Under Cover of Darkness

_{Penthe had been devastated to find his beloved stallion stolen in the night. His stall was empty, no sign of struggle, and his tack was still where it should be.}

_{He was gone forever, and even as Penthe desperately searched for him in the days following, he knew that. There had been a steady trickle of horses that were taken from the Shadowvallian army, and none were safe-- not even the King's own parade horse. They had stepped up security, but apparently it wasn't enough. Distraught, he eventually gave up and left his troop for a week to collect himself. He could not have rumors of showing weakness, and so he fabricated something about seeking a horse worthy of being Aeldi's replacement, and placed a trustworthy soldier in charge-- a young man named Zelgaes, who had proven himself a fine warrior in spite of his age and appearance.}

_{Truthfully, he had to mourn. Aeldi had been more than a mount. He had been more than just a horse. He had been a friend. He had been prepared to part with him on the battle field, but he could never prepare himself for having his beloved stallion stolen. It wounded him, and that made him angry. He had gotten too close and it had created a weakness.}

_{Still, there was truth to his words; he did need a new horse. While he was grieving, he searched for a horse that could live up to Aeldi's legacy... And he found himself drifting to the same golden markings that his partner bore. Gilded horses weren't easy to find, but he searched among them. A stallion who was not brave enough to stand up to battle, another who was too unruly, and yet another who refused to obey. He was running out of time and running out of horses.}

_{And then he saw her. Gold on a dark coat with a white face and green eyes instead of the usual gold. She appeared gentle, and was calm when he handled her and tacked her up, but when he swung his sword from her back, she didn't flinch. Intrigued, he turned her towards a mass grave near the facility she was at, and rode her towards it. She went through it rather than over, and deftly picked her hooves up from the tangle of limbs-- both elven and equine-- safely, but bloodily emerging on the other side. Her white socks stained a deep red, Penthe paused and glanced her over from her back. She remained stationary for a moment before turning to look at him and blinking her large green eyes.}

_{She was almost daring him to say something, and her ears pinned back briefly.}

_{"... Good girl." He relented, petting her neck. She squealed softly at the show of affection, and tossed her head, but it didn't seem to be a negative reaction. She was pleased.}

_{He returned a at the end of the week to relieve Zelgaes from his position astride his new mare. When pastured with the others, she clearly knew whose horse she was and asserted her new position of authority, leaving a few horses wounded and bleeding, and the others afraid to go near her. Content, she set to grazing, and Penthe admired from the fence.}

_{She was not Aeldi. None could ever replace him... but she was an acceptable new mount.}

_{Learning to work with the new mare, whose name was Imjara, was a bit of a trial. She was obedient, she would go through whatever he pointed her at, and didn't flinch when he fought from her back, but when in battle, she was quite violent and was standoffish when off duty. She was incredibly militaristic, and difficult to form a bond with. Riding her was not as natural as riding Aeldi, but he made due.}

_{Months passed. Penthe steadily got over the loss of his beloved steed, the wound on his heart steadily healed, and he and Imjara began to warm up to him. She was not as affectionate as Aeldi was, but she learned as well that victory meant spoils. And spoils were nice. She especially liked treats... not mead as much as Aeldi had, but honey cakes and sweet breads.}

_{One night, Penthe was on the verge of sleep when he heard his door creek open.}

_{"Colonel, they're back!"It was Zelgaes, and Penthe awoke swiftly, swinging his feet over the edge of his bed and into his boots.}

_{"No not alert the forces, I wish to see what they are doing and who they are on my own, and a battle means that out horses could be caught in the crossfire. Silently, Zelgaes, attend me." The two cut through the barns and across the fields to where a portal was set up. Ten horses were being taken through it, most still drowsy with sleep, and he quickly scanned over the crowd.}

_{His heart sank.}

_{"Imjara!" He called out, and the mare, who had been placid at first, reared onto her hind legs and raced towards him. He met her half way and caught the reins of her bridle and held her He was quickly surrounded, they had brought more men-- elf kin and human alike-- and he held his mare's reins fast. Zelgeas moved to his shoulder.}

_"Sir..."

_{"Be still, Zelgaes." He growled under his breath.}

_{"We are taking that mare." One of them growled, and he shifted closer to her. Even with a horse, they had their own and he was gravely outnumbered. Maybe he should have woken the troop... but...}

_{"Are you the same lot who stole Aeldi from me?" He asked, lifting his nose into the air haughtily.}

_{"Aye, he has been re-homed. He is doing well." Came a voice, "And she will be as well."}

_{"No. She will not." Penthe growled. His mind was racing. If he made a race for it, he would likely be run down. Alerting the troop would lead to bloodshed, and he wasn't going to leave Imjara to these people.}

_{"She will be going with me. And I will be going with you." He puffed his chest out. Zelgaes looked sideways at him.}

_{There was a dull murmur through the crowd, and he spoke again.}

_{"Re-home us together. I will not lose her. Not her. Not again."As he spoke, his voice became quieter, almost faltering on the last two words.}

_{"...Very well. We'll Find somewhere for you two to go. Come."} 

_{As they began to walk towards the portal, Zelgaes moved with them. Penthe paused and glanced back at him.}

_{"I'll go with you, sir." Zelgaes said with a faint smile, "I don't think they would let me go back, anyway, now that I know what's going on."}

_{"You would risk desertion?" Penthe narrowed his eyes, both scrutinizing and touched.}

_{"You are." Came his simple response.}

_{Together, the three of them stepped through the portal and to the new world, where it was bright and beautiful and daytime.}

_{Penthe wasn't sure what to make of it at first. He was angry and frustrated, and scared above all else, but he had Imjara, and he was where Aeldi was. Somewhere in this world, his beloved partner was present, and he would do everything in his power to be reunited.}

WHEEEE I GOT ANOTHER SNJORRIR and this one is a girl and is gilded and yes of course I am going to breed her and Aeldi at some point why did you ask? >3

Welcome everyone! I'm so excited to work with these guys it's not even funny ;u;