So little time, and so much to explore! Since his arrival in Delumine, Jericho had taken the opportunity to acquaint himself with the surrounding lands. The place may be a temporary home, but he intended to familiarize himself with as much of it as he could. To be sure, it was a strategic move. He had been trained to approach everything with the eye of a soldier and scouting unknown territory for advantages and hazards was standard protocol. However, he was also a hotblooded young stallion who found it all too easy to respond when adventure called. And if he met a girl along the way, all the better.
 
This morning, he’d set off towards the east, crossing the river in the misty pre-dawn light and slipping into the dense wood that he’d come to recognize as the border of the court. Noting the craggy mountains in the distance, he’d veered north through the forest, traveling until the trees gradually began to thin and he arrived at the edge of what appeared to be a wide expanse of rolling plains. A soft sigh escaped his lips, an involuntary response to the scene before him.
 
As he waded into the tall golden grasses, a pang of homesickness flashed somewhere in the stallion’s belly, brought on perhaps by the familiarity of the landscape. It was no mountain valley, but it bore enough superficial similarity to his homeland to remind him of all he had so recently left behind.  Or, perhaps it was only hunger, Jericho thought with a wry smile, noting that homesickness had a rather…rumbly quality. He walked further into the open and climbed to the top off a small knoll, giving himself an easy view of any who may approach. Only then did he drop his head and begin to nibble on the last of the late summer grasses.

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The grass here was good, he decided, chewing meditatively on the green-gold stalks. Not sweet like valley grass, but hearty and filling all the same. Still hungry from his recent journey, his body shuddered appreciatively as the young warrior tore up mouthful after mouthful, committing them to the dark recesses of his belly. Winter would be here soon, and if he had learned anything in his short travels, it was this: it paid to be opportunistic, especially when it came to food. 
 
Rooting around for a fresh patch of foliage at the top of the hill, Jericho shifted positions and caught sight of a dark figure out of the corner of his eye. The stranger could not have been there long, for he seemed to have just seen the horned stallion as well—or at least, his friendly greeting implied such. “Hello, there,” the dark newcomer called, “How are you?”
 
Before he had a chance to reply, a sandy head followed by a stocky body rose suddenly from the grass. Taken aback by this abrupt appearance (and by his prior failure to notice that he had not been as alone as he’s imagined), Jericho’s head rose higher, feet firmly planted, nostrils flaring a huff of surprise. “Tired, but awake,” came the girlish voice, rendered brassy by the tinge of sarcasm. Red-tipped ears tilted towards her curiously—though unexpected, Jericho was not entirely disappointed to have interrupted her afternoon nap. She was small, he noted first, small but sturdily built with a coat perfectly matched to that of the grass in which she had made her bed. And fierce too, he assumed, based on the whisper of an accusation in her words. Good. Giddy with newfound freedom and the prospect of a pleasant interlude, the young stallion let his gaze linger on the girl perhaps a beat too long. However, good manners had been the rule all of his life, and his newest directive, exciting as it was, was only days old. In the end, old habits won out.
 
“Hello,” he replied, nodding to the other stallion and bobbing his head at the girl. “I must confess, I didn’t see either of you,” the bridegroom admitted with a laugh as he began an easy walk down the hill. “Jericho,” he stated by way of introduction. “Pleasure to meet both of you. I hope you can forgive us for interrupting your nap,” he added, tossing a smile at the sandy-colored mare.


OOC: Sorry for the delay!!

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