Dagath

Dagath had barely set hoof into the sprawling pasture and already disliked the goofy and unserious herd that dwelled closer to the barns. They were too all over the place and didn't strike Dagath as all that clever. There appeared to be a singular braincell shared between that group, with the sole exception being a cloudy eyed mare. Who seemed intelligent bus was also interacting with... well, nothing. At least nothing Dagath could see. Which was too strange for Dagaths tastes.

Dagath, you've found yourself in a world that is strange yet familiar. 

Then there was a herd of more grounded individuals, one which was led by a mare who was strong and wise. This spoke more to Dagath. However, she didn't like to be second to anyone. 

Dagath, you are too hard and stern to be a good leader. Do you even truly want to lead? But you would fight for the position nonetheless. 

And she did. There was not much hesitation or consideration, what Dagath wants, Dagath gets- or at least that's how it has always been. That herd seemed fitting enough. The resident herd leader, Rex, tried to shoo the clearly intrusive newcomer off, but failed to intimidate Dagath. Neither budged, so they fought. Dagath found herself outclassed by a strangely intelligent mare. Rex stood victorious, worse for the wear, but with her herd and world intact. But Dagaths pride was injured. She lost to an opponent who now regards her with a mixture of concern and disdain. Rex- a well established and beloved leader. This is her family, which she won't relinquish. 

She looked at Dagath, wondering. Should she attempt to take this usurper in? No. Not yet, at least. Maybe never. Dagath is very set in her ways. Only time would tell.

Dagath, you wish to rule. But Rex leads. The opponent you chose has much to fight for, more than you.

Rex proved much too strong and experienced far beyond her years, Dagath could do nothing but linger. The longer she remained just outside of Rex' space, the more the loss ate away at Dagath. Finally, she chose to leave. 

Dagath, you have met someone fiercer than you.  

Unbeknownst to her, their fight had more witnesses than just other horses. A group of slightly strange looking people watched the events closely. Their eyes, more akin to a cats than humans, followed Dagath as she withdrew. Their ears, like those of various canine species, have heard the fight. They were in a heated discussion. 

Dagath, you have not left a favorable first impression. 

Dagath was not happy when one of the people came to fetch her. Shed have prefered to lick her wounds in solitude. Instead, they were doused in badly smelling ointments and Dagath was put back into the smaller pasture from which she'd been released. Weeks she had spent there and had been meant to make over the fence connections with the residents. She had greeted them just fine, but alas, it seemed that her nature too had been contained by the sturdy fencing. 

Rex' herd had been the people's best bet on where Dagath could join and now, they were at a loss. 

Dagath, just where do you belong?

It was uncertain if Dagath would continue to try and fight Rex and if so, for how long and with what intensity. No one was willing to take that risk. While victorious, Rex was not unscathed either. 

If Dagath was presented with a kinder, softer horse as a companion she might ignore or lord over it. If it was one that could hold its own, fighting was all but guaranteed.

Dagath, is solitude your only destiny? It seems you don't know how to be a part of a herd. Have you forgotten or never learned?

And one day the ranch was buzzing. Preparations for something, tents, saddle bags- a group of horses and people leaving. Rex among them. They did not return that evening, nor the one that followed.

Within Dagath something began to sear. She broke the fence and marched to find that herd. 

But Dagath, you will know that Rex abscende doesn't mean the position of leader is vacant.

For this leader has her place in the world set in stone.

And Dagath, a leader is rarely alone. 

Under the cover of gloomy darkness, Dagath had found the herd. Cold as she was, she only knew to take charge by chasing and hacking them until they would accept her leadership. Whatever it would take. The top, it surely was where she belonged. It had to be, it was instinctual. But she would not reach it.

Dagath. A guard dog has set her sight upon you.

Thundering hooves disturbed Dagaths approach. A black and white mare, just barely taller than the bay Dagath. Canine. 

Dagath could not evade her and didn't want to. She didn't want to back down again and so, Canine ran right into the intruder. There was no prelude and no attempt to avoid conflict. It was unlike the encounter with the noble Rex.

Canine had not forgotten Dagath's encounter with Rex. And Canine had not gotten her name for nothing. She bit down on her opponent, tenacious and unyielding. Dagaths fury was no match.

Never had Canines owner seen a reason to shave the mares' sharp teeth down. They posed no health concerns and Canine had never gotten into all out fights. Not under Rex' leadership. Quarreled she had, but that had been enough.It had not become necessary until that night. Canine did not hesitate. 

Dagath. There is someone more savage than you.

Dagath could not hold her own against Canines onslaught and she was left with gashes while Canine remained largely unharmed. The losing side fled while the winner gave chase, only relenting once they'd brought a great distance between the herd and themselves. Canine bounded back to her family, to safety and belonging, leaving Dagath alone and bleeding. 

Dagath, this place is too foreign to you. Yet still you are swimming against the current.

Dagath had never learned how to really forage or traverse difficult terrain. Shed seen many manicured pastures and had lived a life of luxury, but was wholly unprepared for this. A herd could have prevented this. Taught her, taken her in. 

Dagath had found her way back to the pasture she'd been only once morning crept in. The stablehand who'd come to feed the horses dropped the buckets and darted off. Nearby horses sadly looked upon the downed food. One of them, a gray mare, hopped over the fence and took the food for herself, ignoring any of the events surrounding her. Dagath didn't like that mare, what a messy creature that one was. 

People came to once more douse Dagath in ointment. One dressed her wounds, others fixed the fence. Another had found and treated Canine. They all deliberated.

Dagath, what to do with you?