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Lughnasadh strolled through the tall grasses near the river as the sun prepared to set. Spring was really setting in now, bright and golden, giving him hope of good times to come. In addition, the Sunflare Herd was growing at an amazing rate. Why, just the other day his grandson Njord had introduced two little daughters and one young son of his own. It made him feel a touch old, but mostly proud of his family and proud of his herd.

Smiling, he looked around and saw young Sepaia. He'd seen Mintos a few moments ago, limping away after a pro bandaging job. By the fact that Sepaia was still here, probably Sepaia's handiwork. Perfect. Lugh had been thinking it was high time he organized the members of the herd into clans, and Sepaia would make a good leader for a clan of her own.

"Afternoon, Sepaia. How are you? I saw Mintos a moment ago. Good job bandaging his leg, eh?" he asked jovially. With Lugh in this mood, it was no surprise to anyone that Lugh had been a sun in Dreamspace, full of light and warmth for those around him. He strolled past her to take a sip from the river, tossing his black-and-gold head back to enjoy the sweet taste, since it was beginning to carry a little snowmelt from the highest mountains. He turned around and noted a touch of worry in her golden eyes. "You all right, Sepaia? Is anything wrong?" Maybe the discussion of giving her leadership of a clan could wait.

Lugh gazed off into the distance. Maybe this was the best time to tell Sepaia about his plans for the clan system and making her the first Rhia. "It's quite probable that the Shadow Herd is on the rise. In fact, from the few recent reports I've heard, I'm surprised that it's only recently begun to grow, and previously had only grown a little when Moloch had four foals of his own, back when Brennus, Delilah, and Kana were born," he said quietly.

Turning his bright head to her, he said, "They don't seem to be a threat just yet, but it's never too early to worry about the strength of one's enemies. As for plans...yes. I do have a plan. You are aware that I have been readjusting the organization of the herd at our current size, no?" Without waiting for a nod, he continued, "And there is one last step in this organization to complete. I plan to encourage the founding of clans, groups of Stars within the Sunflare Herd with a common mission who will live and work together as family and the very closest of friends and lovers. Each clan will be headed by a Righ and Rhia, who will lead their clan together and also advise Regina and me, the Ard-Righ and Rhiannon of the Sunflare."

He shot her a cocky grin. "In fact, you are central to that plan of building clans as a force and institution in this herd. I am asking you to be the Rhia of the second clan of the Sunflare Herd." He coughed a little. "Regina and I also serve as the Righ and Rhia of our own clan, the royal clan, which we are calling the Royal Sun clan. How you name your clan, who joins you, and what your clan's mission will be is entirely up to you, Sepaia." He briefly touched her forehead with his muzzle in a fatherly and kingly gesture. "Will you take the offer to be our first Rhia, first among the right hooves to the Ard-Righ and Rhiannon of the Sunflare Herd?"

"Clan, Sepaia, clan," he corrected with an amused twinkle in his emerald eyes. "Well, I'm glad that you've accepted the offer. There's another new mare I thought would also make a good Rhia, but I think I'll talk to her about it tomorrow." Listening to her babble on about a clan for champions made him grin.

"Sounds settled. Who will you invite to join your clan, and what will you call it? It needs a good name for the Champions' Clan of the Sunflare Herd." He didn't continue to discuss Moloch's Shadow Herd just yet. Rumors said it was growing only very slowly, since Moloch was only attracting evil Stars. Lugh attracted Stars as a sun and the leader of a powerful herd of good Stars, and his descendants made loving mates and friends, allowing his own family to grow greatly. Moloch would be careful about letting his spawn breed, giving Lugh a momentary advantage. Yes, having a clan of champions would increase their odds of survival against the Shadow Herd, as did having as many descendants as possible, though Lugh didn't bring it up. First things first: clans.

Lugh nodded with a smile. "The Burning Sun sounds perfect, and I seem to recall that the four of you are our primary fighters, though my son Brennus is a bit of a fighter, and my youngest daughter Nos may follow her eldest brother in that regard," he added, recalling how hard his youngest daughter trained each day.

A code of honor? That was an interesting idea. "A code of honor? It sounds like a good idea, and establishing differences between yourselves and your enemies sounds like a good plan. What sorts of things will be in your code of honor?"

Lugh nodded. "Mintos, eh? Steady one, so a good choice for your princeling." He glanced skyward. "My descendants can have mates outside the clan and herd, and coming and going is up to them. My grandson Ailill left for love, my grandson Njord and my daughter Sunniva recently brought their mates to the herd. If my young Nos finds love in the Burning Sun, I won't say no to her having her foals raised in the Burning Sun as proud members of your clan."

He smiled as she started listening to the beginnings of the Burning Sun's code of honor. "Those sound like good rules to put in the code, and I expect the code against killing will extend to members and allies of the herd, yes?"

Lugh nodded in response to her comments about the code of honor. "I figured you meant as much." He smiled in amusement over her muddled mention of his descendants. "Don't worry so much, they're all good kids, good-hearted and caring souls. The Royal Sun's going to grow a lot over time, so the members may be encouraged to leave the nest as they see fit, or stay as they choose. But yes, if Nos or any of my other children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren in the Royal Sun falls in love with someone, they are free to love and live as they choose, within reason."

He smiled softly as he watched the sun set in the west. "Besides, with Sunniva as the herd's good and true High Princess, none of my other descendants have any excuse to be arrogant. Sunniva is the High Princess, she has helped raise every one of her brothers and sisters, and with the rest of Sunniva's siblings, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, children, and grandchildren as simply princes and princesses, there is very little reason for arrogance or pride, and there is no reason to feel arrogant over asking any of my descendants to join the other clans."

Lugh nodded. "Of course you should, and I should get back to my family and clan. Good luck to you and all the members of the new Burning Sun clan, the Champions' Clan of the Sunflare Herd," he said with an approving smile. "Hopefully there will be another new clan tomorrow, maybe more artistic, but it is a great pleasure to welcome the founding of the Burning Sun clan. The Rhiannon and I wish you the very best, Rhia Sepaia."