Springtime for Rhy was much like every other season. Hot and humid, with a little bit more rain. The weather in the Jungle didn’t change much. The degree of hot and humid varied, but otherwise, it was largely the same throughout the year. And though the Jungle certainly had foals and pregnant mares, they were not the sort of mares that marked their lives by the number of children they managed to bear.

Rhy was evidence of that. She was what, 12 or 13 or hell, older, and still had no children. And really, was in no rush about it either. She did have Draconis, the fire-breathing girl she’d found along in the Den. But Rhy had simply done what any decent horse would have. Taken the girl home and watched over her until they could find the girl’s mother (or if they could, really). It’s entirely possible the mother didn’t want to be found.

Since the temperature has finally started to warm up in Beqanna, she makes her way to the field. Rhy tries not to leave the Jungle in the winter, if she can help it. She doesn’t grow a winter coat anymore, and doesn’t really like being cold. She’s grown too used to the heat. Once in the field, she skims around for someone to talk to, eyes falling on a dark gold champagne mare. She’s alone, standing off to the side, and Rhy cheats a little bit, reading her emotions before walking over.

“Hi, I’m Rhy.” she says, her smile friendly and warm as she comes to a stop before the mare, keeping a polite distance. “I’m from the Jungle. May I ask your name?” She falls silent now, waiting to see what the mare has to say.  

rhy

the electric lioness of riagan and rayelle

It’s always smart to be on the alert in the field. You never really know who might find you, and not all of the horses lurking here are as kind as Rhy. Rhy, for her part, doesn’t worry much about anyone else, but she’s at a distinct advantage when it comes to defensive skills. She can grow claws and talons, can electrocute your heart, can disappear from view, and fling objects at your head. The list goes on. There are certainly some that could get the best of her, but they were pretty few and far between.

The mare notices her, looking up as Rhy comes up and takes her place. The mare’s greeting is pleasant, introducing herself as Anahi, and Rhy nods in acknowledgment. “Are you new to Beqanna?” she asks, waiting a pause for the mare to answer before continuing to speak. “The Jungle is the all mare kingdom in Beqanna. There are stallions, but they can hold no rank in the Jungle, and exist to serve us ladies.” She grins slightly, a playful grin at that last remark. Many of them stayed for love of some lady, or because they were born in the Jungle and simply didn’t want to leave. They were not really treated like servants, though they may hold that title.

“I can offer you a place to rest, and you can always leave if you don’t like it or find somewhere else you’d rather live. Or, if you fall in love with it like so many do, you can stay and work your way through the ranks, or simply call it home.”

rhy

the electric lioness of riagan and rayelle

The mare answers her question, revealing that she hasn’t been in Beqanna long. Not long enough to know all that much about the kingdoms, so Rhy’s explanation of the Jungle is hopefully at least somewhat helpful. The Jungle certainly bucks tradition in that sense. And there are some that like it, and like the idea of not necessarily being ruled by a stallion in a herd. Granted, many of the kingdoms were ruled by women. That wasn’t uncommon. But there were plenty of traditional herds as well, and some mares still preferred that life. Rhy didn’t, but she respected those that did.

“Well, welcome to Beqanna.” She says to begin, before diving into the questions that the mare has. “Yes, the horses there are kind, though sometimes a little rough around the edges. The Jungle is known for producing strong, warrior women though. Even if you don’t like to fight, like me, most of us are capable of it. And the stallions there choose that life. We don’t make them stay, and we don’t make them do anything they don’t want to do. But other than to serve the kingdom and to help out, no, they aren’t there for anything else. Though it is not uncommon for the men that live there to choose to do so to be with the mare they love.”

She thinks of her grandparents, of Scorch and Hestoni. Kratos would never live in the Jungle as a manservant with Rhy, but many did. And they lived quite happily, those that had no ambitions for a title. Her own father had offered to live with Rayelle in the Jungle, had Rayelle chosen to go back to her birth home. But he loved her far more than anything else in this world, so that always made sense to her.

“The Jungle isn’t for everyone, and I’ll understand if you don’t think it’s for you.”

rhy

the electric lioness of riagan and rayelle