Elegant and free

[Infernal]

The shape of an equus was seen moving at a swift pace over the horizon, her hazel occules held a great curiosity of her surroundings as she galloped down hill and through a fast running stream, with her head held high she let her swift motioning pillars carry her on. She glanced about her, the rocks clattered under her daggers, her nares flared with a hint of excitement as her hind limbs pushed under her body to bring her skidding to a halt, as she did this she dug her front hooves into the dirt to stop herself from colliding into any objects.
With a shake of her locks she gazed around, listening to the sounds of the merry birds and the sound of water rumbling over pebbles into the stream, with a loud snort she stomped her dagger for some attention. Her auds swivelled and pricked at every little sound, her eyes picking up on every little movement, alert and curious she let loose a long and loud whinny, her tassels flicking gently against her hocks as she broke into a jog and slunk over to the waters edge.
Glancing about briskly she let out a small sigh of relief and lowered her dial, she drank at the refreshing waters before she turned hastily on her hind limbs and jogged towards some ponderosa pines, her nares quivering as she inhaled the strong scent of the vegetation, the sun beat down upon her bright coloured body. The dainty sorrel mare thrust her head up high into the air and let loose a second whinny, becoming somewhat impatient and eager to meet someone.

[Artemis]

Artemis had not been idle; oh no. The wily grey coloured mare had stood atop the Ash Hill for several days now, her gaze intent upon the lands spreading out before her. In particular she had been watching her enemy, Dorado's herdlands, and had noted his absence from them. Suspicious, the czaress had abandoned her empty territory for the moment to make her way towards the Twin Mountains; oh how she hated this place. However, Dorado's scent told her that he was here, and that he was recruiting new members - New warriors she thought scathingly, and so she had followed, intent on keeping ahead of the Garan Tribe.

As she passed at a fluid walk through the loathesome lands, she allowed her senses to expand, to reach out to what was nearby, and in doing so detected the scent of an unfamiliar mare nearby. A moment later, her ears twitched at the female's call, and she gave the hint of a sly smile. Perhaps Dorado thought that he was gaining an advantage by recruiting a stallion, but she'd see what she could find here as well as he.

Slipping forwards to appear from between the trunks of two trees, she dipped her head in greeting to the sorrel mare, and when she spoke her voice was quiet but underlain with strength.
"Greetings, mare. I am Artemis, Leader of the Eguan Alliance."

[Infernal]

The dainty mare forced her head into the air, peeling back her upper lip slightly she caught the scent of another but this wasn't a stallion; no. It was a mare. Her hazel ooids became full of interest, though her expression became slightly guarded as she saw a grey hued mare advancing toward her, with a curious snort she nodded briefly as the grey mare emerged through the ponderosa pines.

Lowering her head in respect, the sorrel mare spoke, firm but bold.
"Hello there, Artemis. I am Ocean," she responded, lifting her head slowly to let her gaze roll over the silver hued femmora. She saw the hint of a sly smile pressed upon the mare's lips, a flicker of a smile couldn't help but cross Ocean's lips as she locked her gaze firmly upon Artemis. Her forelock whipped back from her eyes in the breeze, her lips parted once more as she spoke a second time directed at the femme.
"I'm searching for a herd to join," she hinted, her eyes glimmering hopefully, her locks twirling and flirting in the slight breeze that rattled the branches of the ponderosa pines around them. Their was a short silence as Ocean waited a response.

[Artemis]

Artemis' gaze remained levelled steadily upon the other female, watching her reaction carefully. After all, she did not want to invite anyone who appeared weak or uncertain to join her Alliance. Oh no, she needed horses who were strong and independant, yet capable of showing loyalty and cunning. Perhaps this mare would fit the bill nicely.

"Hmm... it's a pleasure to meet you, Ocean," she replied, her naves flaring slightly as she caught the scent of enemy horses nearby. The smooth silver hair along her spine bristled slightly, yet she took no further action. There was to be no fighting on this land - the Twin Mountains was where horses of any kind could meet or to find new recruits. However, the thought of being so close to her rivals was displeasing. At least, by the scents in the air, the Garan Tribe members were not too close.

"I see you have not been approached by any of the Garan fools yet," she continued smoothly, though a hint of disdain entered her voice at the mention of the other tribe, "So I give you a proposition; accept or refuse. The proposition is this; join the Eguans. Join our Alliance, and side against those fools who believe that they can win the world with brute strength." Her piercing gaze was fixed upon Ocean now, but her expression was quite friendly.

[Infernal]

Ocean nodded briefly as Artemis spoke of another tribe, she saw the mare's silver hair bristle upon her back, like a cat when ready to strike. Her occules became guarded, they sounded cunning and sly, possibly even malice, who knows. But this mare certainly didn't seem to like them, and she seemed like an intelligent, wise mare, so perhaps Ocean should believe every word she spoke. Her gaze swept over the Mountains and she gave a slightly twisted grin.
"No - I haven't been approached by any fools, which is good, I don't let any fool push me about, I can assure you of that," she chuckled quietly, her expression becoming more... Serious as the grey mare continued, and hearing Artemis asking her whether she was to refuse or accept the offer to join her Alliance she thought for several seconds.

And eager nod was given, she knew it was a good choice, she didn't like the sound of the Garan Tribe. Ocean studied the mare's peircing gaze, though she could see warmth beyond this, she glanced toward some foliage toward the east where the scent was coming from.
"I'd be honoured to join you, I'm almost anything but a fool like this Garan Tribe you describe as," she nodded, nares quivering.

[Artemis]

The slightly serious, penetrating look faded from Artemis's gaze, though did not dissapear entierly to be replaced with something that looked very much like satisfaction. This mare effectively had two sides; the one she showed to her allies, which was fair and considerate, and the one that she showed to her enemies, which was wily and cold. A slight smile touched her muzzle, appreciating the mare's words, deciding that she had indeed made a good choice by inviting Ocean to join her.
"Thank you; I beleive that you have made a wise decision," she answered, and now her expression was welcoming and friendly, though if one looked carefully they could tell from the tenseness of her muscles that she still did not like being so close to her sworn enemies. For a moment, she gazed suspiciously behind her, as though wondering what Dorado was up to, before returning her gaze to Ocean, "You are free to wander any of the lands that belong to the Eguans now, though personally I tend to stay at the Ash Hill. You are welcome to join me there if you wish."

She did not know whether Ocean had heard the legends and stories that surrounded this land, but Artemis for one believed in them fully, and following them exactly. When horses had questioned her before on the legend of her birth and Dorado's she had refused to comment on her past, and it was a subject to be avoided - one that clouded her eyes with anger, pain and regret. However, if this mare was curious then she would tell her as much as she could bear to tell - once they had got to somewhere secure, of course.

"Come, let us return to our own lands. I don't know if I can stand the stench of the Garans any longer," she joked.

ooc|| I have to go for a bit so my sister can come on. Sorry!

[Infernal]

Ocean watched closely as Artemis's gaze flickered quickly into a friendly, welcoming one. Her gaze skirted over the ponderosa pines as though expecting the Garan Tribe to be watching, lurking. She'd like to meet them, see what this Garan Tribe, Artemis certainly didn't like them; they but be completely different in every way, she could picture them now, large, muscular, they eyes piercing, their teeth constantly flashing in warning, their eyes mysterious and dark, malice, vile and cunning. The sorrel mare curled her upper lip slightly at this before she looked back Artemis as she spoke, she was glad she'd made a wise choice, she could tell Artemis was well aware of the Garan's close by. With a brief nod she grinned, her locks bouncing on her neck in the faint breeze.
"I think I'll stay with you at Ash Hill," she agreed. She was glad to have made a friend now, for now she had company.

Ocean had not heard of any legends - Well; not yet anyway. But maybe Artemis would be keen to speak of them, Ocean seemed rather relaxed despite having thought the Garan Tribe vile and evil, but maybe they weren't, maybe they were just like Artemis's tribe, whatever the case, the wily grey mare didn't seem to like them at all. Perhaps there was competition between the two tribes. She pushed the thought aside and couldn't help but let the grin on her lips broaden as Artemis joked about the other tribe.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" she questioned eagerly with a toss of her crown, "Let's go then before this Garan Tribe come and pester us," she grinned, turning on her heels she broke into a jog, gesturing for Artemis to come and lead the way.

[Artemis]

The grey mare was not foolish; she knew that Ocean would be curious about her new alliance’s enemies, and would probably want to know much about what was going on in the lands. Well, she would probably meet some of the Garan Tribe soon enough; after all, it was unlikely that it would be too long before there was a disagreement which would result in at least arguing, if not full out fighting. Her gaze returned to the mare, and she nodded as she spoke. Fair enough; it would be nice to have a intelligent company again.

“I am sure that you are eager to learn as much as you can about our legends, customs and enemies. I will answer any questions that you have, once we are back in our own lands,” she spoke, her ears twitching slightly at Ocean’s words, and she grinned, breaking into an instant canter as Ocean gestured for her to take the lead. Within seconds her stride had elongated into a gallop as she streaked across the topography, heading south towards her own lands. She paused and slowed her gait once, to look over her shoulder to see that Ocean was following.