For a Thousand More (Herd Thread)

[nala]

Nakita

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Nakita blinked in the sun as she watched her daughter move about the Oasis. The wave of newcomers was expected but still the black mare found herself staying close to the outskirts of what had once been her home and her home alone. Nakita's mind wandered to the small bulge just behind her stomach. It was minuscule just as Juno had been, but the black mare had always had a heightened sense of foreign feelings. She was pregnant again, and she felt the hormones begin to course through her veins. They lifted her almost, Nakita even found herself nonchalantly nuzzling Juno from time to time. Still the mare was conflicted as always.

Her gaze drifted away from her daughter briefly, scanning the horizon for what she needed. She had yet to meet any of the newly placed mares, and she didn't wish to do so alone. Nakita needed Angelus, she always had and probably always would now. Her heart began to beat faster as she neared the end of her eye's journey around the parameter without seeing him. She felt the panic rise in her throat. This anxiety she was feeling had never been a part of her past. Nakita feared very little, but ever sense she'd met the demon, she found when he was away she was falling apart piece by piece.

And then she found him. One step closer, deeper into the abyss. Nakita wanted to run to him, to fall into his shoulder and never stop touching him. She was weak with him and even weaker without. What was happening to her? Her black eyes attached to the familiar fire of his own as she silently called out to him.



ooc: Nakita is my love song to the world. Grumpy but still love. xD EVERYBODY POST. but can Silver reply first.

from these violent delights,
come violent ends.

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[Silver]

Angelus

It was unlike him to be so restless, so...distracted. It was also unlike him to have so many females surrounding him. Angelus was getting weary of the strain on his mind, and most of the mares in his herd were overcome with hormones due to pregnancy. The stallion sighed heavily, stretching out his limbs with a light jog before turning into his stride. Hooves beating on the sand, beating into his chest and in time with his heart, the demon made his way home. The sun was growing hotter and sweat was less common, as dehydration was even more common than usual. There was no choice but to stay close to the oasis, unless a horse wanted to die. From the looks of the bones scattered around the sands, many equines were succumbing to the heat. This was either a gift from nature, or a curse that crept upon his herd like a sand snake. In either case, Angelus was determined to protect his herd when they were most vulnerable - during the hot summer months.

Coming up to the oasis, he watched as the palm trees stood stoic and deathly still. There was no chance of a breeze, but the underground source of the oasis, that which fed off of the mountains like everything else, was still a reliable watering hole for the desert herd. Angelus slowed and stalked towards the shelter of a little bit of shade. Desert grass and edible plants grew around the unusually large area of greenery. Of course, the desert herd was much more used to eating less and modifying their everyday habits than other equines.

It wasn’t long before the tall stallion found the sights that he was looking for. Two spots of black in the bright landscape, and one which moved in his direction. Nakita. He strived to keep his pace even, walking towards her and their frolicking child. It was as if the world had shrunk into a tunnel of black...and Nakita.

ooc: i'm sorry for being so late. SO. I'm fine with having other threads at the same time as this one with the new babies, because I know that in real time the babies are already born.
word count: 334
tag: desert herd
muse: none

[Mallory]

It had taken Regina very little time to acclimate to the desert weather and terrain, now that she had secured her place within the herd. There was no use in getting used to a land if it held little promise for her, after all. But now that she had settled into Baahir, there was little that could get into her way or interfere with her plans that would be carried out in due time. For now, her plans had to sit on the back burner a little longer, given her current condition. Any fool would have to be blind to miss the smoky grulla mare’s frame, which was normally lithe and svelte, was now heavy with child. Her midsection was swollen and cumbersome, hindering her movements slightly as she moved about the oasis. Because of such, she had stuck to the oasis to be safe. She was not going to risk the health of her unborn to map the far edges of the desert terrain. She had plenty of time to uncover the unknown corners of her mental map.

While the sun was hot, it was mildly comforting to her aching back as she moved deeper into the oasis. The deeper she got, the more shade there was. The promise of shade and rest was a siren’s call, beckoning her to move closer to where the herd normally resided. Her weary mind had narrowed down to one goal, at least temporarily. Her inky gaze, at first unfocused, snapped to attention as it landed on the slinking form of Angelus moving deeper into the oasis – the same direction she was heading. Curious as to why he seemed so rushed, she followed behind at her own pace. There was no need to rush, especially in her condition. Regina was sure he would be pleased to see his child was growing healthy and strong within her.

As the gap shrunk, Regina’s inky gaze eventually landed on what he had been heading to; another mare, just as black as he, and a foal of the very same midnight. Undeterred by the new bit of information, Regina stopped upon entering the safe haven of the oasis, but gave the reuniting family a good berth. Children were never the problem, but their mothers were. Regina could not safely determine how the other mare would take another, as well as pregnant, mare entering the mix. Thus the grulla mare stayed a safe distance away, content to take a deep, refreshing drink of water as she patiently waited for the reunion to be over.

status complete
tags: Angelus, Nakita, Juno
words: 420+
notes: n/a
speech thoughts

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[Hud]

Antonella knew the desert heat would take some getting used to upon her decision to stay not too long ago, but seriously?

The mare was unfamiliar with such temperatures. Her coat moistened with sweat, Antonella sighed with relief as she came upon a memorable spot - the very same oasis Angelus had led her to when she first got lost in Baahir. It was becoming clear to Antonella that she might do well to stay in the oasis if she knew what was good for her. The appaloosa walked with purpose now, her body much stronger by now than it had been before her move to the desert. She felt fitter than ever and ready to take on anything. What struck her as strange was that she'd never met another horse other than Angelus, even after having lived there for an entire season. Did he have other mares? Stallions? Children? Surely. The caring soul that he was, Antonella could not imagine others not latching onto him for security as she had. Of course, little did she know, he was not quite the soul she pictured him as. His life was much more complicated than she gave him credit for.

The mare began to trot powerfully, kicking up sand behind her into a fairly large-sized cloud. Her ears perked as she spotted others in her oasis. She supposed it wasn't her's. everyone needed water and shade around here and if there were others, it was their's too. She saw Angelus heading that way, toward a black mare and foal, and yet another mare waiting her turn to enter. Antonella knew the polite thing to do would be to wait as the grulla mare was doing, but she couldn't. Antonella tended first to her health before social etiquette, though that was placed on a rather high pedestal. The mare continued her progress until she reached the crystal clear waters, on the opposite side of the others. The oasis was large enough that she could enter without necessarily disturbing others. She would clean herself up and have a good drink before engaging in conversation. After all, she wanted to look her best. She surely did not during her first encounter with her King.

Antonella took a long swig before walking peacefully into the waters, releasing a relieved sigh. Peeking around the leaves of a fern, the mare got a closer look of the dark mare and foal...

OOC: Tonto will be in a separate post and will probably make a late entrance because he's coming all the way from the canyons and he takes his time when he travels. Also I don't have a table for him yet.

[Silver]

Angelus

For the first time, it occurred to Angelus that he was quite late for introductions. His mind was at first consumed with Nakita, in all of her quiet longing and open heartedness. He was lost in her ocean of light, of love and of belonging. She belonged with him, and he knew forever that he would only be whole with her by his side. Still, he worried about the state of her mind if it was pressed too hard. The black stallion nuzzled his mate with affection and soft praise. “You are beautiful Nakita,” he murmured into her ear. He was content to simply bask in her warmth and to revel in the roundness of her pregnant belly, carrying the next of their line. He was peaceful and most importantly, he was happy.

His dark eyes then caught sight of another, and the bubble that surrounded the couple slowly fizzled and broke. Angelus straightened and turned his head to see Regina, the ambitious and noble mare whom he had created an unbreakable deal with. He was more than surprised to feel a twinge in his chest when she entered his line of sight - perhaps she had made herself known more than he originally realized. The King of the Desert whinnied lightly to the other mare who gracefully drank from the crystalline waters of the Bridonna Oasis. Still standing next to Nakita, he swung his tail so that the hairs brushed his love on her rump. “Stay with me,” he murmured. This could be hard for the black mare who had previously been the only female vying for his heart and his attention. Now there were at least three, and he knew just by the sight of the other that Regina was pregnant. Angelus didn’t believe in letting his heart lead the way with most things, and so any feelings that Nakita harbored towards any other mare or stallion for that matter were of little consequence to him, excluding attraction of course. “Regina,” he called out, towards the other mare. “I see that you have found your way to my home. That is well, and you look to be well yourself.” He ended his greeting there, knowing that of all the horses in the desert, Regina would know enough to come closer so as to keep the king from having to expend his voice all too much.

ooc: ---
word count: 400+
tag: desert herd
muse: none

[Mallory]

Biding her time was something Regina was very good at, given how long it had taken her to secure a place for her entire operation to take place. Surely a little more time wouldn’t hurt, especially when it gave her an opportunity to work out the remaining kinks, tie up loose ends, and acquaint herself better with the place she would call home for an undetermined amount of time. That was something Regina had certainly spent the last few months doing, as the child with in her grew strong and apparently, given the swift yet painful kick she received, her precious baby was impatient to be brought into the world. Any day now and she would be a mother, again. The thought alone had a calming effect on the grulla mare, making her appear rather relaxed and serene as her inky gaze took in the entrance of another mare.

The other mare was remaining respectful of the small family’s time, much like she was. She was quite pretty, really, and had a unique look about her. She could see why Angelus would keep her, whether she was for his personal use or a general member was of little importance to her. As long as no threats were made to her child or to her plans, Regina felt she’d get along swimmingly with this mare. Perhaps not so much with the other mare, who had clearly borne Angelus’ first child. It would be a precarious situation, surely, when the other mare realized who had sired Regina’s own child. Her thoughts were yanked from her as the stallion whinnied to her, her inky gaze torn to him as if on command. She offered the black stallion a graceful smile, a rare, genuine expression that was foreign for Regina – it was something she hadn’t experienced since the death of her firstborn. “Yes, I figured remaining close to the others and staying safe was the wisest choice. I don’t wish to risk mine, or the child’s, health,” she replied smoothly, moving closer to the trio as she spoke. Though the smile slid off her face, her expression remained rather peaceful for the time being. Her gaze dropped to the young filly, unperturbed by the similarities between father and daughter. “She’s quite lovely, Angelus. You both must be very proud.”

status complete
tags: The Desert Herd
words: 385
notes: n/a
speech thoughts

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[Hud]

Tonto almost never left his home in the canyonlands - only on special occasions.

His chief, Angelus, had meetings with his herd from time to time, and this was one of those days. Tonto understood. It was a good way to make sure the herd held tight. If the leader of a group never saw his underlings, he might lose a few. Subordinates tended to stray if left unchecked. The warrior respected his chief.

Scout, his crow companion, rested comfortably atop Tonto's poll as the stallion walked steadily through the blazing desert-heated sand toward the oasis. The bird had informed him that Angelus had gathered a harem and had begun to breed. Just as a chief should, were his beliefs. The warrior who guarded the canyon border of Baahir did not change his pace as the oasis became clearer in the distance. A desert horse by birth, Tonto knew how to survive any length of travel through Baahir with little water or shade. In fact, Scout often came in handy when the heat beat down just a little too hard. His wings outstretched, the bird acted as a sort of visor as the horse moved through the distance.

Tonto felt the cool change of temperature as he walked beneath the first bit of tree shade he'd felt in days. Coming from the north end of the oasis he'd only visited a few times in his life, the stallion of few words did not stop for a drink before targeting Angelus. "Maruawe!" he greeted with intent and ease. His mother had brought Tonto up differently than most. Her words were those of ancients - the two of them being some of the very few descendants left of the original inhabitants generation upon generation before today. The stallion knew himself to be the only one with any knowledge of the tongue, and therefore often repeated his intended message in the more common tongue that he was, in all honesty, less familiar with. "Hel-lo!" he said with strengthened, untried syllables.

From across the body of clear blue, Tonto spotted his chief and another similarly-colored mare with yet another black foal. He could also see a sandy-hued female and a dusty rose mare even farther into the oasis. Tonto saluted the chief's dedication to his cause. This would prove to be a strong herd once all of the mares were bred and raising up the next generation of desert dwellers.

The future for Angelus' herd looked bright to the leathered native.

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[nala]

Nakita

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"Juno, stay close." Her voice grew more and more urgent the closer Angelus got to her, finally rushed with a wave of calm when he touched her. She loved his touch. So gentle and mysterious, yet harsh and wild just as unruly as the visions he saw. Nakita allowed him to wander around her ears and neck, silently staring down the nearby mares and single stallion that she would now call "family".

When Angelus moved his shoulder slightly nudged her own, urging her to move with him. She didn't need to be urged. It was nearly impossible for her to part his side after they were together. This time was different though. Nakita saw his eyes move over the sand hued mare with a round stomach. Nakita muzzled Juno as the child approached, giving her a warning nip to stay close even though it probably did little to control the distant filly. Nakita's ears went back instantly when she heard Angelus' voice become louder then necessary for her to hear. The black mare stumbled slightly when she realized the word had been a name. Regina. She let the word move around her mind, storing it over and over in her memory. Nakita pressed closer into the side of her mate, carefully eyeing their daughter, as they continued to approach.

The black mare's ears only swiveled frontward when the mare returned the greeting. She wasn't about to miss a single word of this shocking meeting. Nakita didn't know whether to be afraid or angry. She was just genuinely confused. Naive was never something Nakita would admit to being, but today had nearly slapped her in the face with said word. She stayed silent throughout the whole confrontation, keeping herself pressed into Angelus' side and wondering if that was really where she should be.

ooc:so much rust... im so sorry how late this is!!!

from these violent delights,
come violent ends.

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[Silver]

Angelus & Juno

The light was dawning upon the future of the desert herd. From absolute chaos and prejudice there was rising a new era. Angelus watched the movement around him with pride and a need to protect those that called him lover and father. The black stallion mused upon the new pathway that was illuminated for him. Still, darkness toyed at the edges of his mind and called to him. For a while he thought he’d shaken off the spiritual companions that used to accompany him everywhere. And yet there they were, lingering at the fringes. They waited silently, always watching, waiting for his return. The demon knew that it wouldn’t be long before he had to speak with them again. This time there would be dedication involved; offerings of futures and of young minds. There would be no escaping the dark and encasing desires of the Dark One, and he knew that the desert herd would be the bearers of the news throughout the homeland. There was no other way. Power would be found in the darkness, and those who hid in the light would be crushed. That was the way of it.

He moved closer to Nakita, feeling her sudden shift in mood like it was his own. There was no mistaking the tension in her body, nor the souring in her countenance. Regina walked towards them with her proud and confident gait, and he knew that she was the right mare for the position being granted her. Nakita was...well, Nakita was fragile and needed care and love. His queen needed to be strong of mind and of will, and Nakita simply did not have those. He would make sure that she had the best of everything, and still he knew she would have the largest part of his heart, forever and onwards. At the mention of her child, Angelus allowed himself to survey the growing belly of the striking mare. Yes, there would be a strong one inside of her. She showed no change in mood, unlike Nakita. The shorter, darker mare’s pregnancies were harsh, with mood swings and unpredictable behavior. He already wondered if he could handle her reaction to the other mares that he had introduced to the herd. “Juno is our young warrior,” he replied in his smooth voice. The little filly lifted up her head and smiled proudly at her father, basking in his praise. He could tell that she was getting restless. Juno wasn’t one to stay quiet willingly.

“Nakita, this is Regina. I came across her while she was wandering. She and I have come to an agreement of sorts, and she will be joining the desert herd. Regina, this is my love, and the bearer of my utmost respect, Nakita.” Introductions were well and good, but how exactly was he supposed to tell his lover that another would be queen? She must deal with the news as would befit the lover of a king, he decided. I have faith in you, beautiful one. Bear this burden with grace, and all respect shall be yours. Angelus cleared his throat, glancing from one mare to the next. “I have decided, and my decision is final, that a queen is needed to help lead the herd.”

•••

Juno was bored. All of this talking and glaring and everything else was lost on her young mind. The nearly adolescent filly rolled her eyes as her parents talked and, as usual, paid her mother’s instructions no mind. It was only when her father showered praise on her that she brightened and lent some of her attention to the proceedings. Even so, her attention waned quickly and she snorted her boredom. Nothing fun happened around here. Day in and day out she was stuck with her distant mother who was heavy with another child. Juno secretly hoped that it was another girl, one who would run with her and laugh with her. She knew though that she was too far apart from her sibling to be much good for the first year or so. Thus it was up to the pitch black, free-spirited filly to find her own source of amusement. Truth be told, the new mares meant nothing to Juno. They were new wives of fathers, but her mother would always be his first love. He’d said so to her some time ago. So while this otherwise tense situation was unfolding, Juno plunged out of sight into the bush, prowling for adventure.

Adventure hit her smack in the nose (not literally) when she came across a stallion that she’d never seen before. Curiosity sprang into life in her chest and she leapt across a fallen log to close the gap between him. Her young eyes widened as she saw the bird resting on his poll, and the way he carried himself. Juno’s filly heart pounded with the first resonances of what some would call puppy love. She instantly grew shy and slinked through some underbrush, watching the tall stallion and admiring his coat. Her eyes kept wandering up to his and wishing desperately that he would catch her gaze and hold it. There was nothing else to it: Juno was in love.

ooc: late but i had so much fun writing this!
word count: 870+
tag: desert herd
muse: brothers under the sun by bryan adams

[Hud]

All of the new arrivals to the oasis excited Antonella.

The mare had been dying for socialization lately, and here were the very equines to give it to her - her new family. Well, she wasn't quite sure if the dynamics of the group could be equated to a family just yet, but at least they had something tying them all together - a trust of Angelus. As Antonella looked on from her spot on the far side of the desert pond, she could tell quite clearly that there were three foals on the other side, one in a farther along state than the other two. For a split second she considered herself in their position along with them... If it ever came up between her and Angelus, she couldn't imagine she'd say no. He'd been so kind to her. Antonella could tell, however, that she was not number one in his mind. That title seemed to belong to the jet black mare alongside him. "Nakita", she thought she heard him call her.

Continuing her scan of the large waters' edge, she spotted a pure white stallion with a black poll. He was familiar... Tonto! The mare wasted no time emerging from the water and making her way to his side.

The two had met when she'd first entered the deserts seasons ago. He had conveniently never actually spoken to her. Their exchange had been interesting... Antonella could tell he only spoke when he had to. In this way, the two horses glanced each other in the eye as the mare took her place beside him. His stoic posture made him tower over her as he acknowledged her with no words. Antonella smiled to herself.

The mare turned her attention to the introductions on the other side of the oasis, not very far away.

OOC: Figured I could keep everything straight if mine were in the same place. ;]

[nala]

Nakita

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Nakita should have know that the mare would be staying. Why else would Angelus bring her here, to their home, their oasis. It wasn't the easiest place to find and that kept most trespassers at bay from trekking into the desert sands. She must have been strong or just pure bull headed to have even thought to venture here with a child in her stomach. Nakita felt her own insides churn with child at the thought. The sand colored mare halted before them as Angelus began his speech.

Nakita ran her gaze from nose to tail, she was feeling extraordinarily icy in this moment and the chill that ran through her and onto the other mare awoke her from her pregnant slumber. Nakita's eyes lit ablaze as she listened to her lover, still pressed into his side. His baritone showered her in compliments, although they didn't hold the same lust they usually did when spoken in private. Nakita didn't flinch throughout all of the spoken words, her head held high and her hooves evenly placed in the sand. Her gaze didn't leave the mare very long, but it didn't stare for too long either. It was a graceful dance from Angelus to the mare, Regina, her attention multitasking to the max and her pulse elevated more then it had in weeks. And then he paused.

The world seemed to stop and the black mare felt his gaze upon her. His brow seemed to furrow, deep in thought. Nakita's glances focused more on her lover now, his silence making her all the more nervous. Queen. That was the word he had looked for, and it stumbled from his mouth as if it had been locked away somewhere deep within himself. Nakita didn't attack, she didn't back away or run, but most importantly she didn't hide. Instead the fragile, sometimes unstable mare held her head still. "I see." She didn't skip a beat with her words, and this was probably the scariest thing of all.

She looked up into the fire filled eyes of her lover, searching him for something. Then she looked back down to her daughter, feeling the other child she held within her. Nakita was complete. She felt whole in that moment. "I see."





ooc: I don't exactly know what is happening? um yea. XD

from these violent delights,
come violent ends.

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[Mallory]

Regina was not oblivious to the stirring of other beings around her. While remaining polite and attentive to Angelus, (since the other mare and child seemed to have little to do with her), her inky eyes occasionally left him to glance at the other horses milling about. Scanning them, analyzing them – cataloging them into the recesses of her mind to turn back to later. If she was to live, bear and raise children here, it was imperative to at least know the faces of the other herd members. Even if they were not other wives, it was vital to know at least what they looked like for safety’s sake. Surely Angelus would understand, especially in her current state, her need to be hypercritical. Analyzing and exploiting were her best characteristics, anyways, and surely he had learned that much by now. A slight cringe shook her sand colored frame as the child within her shifted, protesting its close quarters as her time grew nearer. There was little doubt in Regina’s mind that it would be easy to watch the child shift within her, despite her discomfort. There was something reassuring that despite the pain, her child was seemingly healthy.

Her attention snapped back to the conversation as the pain subsided. “Juno. A very fitting name,” she replied, offering a slight smile to the restless filly. She had been somewhat the same in her youth; always desiring to be on the move and into something. “With good fortune on my side, I can hope that in due time you will have another healthy child to add to your bloodline. One with a strong name, as well, since it appears to be a familial trend,” she continued with a slight chuckle. Regina’s dark eyes flickered back to Nakita as further introductions were given. She had figured that the small, black mare had laid claim to the heart of their shared lover – but felt hardly a pang of jealousy over it. Why should she, when they had merely struck an accord over business? Granted she knew she shared similarities with Angelus, and life with him would not be difficult or cumbersome...But to say she would fall for him was out of the question, for now. Her attention shifted to Angelus once more, her head tilting just a fraction as he spoke. So he had finally come to a decision? About bloody time. She was losing her patience in this long winded dance, to see how the cards would be laid out. She had taken a great gamble with Angelus, but she felt little doubt that he would take back his end of their bargain.

status complete
tags: The Desert Herd
words: 440
notes: Meh kinda poopy, but this was the best I could give.
speech thoughts

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[Silver]

Angelus

The tension was palpable in the confines of the oasis. And yet, Angelus was neither uncomfortable nor anxious about the announcement to come. It was as if the shadows were reaching out and soothing his soul, leading his mind to determine the way that it would be. His vision blurred at the edges and the fiery companions that were pushed aside in a struggle for normalcy leapt about gleefully. Their prodigy was back; the demon of the Sands would rise again and stop this strange frailty caused by a false sense of security within his small family. Angelus looked from Nakita to Regina, and his entire carriage solidified. The fire in his eyes was intense, burning brighter with the relief of a darkness that would keep him stable. In this moment there would be not one, but three pledges made, each with its own accorded value. “It is my decision, blessed by the Dark One, that Regina become Queen of the Sands. She will rule with a steady hoof, and her mind will not cease to take in all that comes her way.” There. One down. The darkness at the sides of his gaze pulsated, flaring with each breath that he took. Angelus bowed deeply to the new queen, acknowledging her position. “It is also my decision, blessed by the Dark One, that Nakita be known as the First Wife, beloved of the King of the Sands. Hers is a place of honor and respect, and to insult her, or the Queen is to insult the King himself.” Two. The demon rose and smiled with a controlled madness behind his eyes. It was the mark of the chosen, to have such an insanity under an iron fist. It was not a disease of the mind but rather a weapon to be doled out when needed. He was cunning, he was calculating, and he was powerful. “And, it is by my position that the Black God be honored amongst the desert herd. Children reaching three years of age must make the journey to the most hallowed of places in the Dask Canyon to meet with His messengers. In addition, each moonless night will be considered sacred, and will be honored. These are the wishes of the Dark One and of myself, and will be followed.”

His companions cackled with joy and danced just outside of his view. Angelus felt power coursing through him, and reveled in it. “To the others who gather here, know your Queen, and know the First Wife of the King. Honor them, and rewards will be given freely.” There was no need to reinforce fear of disobeying. Angelus himself was enough of a threat to quell fickleness, and he well knew it.

ooc: so...yeah. dunno if this is done, but i didn't want to draw things out further.
word count: 460+
tag: desert herd
muse: brothers under the sun by bryan adams