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Eri wasn’t certain if he had crossed a line or not until the mare started to tell her story. It was sad and one of the reasons why had stayed away from joining a side. He could not see himself fighting his family. It would have broken his heart and he would have stood there waiting for death. “I am sorry for your family’s loss.” He nudged her softly. “When the war broke out my own mother worried about her second set of children. My father is, well he may have been one your father met while he was down in the southern lands.” Eri's voice was soft and gentle. It held no hate or malice.

Her gasp was expected so Eri didn’t jump. “I don’t mind. I’m used to it. My mother worried that the second batch of foals might fall into the clutches of the six. She didn’t want that. She even made me promise not to let it happen.” He shook his head. “I have family on both sides of the conflict. I would rather die than risk spilling their blood. So my only option was take my family’s side and claim no side as my own. Please do not think bad of my father for having been raised in the south. After all he ventured north and found love with my mother who was supposedly his mortal enemy just from her own alignment.He too placed family above all else. ” He wondered if the mare understood that made his mother one of the King’s horses. He hadn’t claimed his father was one of the six’s nor would he claim his mother for her alignment. To him they were his family and that was all that mattered.

The way the mare was eying him was something like what Guinevere Sue had done not so long ago. It made him blush even though he didn’t want to admit it. “Not judging others would be a nice place to start, but blindly trusting would be a mistake. All things in moderation.” He didn’t want to tell her of the struggles his father and mother had faced. That was a tale for another time and only if he got to know this mare better. Right now he just left the story as it was. “It’s good family is so important to you. It’s also nice to know you don’t seem to scorn those who didn’t pick a side. I was a bit worried for a moment there but that is my own insecurities coming into play I suppose. My apologies my lady.” Eri didliked the thought of being seen as weak or half a stallion, so the fact this mare had not laughed was nice. Very nice indeed.

He nodded. “Yes to each their own. My sister Jolana and my brother Dosei have no side, nor does Karit.” He shook his head figuring the names meant nothing to her just as his children’s hadn’t. “My apologies. I’m rambling like an old fool here. Many members of my family have chosen not to take a side due to the conflict. It seems our loyalty to one another is stronger than the ties they swore to others no of our kin.”

“Exactly.” Eri smiled at the younger mare feeling fairly happy. She understood and was very kind on the mater. He was sorry that she lost her father, but he had no doubt that if he could see her now that her sire would be so proud of her. He kept a respectful distance as he followed her and had to admit to himself that she had a lovely form. Perhaps she had inherited that from her mother? He knew that his own children were a blend of himself and Guinevere Sue. He tore his eyes from his guides form and focused on the ground ahead figuring it was better than letting his mind dwell and be tempted.

“Yes, for the most part.” Eri looked a bit bashful for the first time. “You see when I was younger I fell head over hooves for a beautiful white mare named Guinevere Sue. I was seeing her for a time. I was traveling a lot back then trying to stay in touch with all members of my family. One time on a trip back from such an excursion I found myself suddenly the father of four little ones. It was Guinevere Sue’s ‘surprise’. Of course we were very young and both of us knew that we couldn’t handle four children on our own. We couldn’t even take care of ourselves at that point.” Eri’s voice turned a bit sad now. “So we did the hardest thing we have ever done. We sent some of the foals away to live with other families who could love them and keep them safe. Zoy went to a home in the city. Daeriel…. He left when he was quite young. I don’t know what happened to him. The not knowing made a wedge between myself and Guinevere though I don’t think either of us intended for it or want to admit it. Strastno and Hikari grew up with Guinevere Sue and myself. I was still traveling, this time with the hope of running across Dariel.” He shook his head. “Hikari went back and forth to the city for a long time giving us news of Zoy and relaying our love, but recently she has had other interests and is spending more time with another herd.” His voice held a note of protectiveness. “So I here I am getting lost on my way to the city because I haven’t heard from Zoy in a while and am worried. I know he should be fine but after losing one son I don’t think I could bear to lose another.” He snorted. “Ah I am sorry. I seem to just keep rambling forever around you. I’m certain you’re sick to death of it.”

Seeing that look on her face he couldn’t help but think how young she must be. He wanted very badly to nuzzle her and another part wanted to coddle her. Instead he twitched his tail and mentally scolded himself again. He was probably old enough to be her sire. He should be thinking of her as he was. Not only that but he had Guinevere Sue. Even if she was gone from him for now he owed it to her to remain loyal, didn’t he? It was true things weren’t the same since their son had disappeared but to just leave wouldn’t be fair to her. Besides this young mare couldn’t be interested in him. He tried to chat to ignore his own thoughts.

“Deep thoughts can weigh you down but sharing them can help lighten the load. If it doesn’t trouble you to share with me that is.”