[C a r r y] .You. Home

[[R].ebel]

'Yep, but I don't think this cave has been used in a while...'

It looked true; the cave seemed to have been dismissed as a home some time ago; such as she was dismissed from her home. "Why does everything have to remind me of the Darksun..." Again Coldheart had to force the thoughts out of her head. Graystorm walked off a bit to settle down on the hard cave floor but Coldheart only watched with a distant look in her eyes. After a moment, she snapped out of her trance and walked to Graystorm, the sound of her hoof-falls echoing in the cave. She knew by morning her chest would be aching, and not just from the pain of leaving home. Quietly, she lowered herself beside Graystorm, careful not to hit any of his wounds. Coldheart hesitated for a moment, but then rested her head over Graystorm's whithers. Her ears continued to twitch from one sound to the next, always alert for any sounds of predators.

[Swifthoof]

The stallion knew his wounds would most likely be sore by morning. If I don't bleed out first that is he though gravely as he looked at the bandage made out of cobwebs that was starting to thin and tatter. He knew he was supposed to change it, but exhaustion wore him over as he laid his head down on the cold, stone floor. He would deal with it in the morning.

His ears pricked forward to feel Coldheart lay her head over his withers and a small smile tugged on his lips. Raising his head, he turned and touched her cheek with his nose in a horse like 'kiss'. I love you, Coldheart

[/color] he said, his voice soft and warm before laying his head back down and closing his eyes to sleep. Graystorm couldn't help but be glad that they didn't have to hide their relationship anymore. Of course, he knew that some Cimarron members would probably be uncomfortable with a former Darksun member in their lands but they would have to get over it. I just hope Spirit and Rain get back soon he thought drowsily as he felt the calm hands of sleep take him in. [/blockquote][/size]

[[R].ebel]

'I love you, Coldheart'

The stallion's soft touch and soothing words brought a smile to the mare. A warm, sincere smile, knowing he meant what he said and feeling right in her heart being with him. Nuzzling him back, Coldheart responded to him with those three little words.

"I love you, too, Graystorm."

As the silence settled over the cave, and Coldheart laid her head down against her loved one, she could smell his blood. She knew on this hard floor it would be hard on him in the morning... she would have to do something about that. Coldheart had escaped any dangerous wounds, her only one being a bruised chest, which would prove to limit her mobility for a while, or at least try to; she would hurt when walking or moving but would tough it out. Yes, tomorrow, she would be sure to do something with Graystorm's wounds. Slowly, Coldheart allowed herself to sleep, against the will of her aching heart, telling her she was not home...

~~~***~~~

The morning sun brought a warmth to the cave, casting its rays across the floor of the cave, heating the surface. Coldheart stood by the entrance, having woke up before the sunrise. She had been busy; carefully and gently applying new bandages to the gray stallion, careful so as not to wake him. Coldheart couldn't help but be worried about him; Graystorm had taken most of the beating the day before, putting a slight twinge of guilt in her, as Coldheart felt it was her fault. She had left a mouthful of long-stemed, juicy grass that grew by a rivers' edge near by to Graystorm. Breakfast, of course. Coldheart would have offered an apple or two, but the Summer time weather did not bring those yet. They came closer to fall, when they tasted most delicious.

Standing by the entrance of the cave, Coldheart watched the world outside, feeling like a stranger, an alien on these lands. Even when getting what she need for Graystorm, Coldheart couldn't help but keep a wary eye out for another Cimarron. She would have preferred Graystorm to be there with her when she ran into a Cimarron, as she knew any Cimarron member would know not to trust her word. Coldheart sighed quietly, and stepped out into the open, grazing on the grass while it still had the morning dew, knowing it would be a hot summer day today.

[Swifthoof]

To say that Graystorm was sore was quite the understatement. He hurt. His eyes blearily opened then closed again as the morning sun started entering the cave, warming the floor. The stallion made to get up, but a powerful wave of pain from his shoulders and side almost caused him to yelp in pain. He didn't even have to look to see that he most likely had a bruise underneath his pelt on his side from being smashed against a tree.

Blue gaze then went to his shoulders and he could see that there were fresh bandages on them. Plus some breakfast too, it seemed courtesy of a certain bay mare. A small smile crossed his face as he reached forward and took the grass in his mouth before chewing and swallowing it. Yum. Sighing, he slowly rose to his hooves, gritting his teeth against the pain that seared through him. He would just have to tough it out until his wounds healed. Snorting, he made his way out of the cave, tossing his white forelock out of his eyes.

He soon spotted Coldheart a few feet away and even despite everything that happened, he couldn't help but feel like a lovestruck yearling when he saw her. A grin made its way across his muzzle as he trotted over to her and nuzzled her neck.

Morning....did you sleep well?

[/color] he asked as concern filled his azure gaze knowing that she must feel a bit weird to wake up to the Cimarron lands instead of her home. But he would do all he could to help her be comfortable. [/blockquote][/size]

[[R].ebel]

The bay lifted her head to a movement from the corner of her eye; Graystorm. So, he had finally woken up. Coldheart smiled as he nuzzled her, she returning the gesture. 'Morning....did you sleep well?' She could see the concern in his eyes at his question, but she kept her smile, replying to him while tugging at his forelock.

"I slept fine. What about you?"

Any sign of what had happened the day before was gone from her voice and her features. It was as if nothing had happened, although she knew far from that. Coldheart was being her typical self, but her focus now was on Graystorm and his wounds. The new bandanges seemed to be holding up for now. Together, they would have to keep and eye on them, but she knew he was tough and would live through it.

[Swifthoof]

A small, playful chuckle rumbled from his maw as he felt Coldheart tug at his forelock and he returned the gesture, a smile crossing his muzzle.

I slept fine. What about you?

[/color]

Sighing, Graystorm nodded before speaking. Like a foal[/color] he answered, grinning. A soft snort escaped the stallion before he looked around for something to help with the pain. He knew that poppy pods were abundant this time of year and all he had to do was find one. Walking forward, he kept his eyes on the ground until he spotted the pod a few feet away. He lowered his head and dug it out of the ground with his hoof before he picked it up and walked back to Coldheart. Graystorm then lowered it to the ground, shaking his head a bit to make the seeds fall out of the pod. He took a few in his mouth and swallowed them, grimacing a bit from the bitter taste. Looking back at Coldheart, he spoke. Poppy seeds. They taste awful, but they help numb some of the pain.[/color] he said before he lowered his head and pushed the pod toward her. [/blockquote][/size]

[[R].ebel]

'Like a foal.'

Even Coldheart couldn't hide a grin as he grinned. The bay playfully rolled her eyes, shaking her head much as a mother would a to a troublesome foal, then resumed her grazing. She glanced to Graystorm as he went off as if searching for something. With every breath she took, her chest hurt. She could feel the tenderness of the underlying bruise, knowing after a few days, a hard knot would form there and stay there for quite a while. It would be at least a couple weeks before she was healed completely. Coldheart, however, had a feeling Graystorm would take a bit longer; he had suffered more injuries than she. Coldheart payed little attention until she heard his voice, lifting her head to look at him.

'Poppy seeds. They taste awful, but they help numb some of the pain.'

Some of the pain... she wondered halfway if he was speaking of the all the pain she was feeling; the pain in her chest from Alasdi's kick and the pain in her heart from being driven away from her home. "No... I must numb myself to this..." Coldheart smiled at the offer and took the poppy seeds, only turning his face oddly, purposely to lighten her mood, at the first bite into the seeds. With as few chews as possible, Coldheart choked them down, shaking her head in disgust.

"Those where horrible. I hope they where worth it... How are your wounds doing?"

Coldheart looked Graystorm over, looking at the new bandages to make sure they were still holding and no blood was still flowing.

[Swifthoof]

The stallion watched as she took the seeds, a sympathetic smile forming on his muzzle as she choked them down. The seeds were awful, but already he could feel some of the pain from his shoulders and side start to fade making it a little manageable to mover around. Snorting softly, he lowered his head and started to graze, his ears pricking to Coldheart's words.

Those where horrible. I hope they where worth it... How are your wounds doing?

[/color]

Graystorm lifted his head slightly at her voice and he nodded. They're worth it and should start working in a few moments.[/color] he answered before his gaze flicked to his shoulders that were slowly starting to feel numb from the seeds. As for my wounds...they're as good as they are going to get...I guess all they need is time. And thanks for changing the bandages by the way.[/color] he continued, a smile appearing on his muzzle as he kept on grazing to wash some of the taste from the seeds away.

A new scent soon entered his nostrils and he snapped his head up to see a chestnut horse standing there, watching them with a raised eyebrow. He looked suspiciously to the Darksun mare, but said nothing until he looked back to Graystorm.

Care to explain, Graystorm?[/color] asked Swifthoof, his tone even as he looked from one to the other. The mare was obviously from Darksun although he didn't know why his dapple gray friend smelled strongly of the rival herd also. [/blockquote][/size]

[[R].ebel]

'They're worth it and should start working in a few moments. As for my wounds...they're as good as they are going to get...I guess all they need is time. And thanks for changing the bandages by the way.'

Coldheart smiled, nodding her head in acknowledgment to his gratitude, then resumed her grazing. She could start to feel the seeds working, her pain slowly declining as time wore on. Coldheart did her best to keep her mind busy with anything other than home, and found it to be more or less easy; thinking of surrounding area and what would happen if she were caught here... which she was about to face just now.

The scent of a new horse caught her just as Graystorm snapped his head up, Coldheart copying his actions. A Cimmarron, her first encounter in which she would not fight one; although her automatic instinct was to stand to fight. Already she was standing ready to fight, if it lead up to that, but she held herself back, knowing she was not a Darksun anymore.

'Care to explain, Graystorm?'

Coldheart's eyes narrowed a bit at the chestnut, seeing he was uneasy about the entire situation. She glanced from Graystorm and the chestnut, holding her tongue to allow Graystorm to answer, as he was the one asked.

[Swifthoof]

The dapple grey took a step toward his friend, blue gaze defiant as he started to speak. Swifthoof, this is my mate, Coldheart....and she'll be staying with us now

[/color] the stallion didn't give all the details though, seeing as his chestnut herd mate didn't really need to hear them. It wasn't any of his business anyway.

Swifthoof was silent for a few moments as he flicked his gaze to the mare to see that she had gone into a fighting stance when he had entered. He would be more than happy to drive her out if she attacked although with Graystorm there, he knew he would step up to defend her. The word traitor nearly escaped his lips, but he bit it back knowing that it would cause problems, so instead he only nodded, his gaze cold as he moved his eyes back to Graystorm starting to speak.

Just make sure not to cause trouble.[/color] he answered, tossing his head as he turned back into the trees and walked away, flicking his tail in distaste.

Graystorm watched him go before he turned to Coldheart, a small smile crossing his face. Well, that went well now didn't it? he asked, his smile turning into a grin as he tried to bring some humor into the rather tense situation. [/blockquote][/size]

[[R].ebel]

'Swifthoof, this is my mate, Coldheart....and she'll be staying with us now '

And so, the truth was now out on the lands of the Cimarron. To be honest, Coldheart felt a bit of relief from it; knowing it wasn't a secret anymore. In fact she smiled as Graystorm spoke; she also took in the name 'Swifthoof', as Graystorm had mentioned it in his sentence. The chestnut must be Swifthoof. Coldheart did not know if she'd meet him again or even speak to him, but she tucked the name away in her mind for safe measure; a trait she used to use to remember her enemies names.

'Just make sure not to cause trouble. '

The chestnut, Swifthoof, said nothing further, walking away. Coldheart couldn't help but wonder if he was talking to her, Graystorm or the both of them. Still, it did go better than expected, and Coldheart accepted that she would be treated differently; possibly as an outcast due to her history, but that she could handle.

'Well, that went well now didn't it?'

Coldheart looked back to Graystorm with a light smile, looking back to the leaving mustang in a bit of thought. After a moment, she replied.

"Better than expected. I think eventually we will all get along, but it will just take some time." In an effort to learn more of her new peers, Coldheart asked, "What's his story? Swifthoof, I believe you called him."

[Swifthoof]

Better than expected. I think eventually we will all get along, but it will just take some time.

[/color]

A small sigh of relief escaped his muzzle and he nodded in agreement, chuckling a bit. At least Swifthoof didn't choose to attack which was surprising, to say the least. He knew that the chestnut was rather impulsive and had quite the temper so his reaction to Coldheart was rather unexpected. Be glad it didn't turn out worse he thought as the bay's next words almost caught him off guard.

What's his story? Swifthoof, I believe you called him[/color]

Graystorm thought for a moment trying to remember as much as he could from what Swifthoof had told him of his past. Well..from what he's told me, his parents were killed by a cougar when he was young and his brother went missing after that. He's not always that cold, though. I guess it'll just take him time to warm up to you.[/color] he answered, lowering his head to pick up some grass. If he ever does.. he added inwardly, flicking his eyes in the direction where Swifthoof went. The stallion couldn't help but feel a little irked toward the chesnut's attitude, but he hope he would get over it soon. [/blockquote][/size]

[[R].ebel]

Well..from what he's told me, his parents were killed by a cougar when he was young and his brother went missing after that. He's not always that cold, though. I guess it'll just take him time to warm up to you.


Coldheart listened to Graystorm, eyes watching where the mustang had disappeared. Swifthoof did seem, as Graystorm had put it, cold; distanced, even. Her normally blunt mind probbed into curiosity of what was hidden under that past. But she allowed her mind to wander to the any other members she would need to know about. Of course, she knew Spirit & Rain, she would need no introduction with them. To an extent, Coldheart knew of Spirit's mother, but couldn't quite remember the name... it was a different name, but it would not come to her. Returning her mind to the conversation, she replied to the stallion.

"Sounds as though he's had a rough past, which can lead to a rough individual, even if they don't lash out in agressive behavior... Like me."

The bay grinned in humor, referring to how easily she could be angered and fight, although even she was noticing, that at least around Graystorm, her fighting spirit could be tamed.

[Swifthoof]

Sounds as though he's had a rough past, which can lead to a rough individual, even if they don't lash out in agressive behavior... Like me

[/color]

The stallion's ears pricked as she spoke and he couldn't help but return her grin. Chuckling, he glanced around at the area they were in. The trees were sparse and the grass gave way to rocky ground as it neared the entrance to the cave they had spent the night in. He knew that this was only a small fraction of the Cimarron lands and that there was much more to see, but for now he was content to just rest up in the shade of the trees.

Flicking his tail, he then started to head off into the trees. Come on. I know a hidden apple orchard near here.[/color] he said over his shoulder, a small smile crossing his face as he remembered the time they had shared one back in Darksun lands. He knew that fall was the time when the apples were at their fullest, but in the hidden spot they were in, the trees were constantly fed by a small run-off stream and there was plenty of sunlight for the fruit to grow a bit faster. Coming to a small cluster of trees and high bushes, he lifted a section of the bush with his head and offered for Coldheart to step inside, grinning a bit. [/blockquote][/size]

[[R].ebel]

Coldheart was about to begin grazing again when Graystorm spoke. Come on. I know a hidden apple orchard near here. She cocked her head at his offer, curiosity of the orchard striking her mind. Coldheart did not think that apples grew, or at least where ready, at this time. Still, she wanted to follow the stallion and thus she did. This also gave the bay a chance to see more of the Cimarron lands. Coldheart took in every detail she could; every path or trail mark that could be useful in the seasons to come. Her plan was by the end of this season to know the Cimarron lands forwards and backwards.

It did not take long to arrive to the destination, Graystorm stopping to lift a part of the high bushes surrounding the area for her, much like a gentlemen would do a door. Giving him a suspicious gaze, as if halfway expecting it to be a prank or a joke, the bay slipped by him, purposefully flicking her tail so the tips of her hair caught him on the nose. Stopping 'inside' the orchard, Coldheart was amazed at the apple trees growing here but more so at the apples themself. It was as if time had accelerated as they step into the orchard; of course Coldheart knew it was the set up the trees had: plenty of sun, water and obviously good soil.

Feeling a bit frisky, as they were alone in a secret place, Coldheart went into a trot, circling around tree after tree, prancing and playing like a filly. It wasn't often Coldheart acted in such a way, but after the previous experiences and hardship she had to endure, the bay was ready for a bit of play and relaxing. Calling to Graystorm as she circled a rather large tree, she said,

"It's amazing, Graystorm. Truly amazing."