Zelkova's ebon pillars swept him effortlessly over the landscape. The brute was on a mission: to find a land for him to rule. He'd heard rogue horses conversing about some sort of swamp. No stag ruled it; none dared explore it in fear of predators. That's all about to change, the titan thought.

Zelkova skidded to a halt at the mouth of a swampy forest, peds flinging mud into the air. A cougar stood directly in his path, snarling furiously. Zelkova pinned his auds back as far as they would go, the whites of his orbs revealing themselves. He swept his front leg foreward, making direct contact with the cat's head. It yowled in pain and rage, and began to back away. The brujo kicked at it again, and again, until it was on the ground. "Please," it howled, "Please let me go! I'll never come back, I'll leave this land forever!' This seemed to quell Zelkova's anger, and he stepped away from the feline momentarily. It bowed, turned tail, and ran away, out of the swamp. Away from Zelkova and his new home.

It didn't take the grulla stag long to locate the center of his new territory. He found a mound of soft earth, barren of trees and tall enough to see above their tips. He raised his maw to the heavens and took in the many new smells. Rearing, he neighed, "I Zelkova, son of Ma'ari and Thorne, claim this land as my own."

Zelkova landed with a hard thump. He was the new ruler of this land and all who lived in it. He would make a legacy here, one that no horse would forget. He pivoted and galloped away to the Glen, dubbed Jouir by everyone he'd known. He could find a family there.

Ebon-hooved brute centered into his territory, his neck arched gracefully. He slid to a halt beside his first mare, somehow managing to avoid sending up clumps of mud and dirt. Earthen orbs surveyed his terra from the mound the pair stood upon. He could see the sleeping areas; soft nests made of emerald-green moss. There was the drinking pool, of pure, clear water, the only safe place to drink in the swamp.

"I have lived here for less than a day," he confessed, an amused smile spreading over his maw. "But I already know where to find everything." He turned and looked at Akatsuki. She was tall, lean, and beautiful, and he decided to ask her right then. "Akatsuki...?" he asked, "Would you be my lead mare?"

The stag was not surprised by her answer. Hardly ever did one find a rouge mare who had experiance with being a lead. If one like that was found, he would know she was trouble. Lead mares didn't lose their position easily; they had to do something against the herd rules.

Zelkova nodded. "Don't worry," he said comfortingly. "All you'll have to do is keep the other mares in line." He nuzzled her quickly on the cheek

Zelkova let a smile quirk across his lips, a second time. "Your best is all I ask," he said kindly. He looked at her, and he knew she was perfect for the job.

Zelkova then realized that his new lead mare couldn't lead without any other mares. He dipped his head to her. "Akatsuki," he said, "I must go and find some more mares to join our herd. I shall be back soon, do not worry." Indicating the areas of which he spoke with his front right hoof, he said, "Fresh water is in that pool and the sleeping areas are over there. Feel free to explore while I'm gone, as well."

With that, he nuzzled her cheek and galloped off to Jouir Glen once more.