08-21-2016, 11:08 AM
Aten, much like his older siblings, was a very rambunctious foal, loving every moment that his dam took him away from the safety of the herd to explore the territory once he was old enough. However, unlike his siblings, who had started to mature when they were weanlings, Aten had retained his very bold and happy personality, enjoying every moment that life had to offer at this point. His brother, Nerius, and sister, Eiria, had said that once he reached a certain age, it would be his job to either take over the herd, which would mean stealing it away from one of his siblings, or going out into the world to join a different kingdom or start a herd of his own.
But he wouldn't have to worry about that for a number of years, unless his sire, or half-brother, whoever was leading the herd at the time, decided to kick him out of the herd when he was a yearling. For right now though, Aten would just be the happy foal he was, much like his dam had been when she was his age.
On this bright day, despite the cold chills of autumn already flowing through the land, Aten kicked up his hind legs, letting out a neigh of joy as he bounded through the long grass blades. His dam, Anahi, was nearby grazing, her eyes every so often searching out the form of her son so she could keep an eye on him. Eiria would've joined them probably, but she was off in the kingdom doing who knows what, and Nerius was, so far as Aten knew, out practicing on his own for the day he would ask to become a warrior for the kingdom until he decided to leave.
Aten did think that being a warrior for the kingdom was pretty cool, but nothing he had to think about right now. He was still really young anyway; what could a foal his age do to a full-grown stallion or mare?
Not much, so the matter was shoved to the back of his mind for now. Instead, the colt skidded to a halt, rearing up as he noticed a small bird fly in front of him. The little creature hovered there for a moment, seeming to look straight at the colt before it flew off again. Aten, easily enticed, whinnied again and took off after the bird, bounding and bouncing through the grass.
Enjoying his play time with the bird, Aten raced on to catch up with the small animal, his ears perked and alert to everything around him. When he caught up with the bird, the small creature turned and looked at him again, as if it knew the colt wanted to play. Aten reared up again, kicking out his front legs in a playful fashion. Then, it was ruined.
A loud call sounded from nearby, a call that frightened the bird and startled Aten. The colt shivered a bit, wondering what stranger could be in their territory. He'd never heard that call before. It didn't sound like a member of the kingdom he lived in, at least, not from what he recalled. For a moment, Aten was torn between staying rooted to the spot where he was, racing back to his dam's side, or going to check out what had made the sound.
He definitely wasn't the brave explorer that his older sister and brother were, but he was curious enough, and as everyone knew, that could get you into trouble. Sadly, he was only a weanling, so Aten didn't see anything wrong with heading out to see who was here. As long as he stayed a fair distance away to give himself time to run, he should be okay, right?
The bay colt headed in the direction of the sound, somewhat losing his way in the process as he tried to recall the area where the sound had come from. It was somewhere he knew, but hadn't been to visit a lot. Still, he should know...
The place came to mind. Knowing what kind of environment it was, grassy but a bit slippery because of how much there was, the colt knew he had to be careful. He trotted on, getting closer and closer with each stride. When he reached the area of the territory where the stranger called out, the colt hid among the trees and bushes, peeking out from his cover to see who it was.
It was a mare, one taller than his mother and close to his sire in height. She had bay coloring, much like him, but also had a pair of wings adorning her back. The powerful, graceful tools of flight blended into her body easily, the feathers ruffling when a breeze brushed against them. She also seemed to have some sort of claws on her front hooves, but since Aten was standing behind her, he really couldn't tell.
Thinking back to her call, and noticing the slightly defeated sense her posture held, Aten felt a twinge of sadness for the mare. Was she here to look for someone? Something? He'd never seen her before, so what could she be here looking for?
His nice personality squashed any sense of curiosity and fear he had. Instead, the colt emerged from the trees and bush, looking at the mare with a bright smile on his face, "Hi. Are you lost? Is there someone here you're looking for?"
But he wouldn't have to worry about that for a number of years, unless his sire, or half-brother, whoever was leading the herd at the time, decided to kick him out of the herd when he was a yearling. For right now though, Aten would just be the happy foal he was, much like his dam had been when she was his age.
On this bright day, despite the cold chills of autumn already flowing through the land, Aten kicked up his hind legs, letting out a neigh of joy as he bounded through the long grass blades. His dam, Anahi, was nearby grazing, her eyes every so often searching out the form of her son so she could keep an eye on him. Eiria would've joined them probably, but she was off in the kingdom doing who knows what, and Nerius was, so far as Aten knew, out practicing on his own for the day he would ask to become a warrior for the kingdom until he decided to leave.
Aten did think that being a warrior for the kingdom was pretty cool, but nothing he had to think about right now. He was still really young anyway; what could a foal his age do to a full-grown stallion or mare?
Not much, so the matter was shoved to the back of his mind for now. Instead, the colt skidded to a halt, rearing up as he noticed a small bird fly in front of him. The little creature hovered there for a moment, seeming to look straight at the colt before it flew off again. Aten, easily enticed, whinnied again and took off after the bird, bounding and bouncing through the grass.
Enjoying his play time with the bird, Aten raced on to catch up with the small animal, his ears perked and alert to everything around him. When he caught up with the bird, the small creature turned and looked at him again, as if it knew the colt wanted to play. Aten reared up again, kicking out his front legs in a playful fashion. Then, it was ruined.
A loud call sounded from nearby, a call that frightened the bird and startled Aten. The colt shivered a bit, wondering what stranger could be in their territory. He'd never heard that call before. It didn't sound like a member of the kingdom he lived in, at least, not from what he recalled. For a moment, Aten was torn between staying rooted to the spot where he was, racing back to his dam's side, or going to check out what had made the sound.
He definitely wasn't the brave explorer that his older sister and brother were, but he was curious enough, and as everyone knew, that could get you into trouble. Sadly, he was only a weanling, so Aten didn't see anything wrong with heading out to see who was here. As long as he stayed a fair distance away to give himself time to run, he should be okay, right?
The bay colt headed in the direction of the sound, somewhat losing his way in the process as he tried to recall the area where the sound had come from. It was somewhere he knew, but hadn't been to visit a lot. Still, he should know...
The place came to mind. Knowing what kind of environment it was, grassy but a bit slippery because of how much there was, the colt knew he had to be careful. He trotted on, getting closer and closer with each stride. When he reached the area of the territory where the stranger called out, the colt hid among the trees and bushes, peeking out from his cover to see who it was.
It was a mare, one taller than his mother and close to his sire in height. She had bay coloring, much like him, but also had a pair of wings adorning her back. The powerful, graceful tools of flight blended into her body easily, the feathers ruffling when a breeze brushed against them. She also seemed to have some sort of claws on her front hooves, but since Aten was standing behind her, he really couldn't tell.
Thinking back to her call, and noticing the slightly defeated sense her posture held, Aten felt a twinge of sadness for the mare. Was she here to look for someone? Something? He'd never seen her before, so what could she be here looking for?
His nice personality squashed any sense of curiosity and fear he had. Instead, the colt emerged from the trees and bush, looking at the mare with a bright smile on his face, "Hi. Are you lost? Is there someone here you're looking for?"