The Lands Beyond (Drathan, Belocc & Morgella}

[JetAlmeara]

While the tenders prepared the goat he had selected Drathan turned to survey the actions going on around him - in the distance he could see Belocc surrounded by his warriors, undoubtedly the stallion was busy selecting and organizing them into optimal fighting forces. Drathan was sure that the stallion would send him off with the best chances possible and Morgella's preparation would ensure that the Gods looked upon them with favor as well. Drathan was not concerned for his chances in the pass and beyond - yes it would be dangerous and it was unknown but Drathan was confident of his and more importantly his warriors abilities.

They had rolled over the herds in this place and they would continue to do so in the next, his empire would grow and he would find those few who thought they had escaped him. Foolish beasts. Turning his attention to the tenders as they approached, herding the goat between him he nodded. "Take it to the fire, Morgella will look over it to ensure it will be pleasing to the Gods." He instructed the too - letting them handle the goat while he walked along behind them. Being a leader had it's advantages - one of them being that he could let others deal with the troublesome nature of goats.  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

Belocc was engrossed in his work. Even with all this time as being second in command of Drathan's army, Belocc knew he could not rush things when choosing warriors for certain tasks. He knew the well by now, which ones were best at fighting in close quarters, which worked well together and which ones didn't, those who had swift strides that could cover more ground quickly. Each of these traits and many others went into choose who would end up in which squadron. It was no easy task and often time he had to mix up the warriors each time, mostly because not every situation called for the same group of warriors. This time was especially different, because they were going into a relatively unknown land. Their scouts had ventured down the pass and done an initial inspection of the lands but the lands stretch well beyond that and they would not know what truly awaited them until they got there.

He had just finished assigning another squadron when he glanced up to see Drathan walking across the field behind a couple of tenders, a goat corralled between them. The goat looked like an excellent sacrifice. Things were moving well and soon the fire would be lit and the desire to get moving would become even stronger among the warriors. He wanted as many of the squadrons assigned before then, so that no one was skipped over amid the celebrations tonight. He would only join in once his task was complete, so he turned his attention back to those gathered around him and resumed his work.  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

"These will do nicely." Morgella told the other healer as she placed the last of the herbs in the container. "Keep them safe. They must be added to the fire at the proper time, I will collect them when that time comes." The other mare nodded slightly and went to a spot Morgella had designated earlier as where to wait until she was needed. If anything happened to the herbs the mare knew she would take the brunt of the punishment. With that task complete Morgella turned to go inspect the pile of firewood but stopped when she say Drathan, the tenders and a goat making their way across the field.

The mare moved to intercept them. She waited for the tenders to bring the goat to a stop and stepped closer for a good look at it. She ran her claws gently over it's hide checking for any flaws, it's muscle tone and it's overall health. When she was fully satisfied she gave her head a nod and looked up at Drathan. "It is an excellent choice. The Gods will be most happy with it." Yes, this goat was an ideal sacrifice and would see them to a prosperous journey into the new lands.  

[JetAlmeara]

Drathan took note of Belocc hard at work when he passed but did not stop to speak with him - the other stallion was hard at work and Drathan would check on him after the goat had been seen to. It was better to leave his second to his own devices when it came to organizing the troops, to step in an make any comments about it would just undermine his seconds authority, would make the warriors think that he questioned his choices and in turn they would question Belocc in battle which would not do at all. An army out of sync and questioning their superiors was an army that was doomed to failure.

Upon reaching Morgella he waited patiently as inspected the goat. He was sure that he had made a good choice but it was always best to consult with her on such thing's just to make sure, far be it for him to insult the gods over his own silly pride. At her approval he nodded. "He was the best of the herd, I'll leave it with you and your healers for preparation then." He stated before turning and trotting towards Belocc, now that the goat had been seen too he could get a progress report from Belocc, by the time that was finished then it would almost be time for the festivities to begin.  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

While not the simplest of tasks Belocc was skilled at dividing the army to best suit Drathan's needs for any particular day or attack pattern. Though he would likely spend most of the night organizing everything that needed to be done with these squads, his focus was on getting those squads that would accompany Drathan and those directly after them squared away first. It was still important to work out the other squads and make sure they were as equally balanced as those before them, but he had a slight time luxury with those ones. He turned his attention to the last two remaining stallions as he finished listing off the warriors that would be within their groups. "You will follow Caan's squad down the pass." He told the heavyset black stallion and then turned the the other. "And you will go after."

He saw Drathan approaching from the corner of his eye. "Go and gather your warriors, ensure they know their positions and then set them free to join in the festivities. I will call you all later to assemble up for the morning push into the pass." The two stallions nodded and left to do as they were told, bobbing their heads in acknowledgement of Drathan. Belocc turned to his leader. "The first squads are set minus the healers, though I am certain Morgella will already know which of her healers to sent with them."  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

Morgella smiled down upon the goat. It did not flinch or shiver as she continued to run a claw over it's hide. That was a good sign as well, for it showed it was strong in both body and mind. "I shall alert you to when we are ready to sacrifice it." The sacrifice would of course be the start of the celebration tonight. There was much to do in the little time that was left but Morgella could see her healers and other members of the herd moving quickly about tending to all those necessary duties. "Bring it over there." She told the tenders as Drathan walked away. "We must prepare it properly." Her gaze moved to the pile of wood that would soon be a raging bonfire. It was a good size, but even now she had some of the Drones collecting more wood to ensure that it would urn until Drathan set off down the pass.

She watched the tenders herd the goat towards the spot she had indicated. Lifting her head to look to the sky Morgella took in a deep breath. Tonight they would celebrate, honor their Gods and leader and in the morning they would finally take their first steps to conquering a new land. After that short pause Morgella turned and focused her attention back to her duties. She began shouting orders at some of her healers. They needed to work quickly as she still needed to send some of them to the squads that were forming for tomorrows push. Her attention focused on the goat as she made her way over to the beast and began it's preparations.  

[JetAlmeara]

Drathan arrived just in time to hear Belroccs final orders, it seemed that the stallion had completed his duties in a timely fashion, much as he had expected. "Morgella is seeing to the goat but I am sure that she will have them to their stations on time." Drathan agreed, the healers could arrive at the last minutes as they did not require the organization of the warriors, as long as they carried the herbs they needed and stood at ready for any injuries they might face then Drathan would not complain.

"This is an exciting time for the herd, an entire new land awaits up Belocc, perhaps we will find a paradise beyond the hills." He stated, though it was more likely that they would have to make such a paradise suit their needs it was possible that the new lands would be more pleasing then those they were leaving behind. If nothing else they would be new lands and that was something worth being excited about, it had been a long time since any of their ilk had dared to cross the mountains and they would not be going in a singular raiding party..but an entire army, they would be making history.  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

"I have no doubt that Morgella will have the healers ready to go well before you depart." The mare may be busy at the moment but Belocc knew that she would already be mentally going over her group of healers and deciding which ones to send through first with Drathan and making sure their had a good supply of herbs to go with them. His eyes drifted to where Morgella and the goat were. He wasn't really sure what she did to prepare the goats for sacrifice, but he wasn't about to go over there and interrupt her...besides he still had many things to see to before the night was over. "It is a fine looking beast and will serve us well."

Swinging his gaze back to his leader Belocc nodded. "It will be good to finally set our hooves upon the land we have so patiently waited for." He was eager as any other in the herd to get to those new lands, but he knew it would be a while before he himself made the trip down the pass. He would not make the journey until all his duties here organizing things were done. "The warriors are eager to move, no doubt they will sleep little tonight knowing that come morning those new lands wait for them. There will no doubt be many opportunities for us in those lands. I look forward to seeing them myself." He knew there was unfinished business for Drathan in those new lands what with a few Soquili who had escaped their grasps, but beyond that there would be so much more to do.  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

With the goat securely tied to a tree stump Morgella set up properly preparing it for it's destiny as a sacrifice. Two of her healers had already gathered the necessary herbs and were grinding them along with some water into a thick paste. Once that was ready she began to paint symbols on the goats hide using her claws. Each symbol representing a certain aspect that would benefit Drathans army. Speed, intelligence, swiftness and so on. The knowledge of these symbols had been passed on down from previous healers and they would be one day passed down to Morgella's successor. It was important to get the symbols in the right place and drawn in the right size. Too small and the army could lack the strength it needed to overcome an enemy. Not that she doubted Drathan's army, but these practices had been in effect for many generations and Drathan always made sure to follow them.

As she finished the last symbol Morgella did a quick inspection of the goat and then nodded her approval. Yes, the best would do nicely. Now there was the matter of lighting the fire, doing the sacrifice and then getting the healer ready to travel down the pass with Drathan. She turned her attention to the wood pile now, leaving the tenders and one of her healers to watch over the goat until it's time had come. Bits of dried straw had been tucked into various spots in the wood to help the first catch. Her gaze turn to the sun as a healer stepped forward to give her the two rocks that would be used to spark the blaze. The sun was low in the sky, it's bottom not quite touching the horizon. She waited, ignoring all things around her. When the sun began to touch the horizon Morgella quickly hit the two rocks together and the spark leapt onto the grass. It took only a few seconds for the fire to catch. She blew softly on the small flame until it began to grow and spread. Stepping back she watched the fire spread throughout the pile. It would take time for the blaze to fully engulf the wood but by the time that had happened the celebration would be ready to begin.  

[JetAlmeara]

The smell of smoke on the air was a welcome sign as the sun began to set, it would not be long now before the ceremony was fully underway and with that the final steps before leaving this old land for the new would have begun. Drathan turned his head towards the fire growing flame's, the embers reflected in his eyes as he regarded them. Yes...this was both a beginning and an end and a ceremony for both was required and well looked forward too.

"The sun has set and now if the time for celebration and ceremony." He told Belocc "You have prepared as well as you could have and now is the time to set aside such duties and relax for a little while. Enjoy yourself Belocc - it is a privilege too rarely received by those such as us." He went on, attempting to encourage the stallion to relax if only for a little while. He valued the stallions devotion and expertise a great deal but he was also aware that stress and long hours without reprieve could be detrimental to ones overall health.

"Come let us join Morgella by the flames." He stated, making his way towards the growing fire.  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

Belocc took a deep breath, taking in the growing scent of smoke in the air from the celebration fire. It was good to have finally reached the point where they could travel through the pass. While Belocc had never doubted that they would make it through the pass, the weeks of idle time waiting for the conditions to be right had worn on him heavily and undoubtedly it had worn on the others as well. But as a commander it was exceptionally hard to sit back and watch the warrior remain idle day after day. Yes, they had trained and gathered supplies for the upcoming leg of the journey but it wasn't enough to satisfy his needs.

Looking over at Drathan the stallion nodded. Honestly he might have skipped the celebration to ensure that every last minute detail was taken care of. But he knew Drathan was right, there was little more he could do here before morning and it would be good to celebrate along side his fellow herd mates. "As you wish." Belocc said before turning and following Drathan.  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

The fire was growing steadily and while it wasn't a full blaze yet Morgella was satisfied with the results. The drones had certainly done a good job of collecting the wood and piling it up correctly. She may even give them a bit of slack and let them enjoy a bit of the celebration. But of course the drones could not be allowed too much freedom, they needed constant supervision and guidance, but a little break from their duties would likely be a good thing. But she would make them work first, the fire needed to be closely tended and fed for this crucial part of the celebration.

Morgella turned her attention to the sacrificial goat for a moment. The beast was tied a short distance away and seemed content with it's lot in life. That was good. If the beast began to thrash and make a fuss they may need to select a new sacrifice. It would not be long before the sacrifice was made and with that Drathan's quest for the new lands would not only be blessed with success but any evil against him would be thwarted. Hearing the approach of hooves Morgella looked towards Drathan and Belocc as they approached. Many of the others in the herd were also moving towards the fire, gathering close so that they could share in the celebration and bear witness to the sacrifice. "The time has almost come." She told the lead stallion as he approached. "Do you wish to address your men before or after the goat is sacrificed?"  

[JetAlmeara]

Drathan eyed the fire, the goat and the gathering warriors, considering for a several long seconds Morgella's question. There were times when he gave a rousing speech before such events, but in this instance he felt the word of the gods was too important to upstage with such a thing - besides how the sacrifice went was likely to dictate how well the celebration and ceremony went, it would likely be best not to rile everyone up before that was completed.

"We shall see what the gods say before I speak." Drathan finally stated with a glance towards Morgella, a signal to proceed as the last of his warriors gathered, ringing the fire in a loose and deep semi circle, although rank was not important at such events the highest in his army were generally afforded the closest positions out of respect by their underlings. It did Drathan's heart good to see that his warriors were so well conditioned and respectful towards their leaders. It would do them well in the days to come.  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

Morgella nodded, Drathan was indeed smart to leave this to the Gods words before he chose to speak to his warriors. The heat from the fire radiated out among those gathered. "Bring the sacrifice!" Morgella turned and moved closer to the fire as the two tenders brought the beast forward. The goat walked along without any fight, slowing only for a moment to bend it's head and nibble some grass. Morgella smiled, it was indeed a worthy sacrifice. She made sure the goat was positioned in the exact center in front of the fire before continuing. "We shed this beasts blood in honor of our Gods. Let the blood cleanse this land and it's warriors, let it's steady flow mimic our movements into this new world and let it keep Drathan strong so that he might lead us to ultimate victory!" Her voice rang out clear over the roar of the fire.

"Let the Gods speak now." Morgella grabbed the rope from one of the tenders and pulled the goat closer. The beast let out a bleat before it's throat was slit with her claw. The blood splashed out freely, soaking into the ground and splashing up onto the fire. She helped to lower the dying goats body to the ground to lay in front of the fire, it's pristine white coat not stained red with blood. She stood there for a long moment watching the goat before turning back to Drathan and the gathered warrior. "The Gods are pleased with our sacrifice and bless our upcoming journey!" She announced having seen no ill signs in the sacrifice.  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

Belocc watched the sacrifice carefully. This tradition had been in the herd for a long time, well before Drathan came to power and it was good to see such practices still kept alive. To ignore the Gods and their powers was a sure sign to cause disaster to such a large campaign. While he did not know the finer details of the sacrificing techniques he did know that Morgella was well versed in the art and knew how to interpret the goats blood flow as well as it's body movements as it died. Those things would be indicators of how well the Gods were pleased with Drathan and his army and would speak of their success or failure in the future.

He stood still as he waited for the words that every stallion and mare gathered here tonight needed to hear. And once Morgella stated that the Gods were pleased Belocc let out a mighty roar, this was to acknowledg and celebrate the Gods acceptance of their sacrifice. He heard the others join in as well, it was good to lift their spirits before making the long push into the new lands to start their conquering there. As the roar of the cheering began to fade Belocc turned his attention to Drathan knowing the stallion would now address his warriors.