Exile Plot 001 : Defending your Homeland

Ryder looked out over the familiar, ashy landscape of their homeland. He had to admit that he was a little shocked that Khala had decided to take them back here. There was little to no food for them here even after their time away. The land would need a lot of tender love and care to be able to sustain them, but part of him was sort of relieved to be back home. He was so sick and tired of his herd, his family being pushed around by the other herds who obviously had no regard for their safety and well-being. From what he had seen, the Bachelors and, certainly, Olde could care less about them. The Bachelors had done nothing but use them and take their herdmates captive, and Olde had blatantly stated that they were vermin. The brown paint snorted quietly at the thought, sending a flurry of ashes to spin around in front of his nose. His blue eyes scanned the landscape that had turned rich hues of orange and crimson as the sun set on the horizon. Footprints and other signs that predators had been running amok marked the ground, creating paths into the thickening darkness. When they had crossed over the landbridge to the Southern island and the Last Green Land, signs of beasts had been quite obvious which was why Khala had tasked this group with following their tracks and seeking the monsters out. It was a dangerous job, but it was also the first task that Khala had given him since he had become a High Guard. Ryder lifted his head high, sticking to the front of the small group of Exiles. It was his job to keep everyone in this group safe as well as succeeding in taking back their home from the beasts, and for once, Ryder was confident that he could do it. Not alone of course, but with the help of his herdmates. The Exiles were a force to be reckoned with even if the other herds didn't think so.

The High Guard looked around at the small group. He hadn't talked to very many of them, but now was better than never, right? Ryder cleared his throat nervously, not accustomed to giving speeches or speaking in front of others. "Okay, everyone, it will be getting dark soon, so stick close together. I don't want anyone being ambushed by anything that might be waiting for us." Ryder began, speaking in a calm tone. Having authority was new to him, but he knew that keeping a cool-head was critical. No one would respect a blubbering, nervous wreck, so Ryder pushed down any anxiety that he felt, smothering it the best he could. "Khala has entrusted us to help reclaim what is ours, so I hope all of you are ready for a fight. I have a feeling that these beasts aren't going to be very happy about our return." Flicking his tail absentmindedly around his flanks, the stallion looked at each and every one of the horses in front of him. "As for a game plan, we should follow the tracks until we find something. I'll lead the front with Jack." Ryder said, thinking of a good idea of what sort of formation they should take to ensure that no predators could sneak up on them without at least being seen ahead of time. "Kasier and Fay watch the sides while Kayden takes up the rear." Ryder finished, nodding affirmatively at the plan. "Does anyone have any questions or concerns before we start?" He asked, letting a crooked grin pull up the corners of his mouth as he looked around at the small band of horses.

Word Count: 616

Ryder turned his attention to the large, draft stallion, Kaiser, as the Guard spoke. He fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. The gears of his mind turned, thinking of a good battle plan to get rid of the beasts that plagued their land. Kaiser was right that the monsters had no plans. Their thoughts weren't as deep or clever as theirs were, so it would be best if they played on that aspect. Going in with no plan at all would lead to getting someone hurt or worse. His blue eyes wandered over the horses of his group. Most of them were tall, strong stallions who would be able to take a blow or two from a grass beast, save for Fay, the youngest and smallest of the group, and while he didn't doubt the young mare's skills, he couldn't help but think of his own son if he were in this situation. He would have to make sure that she stayed protected during all of this.

"I don't think we should run in like crazed beasts. We need a plan. You're right that the alpha controls the pack and tells them what to do. I think if we took out their leader first, we'd stand a better chance of being able to scare the rest of them away and get them off of our land. Without their leader they will be scattered and afraid." Ryder answered, turning back to Kaiser, who had taken up the left flank. "We should remain in formation as best we can when we run into anything. We can fend things off easier that way until we find the leader and take it out. After that, it should be easier to run the rest of the pack off. Cover each other's backs and make sure no one falls behind or gets injured. We have to trust each other, or this will never work." He said in a solemn, serious tone, having seen and lived through what happens when there is bad blood within a group. It wouldn't be very pretty if they weren't all on the same page. "Any more questions, or shall we set off?" The brown paint asked, looking around at the group of Exiles.

Word Count: 374

Jack had assumed that his herd would not be stepping onto the barren land of the southern Isle, not since it had been deemed unlivable. He thought that they would return in a few years time, when the trees would be young but growing again, or the grass would be it's old lovely shade of green again. He thought the wise, and religious Olde horses would aid their fellow equines, but no. They were shut down by the arrogant horses, and cast aside to the mercy of the bachelors. And they, being just as ruthless as he had thought had taken their leader, the one working so hard to bring back the exile herd to its old glory. And to finally break the camels back, they had been forced to choose sides in the ridiculous feud between the two herds. It was at times like this that Jack wished to be a loner. To not have to worry about every other horse around you, to not have to rely on anyone but yourself...

Jack sighed softly and shook his head as he walked. No, he shouldn't think like that. He should remember all the good times with the herd, growing up listening to stories about Arryn the thief, and the great fire that had ruined their home. Training beside new friends and finding a new love for helping those that could not help themselves. Spending nights tucked up against his mother and it stormed, and listening to her heartbeat instead of the cracks of thunder. Yes, Jack should remember the good things, and use those to drive the idea of helping his herd.

The stallion lifted his head as Ryder turned and stopped, addressing them. He listened to the high guards words, respecting the stallion but remembering that he must not be used to such speeches. He turned his ears towards him, giving him his full attention. As other spoke and questioned about their objective, he stayed silent, not one to talk much. He was ready to fight, and ready to heal those who needed it after, and knew that following Ryder's plan would lead to success over the beasts. He nodded once at Ryder's plan for formation, and glanced back at the other members of their party.

Word count:380

Kaiser's ears pinned back at Fay's snide remark. 'Why is she being so rude?' He asked himself, 'this is a time of war and we can be heading into a pack of beasts and she has the audacity to be rude?' With a disgusted snort Kaiser shook his head, knowing if he said a word it might cause Fay to start yelling or continue on with her remarks. Being silent kept either of the two being directed at him, or so he hoped, so he decided to answer truthfully in a calm manner for now. "By attacking the leader we successfully attack their infrastructure Fay, you have a point but after their leader has fallen they will be confused and want to regroup. Giving us the chance to take them down. One-by-one..." Kaiser said with a grim voice, refusing to raise his tone to confront her. He shook his head again, he had a bad feeling about this mission, though remembering Kayden's words he felt they were important, "Kayden has a though point Ryder, what do we do if the mutt's guarded?" He asked, realizing they would probably have to work their way towards the alpha. Which would be tedious, not to mention it would take more time and more time at this point means more injuries.

With a small sigh Kaiser returned his eyes to his horizon, watching the side of the formation he had been put upon to protect and watch over. He had been surprised to see Kayden in his group, he was almost sure he remembered him from his time in the Bachelors, the stallion was only around seventeen when he left though so he might not have remembered what had happened. But Kaiser was perfectly okay with that, the stallion chimed to himself in his head as he kept his eyes cast out onto the landscape.

Word Count: 312

'There is no way we are just going to charge in at the leader and actually successfully drive them out. We need a plan' Kayden's ears pinned when he heard the bratty tone coming from the small appaloosa filly. He was not in the mood to be dealing with children in general, let alone this one who seemed to think she was clever for coming up with the brilliant idea to make a plan. His magenta eyes darted to the other stallions wondering mentally if any of them were going to chastise her, and seeing that none of them were, he decided to do so himself, "And what do you think we're doing exactly? Just stay quiet kid, the grown ups are talking." With that he turned his attention back to Ryder as the high guard answered his question, nodding in agreement.


"Let's get on with this then, those things aren't gonna kill themselves." He said, pawing the ground restlessly with a hoof. He had been on edge since the journey over here --constantly looking over his shoulder, paranoid that someone who knew him would follow-- and now that he had a chance to get that nervous energy out, he was ready and rearing to go.

words: 206