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respira

Respira had not been back to Dark Woods in many, many years. Since before they became a Neutral territory. The last time she'd been there, she'd been the Beta mare and had just given birth to Sweet Sacrifice, her firstborn child. After the news of Takai's suicide spread, she'd taken her daughter and left. Raising her daughter outside of Wild Equines by herself had taught her many things and had made her what she was today. Leaving Dark Woods had been the best decision she had ever made and continuining to shun her heritage had benefitted her. Aside from those in Dark Woods, Atreyu was the only one outside of that circle to know of her heritage. No one at her old home had seen fit to tell anyone about it - perhaps they were ashamed or perhaps because it wouldn't make a difference. Respira was far different from the family that she had left behind. Now, she would be confronting them again after having waged war on their alliance and won. She didn't think she'd ever be back, but she felt it appropriate to pay them a visit. They were still a large herd as they had always been. However, their territory now left something to be desired now that it had burned down to the ground. It was almost sad, seeing the once proud trees gone and reduced to ash. Respira did not feel any sentiment, though. This had hardly been a home for her. It was just the place where she was born and nothing more. This was the place where her mother had been raped twice and Respira had been shoved aside in favor of her half-brother, who wasn't even the son of her father's. Had things been different she might have become Queen of this place someday.

Her nostrils flared as she searched the territory for signs of life. If any herd members were here, they were not out in the open. They might have taken refuge somewhere. Respira was sure that Reth was here though. She was the Queen; she had to stay here. Respira trekked farther into the territory before calling out, "oh, Reth! I think it's time that we spoke." She had never met her cousin in person before. She'd only heard of the grullo mare that now lead this territory. Respira was sure that Reth was familiar with her too. Dark Woods genealogy was a favorite past time of Reth's father, Lateralus. Respira remembered listening to stories when they were all children. She and Lateralus were relatively the same age. It was always funny how that worked - her uncle was born at the same time she'd been.

Reth appeared in only a few minutes. The lead's face was stoic and composed as her gaze roamed Respira, her eyes lingering on Respira's swollen belly. Yes, the Helkaer Commander was still pregnant, though not for much longer, she hoped. The baby was getting restless and she knew it was going to be time soon. However, a meeting like this couldn't wait. Besides, Respira wasn't worried about Reth attacking a pregnant mare. She was far too honorable for that, wasn't she?

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The rebuild had begun and Reth could only hope that Dark Woods would be able to sustain the herd again. She hated the fact that so many members were holed up in Mount Vigilum, unable to come home. She wished that there was more that she could do, but it was out of her hands. All she had to do now was to wait and be patient. At least things were progressing. Even if they were under Helkaer occupation at the moment, at least things might improve. They would survive this. Reth was expecting a visit from the Helkaer anyday now that they were occupying Tremala Woods. No doubt they would want some form of retribution, something they could gloat about. Would they start killing members? Would they kidnap them? Forcibly convert the children? Beat them all senseless? Summon the Underworld to wreck havoc on their lands? The possibilities were endless and Reth felt as unprepared as ever. There was nothing she could do to prepare. She just had to stay strong through whatever was coming next. She had to stay strong for her herd. Whatever was coming, they would get through it. She had to believe that. Otherwise, she was lost.

She wanted desperately to fight back against the occupation, but she was not sure what could be done. How many supporters were currently in the lands? How many Neutrals were left? She didn't know if they would be enough to start a counter assault. Dark Woods had many members and most of them could fight, but even they were just one herd. The Helkaer had their own herds, the Dark Kingdom, and the Underworld on their side. The Neutral Kingdom had themselves and possibly Utopia and the Versai. The Light Kingdom didn't help them. Perhaps if they had, this wouldn't have happened. Reth gritted her teeth, feeling the urge to confront the Light Royals and demand what the hell they thought they were playing at. Now that the Darks and the Neutrals had been dominated by the Helkaer, the Lights were next. It was logical. Predictable. They would be next and considering they had refused to help the Neutrals, perhaps the Neutrals would sit back and watch them fall when the Helkaer attacked them next. Reth knew she was being petty, but she was so angry. She was angry all of the time.

When she heard the call in Dark Woods, she wasted no time getting right to the source of the noise. It was one of the Helkaer, she was certain. In fact, it was probably Respira. It didn't sound like Sly and Respira was someone Reth had never met, so her greeting made sense. Reth had never met Respira before, but she knew her description. Sixteen hands, palomino, white star, Helkaer brand on her left hip, black eyes that changed to silver. Reth knew nearly every member of the Dark Woods bloodline. It was valuable information. Reth felt no fear as she stalked toward Respira's call. She had half a mind to try to beat the bitch senseless, but that would probably not be wise at this point. Respira might have a legion of followers with her and she could probably burn the few remaining trees that Dark Woods had. Reth couldn't risk it. Much as she wanted to, she had to resist.

She came into view only a few minutes after the call. She halted in front of the palomino mare, scanning her eyes over her. Respira was well-muscled, as to be expected from her profession. Her description was accurate. She had a few scars, though not as much as Reth was expecting. The most surprising thing, though, was the pregnancy. Respira was very obviously pregnant and far along, too. She could give birth any day now. Reth quirked a brow at her, wondering why in the hell she had decided to get herself knocked up in the middle of a war. "Ah, Respira. Finally, I get to place a face to the name," Reth said, her tones dry and dripping with venom. She was normally so stoic and composed, but she could barely contain the seething hatred she felt for this mare. Sly had carried out the burning, but Respira had given the order. Given the chance, Reth would kill both of them. She flexed her shoulders, trying to keep herself contained. "What do you want?" She asked. The sooner Respira left, the better.

"Speech"

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respira

Respira could see the hatred burning in Reth's eyes as the mare stared at her. She and Reth were the same height, both well-muscled, both no strangers to combat, it seemed. Reth had scars lining her pelt, as did Respira. The Commander had not really done much research on Dark Woods as of late. She only knew the lead horses here - Reth, Jazmin, and Vojorn. Jazmin was probably some cousin and Vojorn was Reth's daughter. Other than that, Respira had not bothered keeping up with the family tree. She didn't care if she injured or hurt any of her family members. Family did not mean much to her, truthfully. She loved her kids, but as soon as they grew up and could take care of themselves, she didn't bother much worrying over them and what they were doing with their lives. They were independent and could do as they wished. She refused to coddle them and she gave them as much freedom as they wanted in choosing their own paths. It was a rather strange attitude for someone in her position, but she'd never strayed from it. Not even when Romeo demanded that the Brotherhood beat his own son into submission. She and Trip had both refused and Romeo had recanted.

'Ah, Respira. Finally, I get to place a face to the name,' Reth said, her tones acidic. The grullo mare flexed her shoulders, as if itching for a fight. Respira gave her an amused look. The Commander could entertain a fight, even with how pregnant she was. Whether Reth would actually try to start a fight with a pregnant mare was the question. 'What do you want?' The mare asked. Respira made a show of looking around her, her gaze scanning all of the burnt trees, the ashen ground, the relatively bleak look of the once proud forest around her. "Sly certainly did a wonderful job," Respira said, grinning sadistically. That would probably get a rise out of her. The family sure loved their damn trees. "We won. In the end, even with the numbers that you had, you lost. How does it feel, to know how badly your Royals failed you? How badly you failed to protect your herd?" Respira said, continuing to prod. She took a couple of steps forward, slowly, scraping her hooves on the barren ground. "The other Helkaer will be going around and collecting taxes from the Neutral herds in the form of cambion children. However, I have no interest in asking for such things from you. Seeing you defeated, humiliated, angry and unable to attack - that pleases me far more," she hissed. Forcing a pregnancy on any of the mares living here was not something that sat comfortably with Respira. She had never believed in raising kids for one specific purpose - hence why she gave her own children such freedom. She had Yvette already, who was shaping to be a formidable opponent and a wonderful asset for the Brotherhood. She had debated bringing the girl along with her today to infect with Reth with her disease, but she had decided against it. Perhaps a better use of Yvette's skills would be to infiltrate a herd such as this and learn everything that she could - and then leave a trail of infections in her wake. Better for them not to see Yvette's face yet.