Kamo & Navan - Regale's Quest

Calm ocean waves lapped on the shore as the pale morning light glittered on the water’s surface. The lavender sky was fascinating to look at, especially for a lone mare lying on the sandy beach. She’d always loved this magical moment in the early mornings, when the world and all of its plants and creatures slowly awoke. After a while the ballator got up and shook the sand off her blue body, which shone stunningly in the soft light. Unlike most mountain ballators, her neck mane was shaven down to the spine, resulting in the mare appearing exceptionally slender and emphasizing her graceful looks. As she trotted along the beach, the mare almost seemed to float along the water, being fueled by its power and beauty alike. For a short moment she stopped, enjoying the light of the rising sun once more before she sighed and spoke to herself. «Enough dilly-dallying, time to face reality.» Suddenly the sky was covered in gray clouds and a dense mist poured over the ocean. All the colors disappeared and within just a moment, Kuunavang stood out like a sore thumb in this dull environment. She rarely used her magic for something as unnecessary like watching a sunrise, but the weather in this foreign land had been bleak for much too long and the blue mare had longed for solace. Of course she hadn’t really been surprised about the change in climate so high up north, but still it had taken a bigger toll on her than expected. But after all, she was not there for a vacation, but an invitation. «Regale asked me to meet him somewhere around here. I just wonder where he is. I haven’t seen a single soul since my arrival a few days ago.»

High above the mare, a couple seagulls were circling in the cloudy sky, their calls comforting her in this unfamiliar situation. Because of her special connection to the sea and water in general, all animals who resided within or close by to it almost felt like family to her, which is why she also preferred not to hunt them down if avoidable. Since she hasn’t had any breakfast yet, the snowflake ballator felt her stomach grumble, demanding her attention. «Guess I could use the time to find some food. I’m sure I’ll run into Regale eventually.» As the mountain kept walking on, she finally noticed the scent of another ballator, although it was completely unfamiliar to her. She realized immediately that perhaps she had accidentally stumbled into a stranger’s territory and because of her considerate nature, decided to make a large detour around it so she wouldn’t cause any trouble. Sadly for Kuunavang, that meant she had to leave the shore behind and travel more inland, but the chances to find food for her there were better anyway. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw something bright move towards her and curiously turned towards it, discovering none other than the overo stallion himself! «Regale! There you are, I’ve been looking for you!» «Good to see you got my message, Kuunavang. How was the journey?» He said with a warm smile which she returned. «Very calm thankfully. Though I have to admin this is quite an unusual place for a meeting. Is there a reason you asked me to come here?» The flaxen nodded eagerly. «There is, but I’m afraid I need to take care of something else first before we can talk about it. Please, take the time to gather some cranberries south of here, they are delicious!» Not questioning how Regale knew she was looking for food as he was mysterious and all-knowing as usual, the blue one just thanked him and continued on her way while Regale walked towards the beach and into the stranger’s territory.

~

About an hour later, Kuunavang had finished scavenging the shrubbery of the area (while of course leaving enough for other animals too) and was on her way back to the place where the two ballators had met earlier. «When he gets back, I’m sure it will be easiest for Regale to find me here.» Yet even before she got there, Kuunavang already discovered the stallion standing there and waiting for her. «I knew you wouldn't keep me waiting for too long! Come join me here, let's talk! Did you enjoy your breakfast?» He exclaimed cheerfully once she was close enough to hear him. «Yes, it was fantastic, thank you for asking! Now about your cryptic message–» But again Regale did not get the chance to explain himself, as suddenly a third ballator appeared, running at the two of them at high speed, nostrils flared and snorting angrily. His pelt was gray, but just as shiny and smooth as Kuunavang’s herself. His right front leg was painted with various symbols which looked tribal in design and through the stallion’s left ear a fish hook was pierced. Just as the mare thought the angry stranger would collide with Regale, he stopped and stared at the tall mountain. Clearly this situation was NOT going as planned. Reacting on instinct more than thoughts, Kuunavang immediately unleashed a wave of calm onto the steppe stallion and slowly walked closer, her voice low and soothing. «There there, it's alright.» He turned towards her and his expression changed from rage to surprise and then finally a peaceful, yet curious look. «We don’t mean you any harm or problems. My Name is Kuunavang, pleasure to meet you!» The gray ballator seemed speechless for a moment and only stared at the two mountains, which made the mare worried her spell may have been too strong. It seemed like their meeting was escalating after all, but perhaps he was mentally knocked out by her ‘calming presence’. But to her relief, he finally snapped out of it and shook his head as if to get rid of a bad dream. 

«What are you doing here? Get out of my territory.» «I do apologize if I intruded earlier. When I noticed someone else was living around here I did my best to avoid a confrontation.» «Not you, I’m talking to THIS guy. I already told him to leave me alone earlier and he’s still around!» Regale nodded calmly. «It’s true, I suggested this stallion to join in on a challenge I was going to propose to you as well, Kuunavang! I think you two would make a good team!» «Wha…how would you be able to tell that, you don’t know me at all!» Now the steppe seemed to get more agitated again, but since he didn’t appear as aggressive as earlier, Kuunavang saw no reason to increase the soothing aura. «A challenge? What’s this about?» The overo turned towards her and his face gleamed with excitement. «It is a journey of self-discovery, training and enlightenment! I’m sure you’d like it, Navan.» «It really does sound interesting.» While the mare still did not quite understand why Regale seemed to be so keen on getting the steppe on his side when the two were clearly strangers, she believed in the flaxen’s decision and that there must be a reason he brought them together that day. She turned towards the steppe stallion, looked him right in his gray eyes and smiled. «Please, won’t you join me for this quest? I would enjoy getting to know you better…» At that point she realized nobody had mentioned his name yet and she drew a blank, but to her surprise, the stallion helped her out. «Kāmohoali’i.» «Kāmohoali’i! What a strong name. I will make sure to remember it.» Feeling a bit weird about her kind reaction and attention towards him despite being so dismissive to her, he cleared his throat and looked off to the side while adding: «You can just call me Kamo. That’s easier.» «If you wish, I will do so.» He glanced over at her and saw the most honest smile he had ever experienced on her dark, calva-covered face. Although he was wondering how he got in this confusing situation, Kāmohoali’i was now curious to see what this adventure would have in store for him. And Kuunavang, channeling her magic, felt that fate was at work here. This was going to be much more than just a little fetch quest, she could already tell.