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Maion yawned, his muscles ached and throbbed from the days exersion, he had been on patrol; andat first everything had seemed norrmal.... everything had been normal, until a kalona sighting. It was the tenth in the past week alone. Once again all he had found were tracks and a scent that disappeared along with the tracks.... they had obviously flown away. He passed the word around his protectors not to engage, Maion wanted to know thereason, after all each time the beast had done no harm.... simply wandered too close to theever growing herd. Perhaps that was the problem, the herd was getting bigger and bigger, but the the number of protectors remained the same, Sonnet was the last recruit and that felt like a life time ago. The three young fillies were fast becoming young ladies, each stuning just like his daughter.

He found himself wandering towards the training area, he smiled, knowing that his tired feet had brought him to the one place he may actually find his son, Drashi. Though even Maion had to admit that it was a slim chance, the young stallion had been missing more and more lately, his mood more lifted and changed as if something glourious had happened.... something that Maion was very pleased about. His mind automatically brought forth one idea.... a lady.

As his large form broke through the tree line he stopped. Before him, twirling and thrusting in the same movements as his protectors was Heze. He couldn't help but but smile, "Heze." He said, wandering towards his grand daughter. He changed his features before she saw him of those of 'disapproval' mostly because he wanted to see her reaction, in truth he rather enjoyed watching her... she was so much like Crown.

He stood before her, his much larger form almost drowning her delicate foal like one, and for a moment he pretended to be angry.... until, he smiled down at her, nipping her mane affectionately before speaking he said; "You drop your guard onr right side." He slapped it with his wing, just above her rear leg. "You must learn the moves, commit them to memory until they are second nature." He repeated her move, spinning and slashing out with his wing as a silent war cry filled his facial features. He stood before her, eyes trained on her every movement as if in that moment she was his target. Then he relaxed, his fatures melting like butter until they were normal and gentle again.

He paused to see her reaction again, finding himself curious about how she held herself. He had already noted that she had not taken the interuption well, or rather his 'attitude' towards her, had made the emotion war upon her delicate features. He could understand why, no female was a protector at this time, he supposed the closest was Eden but she was no where close in truth. It was not that they were banned but no one had shown interest in it.... until Heze.

Maion looked down her, and a sadness filled him... she was holding back.... was she afraid of him? Or perhaps simply didn't want him to be here with her? Carefully he spoke, "Would you rather I left you be little Heze?" Since the beginning Maion had done everything in his power to keep his herd happy, to help them grow and develop, to reach their dreams and goals and to make them feel safe and secure. He would fight and die for any of them without a second thought.... but sometimes it was hard to accept that someone under his care didn't want him around. Maion had tried to spend as much time with Chandra and the foals as he could spare, he had always loved children, but his duty had called them away... it was a sacrifice he had made a long time ago. After all, everything came at a cost.

The herd was growing each day, more and more people placed under his care.... and while he welcomed them all with an open heart a small part of him worried he was lacking. To keep everyone safe they needed at least two more protectors, but from the past two litters all but two had been female.... and from his experience the females tended to shy away from such roles, his own daughter Chandra had refused to even accept basic training from him, and he knew in his heart that she would probably let herself die than harm another to hold onto life.... unless of course it was to protect her children, then she would be a tornado that would surprise even the strongest and well versed warriors....

Maion nodded softly, but didn't let it drop so easily, he wanted everyone in the herd to feel as if they could talk to him.... most of all those who were his blood, and Heze would forever behis grand daughter, she could never escape that fact. "Tell me what is on your mind, little Heze." When Maion said 'little' he didn't mean it as an insult, it was simply a sign of affection.

As for her question he nodded softly, but being tired didn't mean the world stopped.... if anything, he had learnt a long time ago that it was in those moments when life became more demanding.

Maion looked at the small mare for a moment, and got the distinct impression that she had a inner strength far beyond her years, and enough energy to run him to the ground he was sure. "Have you ever considered..." he started, wondering how much his words would reveal, "...that the reason you don't know them is because you tend to follow around teh protectors, and when you're not you either sleeping, eating or practising?" Maion had seen Heze around, hidden behind bushes or trees, and of course he had seen her talking to Crown not that long ago about something after the young stallion had tripped.

He smiled softly, resisting the urge to give her a kiss on the cheek in fear she would believe he was simply 'indulging' her. "Tomorrow, when the sun sets and the herd first awakes meet me at the lake side.... I will show you the herd, introduce you. Give you a reason...." He paused, gaging her reation once more before delivering his final words, "....to train properly" Maion had been in this business for too long not to see the signs, Heze wanted to fight.... but she was a wild card, a bundle of energy and courage that could overide even the simplist of safety measures if unleashed without guidence, but Maion hoped that giving her a cause, a reason to return whole, may help tame her just enough to keep her safe. After all, Maion needed smart protectors, those who would bide by the rules of the herd. Come in peace or leave in pieces. It was a moto he held dear to his heart when it came to his herd, but it was two sided.... sometimes violence was uneeded, other times it was.... he needed people who could accept both and follow his exact commands without him needing to watch them like a hawk. Trust. It was the foundation for everything he had built up with his mate Sengdroma.

Maion paused a moment, taking in the young filly as she tried to figure out what he was saying exactly. He found himself chuckling, his eyes shining like two endless blue stars, the only splash of true colour anywhere upon him. The winter wind blew harder, draging the tenticles of his long mane with it before releasing it again. He felt his familar Elijah wiggle on her neck, snuggling in for warmth and protection..... perhaps he should try and find a familar for Heze? Someone she had to protect and care for? Part of him was also tempted to take her to the mountains and make her walk home.... that was until he considered how Sonnet and Chandra would react the news.

Taking a soft breath he finally spoke, "I am planning to train you, prove yourself and you will one day become a protector. Like Crown, like your Father, like Me." He purposefully listed those she was closest too, attempting to show how important the role really was. Family. Unity. Team. There was no I only a Me, and the question what could you do for the team?

Maion chuckled in delight as Heze finally let herself go, and in knew in that moment that he had helped her onto the path she had wanted. Though a small slice of him was upset that she had never spoken to him about it, never once attempted to convince him into allowing it.... and he couldn't help but feel that perhaps the latest additions to the herds were lacking in the connection to the elders and older members. He would have to speak to Sengdroma about it, if they identified it early enough it could be fixed before a fracture appeared within the once strong and caring herd. He was not willing to stand back and simply let what they had built fall apart around them due to lack of care and attention. Perhaps a party, one to welcome the new additions to the herd the old way? He smiled, yes, that would be a nice beginning.

"I know you will," He replied, finally taking the opportunity to draw her towards him into a tight embrace before releasing him again. "But I must have you promise me one thing.... listen and do as you're told. Nothing reckless." He chuckled, "I suppose that is actually two things."