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Originally Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005

It was twilight on the mountainside and Zhuri had finally fell asleep. He was very protective of his son, which made him a good father, but a boring one. Xandir had been wanting to explore for days now, but his father never let him out of his sight.

But sheer exhaustion finally won out, and Xandir had to pretend to sleep for a good half hour before Zhuri finally layed down under the thick tree trunk and got some sleep for himself. As soon as Xandir was certain he was asleep, he snuck off as quietly as he could.

He made it way up the large, slow sloping mountainside a bit, looking for the trees that produced the really good apples. So most Soquili, that wouldn't be very exciting. But to this newly emerged foal, it was an adventure!

Balrog had, thus far, been able to keep himself entertained most days. He had still yet to encounter another Wind Soquili, but his hopes had yet to be dashed. He had seen plenty of herds and single soquili along the grasslands far below them... but Balrog had never bothered to stop to land to converse with them. It would be a waste of time - that was certain.

He had, however, been familiarizing himself with this area, and the more he thought about it, the more he was satisfied in his choice to claim this area as his home.

There was plenty of food, a good range, and the only predators he had noticed that held any threat were cougars... and one young hotheaded cub he had encountered actually kept up with his banter - enough for Balrog to return a few times. It was an odd friendship of sorts - based more on arguments than anything, but it was building to a mutual respect.

Today, however, Balrog's mind drifted back to Stormwild (though he would bite you if you suggested anything of THAT nature) and he skimmed the skies, looking for her.

Unfortunately, he had yet to spot the black and silver mare. But... something else caught his eye as he soared. A young foal, grey and black, with some... pink... and most importantly with wings. Balrog spirialed down to see who this young filly might be.

Balrog landed with an impressive quietness despite his bulk and tossed his long mane. The runes seemed to burn in his pelt as he trotted over to the young wind soquili.

He nearly missed a step, however, and barely managed to save himself from making an idiot of himself when trying to make an impressive entrance when he noticed quickly that this foal was not a filly, despite its soft pink hair.

One of his ears flicked back in indignation, but he left no other sign of his disgruntledness. The only other wind soquili, and it had to be male. He wanted a harem of mares, dammit!

But, nonetheless, it was a foal, and if he made a good enough impression, he could still make a fine herdmate.

"Greetings" He boomed, tail swishing. "I am Balrog. And who might you be?" He demanded, spreading his wings - but not in a threatening manner.

Well, despite the pink, there might be hope for the young colt. He at least knew how to respect his elders.

"Xandir.." Balrog rolled the name out in his barratone consideringly. "I have not seen you in these parts before. Our kind is a rare one, and it lifts my spirits to meet you." He declared.

He eyed the black and grey. "I don't suppose you are familiar with a Wind Soquili mare by the name of Stormwild, are you?"

"Ahhh, I Seee..." Balrog drew out. So she was flirting with another stallion? How dare she!

He snorted. And her foal had emerged. Balrog wondered if his prediction had been correct. "Does her foal have wings like you? Or is he berefit of them?"

He nudged Xandir's small wings. "And you, son. What of your parents?"

Balrog's ego surged as he could alreay taste the "toldyouso" in his mouth.

And this foal's parents were both wind soquili? With two other foals? Even better! Perhaps he could actually form that herd he had boasted to Stormwild... and the herd he had left... about.

Balrog shook his head. He had promised himself a long time ago that he wasn't going to go there again.

"Lead the way!" Balrog asserted. "I would indeed like to meet them. And your father is looking for a herd? I have actually been seeking to form one myself..."

Xandir's tail wagged like a dogs as he spun around on his hooves and started his way back to where Zhuri and Stormwild were sleeping.

"I guess so, I've heard them talk about it. They say they want security for me and my siblings, yah."

Zhuri, Stormwild, and her son Sequoyah met him halfway there.

Zhuri, a handsome and rather capable looking Stallion quickly wedged himself between Xandir and the stranger. "Xandir..." he said through gritted teeth, trying to keep his calm. "What have I told you about running off like that?"

Stormwild was right behind him, obviously Zhuri had woken her when he discovered his son was missing. She quickly nudged back the very beautiful, but very wingless, colt behind her, steeling herself for Balrog's impending gloat-fest.

Balrog was indeed in high spirits as he saw the pair with the foal.

He spread his wings wide and lifted his head to Zhuri. "Your son is safe and sound, sir." He cocked his head to the side as Xandir looked crestfallen. "I would not have harmed the boy. But I see that he had escaped your attention." He glanced to Stormwild with an 'in a moment' grin, before looking back to Zhuri. "He tells me you're looking for a herd. Most excellent, I say. I am looking to start one, with fine Soquili such as yourself and your son. Soquili who can defend themselves... keep to the good grazing and out of harms' way where the ... groundhorses are unable to."

At this, his attention turned back to Stormwild. "Speaking of..." He shook his head with a 'tsk-ing. "What did I tell you.." he said with a sigh as he eyed the small, wingless colt with a sneer as if it were more of an animal than a true Soquili.

Zhuri looked over the stallion, his personality coming off a bit strong. But he was able-bodied, thats for sure, and juding by the hero-worshipping stare his son had plastered on his face, he decided to give the guy a chance. "Yeah, my mate and I have been looking to join a herd. We're new the area, and found ourselves, ah..." Zhuri lowered his voice to a 'not-appropiate-for-foals-whisper, "quite unexpectedly with three new responsibilities that mean the world to us. My name's Zhuri, by the way, and I see you met my son Xandir."

Stormwild pushed Sequoyah even further back, a dangerous look corssing her eyes. "Don't you dare think about speaking down to my son, you arrogant son a ..." she cut off her thread in the presence of two foals, but she narrowed her eyes at him. "There is nothing wrong with him."

Balrog nodded respectfully to Zhuri. "A pleasure, Zhuri. I'm Balrog. And yes, I encountered your son while I was out flying. Seems to be getting ahead of himself. But a curious boy, and that's admirable." And he noddedly slyly to Zhuri's comment. "I understand completely. I am glad to hear, actually, that these lands are blessed" He looked pointedly to Stormwild. "With three new Wind soquili. We could begin a fine herd with you, your mate and foals."

Balrog snorted to Stormwild. "Nothing wrong? I suppose not until anything dangerous comes around. Or unless you decide that you want to go to the optimum grazing lands... Whenever youwish to stretch your wings to the sky... you must leave him behind. But I suppose that's perfectly fine." Balrog commented, dripping with sarcasm.

"Well," Zhuri started with a smile, "that certainly sounds.. tempting. I'll speak to Belle about it as soon as I can. I generall stay around here most of time, so you know where to find me. There's a human lady who leaves out fruit for us sometimes, hahaha."

Xandir's body was already a-quiver about starting a herd under the magnificant Balrog. Maybe he could be like.. Balrog's high-hoof guy. His wingman, yeah! Personal student of his marvelous teachings in leadership. Not even thinking abuot his actions, as Zhuri and Balrog were talking, Xandir moved from behind his father and went and stood next to Balrog, mimicing his posture exactly.

Stormwild on the other hand, turned her back to him. "I'm not going to argue with you, Barlog," she said flippantly. "I'm not joining your little exclusive club if my son can't some with me." Her son peered out from under her legs, giving a confused, a bit hurt look up at the large stallion.

Balrog nodded again to Zhuri. "Excellent, my friend!" Balrog lifted his head higher, his heart soaring even higher. Finally, a possibility to see his dream come true...

And even better, Zhuri wasn't with Stormwild... no only if he could convince the mare to get her head out of the dirt and realize what she was doing. Damning her bloodline as well as her own safety.

"Well. When your son is old enough to join his own herd, you know how to find me. Assuming, that is, that he makes it to adulthood. I've seen lots of cougars around in my patrols. " He looked to Zhuri. "But, at least I see that you've chosen some good company to keep. Although I hope that none of you become too reliant on the humans."

"Momma am I going to die?" Sequoyah squeaked.

Stormwild shot a very mean glare at Balrog. "My son will be the strongest Soquili to grace this land," she said. "Wings do nothing but get you out of the way. Any real self-respecting Stallion could fight off a thread to his family or herd."

That seemed to hit a nerve. Furious, Balrog stepped to Stormwild, his ears pressed back severely. "I CAN defend myself, and others!" Balrog said lowly. "But there are completely different defense AND offense strategies for those with wings... and those without." He said coldly.

But, starngely, as Balrog approached Stormwild and stared her down... there was ... fear? ... behind those eyes.

He shook his head and turned, starting to walk away.

"A most impressive herd would have the finest stock in both the winged and non-winged Soquili. For what shall happen when of your precious winged herdmates falls ill or injured and a cougar comes? While the rest of your flitter off to save your own hide and watch from the trees as a lion takes apart your friend?"

She nuzzled her son, who was now watching in confusion as Xandir was standing beside the mean stallion.

"But I see you're running away already. Good tactics." With that, he started off in the opposite direction, nudging Sequoyah along with her.

Meanwhile, Zhuri kept still, looking rather confused, and catching his son by the mane of his tail as he tried to stalk off with Balrog.

For a fine blooded wind mare, She was really starting to piss off Balrog.

He turned his head towards her, eyes flashing with anger. "A find wind herd will have a safehaven for the sick or injured. A location that the other Winds can take her to until she recovers. We are every bit as capable as land soquili - if not infinately more so. We are of finer blood, finer everything. We don't have to scuffle with the cougars on their terms, we can use the groud to our advantage when we need, and the skies when we need. That is the point. A groundbound horse is limited to only the ground. A herd is only as strong as its weakest link."

He snorted again, and spread his wings. "I shall be seeing you, Zhuri. Confer with your Mate and I shall return."

And he leapt to the skies, pulling himself upwards to the clouds.

Wild Wind
Maelstrom, alone and sunning, encounters a handsome wind stallion, Wild Wind. She takes him to Balrog and the herd grows one stronger


Maelstrom was rarely separate from her sister. The two of them got along frighteningly well and were frequently almost of the same mind when it came to anything. However, after her last encounter with the mad skinwalker, Sirius, and her subsequent injury, Maelstrom had spent more time by herself, licking her wounds. She didn't like to show her weakness, and so she hoped to recover mostly by herself. She had learned that much from her father, at least.

So she was resting - reclining in the warm sunlight on an isolated peak of their mountain territory. The wound was healing well, thank goodness, but it was still highly embarrassing to the proud mare.
No luck, no luck, no luck. He hadn't gotten very far in any of his planning and spent most of his time flying about the mountain just looking over the area he was fond of. Everyone seemed to be against him, it seemed. His rival was of no use and was too brain washed to do anything but oogle of his mate and their children.

He gazed back at the scenery, allowing it to soothe his nerves and bring him at peace. His bicolored gaze beheld something he had never seen before. A mare? He swooped down lower, pulling his legs up towards him before he let them touch the ground. Perfect landing.

Now that he was closer, it was indeed a mare. He didn't notice the injury just that she had wings. "Harken! Another of my kind, I see. Praise be to the Gods!"

The shift of the winds as it carried another strong soquili in her direction caught Maelstrom's attention before the proud stallion touched down beside her. Her ears pricked and she got quickly to her feet as she watched him circle closer. She certainly had never seen him before. And what a sight to behold - his wings darkened the skies as he soared between her and the sun.

She tossed her mane, strategically covering the gash to her neck and ruffled her own wings, a courageous smile. "And an unfortunate rare sight these days it seems. But it seems the winds have brought you to green pastures, stranger." She flicked her tail and watched him execute a beautiful landing.

The medicine paint tossed his head, letting the beads click together with the sudden action. "I must agree, however sad that sounds." He allowed himself to take in the sight of her since it had been quite some time since he gazed upon another wind, let alone a female. But not to let wanton get in the way, he believed in keeping as close to pleasantries as he could. "The name is Wild Wind," he said as he stuck out his best leg and bowed towards her.

"These mountains remind me of my old home that is far from here," he said with a wistful sigh. He was slightly homesick, but there was no turning back now. "Do you call this realm home as well?"

The pale mare kept her head high, ascenting in acknowledgement and a friendly greeting. "Wild Wind... A name that suits you well, I must say. I am Maelstrom, daughter of Balrog and Stormwild. And our herd calls these lands home." Her eyes shone with curiousity and interest as she appraised the painted stallion.

"The mountains make for good homes for those strong enough to navigate them. Patches of the most vibrant grasses can be found in areas that many... "less fortunate" soquili could never hope to reach without injury." There was no disguising the patronizing note in her voice as she referred to other soquili. "My parents chose this territory well, a land were those who ride the winds can truly be home."

It sounded like heaven to him. A place away from all he found beneath him and it sounded like she shared the same sentiments. "That is more fortunate. It seems that while I was wandering I was hounded by female groundeds left and right." He flexed his wings in a showy manner as if to state that it was so obvious that any mare would be attracted to him. "But who could blame them."



"It seems as though great minds think alike. I had been roaming this area thinking it was a perfect place to start up a herd. Though I must admit, I'm not one to handle such politics." It was even more fortunate for him that he might have found one to fall in with for the time being.

A show of obvious distaste crossed Maelstrom's face. "Ground mares? Eugh. You poor thing. Why would you speak to those horses?" She spat. "Misguided, weaklings. It would be an atrocity for a stallion of such fine breeding as yours to weaken his bloodlines."

With a mischivious coyness, Maelstrom looked over the territory below them. "Why make the effort to start a herd when there is already a fine one building? Of course, we would never think to invite such weaklings as those who have harassed you. Besides, Balrog and Stormwild have selected a fine territory." Besides, Maelstrom would certainly not object to a stallion like Wild Wind in the herd....

He snickered and took another step closer to her. "They simple creatures to toy around with." Though he had never actually bedded any of them, it was still nice to hear such concern in case he had made that error. "But nay, I touched not a tail, though the view of the females is very pleasing to the eye. I wish not to repeat the mistakes of my rival and his mate that he picked."

He allowed his brown-blue eyes to follow where Maelstrom looked. The picked area was indeed perfect. He had have never seen it if he hadn't spotted the mare up here. "I might take up on that offer. The worse that can happen is a no."

Maelstrom whinnied a laugh. "They are indeed such simple, poor beasts. I can't imagine why a proud, wind soquili would ever think to take one as a mate." She shook her head. "Unless perhaps that wind soquili's blood was not quite as strong as he let on." She shared a conspiratoral grin with the stallion, who held obvious disdain for this unnamed rival.

"Perhaps he thinks like the ground-bound beasts." Her crimson eyes flashed with amusement.

"But come! Why don't you allow me to take you to meet my father, and you an speak to him about making our home yours as well." She spread her colorful wings in an invitation to lead him to the guardian, and her father.

He laughed along side her. This was turning out to be quite a pleasant run in. Much better than he had in the past. "'We 'ere ta protect th'm," he said, mimicking Tawali's accent as best as he could. "He was always a fool, even when he was a colt."

He chuckled at his own words and snapped his black and white wings. "Lead on, Maelstrom."

Maelstrom's laugh echoed alongside him. "What foolishness! You protect your own kind - when wind soquili gather, our strength is evident - we do not have to stoop to their level, give up good feeding grounds because of a weak link. Or to risk our own when together, we can defeat any predator - striking from the air!" Pride filled her as she took off, wings lifting her from the ground.

She spirialed, waiting for Wild Wind to take flight, and took off towards the center of the territory where she had last seen Balrog.
He took off at a gallop and allowed himself to drop from the edge, his wings catching the wind and allowing him to glide after her. A few flaps of his wings to keep the same altitude was all that was required before his white hooves skimmed along the ground. Now that he had an invitation, he allowed himself to look around himself. The sight was as glorious as it had been from above. "Wow."

Maelstrom's ego expanded even more at the stallion's obvious respect for their territory. "It is home." She responded, chipping in an extra note of temptation, even if it was unnecessary at that point in time.

The weather was perfect, the skies perfectly clear to see the lush forrest that clung to the sharp cliffs. Trickling crystal rivers cascaded down the slopes, and Maelstrom took a quick detour to skim the running river with the tips of her hooves, showing off. Then, careening at a nearly right angle, she flapped her wings a few times to gain altitude before heading towards a grassy area on another peak where a massive black stallion waited below, tribal markings seemed to burn in his hide that Maelstrom's were an obvious derivation of, and his crimson eyes watched the pair steadily as they approached.


His grin was large as he took in the rest of the sights, even if the best one was flying in front of him. It was then that he caught sight of Balrog. His smile was quickly removed as he sobered up for this meeting. Here was someone that gave the vibe of authority and respect. This was the same feeling he had from the Protector of his herd. Would he be fit enough to remain in such a peaceful place away from the rest of the populace?

Maelstrom gave Wild Wind one last fleeting encourging smile before touching down and nuzzling her father in greeting. Taking a place by his side, she let Balrog stride forward to regard the newcomer. "Father, this is Wild Wind. He seeks a herd.."

He lifted his wings as his voice rumbled in his throat. "Wild Wind is it, then?" He looked over the stallion, pausing at the wings with a look of momenary approval before the stern, ascessing returned. "You seek a herd, then? You seem to carry strong bloodlines. Unfortunately, there is precious little of such. But... it has been a promising week. " A ghost of a smile graced the stallion's face.

"What do you seek in a herd?"

The blue and green feather behind his ear moved a bit in the wind as he paused a moment to think. He reflected back on the reasons his parents had first joined their herd. "To protect and be protected." His father had said that very same thing to Wild Wind before he had left home. Strange that those words would ring so true.

He took a deep breath and allowed his body to relax a bit. "My old herd was nothing but winds soring the skies. They migrated like birds because most of the grounded took the better part of the lands. I left because I detested their philosophy that Winds are meant to be like guardians to the grounded." His voice was thick and heavy with the distaste of that motto he had heard most of his years. Of course, the crime he had done many years ago had finally come out. Why did one dead grounded bring such a high price? She would have been food for the wolves anyways.

Balrog's ears pricked and Wild Wind could sense the approval before Balrog even spoke.

"Your plight is familiar, friend." He whickered. "When wind soquili are burdened to be the protectors of the ground, then it holds back the our potential and leads the ground-horses to a false security. They grow fat and prosper from our work. And it is rarely even appreciated just... expected. I have been building just such a herd - one that is not limited by the weak. One that can reach the most exclusive feeding grounds, the safest spots to raise the foals, and have the protection of the strong."

Balrog looked back to Maelstrom with an approving nod before looking back to Wild Wind. "You are welcome here."

He couldn't believe his ears at first. He was accepted. He stood there in a few moments of silence, pulling his head towards his chest and looking down at the ground. His gaze darted on different pieces of grass while he grasped the reality around him. When it finally sunk in, he looked into the crimson hues of Balrog. He smiled brightly, "Thank you."

His gaze shifted slightly to Maelstrom. What a stroke of luck. "Thank you, Maelstrom," he said quietly. He finally felt like a piece of himself returned. He was part of a herd. And one that accepted his viewpoint.