Cloudbreaker & Onok

Cloudbreaker had settled into herd life with ease. Away from the cluttered Ruins and the overwhelming stench of predators, she felt truly free out here. There was only one regret she had, and that was for her friend Darkia who still resided with the Shadow Haunters. It was always in the back of Cloud's mind to go back and rescue her friend, but she hadn't been willing to risk the lives of her unborn children. Once they were a little stronger, she would venture out and try to reconnect with the mare she'd left behind. But for now, on this bright and sunny day, Cloudbreaker was cleaning and tending to the hours-old filly and colt that she had recently birthed.

The zorse had found a sheltered cove down away from the higher cliffs and hills, where the wind could not reach them, and the thick plants offered some shelter. It was not an idea time of year to give birth, but it had been beyond Cloud's control. Exhausted but happy, the mare was laying beside her twins with her ears perked for danger and her motherly instincts kicking in strong.

Little Onok was already on his feet, standing wobbly beside his mother as she groomed his coat.

Sarada

Sarada too was on her little feet. Her grey black and white coat starting to show dry.

Majesty wasn't far off keeping watch.

Cloudbreaker & Onok

"Sarada." Cloudbreaker whispered as she leaned forward, gently lipping the foal and cleaning a small patch along her shoulder. Still too tired to rise, she raised her cream-hued dial and nickered to Majesty, inviting the father over to see his children.

Onok took a few wobbly steps before tripping and falling to his knees. Under Cloud's watchful gaze, the little colt struggled for a moment before getting back to his hooves. The world was so new and bright, his young eyes were still adjusting to it all when he saw the figure of the stallion standing not too far away.

Sarada

Sarada tilted her head at her mothers whispered words. She was hungry but her mom was lying down how could she get a drink? She stumbled toward her mother.

Majesty ear flicked back and he finally turned to go to them. He lowered his dial to their level.

Cloudbreaker & Onok

Cloudbreaker knew what her daughter wanted, and knew further than the first few drinks were critical for foals. It took considerable will for the mare to lift herself, but with a heavy grunt the zorse shifted to her hooves and steadied herself, allowing the filly access to her milk.

As Majesty approached, Cloud nickered quietly in greeting, "Meet your children. Sarada, and Onok." Little Onok didn't understand his name yet, but his was a bold, curious youngster already, and he stretched his neck as he tried to peer up at his sire.

Majesty

Majesty ears flicked at the introduction as he extended his muzzle to his son.

Sarada made to nurse.

Cloudbreaker & Onok

Onok wobbled a little as his balance shifted, craning his neck further. He had a definite boldness to him, staring up at this much larger stallion who he would eventually learn to be his father. That boldness and curiosity took a quick backseat to hunger though, and after a few fleeting moments of interaction with Majesty, Onok was bobbing his head back in his mother's direction and scampering to her side for milk.

Cloudbreaker shifted her stance and nudged her son along so that he could have access to her milk without fighting with Sarada for it. Still eying her foals fondly, the zorse murmured to their father, "Would you tell the rest of the herd of their arrival? I'm going to keep them both down here in the lowlands for a few weeks at least, while the winds are so cold and they're learning their hooves."

Majesty

Majesty didn't want to leave her down here by her self. It was dangerous with the threat of the haunters. He snorted at her.They'll figure it out, King will come by soon anywaysHe mumbles.

Sarada nurses

~Cougar~

~Sleek huntress stalked through the underbrush toward the scent of newborn foals. She crouched low in the grove, ears flat and tail still behind her, watching the small family. A growling belly, hungry after three days without a proper meal, guided the tawny feline forward in a sudden burst of movement. She lunged with a wild yowl, her target being the little filly for a quick, efficient kill...~

Majesty

Sarada was sleeping when it all happened. Even though her father had leaped in front of her she tumbled around trying to get to her feet.

Majesty had been grazing only a few feet from his family when the yowl came and he sprung into action faster then he has ever moved and he leaped right in front of the cougar before she could get her claws into his daughter. He reared up now and lashed out at the cougar as the cougar had gotten him instead and he now was proceeding to try and throw it from his neck. If the cougar had been succesful in her intended target Sarada would be dead she would of gotten her right in the jugular. As it were he was bigger and had more muscle and was able to prevent it.

Cloudbreaker & Onok

The zorse reared back with a frightened squeal when the cougar plunged through the underbrush, her mind flashing back to the fight with the Nuova Alba. She might have fled right then and there if not for strong maternal instincts overriding that fear just enough to keep Cloud from bolting all together. Coming down from the rearing, Cloud kicked out blindly with her hindlegs, and nearly clipped Onok who'd come in to feed. Thanks to Majesty though, the cougar had not struck their daughter, and Cloud quickly began to nudge and herd both of her foals away from the danger.

Onok stumbled along under his mother's insistent nudging, frightened but not entirely sure what was going on.

~Cougar~

~The big cat yowled again, frustrated at her thwarted attack. With her claws sunk into the stallion's hide, she made the split-second decision to try for him anyway, even though he was considerably larger than the deer she normally pursued. She made a bite for his neck as he reared back, trying to severe a major artery before loosing her grip and hitting the ground. One hoof caught her side and knocked the wind out of her, but she leaped back before he could fully crush her into the ground.

She waited, tensely, to see if her bite had done and serious damage to the big creature...~

Majesty

Oh it did some major damage it wouldn't outright kill him though. Flap of skin was hanging down his neck. His ears were back and he lowered his head and charged the large cat aiming his front hooves for her.

Sarada squeeled running after her mother.

Cloudbreaker & Onok

"Here, Sarada, to me!" With her ears back and her tail up, Cloudbreaker anxiously hustled Sarada to her side, and put her striped body between her two foals and the wild cat. "Stay close, you two." The scent of blood in the air made the mare snort and she stamped a hoof to the ground, fighting with the desire to flee or attack the cougar. But she couldn't leave her young by themselves, so Cloudbreaker stood her ground, keeping an eye on the predator in between quick, gentle nudges of her snout against her son and daughter.

Onok pressed himself against Cloudbreaker and his sister, shaking with fear. With his mother in front of him, he couldn't see the fight between the cat and his father, but he could ear the feline's wild cries, and smell the horrid tang of blood on the air.

~Cougar~

Now that surprise was no longer on her side, the cougar's luck was running out. She sprang away from the charging hooves, avoiding certain death beneath those powerful blades, and darted a few feet in a semi-circle around the stallion. Hunger drove her to continue her hunt, ignoring the common sense that told her she was in over her head. Switching tactics, the tawny feline doubled back in the opposite direction and attempted to rush in a wider circle around Majesty, then swoop in from behind and leap onto his haunches...

Majesty

The stallion followed teh cat and when she launched forh is haunchs his hind end lifted up off the ground and he aimed a kick for her.

Sarada moved close.

~Cougar~

Her irrational decision ended up costing her, as her wild leap left little room for maneuvering. Her paws had already left the ground, thrusting her through the air when Majesty kicked his hind hooves up. With an audible thud, her jaw and upper chest connected hard with his flying hooves, sending the cat careening to the ground. Though still alive, the cougar lay stunned and unmoving on the ground.

Cloudbreaker & Onok

Cloudbreaker kept her body turned towards the cat, and made sure her two foals were safely tucked against her on the opposite side. She heard the impact of Majesty's hooves, and flinched at the way the feline was thrown back to the ground. She then watched and waited with bated breath, to see if the cat would rise again.

Majesty

Majesty felt his hooves connect. He turns around snorting his tail raised and his ears on the cat as his breathing is heavy. If the cat deared to come back at him or his family he would charge it again.

~Cougar~

The cougar lay stunned for many moments longer before finally crawling to her feet. Dazed and badly wounded, the feline gave up her pursuit and slunk back into the shadows, away from the small family.

Cloudbreaker & Onok

After the cougar had slunk away, Cloudbreaker slowly made her way towards Majesty, all while nudging her foals and making sure they stayed at her side at all times. She recoiled some at the scent of blood, but the zorse was more accustom to this foul stench than most equines, and didn't entirely shy away. "You're hurt, Majesty..." Cloud said with quiet concern, circling around to see the large gash to his neck, where crimson stained his coat. "Thank you, for what you did. That cat would have taken my Sarada."

Majesty

Majesty stood there his nostrils flaring. He had a flesh hanging down on his neck. His eyes never left where the cougar went even as cloudbreaker came into his view.there is no need for thanks she is my daughter and he my sonHe said.BUt its time to move them back to the herd, I will not survive another attackHe said. His nostrils still flaring.

Sarada clung to her mother and twins side knowing fullwell it was her that animal had targeted and if it could do the damage it did to her father she would of been dead. Now she was paranoid so when the bush rattled she leaped to the side into her mother even when it was just a little rabbit.

Cloudbreaker & Onok

The zorse winced, her ears briefly laying back as she inspected the flap of skin that hung from the stallion's neck. Had that been her dear Sarada, there was no doubt that the little filly would be dead. "I'm just glad you were hear to stop it. Vile creature." She nudged him gently, mindful to avoid the gaping wound to his neck. Cloudbreaker then stepped back, nodding to Majesty, "You're right, there is safety in numbers. Lead the way, and I'll keep an eye on them."

When Sarada startled at the sound of a shrub rattling, Cloudbreaker turned with wide eyes herself, readying to defend her foal. But, seeing it as just a rabbit, the mare instead stomped a nervous hoof before giving her daughter a comforting nuzzle. "It's alright, my Sarada. I won't let anything harm you.

Majesty

He snorted.its just trying to survive like usHe said calmly. Not that he wanted to die or his foals to die he'd always fight but he also knew that it was life. He turned to lead them up the canyon. His neck was still bleeding.

Sarada moved closer to her brother and mother scared now.

Cloudbreaker & Onok

Cloudbreaker offered a single nod to Majesty's viewpoint, viewing it as a compassionate one, even if she didn't share it herself. The zorse followed closely behind Majesty, while stopping frequently to nudge her two children and ensure they were keeping up okay. Her ears were on a constant swivel for danger, and her eyes frequently lifting to scout the surrounding brush. It would be some time before the new mother felt safe again, but being with the rest of the herd would help.

"We might need to get that wound checked out." She offered as they traveled up and out of the grove. "I don't like that it's still bleeding."