Empatha kicked up her heels and ran across the open plain of the desert, sand flurried in her wake, and a lizard skittered to hop out of her way.
Coming upon a small tree in the middle of the heat, she settled down beneath it, rolling, and the letting out a content sigh, she closed her eyes for a quick nap.

Raja had found himself out in the desert alone, split up from his herd after a large sand storm. Being a loner in the desert didn't bother him much, but he did miss the good life. The humans took good care of him, he was after all the horse that the young prince had chosen. "This foal is fit for a good war horse." is what the humans would say, "Theres great potential in this one." Raja lifted his head towards the sun, breathing in deep as he tried to imagen what it would be like back at home, being prepared to serve his prince in war. He was taken off the thought when a slight breeze ran through his mane. He looked in the direction it came from. There were duns of hot sand pilled next to one another, along with a lonely tree sitting on top of one. He could see a familiar figure laying underneath, it was another arab. He cautiously approached it hoping it might be one of his family members.

Empathas head came up abrubtly from the ground, hearing something approach. She stood back up with a jolt and looked around, and saw an arab approaching. She layed her ears flat against her head and waited, cautious and wary of this stranger.

Raja noticed that it wasn't someone he new, but he couldn't help but approach her. She seemed wild, untouched by the humans. He stood a good distance from her, keeping his ears forward and head held high, as if to show off his figure. He hadn't seen another of his kind in while. He looked behind her at the mountains in the distance. Thats where he must go. He focused back on the mare, "Sorry to disturb your rest, I'm just travailing through looking for my herd. Have you seen any arabs besides me pass by?" Raja cautiously looked in all directions to make sure no stallion was with the mare. He wouldn't want to get into a fight over something he didn't want.

Empatha perked her ears forward in curiousity. She turned her side to him, posing nicely in a show of trust. "No, you are the first I've seen." she bowed her head and walked toward him. "Why do you not know where your herd is, pray tell?" She examined him in curiousity, keeping a distance, but sniffing the wind and testing his scent.

He took a slight step back when the mare approached in what seemed like she was examining him. He couldn't help but flex his chest, "I was split up by my herd when a sand storm blew through. I haven't seen any of them since." said Raja silently smelling the mares sent. He wondered where her herd might be.

"I am sorry. I too am alone, though I've never had a herd." Empatha turned her back on the stallion and went to nibble on some fine grass under the tree. She flicked her tail lazily before lifting her head and looking back at him. "Perhaps...we could travel together?"

"I could use some company, I'm headed towards the mountains and then around the mans world...it could be dangerous." he said walking up to the mare's side. He bent down as if to eat some of the grass with her, "They say that at the center of Zoni deserts heart is the land for the horses, thats where my herd may be headed." Raja glanced at the mare, "The names Raja by the way."

She nodded her head "Sounds like a nice adventure to me! My names Empatha, but most call me Empa." She chewed on smoe more of the grass, considering what Raja had said. If they were going to pass the mans world, it could be possible that she would be able to find her way back home. Though she had been enjoying her freedom, she had also desired to be back in the stables, where she could strut her stuff and where she knew everyone.
She glanced back at Raja and reconsidered this thought. Life in freedom could turn out to be very nice indeed.
"Do you think it's true, then? What they say about the center of the desert?"

Osiris shook her head and blew air out through her nostrils. She had been walking for a long time, following the scent of water. But now she feared that the trail had gone cold. She looked up at the sun that was beating down on her like her old human masters. She frowned and shook her head again. "I need to find shelter from this horrid sun." she muttered to herself. She stopped and looked around for a rocky overhang or a tree. A little ways off, she spotted just what she was looking for. She stared to walk over to the tree, but stopped when she saw that two horses stood beneath it. She balked, thinking how long t had been since she had seen another animal like herself. How would they ccept her? She shook her head once more, as if to rid herself of her shyness, and started toward them.

The breeze shifted and Empatha caught the scent of another horse. She turned her head and flared her nostrils in curiousity. Seeing a horse that appeared large enough to trample her, she whinnied her fear and ran around behind Raja.
Though she was using her new friend as a shield, she still took care to keep her head high and muscles taught, ears rigid and flattened backward. If this stranger meant harm, she would try her best to steer him from the idea of it by looking her toughest.

Orisis stopped as she watched one of the horses take cover behind the other. She turned her head to the side and blinked. The scared whinny reached her ears and Osiris rolled her eyes. She resumed her walk forward. "Do not be afraid!" she called to her fellow horses. "I mean you no harm. Do not let my height frighten you." Please, she added in her mind. I have been alone too long.

Empatha considered the strangers words for a moment, then lifted one ear and lowered her head slightly. "What is your name, stranger? And what brings you out here alone?" she questioned in reply.

Osiris lowered her head a bit, to prove to the others that she meant them no harm. "I am Osiris Mehris." she replied. "Daughter to Cleona and Peregon. I am here alone for reasons of my own understanding. Permit me to ask the same questions of the two of you?"

Empatha glanced at Raja, then lifted both ears to Osiris. "My name is Empatha, and my friend here is Raja. I am alone because I've no one to be with, but Raja has been seperated from his herd. We intend to travel together to find them and the heart of the desert." She stepped out from behind Raja and, keeping her head lowered, walked a bit closer to Osiris. "You look hungry, come, there is some grass at the base of this tree." Empatha nodded to the tree she had been under.