The Lands Beyond (Drathan, Belocc & Morgella}

[JetAlmeara]

Drathan watched as Morgella read the sacrifice and inwardly smiled as she pronounced the future good, with a nod towards the mare he turned to his warriors, letting their roars dwindle on their own before he began to speak.

"This has been a day long in coming, we have spent many days preparing and training for the challenges ahead and the Gods have seen this." The stallion stated decisively, moving now to pace back and forth in front of his warriors as he spoke. "They have seen how we toiled and sweat, how our muscles ached as we trained, how our tenders wisely chose only the best to continue breeding... how our healers and gathers ranged far an wide to seek out the gifts they let grow upon this land for us, and they have seen that we are determined and worthy creatures, our spirits unbroken despite the worst of the weather they could throw upon us. The Gods have tested us and they have found us worthy of this challenge, they send us forth so that we may bring their truth to the heathens that lay beyond the mountain pass - creatures who worship false gods or no gods at all - it is up to us to enlighten them...or rid the land beyond of their taint should enlightenment prove impossible. The herds beyond will bend to the will of our gods...or they will break beneath our hooves like twigs upon the ground!" Drathan roared to his warriors punctuating his last statement with a swift strike of his foreleg, snapping a nearby branch meant for the fire in two with a crack.

"Go forth and celebrate our mission, tomorrow we take up the will of the Gods!." He told his warriors, releasing them to the night of celebration.  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

Having done her duty for the night Moreglla stepped to the side to allow Drathan a large area to stand and move about while he addressed the army. She still had a few minor things to attend to before the morning hit, but for the moment she would stand with the others and listen the the words of their leader. Drathan was good at short but invigorating speeches that really drove the point home but didn't take half the night to say either. She knew some leaders of other herds liked to be long-winded when addressing their subjects, but not Drathan, he got to the point as quickly as possible and then let his men go. This was one of the many reasons why Drathan was such a good leader for the herd and why his warriors did not question him.

With the speech over Morgella moved towards those that had gathered to keep the fire going throughout the night. This would be part of her duties for the next few hours, along with doing a few final details on what healers would bring with them in this initial journey through the pass. Before first light should would deliver the small necklace filled with herbs for Drathan to wear into the new lands, but for now she settled into watching the fire while inspecting the sacks of healing herbs that were packed and ready to go with the healers down the pass.  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

Belocc could feel his adrenaline pumping as Drathan delivered his speech. He was eager, like the rest of the herd, to finally get moving and to see what these new lands truly offered for them. But of course the real reason was to punish those that had slipped through Drathan's grasp in this land, and to convert the herds of this new land to their cause or to wipe them out. He knew it would be many hours before he himself go tto travel down the pass, as he would ensure all the groups were properly organized and fitted with supplies before making the journey himself, but he was nonetheless excited at the prospect. They had shown the Gods they were willing to wait until the right time and now they had been rewarded.

As the warriors began to disperse, Belocc moved towards Drathan. He watches as many of the warriors set off to enjoy in the celebrations, while others, specifically those who would be going through the pass first, were gathered together ensuring all was ready with their particular groups before they would partake in some of the celebrations and then rest. "They are more than ready." He said to Drathan, though it would be obvious to the other stallion that that was the fact. "Shall I have some scouts sent down the pass before your group begins their journey through?" It would allow them to know of any changes of obstacles that may have otherwise been missed from when the scouts had done their initial check of the pass and the initial area beyond when the weather was less than perfect.  

[JetAlmeara]

Drathan felt that his speech had been good, it hadn't lingered on and on and bored his people but rather was short and rather inspiring if he did say so himself, reminding them that they had a mission and had earned the right to partake in it, just as they had earned the right to partake in tonight's celebration.

Turning his gaze upon Belocc as he approached the stallion nodded in agreement "They have worked hard to be so." He praised his warriors and Belocc himself in the process as the other stallion had been instrumental in ensuring they were so well prepared. "That is a good idea, let them enjoy the festivities for a while and then send them through, that should give them plenty of time to report back if anything is amiss - although I do not anticipate any problems if the sacrifice is to be believed.  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

As the celebration continued Morgella stuck close to the fire. She would occasionally venture a short distance away to talk to one of the other healers or to take another claw full of herbs from a nearby basket to add to the fire. It was good to see the army relaxing and enjoying the festivities before they set out on the next leg of their journey. She too was eager to get to the new lands, to see what opportunities it presented, and also to see the new wealth of herbs to learn about and use. While Morgella would fight when necessary, she and Drathan both knew she served the herd best by dealing with the herbs and the healers. Even so, every now and then she did get the lust for blood.

Tossing another bunch of herbs into the fire, letting their burning aroma fill her nostrils. Only a few hours more and the bulk of the herd would settle down to rest before they began to move in the morning. Morgella would stay awake throughout the night, to tend to the fire. Settling down a short distance away from the flames, she got comfortable to keep her vigil over the all important blaze.  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

Belocc nodded his head. "I will inform them of their duties and then let them return to the festivities." Knowing there was nothing else to do tonight except enjoying the celebration and taking care of a few last minute details Belocc walked across the area in search of the scouts. His mind was still busy going over all of the details, double checking that he had everything planned out for each group going into the pass and that nothing was left out. It did not take him all that long to find the scouts.

Nodding in greeting to them he spoke. "When you are done celebrating with the others you will go down the pass one final time, check thoroughly they everything is as it should be for the journey in the morning and report back as quickly as possible." Getting a confirmation of the order Belocc moved off, taking in the warriors as they took in this final part of the waiting game before their next task was before them.  

[JetAlmeara]

The Nights festivities had gone well, the warriors were happy and more importantly feeling confident about the challenges ahead. Drathan knew well that confidence and heart counted for a great deal when it came to these sorts of things - a warrior who was only half devoted to the cause was far less likely to see it through then one who willing to go just a little bit further thanks to his, or her, devotion.

That the gods had placed their blessing on this trip meant a great deal and Drathan made a mental note to thank Morgella for seeing things done well and pleasing the gods. The stallion had slept little that night, but that was not unusual before such a long trip was before him, he had celebrated with his warriors far into the night and now he stood waiting for the sun, the horizon was lightening and it would not be long now. Soon his warriors would stir and form up...all that remained was to await the reports from the last scouts and Drathan found himself praying that those reports were good.  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

The festivities had been well received by all and the Gods continued to show their approval of Drathan's plans by giving them a cloudless night. The stars and moon provided extra light for them to make their final preparations and Morgella knew it was a good sign. A cloudy or stormy night might speak of a sudden change in the Gods feelings over Drathan's move to enter the pass come morning. It would not be long now before the sun would rise and Drathan would be on his way, taking with him the first of the herd. Though many of the warriors slept now, or did their best to rest, Morgella could still feel the thrum of excitement in the air. They were ready, more than ready.

Turning her attention back to the fire Morgella had seen that it was starting to die down. While it was close to sunrise she needed to make sure it kept burning for a little while longer. Having the fire die right before the sun rose was another bad sign. Grabbing a few smaller branches Morgella placed them on the dying flames and within moments they eagerly rose to consume the new fuel. Just a little while longer and then she could rest for a bit until it was her turn to journey down the pass.  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

Beloc had spent the night mixing his time between the celebration and final preparations. He loved seeing the warriors so eager to get moving again, but he would not let them slip tonight, not when Drathan's next move was such a large one. So he made his rounds throughout the night, joining revelers in celebrating but also reminding them of their tasks come sunrise. Even a single warrior not on the top of his game could provide a domino effect across the army. He was satisfied to see that all the warriors knew exactly what they needed to do come morning, which group they were assigned to and what order they would be traveling in.

Now all they had to do was wait for the scouts to return with their report and then once again wait until sunrise. The scouts should be returning soon. They had been sent out some time ago but Belocc knew the pass was quite long and they would not rush this final check, they would make sure everything was good before coming back to report. Hearing the sound of hoof beats in the distance Belocc made his way over to Drathan, it looked like the scouts were coming back, and by their pace he could only guess that everything in and beyond the pass was good. If something had gone wrong they would be running hard. "All looks good." He said to Drathan as he reached the lead stallion and motioned towards the pass as the sound of hooves grew louder. He was confident it was the scouts returning and not someone from the other side. Of course all would be revealed once they received the official report.  

[JetAlmeara]

The sky was growing ever lighter when Drathan heard the sound of hooves faintly in the distance, it would be the scouts most likely and he was not surprised when a few moments later Belocc was at his side stating what he had already guess. "Yes, they seem to be coming at a good pace." He agreed, if something was wrong they would be rushing back to tell them.

"Are the warriors accompanying me fully prepared?" He asked the other stallion, turning to focus upon his second. "Once we have the scouts report I don't wish to delay my leaving..the faster we all start moving through the pass the quicker we can reorganize on the other side." Of course he was sure that Belocc had already roused the warriors that would be accompanying him, Belocc was far to organized and knew Drathan far too well to have let such a preparation slip from his mind.  

[She-Ra of Etheria]

Morgella watched as several individuals turned their attention towards the pass, it was nearing time when they would start their journey into the new lands. Tossing a few more sticks onto the fire Morgella turned her attention to the pass as well, spotting the two scouts Belocc had sent through earlier returning. And now it would all rest on those two scouts report. Though judging by the pace they were moving at Morgella was certain that as soon as the pass had enough light, which would be soon, the army would be on the move once more.

Leaving one of her underlings to tend to the fire for a moment Morgella made her way over to Drathan. There was one final thing she needed to do for the stallion before he left. Nodding to both him and Belocc the mare slipped a necklace with a small pouch full of herbs over the lead stallions neck, a tradition they kept alive before each phase of Drathan's movements. "For a swift and successful journey." She said and then moved back to allow the scouts to come and deliver their report.

Belocc nodded but did not comment further. He watched as Morgella arrived and gave Drathan the customary pouch of herbs for this next phase and nodded to the mare as she stepped back. He turned his attention to the scouts who were nearing where they stood. He turned to Drathan and then motioned to the left to where those assigned to Drathan's group stood. "They merely await your order to move." He had made sure they were ready, and then double checked before even thinking about coming to Drathan. Now as the scouts stopped before them he turned his attention to the two swift stallions. "Report."

"The pass is clear, no sign of ambushes at the end, conditions are dry but we should not create too much dust on the journey. There is a large opening on the other side surrounded by trees that will allow the army to regroup there without drawing too much attention." The one scout said and the other nodded in agreement.

Belocc was pleased with the report and he was certain that Drathan would be too. He mentally made a note about the dry conditions and would circle around the groups mentioning this to ensure they kept their pace slow enough to not kick up too much dust but still steady so they reached the other side in good time. A large dust trail was a great way to give away an army's approach. Now it would all be up to Drathan, to get the first group moving and Belocc would then take care of pacing out the remaining groups until the army was reunited once again on the other side.