Change the Locks (Claim)

It was hard for Armand to imagine a life outside of his beloved Bastein. The old codger had never been outside the borders of the bayou in his entire life... It was truly his one and only home.

The moss-clad grullo stallion trudged through the soggy lands with apparent ease as he neared a familiar bog surrounded by willow brush. In this more northern area of the swamp, the terrain more resembled that of a boreal forest. Moose could often be found blazing their own paths through the thick brush here, and Armand was lucky enough to see one today. Just out of winter's reach, this year's newborn calves were romping and frolicking their days away, their diligent mothers keeping a close eye on them while they chewed on the willow they so loved. Armand had always felt akin to the large beasts - water-loving, independent, and no-nonsense. Well, at least the adults were.

The three moose he'd happened upon were an unusual sight, one Armand had only had the pleasure of seeing a few times in his life. This cow had produced a healthy, beautiful set of twin calves - two boys. Armand regarded the young ones from afar as he stood in place a distance away from the three. The stallion knew very well to stay well enough away from a mother, especially one this new. Armand recognized the cow from her own calfhood not two springs before. This was her first birthing and she'd been saddled with two. The Great Mother surely had big plans for the young moose.

Armand's lips curled uncharacteristically into a smile as he watched them play. There was truly something beautiful about young ones being brought up in such an environment. The small bog the two calves played near and the mother waded in served as almost a training ground before the young moose would be exposed to the real adventure that was southern Bastein Bayou. Armand was sure he would see these young boys later, perhaps even fighting for a mate in the coming mating seasons.

The stallion continued on his trek southward, toward his more familiar terrain, leaving the young moose family to their lives. With the death of his father long behind him, Armand knew what he must do. Bastein was wild and untamed; only a native had what it took to rein it in (at least as much as it could be). The dark, muddied stallion hastened his gait as he reached a familiar bayou spotted with spanish moss-covered cypress trees. Taking his place on what little solid ground the area offered, Armand lifted his head high, extending his neck up and out as far as he could. There was almost never much of a breeze in the bayou - Armand considered it a gift every time he felt one. This time, however, Bastein was alive and flowing all around him. The wind was heavier and faster than usual... She called him to claim his homeland.

Armand wasted little more time deliberating and took to the air, rearing up as high as his strong, solid legs could hold him. Perhaps past his prime, the old stallion still had a lot of life in him. Releasing a bellowing whinny heard throughout the swamp, Armand took the throne of Bastein after his father.

And so would Devereaux after his father.