Iron Hoof padded among various rocks and ferns. He brushed them aside with his legs as he moved forward. Pausing, the large-horned buck sniffed the air. He found the scent of another kimeti nearby. Cautiously, he moved slowly, placing each hoof gently and silently in front of the other. Turning the corner around a mangrove, the buck found the source. Sure, it was not a full-grown kimeti as he expected, but a newly-hatched foal. The little foal was still wet with the embryonic fluids contained in its sac, and dirt and mud began to stain its white coat. It had such a lovely white coat. Tenderly, and relieved that it was only a foal, not a kimeti who could prove to be dangerous, Iron Hoof stepped forward and licked the foal's cheek. Where was its mother? He looked around, quickly darting here and there, but no sign of her...
The foal breathed evenly, genuine air flowing into her lungs for the first time. A gray-purple form moved in front of her. What was it? It was like her. Instinctively she knew, kimeti. Another kimeti. A full-grown buck. Were all kimeti bushy-tailed and long-horned and neck-spiked? She didn't know, but she trusted him. Was he her sire? Probably not, she had not his characteristics nor coloration. He did not smell familiar as instinct told her he would. But he was here, and she was alone. He licked her cheek, and she crawled towards him. Did her parents abandon her? Expect her to return? Perhaps she wouldn't. Perhaps the buck would take her in...Iron Hoof watched as the fragile foal nuzzled his leg. Were all foals this adorable? "My name is Iron Hoof, little one. You probably cannot speak yet, but soon I will learn your name as well..I will protect you from this swamp. She can be kind and cruel. You shall be under my care little one.." said Iron Hoof with a calm smile. He decided he would take the foal to his tribe, perhaps Death Walking would be pleased to meet her? Either way, he made a promise to the little foal to protect her.
The foal looked up. Iron Hoof. She memorized it. What was her name? She knew it, but was afraid. Her dreams within the sac also frightened her. Surely, it didn't mean anything, right? Just a dream? She shivered. Her name was Hidden Terror. She didn't want to tell him, let alone stumble over it, not knowing how to speak..Instead, she kept quiet and followed him, all the while feeling something just behind her. Something prowling, lurking, forboding. She felt another presence, light, airy, kind. But the prior one gave her chills down every bone. She named them Fang and Petal, respectively.
