Private | For the Greater Good | Gulliver & Ualda

{Ualda gave her mane a quick toss, allowing the messy bun that often sat atop her neck to unravel slightly as she surveyed her surroundings. It was not often that she got out of Ghosthold these days, in fact she could likely count each and every time she had set hoof outside of their icy sanctuary in the last decade. There was something exhilarating about the opportunity, the chance to explore Onea outside from their little sliver of land. It was also, in many ways, a victory for herself. Her father, Gidal, had been less than pleased by the idea, believing Vidar to have influenced her with his wanderlust and.... Altogether unconventional ideas. Perhaps he had, she conceded, but this was something they needed nonetheless. The more well known the Bloody Flanks became once more, the more allies they would require at their heels if they ever wished to challenge Hira. Solitude had served them well for many a year, but times were indeed changing, and that meant branching out from their old traditions to look to the future. The clan was growing, winter was swiftly approaching, and supply chains needed to be established. Who better to send than herself, the one who singlehandedly handled distribution and diplomat ties within their clan?

It had been a fight alright, but one Ualda could smugly say she won. Now that was a rarity indeed, one of Gidal's daughters challenging him, although personally Ualda was betting Odina was going to give him a run for his money before too long. In the end Gidal had been willingly to yield to the fact that it was the best chance the Bloody Flanks had, only requiring that several of the Raiders accompanied her. Ualda had accepted the terms of their agreement graciously, figuring it would be easy enough to leave them behind the moment they became more of a burden then they were worth. As it would turn out, she was completely right in that regard. 

She hadn't left them far behind, but enough that she could get some peace and quiet. The Raiders -and by extent, the majority of her brothers- might be commendable for their bravery and sheer strength, but when it came to intelligent conversation most of them were... Lacking, to say the least. Fine when she wasn't the one having to deal with them, but for extended lengths of time... Well, she was glad to have the distance. 

Broad hooves finding their place across the terrain, Ualda's ears perked as the gurgling of a nearby stream became audible. Not one to say no to the welcoming water, she paced forward, finding the creek bed with ease within a few minutes. Only after her forelegs had sunk into the frigid liquid did her crimson eyes register the nearby movement, her head shooting up to glance at her apparent companion. A hippocampus, if she was correct, and it would seem they were on their own. 

Despite the fact that she would likely classify most of Onea's inhabitants as enemies of the Bloody Flanks, at that moment she brushed caution to the side. There was little room for worry, after all, if she sought to make what could very well be life saving connections for them. It was this in mind that she cautiously crossed the narrow stream, dragging herself from the water not far from this new horse, a pleasant smile plastered upon her muzzle. 

"Greetings, stranger," Ualda announced diplomatically, coming to a halt mere paces from where the unfamiliar hippocampus stood.