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Dark Ion and Dark Tide were grazing quietly in a field close by their tree and in view of the large lake. Opal was around somewhere and things were very quiet. Almost too quiet, well despite the flies who were ever so annoying today. From a distance a high weak whinny split the silence.

Tide, what was that? Ion asked, concern filled his voice.

I don't know brother, answered Tide

Ion called to Opal to check on her, while Tide tried to follow the sound. It was coming from near the lake, emanating from the tall reeds.

Ion found Opal safe and asleep under a tree and returned to Tide's side, together they swept through the riverbank looking for the disturbance.



They followed the weak cries and came to part of the lake that they usually avoided because of it's boggy nature. A small foal was stuck in the mud, it looked as though he had been trying to take a drink and then got stuck in the mud. He greeted the two stallion weakly.

"Hello, can you help me out? I am so stuck I'm exhausted from trying to get out." he said.

"Of course we will get you out." said Tide.

"What is your name?" asked Ion.

"My name is Enthallion." said the little foal.

After much grunting and pulling and mud splattering the two adults got the poor colt out of the mud.

"C'mon kid, we need to wash the mud off, so you can dry properly." said Ion.

They took him over to a nicer part of the lake and had a communal bathing spree. Clean but wet, the three made their way to the tree.

"Opal dear, we have a visitor." Ion nuzzled his mate to wake her.

Enthallion stood on shaky legs and shivered in the wind.

"We will get you to the tree soon, little friend." comforted Tide.

He really hadn't wanted to do this but short of dunking his mate in water she probably wouldn't wake otherwise. Dark Ion, herd leader, bent down and licked Opal's forehead. It was probably the easiest and most nonviolent way to wake her... if it woke her.

Enthallion and Dark Tide cringed and made disgusted faces. Ion rolled his eyes what did they want him to do sit on her instead. As far as he was concerned there was no polite way to wake someone up. Enthallion plopped onto the ground having lost the strength to keep upright at the moment.

Dark Ion looked at Opal fondly, if this didn't wake her he wasn't going to try again because she looked like she was enjoying her nap. He inspected her bruised knees and saw that they were healing but would still be a bit painful for her.

Ion's jaw dropped for a moment. "Tide!" he scolded "What are you doin in her dreams!"

Tide coughed then ahemed and pointed at the colt.

At Tide's flat look Ion came back to himself. "Oh, right, yes, Opal we have a young visitor, I was wondering if you knew some way to warm him up quickly?"

Enthallion whickered a weak greeting to the lovely mare. "Hello."

"Opal, this is Enthallion, we found him in that swampy bit on the lake, you know the one that sucked the bugs down never mind somebodies hooves" said Tide.

Ion smiled. "Yes Enthallion come lay down. Opal and I will sandwhich you in between us.

Enthallion wobbld over and snuggled up against Opal.

Ion lay on Enthallion's other side. Ion eyed tide meaningfully. "No pranks please."

"As if I would, I like more viable prey then a half frozen foal. And as I recall Opal YOU put that slug in MY bed last time."

Dark Tide stuck his tongue out at Opal and then quieted down to listen. The two stallions were both interested on the answer to Opal's question.

"I.. I think something happened to my parents." He stuttered out. "I remember a deep crash during the night and mother shoved me toward her chosen and said. "Take him out of here." she sounded real serious and her chosen refused and began to cry until Mom growled at him. Father was away that night but I heard him return and scream a challenge and many hoofbeats rent the air. My mother's chosen bundled me in his arms and ran. I never saw mother or father again after that night, but I remember that father was pure black and mother was a warm brown color." Enthallion shuddered. "My mothers chosen brought me here to relative safety and then ran and I never found him after that. He is probably still searching the planes. I hope he found someone to comfort him and keep him warm as I have found you."

"Darling huh? Well thats a new one." Ion trundled of in search of only the best apples for his mate and their new adopted foal.

"Effective though isn't it?" Tide remarked snidely. He snickered at the lead stallion. Tide nodded at Opal and loped after his brother. He might as well help and it was so much easier to taunt Ion when Ion could actually hear him

"Thank you ma'am," said Enthallion. His stomach grumbled. "I really am hungry."

Enthallion inspected Opal knees and sees that they were indeed injured.
No I'm not hurt, I think I was just too exhausted and cold. How did you run into another mare? Was it a game?