly yearing for some closer, to feel safe from dangers. Upon the fillys withers, two large bumps were forming, they ached so she figured she may have hurt herself awhile back and was healing now.

She walk wearily down a beaten path, off in the distance she saw a large cliff face, she paused holding her gaze upon it. /Hmmm, there must be a place there i could rest for awhile./ she thought to herself, The filly then glanced over noticing the sun starting to set. /Perhaps i should hasten my pace if i want to reach there before nightfall/. Picking up into a steady jog, she made her way down the path, unaware of the drama soon to unfold near by.

The sun was just begining to dip down below the horizon line as she reached the mountains side. Looking around she took notice to a short outcropping of rock that was suitabled for the night as it would shelter her, should it rain tonight. Walking over, she gently lay herself down on the cool rock, tucking her front legs under her. Her tail flicked consistently over her flanks as flies landed on them. /There sure were alot of flies around here/ Amaya thought slightly annoyed. A cool breeze drifted around her, making her shudder. Something about that wind was stranged and unnatural. Just then she thought she heard the sound of quiet hoofbeats on the rocks above her, but as it grew silent again, she dismissed it as her own paranoia. She snorted slightly, then lay her head down gently on the ground, closing her eyes to rest.

[lemuria]

((woah! bad timing! xD but we can work with that I hope you don't mind shape shifting demon foxes! mwahaha!))

The old gelding continued his steady descent, darkness made it a bit more difficult but he had not slipped yet, he could hear the gray warrior behind him.

His steel eyes focused on the foxfire, he was almost at the bottom when he found no ground below his feet! hoofs flailed in a second of panic and sent their owner tumbling downhill, the roan gelding landed on his side, lifting a cloud of dust around him.
he gave an angry snort and cursed, just as he lifted his head he noticed a silver flash between the stones.
His ears perked, Taro quickly jumped to his feet and approached the creature, sniffing at it...

Another pony? no, she smelled young, a filly?
he neighed at the larger stallion "Wait! someone is here!" he turned to look at the sleeping form before him, keeping his guard up, it might be a trick from the demons...

[phantomfilly]

((yeah sorry hahah but i read then entire thing lol))
Her ears twiched and she suddenly snorted as the dust from the roan pony's fall reached her nose. Slowly, Amaya opened her eyes, a few sconds pass before she got a grip on reality. Suddenly she jumped to her hooves and reared up, backing into the wall, then falling back down on all fours, backing into the corner. The small filly whinied frantically tossing her head, her red locks falling over her eyes. She was backed against the stone wall but still kept fighting to get away. "Please..." she cried, her voice was so small and meek that it would have shocked anyone who heard as it definately did not match the mess of a horse from whence it came.

[paperboat]

Vester jolted up in alarm as he saw the older horse take a fall, and he immediately lunged forwards, his powerful hind legs launching themselves forwards and making him leap from the last stretch of slope and land in the dusty flat ground. Shaking his mane, he walked over to the smaller horse, one ear back. "You alright?" he rumbled, and nudged Taro gently- almost too gently for a warrior.

When Taro got to his feet and seemed to shrug off the concern Vester resumed his stoic attitude, though his interest was perked as he watched Taro approach a clearly sleeping young animal. He neared the creature, and when the scent of a filly reached his nostrils he jerked his head back and snorted with surprise. "Well, this is a day", he said, more to himself than to the pony, "I spend years of solitute in this territory and now I find myself with several."

He looked down at the filly critically. She looked a little gangly and weak, but that was to be expected from a mere youngster. Her colour was intriguing; he hadn't seen such a colour before, not from where he originated from at any rate. His family were all comprised of duns and grullos and roans, none owning a dash of bright colour to their name. He leaned closer and sniffed again. She was from far away from here, he could tell.

When she awoke and went on the defensive, he too reared up, forelegs thrashing against the sky in his surprise. He was usually very difficult to shock, but he assumed this was also due to an underlying territorial feeling. He tilted his head at her panic and walked forwards, his large frame making it tricky for her to run around him, and his eyes narrowed. "There's no need for any of that", he said coldly, though his tone of voice didn't sound very convincing. "We will not harm you, if you are not a demon." He let out a low, vibrating whicker that made the eart around his hooves tremble ever so slightly.

[lemuria]

Taro watched the newcomer with a combination of curiosity and caution, he watched her stance carefully.She didn't seem dangerous but you could never tell...

He lowered his head and walked forward to stand beside Vester "What is your name, young one? mine is Taro" his tone was firm and gentle, it was a test... legends said demons could not say their own name.

[phantomfilly]

When Vester reared up before her, she shut her eyes tight and her hind legs slipped sending her to the ground. She regained her footing and searched frantically for a way out.
Amaya realized there was no way around them, and she hung her head low in submission, she was still scared. Her fiery red mane covering most of her face, she replied "my name is Amaya...." never looking up at them.

"thats funny.." she thought, of all the places ive been, this seemed by far, the least equine inhabitable of all...but this is the most horses she had seen since she left home. Home, the thought of it sent a tear down her cheek, leaving a trail behind on her soot covered coat. She could see it so clearly, like it was yesterday that she had left. The longing she felt made her heart ache, she just wanted to go back, to run and buck and play with the other foals, to curl up at night by the warmth of her mothers side, to know that from the time she closed her eyes to the time she opened them, everything was gonna be alright, that her mother would protect her. Amaya shook her head clearing the memory away and moving her mane away, exposing deep purple eyes, yet she still refused to meet the two equines stare.

[lemuria]

Taro's stance relaxed at once when he saw her cry, even if her eyes looked mysterious, demons definitely shed no tears.
But how did she get here all by herself? and why was she alone? those questions would have to wait.
His mind went back ten years... to the time where he had raised his son alone, his master provided food and shelter but the responsibility of making him feel safe was his.

Taro glanced at Vester and said in a quiet tone "This is no trick, demons shed no tears"
he had never dealt with fillys this young, he could handle colts well enough but she was so different, he had to try, he backed off a little bit, allowing the young stranger some space, he kept his head low, but one of his ears pointed at the foxfire.
"That's a nice name" his tone was much gentler this time "Listen, Amaya, I know you are scared, but you need to be very brave right now, it is dangerous here, you need to hide for a little while, then..." He stopped talking suddenly and perked his ears, something had changed...
The foxfire was gone.

[phantomfilly]

Amaya looked up for a moment at the pony, he was barely taller than she, but clearly much older. His body posture had changed into one that was softer, less aggresive and deffensive. She could definately tell that although right now they were focusing on her, that she was most definately not the only thing on their minds, they seemed anxious and distracted, but it didnt seem to be over her.

/demons.?/ she heard the pony utter, /i wonder what he means by that../ she thought.

The pony then spoke to her again and this time she looked up to meet his gaze, her sad eyes meeting his gentle but worried stare, lifting her ears slightly "thankyou..." Amaya replied although it was barely audible.

As Taro began to speak more urgently she raised her head further, more attentively, as something serious seemed to be going on. "Hey whyd you stop.?...and whats going on, whys it dangerous.?" the filly asked, seeing that something had changed and he seemed very distracted. It worried her greatly but she tried to keep herself calm and controlled as now was not the time to panic.

[paperboat]

Vester listened to the exchange between pony and filly silently and coldly, his eyes flicking back and forth between the speakers as one would during a sparring match. He had been on his own for too long now; he wasn't accustomed to seeing mares or youngstock around, and certainly not with such unique and exotic colouring. His nostrils flared and with a grunt he backed off, his scar-flecked body rippling with tension. He then looked back to the filly and sized her up, before saying in his deep rumbling tones, "My name is Vester, Amaya, and I own this territory. Well, ownership is a funny thing if there is no one fighting for it." He peered at her. "Where did you come from? We don't see fillies like you around here." He was going to add on that they didn't see any fillies around here at all, but decided her couldn't spare the time.

He noted that Taro was distracted, and flicked his ears backwards. "Are they close?" he said simply to the pony, lowering his head to the other's level and looking first at Taro, then the surroundings, then the filly. He snorted disdainfully. "She'll get herself killed", he said offhandedly, tossing his head and backing up, his tail curling around his back legs like a cat's. "Demons don't discriminate on age or gender, for that matter."