Plot

[kangaruby`]

Five years back, before the seconds were counted and the years dreaded, a herd roamed the peaceful shores of Swallow Isles. The isles were maintained by the great brothers; Bensvelk and Sthyr. Bensvelk was the elder, a stallion wise past his five years. As for Sthyr, he could barely stand to make a straight face upon announcing he was three.

The brothers were beloved rulers, but Sthyr was envious. After all, his brother wore the title of Highest Patriarch of the Isles. Hadn't Sthyr every right to writhe in his envy? As time was spent, humans discovered the isle, ever so curious of the strange, oddly colored horses that wandered. Now, as wise as Bensvelk was, he was just barely out of colthood - as for Sthyr, he was still beneath the four year mark - and knew not how to deal with these treacherous beings. They rounded up horses, shipping them off until the numbers painfully dwindled.

When hope was near lost, the water receded near the isle of Juglanth. A path connected the three realms. Duulo Goawy, Juglanth, and the main kingdom - Mitne. Sthyr swore upon his very life that a prophecy spoke to him, demanding the herds travel to Juglanth to continue survival - but Bensvelk refused his brother's proposition, stating only Satan would send such a deceitful prophecy. Sthyr, infuriated and acting upon the cruelty that'd lain dormant through his years, wounded Bensvelk's favored mare, whom bore his nephew. The mare, unable to travel in such a state, lay to die; the foal sucking her life from her. Sthyr also slaughtered his very brother in the stirrings of the night; ending Bensvelk in such a cowardly way, he was sent from the isle of Mitne. . . along with his few followers.

Bensvelk awoke in the world of the Quellar - the place of the dead. Here, he met face to face with the siblings' father; whom sent him to the high ruler of the Quellar. Ixim, the mighty phoenix of the Quellar, sentenced Bensvelk to the life of immortality; pleased with Bensvelk's sense to know that only the devil himself would send the herd to Juglanth. He was to go live among those he'd left as a God, their leader. The one who would lead them to win against Sthyr.

As for Sthyr, he was living in the lap of luxury. A cruel, though young, stallion. A single mare had tended to his side and been quite the favorite. The sister of Bensvelk's favored mare. She felt Sthyr had done all but wrong, that power was the prize to those who ran a horrific lifestyle. Sthyr could do nothing but agree, deeming her Patriarch of Juglanth.

As the herds continued life, now split and terrified, the two brothers led their herds in hopes that one day the water would, again, recede. Then, and only then, could they finally decide who had been right.