"If I die, will you remember me?"
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After the death of Raja and Dove, the herds have been peaceful. Rogue and Apollo are having their second foal, but something about the foal surprises them...
Jaguar is growing more and more jeal...
Shianne walked silently back to StreamHerd's camp, a glum expression on her face. Kyper tried to chat but she just swished away the conversation with her tail. When they entered the camp, Rogue greeted Shianne like she always did, which was a happy whinny.
"Darling, what's upset you?" Rogue's gaze flickered between Shianne and Kyper.
"I know mother," Shianne stated harshly, turning her head away from Rogue. Kyper quickly walked away, letting the mother and daughter talk privately.
"Know what? Have I disappointed you?" Rogue turned around to meet Shianne's gaze. It was as cold as ice.
"You lied to me. You tried to hide me from the truth!" Shianne whinnied, causing a few horses to look their way. "My eyes, mother, my eyes," Shianne said lowly, trying not to attract any more attention.
Rogue let out a long sigh and said nothing. The two of them stood in painful silence until Picasso bounded over to talk to them.
"What's up Shianne, Rogue?" He questioned with his fatherly-like voice.
Shianne turned away and started to walk to the foals den. She was getting bigger, she knew her apprentice ceremony was tomorrow and made it look like she wanted some early rest. Kyper joined her. Usually, fillies and colts shared the same den until they became true mares and stallions, then their dens were split up. Even if you were mates.
Picasso's gaze burned through Rogue. She knew he wanted to know what was going on. "She found out. About her eyes." Rogue paused, letting reality seep in. "She was going to find out sooner or later."
"Just because she has a gene dysfunction doesn't mean she won't become a StreamHerd mare." Picasso lifted his head and gazed around. He liked to see his horses chat and graze with each other, to Picasso, it was relaxing to know your herd was safe from danger.
"Anyway, I was wondering if you'd like to choose Shianne's mentor. Especially since she'll become an apprentice tomorrow." Picasso pointed out and watched as Rogue's gaze traveled through the herd.
She spotted a young, muscular, red roan stallion nipping at short blades of grass near the mainstream in the herd. His name was Merrick, Rogue remembered him a newborn foal just before she left to find Prince.
"Merrick. He should be her mentor." Rogue nickered rather quietly. Picasso nodded and looked as though he wanted to ask another question.
"One more thing. I know you told me about your curse but can you explain some more?" Picasso and Rogue started to walk away from the camp, so no nosy horses could pick up the information.
"Taka was from DustHerd and Prince was from ShadowHerd, and you know that StarHerd curses all half-herd foals." Picasso nodded, letting Rogue continue. "At first, I didn't know my curse. I didn't care. But when I realized how many horses had saved me, Jaguar, Prince, then Dove. I had a dream, the other night, with a mare named Whisper and my mother. They scowled me first, then warned me about.." Rogue paused trying to remember.
"An uprising." The two words were deathly Picasso. He already had enough drama with Prince and begged for peace.
"I'm not exactly sure what 'uprising' meant. Anyway, they also told me about my curse. I'm basically immortal but I can be killed. I can live forever if no one tries to kill me, and if I do get killed, everyone randomly starts battling until horses are no more." Rogue's words sent a shiver through Picasso. He sensed something dangerous was on the way but he didn't want to make a big deal about it.
"Uprising, I wonder what that could mean." Picasso trailed off with himself. Rogue suddenly broke his thoughts.
"I think it's about Jaguar, the uprising. He was very angry at me when I first brought Apollo back and he's been acting strangely towards me ever since. Besides," Added Rogue. "He's always gone doing his own thing. He comes back at midnight and leaves early morning, it's like he tries to avoid soldier duties." Rogue explained. Picasso knew she was right, he was never there in the mornings and he could sometimes hear him come back at night.
"I'll have a word with him tonight, I'll see what's going on." Picasso gave a curt nod to Rogue and she cantered back to camp.
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