Summer. 'e uttered a disgusted snort. Yea, right. The air was still cool and grew only slightly hotter in the early hours of before-dusk. Not like the burning heat of the home of 'is ancestors, the place of 'is birth. What a joke, why did 'e even stop here, under the dillusion that this land would hold a great future for him here, that kind equines might take 'im in. Though, 'e admitted grudgingly, determind to maintain 'is dark mood, 'e hadn't tried very hard. 'e had lost 'is nerve shamefully when 'e first met an equine, running off with a word.
Night trotted relentlessly on, through the noon-time sun. 'e had come to the land under a false name, a variation of 'is true name, to keep off any unwanted hunters. Night Kudasai. But soon after 'e had give it up and returned to his formal alias, the name that carried 'is sire's second cursing, Midnight Kaeordassi, Night and Kai were 'is nicknames, from 'is mother and sire.
Night had grow since 'e had entered these lands as a scrawny bantle, though 'e was still scrawny by three-year old standards. Now 'e had given up 'is outcast life to find a terra. 'e had ditched the first two, and was now just passing through the thrid highest ranked and had heard nothing nor seen any equines. Rumors had been flying on the winds concerning this terra's silence, not to mention it seemed sparsely populated.
'e paused to refresh 'imself at a small river, under the shade of a few trees at the bottom of a hill. Movement caught 'is eye. 'e looked up and gazed across the stream into a glade that mirrored 'is side of the stream. 'e took a curious step forward, accidentally crushing a stick beneith 'is hoof. A bird squawked and flew off, having been cleaning it's break on what Night had taken to be a large grey rock. It was then that 'e noticed a smell, rank, causing 'is maw to curl in distaste. Something wasnt right. Curious still, 'e took a corsious step into the fast flowing stream fed by the mountians, it's bottom slippery with alge covered stones. 'e reached the other side, the odor growing stronger, 'e weaved 'is way through the tall grass. What a waste, 'e thought, taking a nip at the sweet grass on 'is way through. Then 'e stopped short with a suprised snort. 'is first instict was to runaway, faraway from this horrible scene of murder.
Holy gods above
'e murmmered, agast.
For it must be murder. The dappled grey corpse of a czar lay before 'im in cold death, hoof marks indented in 'is flesh, the dry, cracked blood still visible, announcing internal injuries from the blood around mouth and nares. The stallion's bloated bodice was grotestly round. Night turned away, feeling sick from the stench and this scene. This must be the stag who had claimed Sunshine Hills, the knight Sontaris, beaten to death by another. Night took a panicky step backwards, 'is cowardice taking away rational thought, not wanting to be found at this place with this death. Then sense leaked in. If this was Sontaris, and it seemed to be the stag described, then no one would care if 'e was found here, nor know of the knight's death for a long time. In fact, 'e thought growing more confident, it might be thought that Night had fought the stag and killed him, maybe not honorable but still legal according to equine laws. Then this place would be consider 'is, if 'e wanted. Though no one had to know of the stag's death, they might think 'e had left. Night cared nothing for the corpse that had once been Sontaris, had no reason to protect the equine's repretation. Night gazed around, surveying the terra. Here before 'im was an opportuity to good to miss. A leaderless terra, of the thrid rank too, abandoned and open for a new, young, ambious warrior to take and claim as 'is own. Why not take up this offer, rather than leave it for another. 'e was a growing equine still who would need femmoras soon to satisfy 'im soon, 'is blood heated at the thought, and 'e would be alone, mostly, without stags 'e disliked around. Power and luxsury. As 'e convinced 'imself 'e grew more excited and sure. 'e glanced down at the dead knight, a flit of contemp clouding 'is facade, then walked on, cantering out into the sunshine. Without the corpse's presense 'e felt much better. 'e was young and strong, 'e didnt need to be reminded of an equine's mortality yet. As 'e fled, though 'e would never admitt it with that word, 'e sent out a ringing song of challenge and claimance. This was 'is 'e decided, 'is gain, everyone else's loss. 'e planed to be a great Knight.
This is more than half a year late Amelia (I'm really sorry about that =p) but Sunshine Hills are yours.