#rivervale_lodge

Stormwake chews on the grass.

There's not a lot of grass in this weather...

but he so rarely gets out of the stable

well, that's not true

but horses are contrary

Without saddle, or supervision, he looks over his shoulder

SOmewhere behind him is an open gate. mmm

And he ttrots further from it to take a look around

A snort from the stable, where SOMEONE is warm and SMART. She will not leave her cozy blanket to investigate.

He puts a prance into his gait... macho stallion

A swish of her tail, and a shake of the mane that is equivalent to rolled eyes.

But will the silly stallion wander out too far and just get lost?

A huff and she reluctantly shrugs her blanket off, nudging it with a hoof so that it falls where snow cannot dampen it.... and heads after him. She scents the air - is Sweethands about? Oh, he calls her Hayheart, but Star knows her true name.

Something sweet is ahead.

But it doesn't smell like Sweethands

Her nostrils flare and she picks up the pace, She's not greedy... just curious... and means to stay at pace or ahead of Endless Gullet.

A sniff, and Stormwake also heads.

Three two leggers they've never smelled before are there. One fellow holds treats , but the others...are fiddling with something

"Oh she's a pretty one. " Says one

A hoof paws the ground. Where are those scruffy guardians, the noisy ones? She hesitates, backing up a few steps until her haunches butt against Stormwake.

"And stubborn...sure makes wrangling hard... get the lasso."

Stormwake gets bumped, turns, and then sees the rope heading towards Star's neck. And, having spent too much time around trolls... he steps in the way!

He snorts and turns ready to turn the two legger that roped him into butter!

Star sees the rope and her ears flatten, and teeth are shown. A whinny of challenge, high-pitched to warn the herd! Although, she is lead mare of one, that that one too dumb to know when he must retreat.

"Be still" The woman who has the rope says and glamour flows.. and Stormwake becomes like a statue... "Gonna have to use the dart on the other. Quick"

Star barrels towards the woman, ready to trample her if she does not move out of the way.

Dagmar was on her way back from patrol when she hears the noise.

Flyswatter is already in both damn hands as she runs towards it.

And by her side, Edelwiess, one of the big hairy brutes, growls

And follows

the woman curses as star causes her to drop the rope to move the side.

...Stealth is not a thing that Dagmar ever actually considers, so they all likely notice her approach.

Not ready to stop there, she spins and lashes out with teeth or hooves, should any approach Stormwake's position.

The other guy has a dart and readies to throw it... then sees Dagmar "Shit.." And lobs it towards her instead!

But it misses by inches.

Her teeth snap towards the one aiming for Sweethands, and if she connects, will chomp down on his arm HARD, and wrench her neck back!

The man screams...

And she shakes him, like a terrier might worry a rat!

the woman regrabs the rope "We gotta get out of here... ride me away boy" And glamour flows again and as she leaps on Stormwake's back he starts to ...do a slow walk. Obeying... at a snaill's pace.

Edelweiss attacks the leg of the third one who has reached for a chimerical knife.

Meaning Dagmar has time to bear up on them! Pole arms have reach

"STOP. Thieves!" And she hits the closest one.

Meanwhile, one might pity the man she shakes like a rag doll.

The closest one is the one Edelwiess is worrying and the dog can only admire how her Two legged packmate just slams the guy out cold.

Dropping the one she holds, she moves to stand in the way of Stormwake. She is headmare, and he will OBEY when she stamps her foot and orders him to stop!

The woman on the horse changes her command "As fast as you can carry me away" The rope glows

and Stormwake starts to rush forward, making a pathetic sound almost.. equine begging Star to get out the way.

He doesn't want to hurt her.

She sidles to the side, and then whinnies a command to the other member of her herd present - Dagmar!

She knows she can outrun that overgrown lug...