ranger 1/5

Parting from Batu was not necessarily something he wanted to do. To have been torn from all he cared about only to now wake in this world, and to somehow have been reunited with his blood? He did not know that he deserved it. And to be told that his wife was here - she was here - Ochir's lungs were burning as he ran the plains. He could smell the scent of horses but all that he really was focused on was Maral.

She had been his guiding light for so long. All that he had been before, admittedly a bit of a womanizer who was self-centered, had changed once Maral had come into his life. He had been determined to make himself into a man worthy of her hand. Even now he wasn't sure he was - but he was self aware enough to know he could not stand the thought of anyone else near her. Especially now - they had been hoping for children. Was she well? Had she been feeding enough? Was that damned stallion keeping watch over her since Ochir had not been able to?

Finally he came to a stop when he thought he caught a fresh trail of hers. Suddenly he was nervous, but he made himself not run. He would pace himself. He had to be able to at least catch his breath before she found him.

hunter 2/5

He trailed them.

Through the camp, through the spaces that she'd clearly taken as her own, and even above the scent of the red flowers that tickled his hocks still, he smelled her. The last time her scent had been spiced with the fire - and he had been more than eager to let her burn him alive. Now it was softer, but still her, Maral. His Maral. The only equal of his heart.

What he could smell as well was Möngön and Ochir was no fool. After the second place he had checked, he was more than certain that the damned beast was choosing to keep Maral miserable. What that stallion was doing surely he wasn't wanting to actually harm her - and yet the longer that Ochir trailed them, the more his own tail flicked in irritation. Angrily, he snorted, teeth flashing briefly before he reminded himself. There was no way that he could overpower the beast but all that he could think of was shoulder checking him right out of the way.

Ears perked as he heard the lull of her voice - though it was not so close he could make out what she said.

His tongue traced over his teeth as he considered his options. If he took off in another gallop, would that spurn Möngön into running? Would the horse turn to face him? Ochir could not beat him speed for speed, but Ochir would be able to keep his gait for much longer than the stallion could. Instead he lifted his head and he sang for her - and for her alone. Maral would hear him, and there was nothing that Möngön could do to prevent it.

His heart was pounding as strongly as the hoofbeats of the Great Herd itself, something she surely would have felt through the pressure of her paw against his chest. She did not know how long it had been, and at first that felt like such a blessing. Perhaps things had not been so long, and maybe it didn't even matter. But then she continued, and he leaned down further to add to the pressure against her paw to give her comfort. His smile faltered to hear how she had suffered.

He had left her, even if not by his own will, because it had been a choice and an honor to fight in her name and for their future. But by the same measure, he had chosen to return to her, and maybe in this world they would be finally afforded peace. Batu had not mentioned further conflicts here, but, his kin had been kind and offered to step aside and let him find his bride. I am here, He echoed and nodded. I came back to you - I am yours.

Forever, for always, should he be so very lucky.

Hmm? He stopped reaching down to kiss her face, pulling back only enough that he could see her face and watch the shift of her speech and her emotions. It had been long enough for her to lose them all, and he whined softly as she whispered to him of their loss. A loss that, until now, she had endured alone. That meant at least weeks - weeks she might have known she was pregnant, or perhaps if by some grace she had only just known, that might make it easier for her. He let out a little choked sound, his face crumbling a bit. My heart, I am so sorry I was not here. He said it softly, his voice heavily laden with his sorrow.

You have failed no one. He did not want her to think that it was her fault, and he refused to have her think such a thing, and his voice was more stern then. Her gaze returned to his and he let out a soft sound before he moved to press his forehead to hers again. When you are ready, my love, I will be too. Even if he would mourn these babies, he would honor them too, but he could not deny her nor his own desires. Maral my love, no doubt your soul shines brightly enough to guide them home just as you guided me. He kissed her forehead and let out a soft sound before a gentle smile grew on her face when she kissed his cheek. The finest father? Careful now, lest my head grow so heavy I cannot lift it off the ground. A testament to his nature, he made a sound as he suddenly fell facefirst to the earth next to her.

He only lifted his head to see her when she mentioned someone at their Ger. His head cocked to the side before she mentioned Yelp and explained he had been alone when he woke. How fortunate was he that his cousin had come across him - what if he had to wander alone, what if it took him even longer to find Maral? Despite her description and the fact that she'd had an unknown male beside her, he could not begrudge her kind heart. Batu had to know, as well, about Yelp - and that would be enough to at least make it so that Ochir was not immediately on edge. Of course you found him. He said with a breathy laugh - Maral was giving, and it was entirely in her nature that she would find those that were in need.

He was quiet as she explained more about him and what he might need from them both. Oh do you? Ochir asked curiously when she mentioned being aware of some handsome hunter who was patient, who she thought would make for a good teacher, someone she had entirely too much faith in it seemed. Best not let him find you here, then, curled in the embrace of such a troublemaker. Came the tease of his reply before he hooked an arm around her shoulders to hold her close when she leaned into him.

The most fortunate of troublemakers. Who would never forget the blessings he had been given. Not only once, but now twice, to be in Maral's presence.