Pledge of Allegiance

[phoenix]

A stallion warily made his way onto the lands, his searching eyes watching for the lead of these lands. Surely his scent would have reached the great stallion that resided here, and he knew he would not take the greatest of greetings. He smelled the air gently, taking in the scent of the sea and of the herd that habited these beautiful lands.

A gentle, cool breeze floated from over the playful waves. It picked up his limp, white tassels and moved them to the other side of his boa. His ivory frame stood at 16.1 hands and was more slender than that of most stags. He stopped, talons making engravings in the sand. Lifting his pure dial he bugled a signal that he was here, and that he meant no harm.

Kind eyes looked over the land that extended away from the sea, waiting to see how they would receive him. The stallion did not mean to challenge the lead, for he was not nearly strong enough. That, and he was not leadership quality. He was born to receive orders, and not to issue them out. Still, he was as loyal as any stallion could be, his soul wanting to serve one of good intentions.

His slim pillars stood straight and unwavering, his crown held at a respectable height. He did not know how large the horse would be who lived on these lands, but prepared himself to dip his cranium low and bow in obedience.

Melodies would pledge himself to his master, be he younger than he or not. Allegiance he would hold to the leads of the land, the lady and the lord. If they deemed him worthy, he would tread these lands with light grateful steps and make sure his masters would be comfortable and safe from harm.

Though anxious, he still stood as still as a statue, the only thing giving away his life the small gusts of breeze that twirled his tassels and banner. His parents had told him since he was born to stand strong, no matter what faced him. Though he didn't grow up to be the lead they wanted him to be, he was happy with his life. He was happy to serve.

||'Tis not my best, but I hope 'tis good enough. *nods*||

[Hazel]

<sup>The midnight stallion snorted and walked towards the newcomer, head high and arced. Serpentine tilted as he gazed towards him, confused. He didnt seem to be challeging, and if so, he wasnt nearly so strang as to defete the ebon mutt. He broke into a slow canter, taking time to lengthen his strides to save his energy. at last, he arrived by the brutes side, he turned to face him, eyes bright. Was this a friendly fellow, or a challenger? If coming to assist with the upkeeping of his lands, Storm would be glad. He wasnt sure if Curse could yet be trusted, but if a challenger, he could atleast entrust Curse into fighting him, for he knew the ivory stallion loved to do such things.

"Welcome stag, be you friend or foe?"

He stood, head high and shoulder back. He hadnt had time to even name his newborn child with all the comotion on the sands, but he knew it was simply part of owning a herd. He had done this since he was just two when his father had died, so he was used to it by now....But it didnt mean he enjoyed it. The only thing stopping him from leaving these godforsaken lands was his family here, his sisters and his mate and his filly. He fought for them, an they stuck by his side....Exept one. Where Autumn Falls had gone, he did not know.</sup>

[phoenix]

At the sound of thunderous beats, Oak straightened himself as to look presentable. He held his dial at a respectable height, though not with at all an air of authority. As an ebony stallion came into view, he watched with kind, docile eyes. When the mighty, royal stag stopped near him, he dipped his crown in submission, waiting for the lead of the lands to speak first.

"I am Oak, good sir, and I come here to serve." His tenor lyrics replied with no hint of sarcasm or jokes. He was honest, he had come to serve by the side of this great stallion to help keep these lands free from intruders and those of ill nature. Slender frame stood still, and he slowly raised his cranium again to look the lead straight in the eye, to show that he was, indeed, honest. His daggers remained firm in place on the sands, and again he resumed a statue-like state, waiting for the ebony stallion's decision.

His ivory bod was brighter than the sands, and stood out from the light blue waters behind him. As the waves lapped against the shore, some came close enough to swirl white foam around his talons. The only time his white banner moved was when he had to shoo away a pesky fly or when a slight breeze picked up to twirl the tassels around each other. Other than that, he remained in full attention and at a complete stand-still. Like a soldier waiting for orders, he drew his breaths in deep and calmly.

There was an air of business about him, and it was true that he grew up with a no-funny-business policy in his old herd. Even as a foal, his father groomed him to be a ruler, and instead of letting Oak play with the other foals, he was training him vigorously in etiquette. Unfortunately, Oak didn't become the strong, muscular stag his father wanted him to be, so eventually the training ceased. But Oak's morals didn't. He stayed the same as his father had taught him, never speaking unless you were spoken to, and remaining completely submissive to those of higher ranking that you.

But it was okay. Oak never wanted to rule anything, anyway. When his father let him go, and he was old enough, he began to wander about, a horse under no rule. It was fine for a while, but now he wanted to be a contributing member of a herd. That's when he came here. He decided to pledge himself to the ruler of this land, and to be the loyal vessel he had long decided he was born to be. Orders were all he needed, and would be all he'd ever need.

||Riight, my post is a little bit strange, but it's a post all the same... ^_^||

[Hazel]

<sup>[ Lol, i like it. I have little or no muse, so forgive me. ]

Storms gaze drifted over the stallions bodice, admiring the state of total awareness the stag seemed to be in, stock still, little or no movement to be seem by the naked eye. She nodded, the brutes honesty was apparent, unlike Dusk, the challeging stag of the realm. The lair, the cheat, what Storm had wrongly blamed upon his friends, were all figures pointed towards the sorrel arabiasn, but Oak, no, he was differnt, calm, waiting, patient. The ebon stag nodded, the hint of a smile etched upon his maw.

"To serve? To serve here means nothing more than to talk, and love and to reside, I give no orders, you are free in my homelands. And, you are welcome. I am Flamed Storm."

He smiled and touched maws with the stallion, dipping his crest as he did. He was respectful to his mares, so why not to his stags? He turned to lead the new member to where his friends would surly be found, but another thought cam to mind. A thought of both Curse, Driftwood and of Dusk and what he had always wanred them never to do. The one thing Storm lived for; his family.

"Please, I ask just one thing. Do not harm any member of my family, be it mentaly or physicaly, or I will be forced to banish you. These mares are no ordinary mares to me, not a collection, but my aunties, my sisters, my mate and my child. You can surly understand.""</sup>[/b]

[/sup][/color]

[phoenix]

||It's a'right. We all get writer's block every once in a while.||

"I thank you, Storm, for your kindness." Oak replied with gratitude resonating in his lyrics. He did not recoil as their maws touched, and was honored that he was shown such respect and trust by the ebony stag. Another chapter in his life was beginning, and again he was in a herd. This pleased him greatly, though still no strong emotions showed in his movements or behavior. As Flamed Storm turned to lead him to his new home, he began to follow obediently. But, the stallion stopped and he stopped quickly, resuming a respectful stance. He listened to his lead's words carefully, auds standing tall.

"I would never harm a friend or relative of yours, sir." Again, his melodies were honest and truthful, respectful and submissive. He dipped his crown quickly again, then waited for Storm's reply or farther directions. Though excited to meet others who were in this herd, he still stood patient and calm, as if waiting for directions from a drill sergeant.

Even though he was told he was free to roam these lands, it would take much more than words to undo the training and programming of his father. He would try to follow these strange orders to the best of his ability, but it was for sure going to be hard doing so. What would he do with all his spare time? It was unbelievably hard for him to think of something. While on his own, he still followed the teachings of his father. All he did throughout the day was eat, sleep, and continue moving.

Well, whatever would come, it would be interesting to say the least.