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 Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 8:58 pm
Keiran had settled in nicely enough within the aspen woodlands of the Ghost Claw females territory. He did his best to keep ever vigilant and on guard while he stalked the borders of her home. While she was a ghost within, he was a large and imposing shadow. He hunted for them, stood guard, made rounds, and generally did his best to make sure the peace within her woodlands were secure. Only from time to time did the stallion leave, informing Arianwyn of his intentions to seek out information about Ghost Claw, or her herds whereabouts.
Unfortunately, it never seemed to amount to much, and he did not dare leave for long. Not with her being a lone, kalona female. . . Yes, he was well aware of just how rare female kalona were, and he was still hoping that maybe, just maybe, she might find him less a problem. If any competition DID appear, he would do his best to drive them off. . .
She was not a prize to be won, but he did not want the belladonna touched mare to look on other stallions, not. . not yet. Short of Nemesis himself appearing, any rogue kalona male would be thoroughly questioned, and then driven off.
Thankfully, though, these lands were mostly quiet.
Or had been.
Picking his way through the foliage, the scent of blood and belladonna dotted the wind; and not that of prey beast. At least . . at least it didn't seem so. Ears pricked, red eyes narrowing to slits, the great shadow picked up his pace to follow the trail as quietly as he could. He needed to find the source of this . . . because something didn't feel right.
Instinct told him that much. Something had changed, something was off, and he was going to find out exactly what was wrong. There were times and places to be defensive, and right now, the large, draft was keen on assuring himself that all was well. His pride hoped that perhaps she had simply felled some preybeast, or some animal. She was not large, she was not as strong as some in Black Skull, and even Keiran knew that threats for kalona ranged high and wide. . . .
Had he been away too long?
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Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 11:37 pm
Oh, she should have known! Arianwyn was furious with herself for allowing the Kalona stallion to remain within her territory for so long. On her own, she was as elusive as a ghost, but he? He was big, bulky, and most of all black. He was very noticeable by day, and he hadn't kept his travels to night. Of course he hadn't. Well, she would have a thing or two to say to him the next time he returned. Somewhat battered, Arian limped off to her lair to sulk and nurse her wounds. Why had they attacked her? She'd done nothing to harm them, and it certainly didn't serve them to do so. It wasn't as if she was simply going to let them hurt her without lashing out. The trouble was that she was rather on the small side for a Kalona, and that made their jobs easier.
Which she hated. Keiran was definitely going to get a piece of her mind the next time she saw him. Ooohh, she was furious with him. And hurting. Definitely hurting. While she could fly away from ground bound Soquili, winged ones were a definite problem, and not one that she could handily solve on her own. Anyway, she hadn't really wanted to solve it. Thinking someone was beneath you wasn't the same as wanting them dead, in Arianwyn's opinion. They had a place in the food chain, the same as she did. If they were gotten rid of entirely, who knew what would happen?
Well, they wouldn't have attacked her, that was for sure. She'd fought back, of course, but she tired easily, and they'd only left when she'd pretended to flee away from the forest. Once they'd gone, she'd circled back around, with a few of a particularly bothersome wind's feathers in her mouth. Those ones she'd add to her collection, and never mind that they weren't birds. Brutes. Scowling, she glared at the ground, and settled within her cave, in a full blown fit of pique.
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Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 11:54 pm
The concern that the stallion felt grew as mares trail grew fresher and fresher. The landscape was familiar, and he knew where it was leading -- past the stream where she had tried to elude him during their first meeting, through the aspens which often aggravated him to no end, and closer to the familiar caves that housed her lair. The scent of belladonna was thick in the air, but it also was mixed with that copper scent of blood.
She had to be here . . . unless she skirted off and fled.
Slowing in his pursuit, not wanting to catch her in a state of vulnerability, or worse, surprise or alarm her, the stallion kept his ears and eyes alert. He hadn't picked out any trails or signs of an aggressor lingering in the area, but one couldn't be too cautious. There was already something that felt off this day, and the scent of her blood on the wind only further egged on his protective side. She might not be part of Black Skull, but he had told himself he'd make sure she stayed safe. . . Safe from skinwalkers, safe from predators. Regardless of his motive and intentions, regardless how she might one day respond, he was not about to let the mare get hurt.
At least if he could help it. If the blood scent was indeed her own, perhaps he'd have to start working double time. Or at least stick closer to where she roamed.
". . . Arianwyn?" He called out, keeping a good distance from her usual lair and hiding spot. It was hers, and Keiran was not about to approach uninvited. He wasn't even sure she was still within. No, he would keep a respectful distance, even as he scanned the surrounding foliage for any potential threats.
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Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 12:01 am
Right at first, Arian didn't respond to the great big lummox who had blown her cover. She was mad at him, and was stewing in that lair, brooding over what had happened. Eventually, however, justice needed to be served, so she crept out under the belladonna, and glared at him, glowing violet eyes bright with reproach. She made a sorry sight, tousled, bruised, and bloodied as she had been. "This is all your fault," she accused. "If you hadn't been traipsing about in my forest, they never would have noticed me here." But they had, of course, and one thing that they'd been clear about was that a pair of Kalona were not to be tolerated.
One lone mare, a myth, apparently, was something else. But a pair... why should it matter? She huffed, and retreated back into her cave a ways. "Where exactly have you been going that you've attracted so much notice, anyway?" Ouch. Her wounds hurt, and she knew she'd probably be sore for weeks. Assuming they left her alone, and didn't make another try for her. Assuming her gambit had worked. Stupid lessers. Stupid stallion.
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Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 12:00 pm
The stallion stared at the battered and tousled mare whom crept out from beneath her precious belladonna. He had not seen her in such a state since his arrival, and he almost started forward out of need to assure himself she was fine. The stallion caught himself, despite his protective instincts, and he kept his hooves glued to the ground. No, crowding her would not be wise, and he did not wish to further incur her wrath.
How had this happened?
Keiran had been certain he'd kept her woods well fortified, her boundaries clearly marked. Thankfully, her wounds did not look to be fatal, ugly and painful as they might very well be. She had certainly taken a beating, and he silently seethed. There was no reason for such a thing. They had kept to the woodlands, and so far had harmed none but prey beasts. There was no need for the attack, no need for her to be so bullied.
Still, as she spoke, Keiran knew quite well that the fault did lie upon him. The petite mare fit well in this woodland, where he stuck out sorely. He was too large, too dark, and he honestly hadn't been sneaking around or hiding his presence. Even before he had shown up in Arianwyn's territory, Keiran had made no attempts to hide himself from strangers or herds he passed.
No, she had been attacked because of him. If they had not known she was there before, than they were certain of her presence now.
Damnit all.
The stallion said nothing for a moment, unsure what to say. He had come here hoping to make sure she was safe, and thus far, it only seemed as if he had given the lesser's good reason to take up the offensive. If he left, they would still know she was present, and he doubted they would end their attacks. If he stayed, they would surely continue to harass her, and him, both. The stallion absolutely felt sick to his stomach, anger, frustration, and contrition warring within. He hadn't meant for this. . .for her. . to get beaten. He truly had meant to keep her woods quiet and safe.
"I. . . . am sorry." He was not one to often apologize for his actions or behavior, but he was sincere in his feelings this day. "It was never my intention to draw their ire, or yours, for that matter. I . . . " He'd what? Thought that the locals would be fine with a second kalona appearing? Thought that just because she'd been safe before, would mean she'd continue to be so now that he was there? That he had it all under control?
This was not his land. This was not the Kawani. This was not Black Skull. Just because he did things a certain way back there, didn't mean it would work out the same way here. "I saw no reason to keep my presence hidden, saw no reason to hide." Ah, but what a fool he had been. He did not flaunt himself, he did not instigate fights, but he was not an easy stallion to hide, and had not even bothered with the attempt. In part, he had hoped that no one would wish to deal with him. . . and thus far, they hadn't.
No, instead, they had found her.
"I've stayed mainly near your borders, but I have left to investigate neighboring territories, neighboring herds. To scout numbers, but to also see if I might find any information on the whereabouts of Ghost Claw." All for naught. There were rumors, but he had no actual leads, nor any sign of kalona herd movement. Perhaps if he traveled further, perhaps if took more time away, but. . . seeing the mare as she was now, he did not wish to leave longer than necessary.
Who knew when her oppressors would return?
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Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 12:10 pm
"Well you should have kept it hidden," she accused, angry and hurt, and bitter for it all. Sulking. Definitely sulking. "It's not safe to just... announce your presence everywhere. Maybe it is for you, but not for me." And shouldn't that have been what mattered? This was Arianwyn's territory. Surely her ways were more important, surely he should have tried to follow her example? Why had he got boldly about as he had, as if he had nothing to fear? ... Perhaps in the Kawani lands, he truly did not, but that was no excuse. She wasn't some huge stallion like he was. She was a mare, and a petite one at that. And mild though her injuries might be, they still hurt. He was a fool.
Her beautiful hair was tousled, perhaps even tangled, and her jewelry was almost certainly out of alignment. She was very upset, and perhaps it might be time to seek out her pet two-leggers. They would surely see to her injuries, and fix up her scruffy appearance. Oh, the shame of presenting such a sight! "Brute." ... That was perhaps unfair, but she couldn't help but say it. "Next time, you should be more careful." She didn't come out, and she wasn't sure that she was going to come out.
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Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 12:56 pm
Keiran frowned, even as the mare continued to scold. It was bad enough his pride was so wounded -- he had been so sure he could keep her secure! had been so certain she would have been safe -- that her words and her patronizing tone felt like salt to the wound. He wasn't stupid, he wasn't born yesterday, he knew that these lands weren't safe. . . Knew that she was far more vulnerable.
And yet.
"I didn't go out and simply announce myself. I didn't flaunt my presence, but there was no sense trying to hide." He spoke back with a touch of defensiveness. His tail swished behind him, red eyes still focused on her flower touched lair. "I do not fit in this forest of yours. I do not move with great stealth, my size does not allow for it. Even at my lightest, my most quiet, I make more noise and leave more tracks and trails than those smaller than I. It was easier to simply move naturally than to look suspicious by trying to lurk through the foliage like a predator on the hunt."
He could move quietly. He could stalk prey, just as Maeryn had taught him. There were reasons he preferred hunting while on wing, not the least of which at least there he was much more stealthy and unnoticed than while lumbering on hoof. "I thought I could keep your territory secure. I thought you would have no problem within your woods, especially if they knew a much larger kalona was near." Apparently, he had thought wrong -- and had only aggravated the nearby locals, as opposed to keeping them at bay.
Still, he . . . He was not a brute. He was not mindless, he was not stupid, he was not some crazed monster. Sure, he made mistakes, and he was still quite young, but he tried. He could be clever, he could be strong, he could be deadly and fierce. He was not a brute. . . nor did he want her to think of him as one. His fangs bared for a moment, irritation at himself and the scenario getting the better of him, but he said nothing more.
What else could he say? He'd already apologized, he was taking the mares wrath, and he was already trying to best figure out how to remedy the scenario. Well, it was clear that she was not safe alone, and while he would need to continue to reinforce her borders, he should not stray far from the mare. In case they wanted to pick on her, in case they wanted to try something new, he could at least intervene and draw them off.
She was a clever mare, but these lands were far more dangerous in the form of lesser's than the Kawani. The next attack could end different for her, and Keiran desired to make sure the results were in her favor. Belladonna could only do so much, after all. "So it is, I shall stay. When they come back, I will make sure they leave you be." Yes, no, no matter what she said, Keiran had already made up his mind. They would be back, they wouldn't give up so easy, not until they knew without a doubt she (and he) were both dead. . . .
Next time, though, Keiran would be prepared.
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Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 1:08 pm
Arianwyn digested his words, thinking them over even as she stewed. His pride might be wounded, but he was not the injured one. "I suppose that it might have been suspicious," she allowed grudgingly. She had not yet forgiven him, but that might take a little more time than she'd had. She was still upset with him, because if he'd never arrived, she wouldn't have been hurt. "I've been alone here a year, and this is the first time this has happened." Which was definitely something to think about. Let him think of that. He'd thought that he could make her territory more secure, but he'd done quite the opposite.
"Maybe your tactics would have worked on a Skinwalker. Maybe there are Skinwalkers around for them to work on." That wasn't likely, but she said it anyway, just because he sounded so irked. Arian didn't want him to turn on her, too. And maybe it had been a bit unfair to call him a name. Still, he'd gotten her hurt. It was entirely his fault, and even an apology didn't make it better.
And he thought that he should stay? Well, they would certainly be back, if they thought that she was still there. If they even suspected it. No doubt the rumors would come back to them again, eventually. Drat. "Do whatever you're going to do." He'd do it anyway. What was the use in arguing with him? She recognized that tone all too well. Her grandsire had used it numerous times, and Arianwyn didn't feel like wasting her time in an argument that would go nowhere. Grumpily, she retreated further into her cave.
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 6:04 pm
Every word the mare spoke was like a small barb in his pride, his ego, his confidence, his certainty. A strange feeling -- guilt -- was washing through his system land he honestly didn't know what he could say or do to fix this; didn't know how he could guarantee her safety. Perhaps that was the truth that irritated him the most: he couldn't. There was and never would be such a promise, and even his size and strength might not be enough against a mob.
If he took wing and left, would they leave her be?
No.
They would cleanse the land,of their kind, and they knew that Arianwyn was at a bit of a disadvantage. She was still a tough kill, and could certainly take a beating, but she would not last as long as he might. Her size gave her speed, but it also couldn't take a hit as strong or as frequently as his could. Between the two of them, she was likely the easier kill.
. . . maybe it would have been better had he not found her. Then again, it might have only been a matter of time. She had been here a year on her own, but that did not mean the lesser's wouldn't have changed their mind, or ever come. Her safety here was not guaranteed, not as a lone kalona, with such extreme prejudice lurking outside the woods. "I truly am sorry for this." He repeated, even as the mare retreated further in to her lair. "You were safe before I came, but that doesn't mean you would have been safe forever. It doesn't excuse their actions, and it doesn't change what happened to you, but . . . I will not let it happen again." Not without him taking a few of them down, not without reminding them that they had rattled the beehive.
Keiran was not a violent stallion, by nature, but he was a predator and he would stop at nothing to protect his family. Sure, this mare did not, perhaps, fall in to such a category but he had dedicated himself to making sure she stayed safe; he wasn't doing a particularly grand job about it, and thus, his tactics would have to be changed. "It would be better if, for the time being, we stuck relatively close. They will return to finish what they left, once they find you quite alive." His tail gave an irritable swish behind him, and he almost bared his fangs at some unseen threat, "They will pay for what they did."
Just let them come.
He would keep his distance, he would be just a shadow (assuming she didn't run off on a whim), but he would take it upon himself to keep an eye on her. It would be better this way, for now, until a message could be sent back to those animals that thought them such a threat. They knew nothing. If they wanted Keiran to be a threat, well, he now had no choice but to oblige. He would not seek them out, but the minute they stepped anywhere near her, they would get what they deserved.
". . . .is there anything I can get you?" He finally asked. She was battered and in pain -- she might need some mending, or perhaps certain roots or plans to help ease the pain, or encourage healing. Keiran was not familiar in botany as she was, but he did know some basics, especially concerning first aid. Likely, she wanted him gone, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 10:54 pm
... Arianwyn huffed. Keiran's contrite tone and behavior got under her skin, and she was certainly no heartless young mare. "Fine. I forgive you. But don't do it again. ... Whatever it is, anyway. I don't know what to do. It's never been like this before." Although she'd always known of the dangers the lessers represented. "I was always able to convince them that I was a ghost, before. My two-leggers don't seem bothered by it, but the lessers are, or were. Maybe they feel some small guilt over what they've done to my kind." Their kind. He was a Kalona as well, but... he was from such a far away place. Did it really count? She stepped back into the light, lingering beneath the belladonna, and observed him.
"If you could bring me some valerian, that would be good. I usually keep a store with me, but... I traded some to the two-leggers for a headdress." Something beautiful, something unique, something for her. "My stock is dwindling. I'll need to replenish it, but it doesn't make sense to go back out there right now. Not when the lessers think that I'm gone." They wouldn't keep thinking that, probably, but while she could, she would bide her time. And she would keep safely out of the way.
She made no remark about his plans to keep close to her. She knew he'd do it no matter what she said, and she didn't really mind. She'd been so lonely for so long, after all. He was rather irritating at times, but otherwise not bad company. Not horrible. She knew, just knew, that he had a sense of humor in there somewhere. He liked to hide it, but she had seen it for herself, and he would find it impossible to keep it from her. So, whatever he planned to do to make them pay, he would do it, and she would figure out what her own plan might be.
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Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 7:30 pm
She was still angry, but Keiran understood that her ire might linger for some time. Even if she forgave him, those wounds and bruises would be a constant reminder of the change that had taken place within her woods. And yes, these were her forests. . . not his. He was simply a temporary guest. Unfortunately, he had brought in no small amount of misfortune and trouble for the petite mare. . . misfortune he had not at all intended!
How could he have known that his presence would have tipped the scales, or at least the alarm, of the neighboring lessers? How could he have known that the routine he was accustomed to would have put the mare in danger? Oh, there was much for the young stallion to learn, but he was smart enough -- he could fix this. He had to fix it.
". . . I am very clearly not a ghost, and fooling them had never been my intention. I also suspect they might fear my arrival as a sign, and more kalona might follow suit. Either those from a herd, or . . . suitors." Suitors, indeed. It felt strange to say the word, but it was the truth of the matter. If she had been fine before his arrival, than it was clearly on him where the fault lay. Two, or more, kalona were too much for the lesser's to tolerate.
Still, the stallion watched as Arianwyn returned to the mouth of her lair, draped once more in her precious belladonna. It always surprised him to see just how small a mare she was, especially on the rare occasions she bridged the distance fully between them. She barely reached his shoulder with her horns. . . . He was quite large in Black Skull, but compared to the petite Ghost Claw mare. . . he truly did feel like a brute.
So she needed valerian. . . . Valerian. The stallion blinked, considering the types of plants that he grew up with around Black Skull. The name, unfortunately, did not sound the least bit familiar. He hated to admit he hadn't a clue what that sort of plant might be, especially with his companion in such a mood, but he'd rather learn and bring back the right plant than hope Kalona let him guess right. "Does such a plant go by any other name? It doesn't sound familiar to me." He was not completely a dunce when it came to plants . . .but his focus had been in the physical demands of being a kalona. Herbal medicines were useful for any pure kalona, but he did not know more than the basics. "I will bring you some, as soon as I know what I'm looking for." He assured with a dip of his head in consent.
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Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2013 9:37 pm
... Of course he had never heard of valerian. Arianwyn frowned in concentration, pondering how best to describe the herd that Keiran had never before seen. "It is like a fern. Smallish... with white or pink flowers. A pale pink. The stems branch out in three directions, almost in a fan, and are full of the small blossoms, which bunch together like a shrub." She discarded the very idea of the big black stallion taking on her own tactics. No, it was clear that those would not work for him, and they had every reason to believe that his presence was an increased risk. She stood sheltered by the belladonna, peeking out at him from beneath it.
"Suitors?" she asked at last, suddenly realizing what she'd heard him say. "But I have no suitors." Why would they have assumed--
She'd had no suitors.
Could it be that that was no longer the case? Who, after all, was this Black Skull stallion who was traipsing about in her aspen forest? Arian eyed Keiran with faint suspicion... and then dismissed it. No, Keiran would have told her, surely, had that been his intention. He was searching for more of their kind, he had said. Well, he had certainly found her, and there would be others out there. She knew that there would be.
"It is also called all-heal," she added, just in case he'd known it under that name.
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Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2013 10:57 am
The stallion attempted to imagine what this valerian would look like as the mare described it, taking note of the stated properties, and tucking them to memory. Small. Fern. White or pink flowers. Three directions. Bunching blossoms. He didn't know if he'd be able to find it, but he'd certainly give it his best shot. The pink and white flowers would hopefully stand out to him, otherwise, if the flowers weren't in blossom, he'd be stuck looking for a rather general sounding plant.
Who would have thought? The warrior Keiran, roaming the woods to pick flowers for a mare. It was almost ridiculous but, to be fair, these weren't just ordinary flowers. They had healing properties, and they were what the pale mare needed. It was absolutely the least he could do, and if he dared to want to get back in to her good graces, he'd better come back with the right plant! His pride wasn't so great that he couldn't aid her in such a manner. Besides, if he had to admit, learning about this plant was . . . interesting.
A plant dubbed all-heal sounded like it could be very useful to bring back to the Kawani.
"Valerian. Got it." He assured, and was more than ready to head out on his way when the mare followed up with her question about suitors. Red eyes stared at her for a long moment, and he absolutely didn't know what to say about it.
She sounded so surprised, sounded so confused. Hadn't he told her his intentions earlier? Hadn't he admitted that he was here because of her, that he was going to try to . . . . that he was. . . . Either she hadn't understood his intentions, or she had already long since written him off. "Yes, suitors," he repeated with a small flick of his tail.
No, he wasn't going to get into it. Not now.
"I'll be back." He stated, deciding to drop the conversation and not even bother to chase it. What good would it do? If she had no idea that his intention was to court her, then he'd either have to make it more obvious or spell it out. On the one hand, it meant he could still attempt to impress her, somehow, someway, and certainly telling it to her NOW when she was in pain and already aggravated with him, didn't seem like a good idea.
Besides, if she had already written him off, then he was sure she'd tell him off sooner than later. Still, he'd given her his word that he'd at last make sure she was well guarded and prepared against potential skinwalkers, so he wouldn't leave until that was settled. There was time yet. If this mare was not meant for the likes of him, than . . . .
So be it.
Turning from the mare, he picked his way back in to the aspen woods, even if his own irritation at her words bubbled within his chest. This was far more complicated than he'd lead himself to believe -- was this simply some foolish quest? No. He had to find a mare, or else the Kawani lands would suffer. There were so few pures left. . . . If love or feelings didn't factor in to the choice of a companion, than at least duty and a desire to keep the blood pure would. Wouldn't it?
Ah, but the young mare he'd found was completely different, and on a completely different agenda than himself. Well, for now, he'd focus on finding these plants of hers. There seemed to be much confusion on both sides, and until he was back on good terms with her, he didn't think there would be much point in spelling out his interest. Not yet, at any rate. Not more than he'd already told her.
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Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2014 7:43 pm
For all of her bluster, Arianwyn had been on the verge of a tearful collapse, pride be damned. It was fortunate that Keiran had left then. She settled herself painfully on the cave floor, limbs trembling with weariness and strain. Finally, she laid her head down, feeling the slow seep of blood from many wounds. They were superficial; she would not die of this, and was in no danger of it. Her tentacles reached out and took hold of cave moss, pulling sharply until it came free. She drenched it in water, cleansing it as well as she might. Then, at last, she dabbed at her wounds. If she had had firewater, she could have done an even better job, but the two leggers were nowhere to be seen.Head down, the small mare waited.
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Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 9:17 pm
Keiran did eventually find this elusive valerian, and he picked himself enough to hold in his jaws. He made sure he did not strip the patch of ground entirely bare, leaving enough for later and future growth. Still, he had not been able to truly look over the mare or see how much of this healing herb she might need . . . and he'd rather bring enough now than too little.
So it was, the stallion picked his way back through the woods to where he'd last left Arian within her small abode, his mind still whirling in irritation and upset. How could he have been so stupid. Of course he'd put a target on the ghost mare's head, given his appearance; of course his presence would kick up suspicion in these parts. It was unusual, really, that the aggressive lesser's had (mostly) left Arianwyn alone. . . . But she was pale, and she blended within the woods. Keiran was a male, and a large one at that; he had made his presence well known, for it was not like him to hide himself. . . Not unless he was hunting.
Still, they were now the hunted, it seemed, and he would have to be ever more protective and vigilant over these lands. He doubted Arianwyn would appreciate such a thing. It wasn't that the petite kalona mare couldn't take care of herself -- he simply was programmed to do such watches. Having been first a guard, than a trained warrior, in Black Skull meant old habits died hard. . . .and this was not a habit but a choice.
He'd caused -- and would continue -- to cause the mare trouble. It was on his shoulders to take care of it, or at least get the brunt of their aggression. Unfortunately, this meant sticking closer to Arianwyn . . .and he wasn't sure the pale mare would be keen over such a thing.
He gave a small grunt to let the mare know of his return, mouth full of the requested herb; red eyes did notice the water marks on her bloodstain, and the moss she was using to tend to her wounds. "Will this suffice?" He questioned after he set the bunch of herbs down next to the mare. He hoped it was, else he was certain to get berated and lose even more face in front of the mare. Still, he was no healer. . . at least not really. Some wounds he knew how to treat, at least the basics, but mostly he was too proud. . . and tried to shake everything off with pure, foolish willpower alone.
"..." He hesitated a moment, his own whip like tail twitching in uncertainty, before he finally asked, "Is there anything else I can do for you while I'm here?" He questioned, unsure how she'd reply. She was wounded, and looked tired -- clearly she needed rest. And Keiran needed to scope out this immediate territory, and figure out where its weaknesses and vulnerabilities might be. Just let the lesser's seek her out again. . . . Just let them try to find her, to punish her. They would be in for a nasty and vengeful surprise.
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