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Maion had pulled a night shift, his son Drashi had been too tired to do it after his day of training with Xanthus; it was fine by Maion -after all he had been the one to encourage his son to take a break and get to know Xanthus better now he had returned. The shift had gone without a hitch, nothing but the night creatures had joined him -a little sad really since Maion had always loved meeting new people, but a quiet shift was a good shift after the incident with the skinwalkers.

He was returning home to Sengdroma when he spotted a blue green pelt of a particular foal -Crown Cullen. Sengdroma had told Maion that everyone was excited to watch the youth grow, especially since it was obvious he had much of her father's line in him with the reoccurance of the blue in his pelt. Maion had to admit he was curious too, but only because he believed the boy would one day make a great protector, already he showed great care towards both his siblings. Yes. A colt of great potential.

Maion knew he should have revealed himself but the colt was having so much fun looking for a fish that had actually been his reflection that Maion gave his mane another flick causing the colours of black and white to shimmer across the surface, the giggle the foal emitted made one of his own sneak out, he always had had a weakness for laughter. "I do not believe I am a fish." He chimed, smiling softly and taking an extra step forward so that his face was reflected more clearly for the foal to see.

Maion listened patiently, he knew that foals had vivid imaginations, could remember from his own foals and those he had saved as a young man. Still... he couldn't completely see the logic this time, why did the colt believe he was in trouble? And without knowing what he had done? Usually when they thought they were in trouble it was because they believed their crime had finally caught up with them. Had Crown done something? His instinct said no... but he would keep an eye and ear open on the situation.

He chuckled softly in an effort to relax the boy before taking a step backwards; "You're not in trouble Crown." He smiled, took another step and twisted softly, "Come Crown."

The truth was Maion had a soft spot for foals, and he probably let them get away with more than he should... all in the name of exploration and development.

Maion smiled softly as the young colt joined him. Maion had wanted to 'test' the boys patience, see how long he could go without talking.... the fact was the role that Crown seemed to admire so much had a lot of waiting and training involved, he had already caught the boy copying the training exercises that Drashi had put together for Aether and the other protectors.... perhaps it was about time Crown was thrown into the wolves? Perhaps if he was taught early and shown the techniques properly rather than self-taught after listening the boy would learn faster? A curious notion.... usually Maion wouldn't even consider such a thing, Crown was a foal after all and therefore his childhood was to be cherished and protected for it was already too fleeting, but since the boy took time to train anyway....

He had just about to speak himself when Crown's voice broke through the silence, Maion blinked and for the first time realised they had wandered quite a distances.... impressive attention span for a foal it seemed. Impressed Maion turned his head to look at Crown before speaking. "I think here will do." Maion then lowered himself to the ground and rolled onto his back as best he could. Out of habit Maion always tucked his wings on the side he planned to roll on so that his feathers didn't get damaged.

"Have you ever just looked at the sky? It changes every day but so many simply ignore it and take its beauty for granted." He turned his head slightly to Crown, indicated that the boy should join him before adding; "What do you see Crown?"

Maion smiled softly as his attention returned to the sky, sure enough he could see everything the young colt mentioned... including the apple shaped cloud. He chuckled, a heart sound that rumbled deep in his chest. He scanned the sky, "And a rabbit..." He pointed with his hoof.

It was strange how his intention to talk with the colt turned into a game, but there was always time to talk later.... now was definatly the time for play.

"Oh..." He chuckled as his eyes spotted another shape, "....I think that one looks like a tree, what do you think?"

Maion nodded at each, adding his own suggestions among those of Crown's. "A pig perhaps.... or the Moon." It was strange how everything always returned to the moon for him, it called to him.... he even called his mate Moon in private -a reminder of when they had met all those years ago, Sengdroma had refused to say a word and Maion couldn't simply call her 'ma'am', 'lady' or 'you' all the time so he had given her the name Moon, an object of much importance to him. At the time he had believed Sengdroma to be a mute.... but soon he discovered it was simply her way. She had opened up much since he had first met her, leading her herd with confidence and advice whenever it was needed.... he wondered though, what would have become of his life if he had never met Sengdroma?

The answer was probably obvious.... he would still be alone, still believing that the woman who raised him was an Angeni who had died in a battle against a skinwalker, when in truth it was nothing of the sort. He had met once while he and Sengdroma were first deciding on the herdlands and a safe haven to bring up their three beautiful children. They reached the lake... three children turned into four... Drashi, what would have happened to that poor boy? Would he have died trying to bring his sister back to life? He had been close to death already when Maion and Chandra had stumbled across him. After that the herd steadily begun growing into an actual herd... taking in the lost, the injured and even those running in fear of their lives.... it was the son of one of those mares that stood beside him now. Renesme, Alice and Jasper had been on the run for most of his mothers life when she had been not much older than Crown was now. Feared for her abilities and for the 'tainted' blood that ran in her veins. Maion knew what all three where, but felt no shame towards them... after all, that was their nature and still they fought it to 'better' themselves.

Yes, if Maion had never met Sengdroma things would have been different for everyone. He would be weaker.... she gave him strength, helped him to accept the truth of his past and move forward. It was only part of the reason why he despised his 'mother' at times.... after all she had insisted that Maion keep his genes pure, mate only with his 'equal', when in actual fact Maion was far below Sengdroma, a regular mare that put all others to shame.

He loved her with all his heart and soul, and Maion would do anything to protect her and their herd.

The question that left Crown's list snapped him from his thought, it reminded him of his own childhood.... when he would ask for any information about his breed and how to better himself and be worthy. The difference was.... Crown would be told the truth. "It is not the breed that makes someone strong Crown," he started, turning his head to the young colt... he could almost feel and see what the boy was thinking, Angeni blood ran through his viens, but not as strong as his brother Paris, yet that didn't make him 'less' somehow. Maion knew that every soul was worthy and had strength, most just needed the chance to show it. "It is the strength of their heart that matters. Follow what you believe is right, access the situation and think of all the possibilities.... intelligence, courage they are also a sign of strength. As is running away.... to have the strength to run because you know it is 'right', maybe you need to protect another or you know you can not win the fight.... running can show strength too. It is harder to do if you let pride get in the way." Maion paused for a long moment. "Do you understand Crown?"

Yes, true strength came from within. If you had to tell someone you where strong then you probably weren't. Power should never be flaunted or abused, but used to guide, protect and keep things in balance for the greater good.

As Maion looked at the young colt he started to understand two things....
1- Crown was going to grow up to be a strong stallion.
2- Crown had a good heart.

Maion smiled, he probably would have chuckled but it was clear from the colts expression that the question was serious and meant a lot to him; and for that Maion would not mock him. Instead he simply smiled and looked up at the sky, "How do you know what the clouds look like? How do we know which trees bare fruit?" Perhaps it was harsh making the young colt attempt to figure out for himself Maion's meaning, but the old stallion could tell it was important.

The truth was Maion had high hopes for Crown, but unless the boy wanted to do them, to work hard and train with every ounce of his strength then it was unlikely he would every become anything. Potential was easily lost when there was no drive to fulfil it..... and once again Maion found himself contemplating what would become of the three young colts, so vibrant and full of life... what would they make of the world as they grew up? What paths would they pick? Even with all the best intentions a plan could fall apart from just one or two problems.... he considered his son Drashi again, his life would have been so much different if his blood family had never been killed and different still if Arianna had never left him. Yet, it was how we battled through the problems of life, how we survived and allowed them to impact upon our lives that really defined a person.

Still, he hoped life would be good for little Crown, Eden and Paris.

The sadness he could almost hear in Crowns voice was heartbreaking, he had never meant to upset the boy. Rolling back over Maion sat never to the colt and nodded softly. "In many ways. We see the strength of heart by the actions of another." He hoped that would clear up the matter, strength was not something you could see, or hear or even something that should be boasted about... but it was there and open for all to see should they wish to. Actions spoke far louder than words, it was why Maion had instisted one taking several duties himself, around the herdlands and in its heart.... being seen actively participating had had a soothing effect on his herd mates after the attack, and soon he hoped they would be nothing more than a distant memory.

"It is not who we are, or where we came from that defines us Crown but what we do... our actions. They are what truely define you. Take our alpha, Sengdroma for example. She may be a mare of few words but those she does say have meaning.... she doesn't simply stand by and let everyone do things for her, but instead actively strives to make things better for everyone. You see?" Maion smiled at the boy and waited patiently for his reaction.