Make Shift Father

Ryder | Serora | Medicine Horse

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Ryder's ears swiveled around them as they traveled down one of the many paths in the Zuiseset. He occasionally turned his head over his shoulder to glance at the unicorn mare behind him. He had offered to take her under his wing for the time being, though he wasn't exactly sure how long that would be. It was the least he could do for a member of the herd that had taken him in during his time of need, and he knew a thing or two about watching younger horses with his own son being a rather rambunctious one.

The hippocampus looked back at the young mare, who had introduced herself as Aragon, as she trotted forward to catch up to him, falling into pace beside him as they traveled through the desert scrub toward his home. His ears turned in her direction when she spoke up, turning her curious gaze in his direction. Ryder offered a friendly smile, hoping to be more of a guiding figure in the young mare's life rather than a parental figure. After all, she already had a father, and Effie, his wife, would probably agree that they didn't need to be that for her. "My home is not too far from here. My family lives on the northern part of the Zuiseset close to Osulas." He explained, pointing with his muzzle toward a rocky outcropping close to the path that they were traveling on.

Word Count: 241
(I was thinking that the year could either be 1699 or 1698 to make it one or two years ago that this happened. That way Aragon can be around for all the family drama that ensues with Ryder and Leif when Effie leaves XD)

Ryder | Serora | Medicine Horse

Ryder walked onward into the scrub where his home sat in the distance. He could see the dark entrance to the cave that he called home from here, and he hoped that the rest of his family was there though Leif did like to go off on his own little adventures during the day and his wife would probably be off patrolling for her job. Well, if they weren't home, they'd probably be back sometime soon at least. His attention was brought back to the present at Aragon's question and nodded in response. "Yes, I do have a son. His name is Leif. He's a pretty adventurous, young colt. Always getting into some sort of trouble and wants to become a warrior like his mother. Hopefully, he's home when we get there, and you can meet him then." Ryder said with a lopsided grin.

It wasn't long before they finally reached the entrance to Ryder's home. The stallion walked into the cave first, lighting a few candles to light some of the darker corners of the cavern. It was a humble abode if anything else. Herbs hung from the walls on one side of the cave where it was evident that Ryder did most of his work as a medicine horse. Plush cushions of different colors sat near the center of the cave, serving as a living room of sorts, around a rug, and there were a few shelves of books along another wall. The cave went further on, opening up into different rooms that were blocked off by curtains that served as doors. Ryder turned back to Aragon when the candles had been lit and motioned around the cave. "Welcome to your home away from home. Make yourself comfortable. We have some water in those vases over there if you're thirsty or anything." Ryder offered kindly, turning his ears when he heard the sound of hooves and claws pattering on the rocky floor coming from one of the back rooms. Leif emerged from his room with his dingo familiar, Bambam, close at his heels. The bright, excited grin that always seemed to be on Leif's face was there now as he came to a stop not far from Aragon. "Hi there! You must be Aragon. I'm Leif and this is Bambam." The black and white colt introduced himself and his familiar who responded back with a small bark of greeting. Leif chuckled, turning his blue eyes back to Aragon. "He says hi and welcome."

Word Count: 416