The next day found Rose once more spending her time with Ekua, as the Medicine Mare tried to teach her a few of the basics of the zebrican language while sorting her supplies. The pegasus found learning a new language somewhat difficult, though unbeknownst to her, zebrican was a much easier study than say...Cry - the language of the gryphons. Still, she put herself to the lesson with dedication, trying her best despite the difficulty she had. Ekua, for her part, seemed rather proud of the progress Rose was making with her. However, all too soon, the day had to come to an end.

When they made to say their goodbyes, Ekua stopped her with a hopeful smile. “Rose, before you go, I was wondering if you and your stallions would join my husband and our herd for dinner this evening?”

Rose’s ears turned back a little worriedly, “We’re not, um...we didn’t do anything wrong…?” She asked hopefully, worried that maybe they had somehow insulted their hosts - after all, the chieftain hadn’t wanted to meet them up till that point.

“Oh, no! Not at all.” Ekua leaned in to give her a comforting nuzzle, “Chidike has been wanting to meet you all since you arrived. However, he has been very busy until today. He is simply curious about the newcomers visiting our tribe.”

“Oh,” Rose said in relief, returning her friend’s nuzzle gratefully, “Should we wear something special? I’ve never met with a chieftain before…”

Ekua tittered and shook her head, “All will be well. It is just a meal, Rose, no need to go to the expense.”

Rose nodded with a bright smile then. “Alright. I would be happy to accept.” The pegasus offered her friend a quick kiss to the cheek, “Though they work until late in Aura…”

“That will be no problem.” Ekua pecked her nose in return, “Simply bring your stallions by when you are ready. I will have something for us to eat then.”

“Then I will see you this evening~!” Rose chirped happily, her excitement making her seem more a filly than she was.

“I look forward to it, Rose~” Ekua tittered at her friend’s excitement, before waving her out the door, “Now, go on~! I’m sure that you’re the first thing your stallions want to see when they finish working~!”

With a little hop in her step, the pegasus turned and trotted out, inadvertently flashing Ekua as her tail flicked at the thought of her stallions returning home. Ekua merely smiled appreciatively at the sight, before slowly licking her lips, as though appreciating a nice meal.

Once her stallions had returned home, Rose helped them wash up, revealing to them the invitation Ekua had given her. While she did, she inquired as to how their day went; as much trying to distract herself as genuinely wanting to know. Her stallions seemed to take the announcement in stride, Zephania going so far as to admit he’d been expecting to have to meet the chief at some point anyway. As for her inquiry into their day, it seemed to have gone well enough for each of them, her stallions having enjoyed the hard work they did for Polar. There was a slight nagging at the back of her mind that when spring came around, she would have to keep her stallions far away from the unicorn mare. A part of her had caught onto the fact that her stallions found the mare attractive and the more she came to learn about zebra culture, the more she was beginning to worry that come spring they might not hesitate to...sate her desires.

However, Zephania seemed to catch onto her fear and, as the others dried off, Rose suddenly found herself being picked up and pulled into a tight hug by the half-breed, “Have I told you lately how beautiful you are~?” He asked her sweetly.

Rose blushed profusely at the suddenness of his embrace, before snuggling into him. “Thank you, Zephania~” She whispered to him, now realizing that he must’ve felt her concerns, kissing him fondly behind his ear.

“You are more than welcome, my Rose of the Savannah~” Zephania kissed her ear in return, before suddenly spinning her away, right into the warm, cuddly embrace of Zuberi; the abruptness caused her to squeak in surprise.

“I hope our wonderful had a pleasant day while we were unable to tend her~” The big stallion hummed as he gave her a squeeze of his own.

Rose then bit down on his ear, just hard enough to get his attention and to make her point. “Hey now, no flat spins.” She spoke loudly enough for them all to hear, then rubbed her head against his neck, “You need to be gentle with your mare~”

“But Zephania’s the one that spun you~!” Zuberi protested with a playful frown.

“Then drag Zephania over here, and I’ll bite him!” She tittered playfully, giving Zuberi neck a bump with her head. As it turned out, he would not need to. The next she knew, Zephania was right there, presenting his ear to her muzzle. Instead his pegasus nipped his neck just sharply enough to make her displeasure known. “One of a pegasus’ greatest fears is the flat spin. Even on the ground, it is disconcerting.”

Zephania’s ears fell back and he made to nuzzle under her chin, “It will not happen again, Love~”

Without a word, his mare then began to nibble on his flat ears in forgiveness, only to pull him into the hug she shared with Zuberi. Soon enough, she found herself the center of one big stallion pile as Xolani and Uzoma leapt in, to shower her with little kisses and nuzzles of their own. In no time at all, they had her laughing airily at the attention.

“Boys~” Rose called out to them, trying to get her voice back under control, “We’ve been invited to dine with the chieftain~” She reminded them, not really stopping herself from nuzzling them in return.

“When are they expecting us?” Uzoma nickered curiously, before worming his way into her hug with Zuberi.

“I told Ekua that you work in Aura, but I imagine the sooner we join them the better.” Rose nodded, giving the stallion a peck.

“Then we should not waste time.” Xolani gave her ear a quick nibble, before slowly pulling back with the rest of her stallions.

“Agreed.” Rose nodded with a shy smile, “Though it is difficult to pull myself away from all of you, even if it is just for dinner~” Turning about and motioning with her head, the mare made to lead them. “Come on. I’ve never met with a chieftain before.”

“Do not worry, Rose, you will have all of us once more tonight~” Zephania purred, before sidling up against her, “If you get nervous, just focus on me. I will do most of the talking.”

Rose gave him a bump with her hip, only to softly shake her head. “I think I’ll be alright. Chidike looked like a nice, old stallion.”

Zuberi sidled up to her other side then and kissed her ear, “Probably still best to let Zephania take the lead. Zebra are used to a stallion being in charge and Zephania always made the decisions when we were traveling together.”

“Bu- I…?” Rose trembled, looking to Zuberi with a crestfallen expression, her mouth flapping, trying to form words that just wouldn’t come; her stallions then watched her shrink with her ears plastered against her head.

All four of them frowned at that and Zephania was quick to nuzzle under her chin, “Rose, please do not be upset...”

“B-but I’m Alpha Mare…” She murmured weakly.

“And as such, you play a very important role in our herd.” Zephania assure her, before gently pulling her into a soft kiss, “This is not me trying to exclude you from our talks. Simply put, lead stallions are more used to dealing with other lead stallions.”

There was a moment where Rose was quiet as she thought over his words, before pulling back with a decisive expression. “Alpha Stallions.” She declared, “Your culture is used to Alpha Stallions.” She shook her head with a small frown, only to ask Zephania plainly, “Why do you boys want me?”

Zephania blinked for a moment in surprise at the question, “Well, because you are strong, beautiful, free spirited, you have a good heart...” He began to list off her qualities matter-of-factly, before leaning in to bump noses with her, “Shall I go on?”

“I am a pegasus, Zephania.” She reminded him, before glancing at the others, “I am not a zebra. I am not going to act like one.” Rose sighed then.

Next she knew, Zephania and Zuberi each had an arm around her. “And none of us expect you to.” Zuberi hummed into her ear.

“If Xolani and his fellows wished for a zebra, we would have found one.” Xolani declared with a dismissive wave as he stepped into view, “But we desire you.”

“In pony culture, it is an Alpha Mare and a Lead Stallion.” Rose remarked, once again looking toward the older stallion to see how he was going to react.

What she received was a playful kiss on the nose, “Let’s split the difference.” Zephania suggested, “No Lead Mare or Lead Stallion. Only an Alpha Mare and her Alpha Stallion~”

Rose’s ears folded back a little at that. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.” She admitted uncertainly.

“Perhaps we shall be the first.” Zephania chirped encouragingly and nibbled on her lip, “I have a feeling we will have to make many such compromises.”

Rose snorted softly at his nibbling, before bumping his nose to try and encourage him to stop. “It’s not exactly what I wanted…” She admitted, letting her cheeks flush a little at her admitted greed, but did not protest further.

“Mmmm, you liked the idea of doing things the pony way with four stallions at your beck and call~?” Zephania teased her gently with a kiss to her cheek.

The mare’s flush intensified slightly and her ears stood at attention. “That’s not it at all!” She squeaked defensively.

“Mmmm, then what is it~?” Zuberi nickered into her ear as her stallions regarded her curiously.

Rose took a sharp breath as if caught, her ears pinning to her skull and the way she closed her eyes only reinforced that image. “I-I-I’m not a follower~” She admitted softly, “I’ve...just been stomped on my whole life.” She explained quietly, reminding them what she had told them and at the same time, hinted at more that had gone unsaid.

Zephania took a seat then, before taking one of her hooves in his own and nuzzling her ear. “Do not follow me, then. Lead with me.”

Rose opened her eyes, a few tears having formed in the corners, and her ears stood tentatively. “I want to prove them wrong, I’m useful.” She declared in a small voice, “I-I can be a good Alpha Mare.”

“I know you can.” Zephania pulled back slightly to start kissing away her tears, “I think things might be better with Chidike if I took the lead, but if this is what you need to prove your worth to yourself, I will step back for now.”

The mare looked uncertain for a moment, before tentatively nuzzling noses with him. “I’m- thank you, Zephania.” She offered his nose a soft kiss, “I don’t want you to stop being who you are, and I need my stallions’ support...so please...if you could stand by me~?” Zephania’s only reply was to press his lips to hers for a firm, but gentle kiss.

The others shared a quick look then, before Uzoma stepped forward to nibble her ear, “Consider it so~”

After a moment to express her gratitude through their kiss, Rose pulled back with a smile. “Let’s not keep Chidike waiting.” She suggested, standing shoulder to shoulder with Zephania.

Her stallion gave her a proud smile and nuzzled her mane, before slowly striding forward to lead her out of the yurt, closely followed by their herdmates. For the most part, Rose simply walked in silence, leaning affectionately up against her stallions, but especially Zephania. The walk to the chieftain’s yurt was quiet enough, with only a few other zebra out and about around that time. Those they passed offered them a cursory greeting, before moving on their way.

In no time at all, they stood before Chidike’s double yurt, where Ekua waited outside for them with a smile. Rose broke away from her herd, trotting up to meet the medicine mare with a fond smile and a dignified air, before offering her a small nuzzle in greetings.

“Thank you for having us, Ekua~”

“And thank you for coming~” Ekua returned the nuzzle with an equally dignified grace, before extending the same offer to her stallions, who accepted with respectful smiles.

Having never introduced her stallions to another mare before, Rose felt a little apprehensive, only to crush those feelings beneath her hoof and remain outwardly neutral. Zephania, however, seemed to sense her apprehension and was quick to nuzzle comfortingly under her chin, while the rest of her stallions pulled back from Ekua one by one after their nuzzle.

Ekua tittered with an approving smile then, “You have good and loyal stallions, Rose.”

This earned Zephania a happy smile from the pegasus, “They are.” Rose offered him a quick peck, before turning back to Ekua, “Shall we head inside for introductions?”

“Of course~” Ekua nodded and slowly turned to open the door for her. Waiting for them inside sitting in a semi-circle around one side of a large fire were Chidike and no less than five other mares who seemed to range in age from their thirties to their sixties. “Please, take a seat~! I will introduce you all as I prepare the food~” She insisted.

Rose blinked in surprise at the positive harem the elder chieftain seemed to have, before offering him her best smile despite her surprise and led her stallions in to sit about his fire. As they took their seats, she regarded those assembled, looking for the mare-stallion Tichaona had mentioned.

“Thank you for having me and my herd, Chidike.” Once there, Rose bowed her head to him, “I am Compass Rose, and these are my fiancés, Zephania, Zuberi, Xolani and Uzoma~”

Chidike smiled broadly at the introduction and motioned for her to lift her head, “Come, do not be so formal, there is no need for bowing here. Ekua has told me much about you, and it is about time I met you and your stallions. I must say, you seem to live up to Ekua’s praise. It must take a great mare to earn the care of not one, or even two, but four fit looking warriors as I see before me.”

As Chidike spoke, his wives seemed to giggle quietly without him noticing, the oldest of them even rolling her eyes and mouthing to Rose; He likes to talk~

Rose loosened up a little at Chidike’s insistence. “I’ve never met a chieftain before.” She explained, “Not even...one of my own kin’s.”

“Well, you can say so no longer!” Chidike declared, “I am honored to be the first Chief you meet here upon the Savannah. I shall have to do my best to ensure you and yours enjoy your time here among my people!” He looked up to Ekua, then, who was bringing over a tray of bowls filled with with a rich smelling soup. “Ah, and it looks like we’ll be starting that with one of Ekua’s delicious meals! I must say, I love all of my wives, but Ekua has to be my favorite cook.” Ekua rolled her eyes amusedly, but his eldest wife seemed to pout playfully, only for Chidike to wrap an arm around her and chew softly on her ear, “Oh, don’t be like that~ You can’t be my favorite sculptor and my favorite cook~!” The older mare tittered softly at that, while Ekua handed out the bowls, each one seeming to be hoof made with intricate designs covering them.

“Sethunya made most of our pottery herself.” Ekua explained, “Though, she mostly likes to make little clay figures. She’s even done some work with stone.”

“I figured given that Chidike had complimented her as a sculptor~” Rose tittered.

Ekua chuckled in return, before gesturing to each of her fellow wives, “Well, along with Sethunya here, we also have Dumisani, Olayinka, Titilayo, and Amarichi.”

Every one of them offered Rose a smile and a brief greeting as Ekua introduced them and when they did, Rose would note a slightly more muscular build to Amarichi - the mare-stallion, perhaps?

“It’s nice to meet all of you.” Rose nodded to them, “I, um...don’t think I’ve ever met a stallion with so many wives all to himself.” She looked closely at the zebra in question, before glancing to Chidike, “Is it true that you have a mare-stallion?”

Chidike and his wives regarded her for a moment in surprise, before Amarichi blushed, nodded, and raised her hoof.

“That was, perhaps a bit more blunt than necessary.” Zephania whispered softly to her.

Rose’s ears folded as she blushed and looked to Zephania incredulously, “So you’re more open about everything but this?” She stage whispered.

“I-It’s alright.” Amarichi spoke up meekly and when she did, her voice proved to be a touch deeper than a normal mare’s as well, “It was just a bit of a surprise, that’s all.”

“Amarichi was the second mare I bedded on my pilgrimage.” Chidike declared proudly with a small nod, “Yes, truly I must be blessed to have found so many that would come back and stick around to care for a worn out old stallion like myself~!” He declared, before suddenly drawing his closest three wives into a tight hug, earning happy squeals from each of them. “Convincing her to become my mare was perhaps one of my more interesting adventures~”

Rose smiled softly at his affection toward his mares, gladdened to see that there were more stallions out there that cared for their mares, only to suddenly find herself nuzzled from all sides by her own stallions. Though she didn’t squeal like Chidike’s wives, she did purr happily, leaning into their nuzzles as best she could.

Finally calming them down a little, she looked back to the mare-stallion with a small smile. “I’m sorry for being so forward, Amarichi. I’m new to the Savannah and zebra culture still surprises me often.” Rose admitted, “I’ve never met a mare-stallion before.”

“That’s alright, Rose.” Amarachi gave her a warm smile, “I know ponies don’t normally do such things. I’m just surprised you knew. For most zebra, it’s old news, not worth talking about anymore.”

Rose laughed softly then, shooting a look at Chidike, “Your husband’s reputation is apparently the stuff of legends~”

This drew a chuckle from the old stallion’s wives and he gave a modest bow of his head. When they settled down, Chidike sighed happily and offered Ekua a nuzzle when she joined him and her fellow wives, before focusing on Rose and Zephania…

“Now, please, eat and make yourselves feel welcome within my yurt!”

“Thank you for the food~!” Rose chirped, bringing the bowl up to her lips to eagerly sample Ekua’s cooking. She and her stallions were rewarded with the rich, earthy taste of cooked roots and oats mixed with some unidentified spice that seemed to cling to the back of her tongue. Cocking her head to one side, she worked the flavor over, trying to place it to no avail. “What is that~?” She wondered, half-asking Ekua as she licked her lips thoughtfully.

“Family secret~” Ekua trilled playfully.

“Oh~” Rose pouted playfully, “I’ve never tasted that spice before…”

“Perhaps I will teach you what it is some day~” Ekua offered her with an equally playful smirk, earning a chuckle from all of the stallions present.

The group fell into relative silence as they ate, Rose savoring the rich flavor of the soup. As the group enjoyed Ekua’s meal, little was exchanged, save for some small talk. By the time they had finished, the lot of them lay relaxing around the fire, each herd forming their own respective equine-pile - Chidike at the center of his and Rose at the center of hers.

Chidike was the first to finally speak up with a curious sigh, “So, what brings you to the Savannah, Compass Rose?” He inquired with a friendly smile, only to immediately realize he had asked the wrong question.

The pegasus’ ears tilted back, though she tried to fight it. “I needed a change of scenery.” She declared glumly, “When my fiance broke off our engagement, I found myself unwelcome in my tribe.”

Chidike regarded her thoughtfully for a moment, before each of the zebra present frowned in disapproval while her stallions renewed their nuzzles, “Your tribe sought to determine your value by that of your mate?”

Rose could only frown deeper and became more sheepish in appearance, self-conscious about the status of her ex. “I sought to marry...above my station.” She revealed with a sour expression.

“Above your station?” Chidike blinked and glanced around at her stallions for a moment, “So...are your people blind or...touched?” He asked slowly, earning a giggle from his mares. “They must be one or the other to consider you a lower station.”

“That was our first thought as well.” Zephania replied with an amused snort.

Rose looked briefly to Zephania with a frown that told him she couldn’t blame him for finding humor in the situation, yet she couldn’t, only to look back to Chidike. “I failed to please a my stallion.” The pegasus explained, “He took umbrage with my accusation that his Alpha Mare was a thief.”

“Sounds like a very unworthy stallion, consorting with such a mare.” Ekua snorted derisively, “I worry for a tribe that accepts such behavior from its stallions.”

“If it were one of my sons, he would not be part of our tribe for much longer.” Chidike nodded solemnly, along with two of his mares, suggesting the sons in question were theirs.

“If only.” The pegasus sighed and shook her head, “In the time it took to fly from Canterlot back to Cloudsdale, the rumors had beaten me home. By the next morning, there were ponies that wouldn’t make eye-contact with me and it only got worse from there…”

Chidike’s expression softened a little then, “Your old tribe did not deserve you, Rose. Whatever may have happened, remember that your story does not end there, but rather in the arms of four good stallions.”

This at least caused Rose to smile. “Yes, they are~” She replied by affectionately nuzzling each of her lovers.

“So, are you considering staying with the tribe?” Chidike turned his head slightly to take in both her and Zephania.

“Not permanently…” Rose replied, looking to Zephania for confirmation.

Her stallion kissed her cheek and nodded to confirm, “Our plan was to stay in the area for a while and then move on. Rose was hoping to explore as much of the Savannah as she could and we are going to help her.”

Chidike nodded with a soft smile, “That seems like a worthy endeavor. It is always good to see and learn as much as you can.”

The older stallion’s praise earned a small smile and a faint blush from the mare, an effect of rarely receiving any praise from the stallions in her life up until that point.

“Yes, our Rose is a bright and adventurous mare~” Xolani proclaimed proudly, before giving her ear a loving nibble, which earned approving coos and ‘aws’ from Chidike’s mares, and a brighter flush from her.

“You’re all too kind~” Rose murmured not entirely comfortable with such public flirting, though she was loathe to tell him to stop.

“Not at all, Rose.” Chidike shook his head firmly, before grinning, “Well, with your story out of the way, your stallions say you wish to learn. How may we help you with this?”

“Um, Ekua’s been helping me learn your language…” Rose replied, finding it exceedingly hard to concentrate with her stallion chewing sensually upon her ear.

“Ah, so she has told me herself.” Chidike nodded with a small hum; all the while, he and his herd seemed to behave as though Xolani weren’t gnawing on his mare, “But surely you must wish for more.”

“More?” Rose asked in surprise and instantly, she was right back in the orchard being mounted by Xolani again, and unable to stop it, her tail flicked of its own accord.

Behind her, Zuberi took notice and tightened his hug around her, before making to gently nibble her other ear as well.

“Of course.” Chidike nodded matter-of-factly, “There is more to a culture than language. What would you like to know? Would you like to know about our art? Our jewelry? Our food? I could direct you to any number of zebra that could teach you. Would you like to know which tribes spend the most time where, for future visits?” The pegasus went to speak, only for her voice to crack and come out in a squeak, causing her to blush furiously, fighting to keep her wings from cramping beneath her stallions as they lay atop her. Rather than try and say so, she merely nodded in response to his question. Chidike grinned knowingly then, and his mares all giggled and winked playfully at the pegasus, “Perhaps you would like to hold off such lessons until after your stallions have satisfied you?”

“Stop, stop~!” Rose hissed desperately at her stallions, as she wished she could vanish. As if a switch had been flipped, her stallions went from sensual nibbles, to soft, comforting nuzzles from all four of them. With a sigh of relief, she looked back to the chieftain with a sheepish smile. “Seeing as I plan on living with zebras, I think speaking the mother tongue of my stallions should be my first priority.” She nodded softly, “But yes, I would like to learn all these things given time. Maybe food next~?” She offered, shooting Xolani a playful grin.

“Xolani thought you liked his cooking.” He offered her a playful pout in return.

Rose kissed his cheek in return, “A mare needs to know how to please her stallions~” She reminded sweetly, earning a pleased nicker from each of them.

“We could always teach you a few tricks for that~!” Dumisani offered up, earning giggles and squeals from her fellow wives, before Chidike bit her neck with a playful, possessive growl.

Once again, Rose blushed, not meaning it in quite that manner. “I...I don’t think I need help there.” Rose stated, yet looked to her stallions for reassurance.

She was immediately showered in reassuring kisses and nips, all along her neck and ears.

“Mmm, oh, I am sure you are more than a worthy lover to satisfy four stallions~” Dumisani assured her as Chidike moved to lay atop her, “But a mare could always use some new tricks~”

Rose looked like she had more to say, but chose not to, instead remaining thoughtfully silent.

“Well, the night is yours, Rose, you are our guests.” Chidike declared as he snuggled down atop his mare, “Would you like to stay a while and continue to relax, or do you wish to get some rest?”

“I am quite content in your company, so long as you would have us.” Rose offered the older stallion a sincere smile.

“You and yours are more than welcome!” Chidike declared happily, before starting to nibble at Dumisani’s neck.

“Our yurt is yours for the night, if you so wish~” Titilayo nodded in agreement as she snuggled into Dumisani’s side.

“You wouldn’t want us all night…” Rose tittered, suspecting that her stallions would want some attention at some point in the evening.

“Worried about getting your stallions to yourself~?” Sethunya guessed as she made to drape herself over her herd’s pile, “Don’t worry, dear, we won’t try to move in on your fun uninvited.”

Rose once again flushed, “I-it’s not that.” She assured them.

Slightly amused at the exchange, Uzoma and Zuberi both gave her neck a soft nip.

“You stay for as long as you like, Rose. Feel free to drag your stallions off for some fun whenever you wish.” Ekua assured her friend, before rolling her eyes at her fellow wives over their continued obliviousness to cultural issues.

Though Ekua’s words eased her mind, that only got the pegasus thinking. Looking back at her stallions, her eyes seemed to wonder if they wanted to have some fun with the other mares, knowing that their culture was more open to the idea. If they were interested, however, they didn’t seem to show it. Instead, all four of them seemed content to lay pile atop her, occasionally nibbling or licking at her.

“Can you free my wings~?” Rose whispered to her stallions, actually needing to stretch them at this point. Both Xolani and Zephania - the closest to her sides - were quick to shift their positions to allow her wings their freedom, earning a wing-hug in thanks. “So, um, Chidike…” She started, hesitantly, “How did you end up with six mares? Most stallions only take three or four.”

Chidike shared a soft look with his gathered wives then, “I suppose I just never thought about limiting myself. I mean, I have never seen myself as a greedy stallion, I didn’t go looking to make such a large herd, it just...happened.”

“Of course not!” Rose squeaked, looking just a little frightened that she had offended her host, “I didn’t mean to imply that you were greedy!” The mare swallowed nervously then, before taking a deep breath, “I was just...I mean...curious to the how you ended up with so many? Not implying that you’re greedy at all…” She squeaked still not sure that she was not offending him.

Chidike laughed happily and shook his head, “I did not think that was what you meant.” He assured her as her stallions nibbled her neck and wings comfortingly, “As for the how... Well, those are long stories perhaps best saved for a longer day. Suffice it to say that their stories are as unique as they are~” His wives all d’awwed at that, before each of them exchanged a loving kiss with him.

With her stallions making an effort to preen her wings, Rose found it very hard to concentrate and nearly melted atop her bed of stallions, her tail flicking lazily behind her as she became totally relaxed.

Still laying atop her, Zuberi nickered as he felt her tail flicking, “Would you like to play~?” He asked her with an affectionate whisper, before shifting his hips into mounting position just in case. Meanwhile, Chidike’s herd watched Rose’s stallions preen her curiously, having never witnessed such a thing before. Rose’s response was an absent purring as she pressed herself into Zuberi’s arms, questionably able to even discern his words as her stallions pampered her. Zuberi briefly waved for his fellow stallions to pause their ministrations then to let her think, only to earn a soft, disappointed whine from her, “Would you like me to mount you, Rose~?” The big stallion asked her once more now that she wasn’t distracted.

No longer distracted, she felt the fact that he had dropped from his sheath, but was still a bit too relaxed to care terribly about their company. “If you need to~” She offered him sweetly, while trying to convince the others to continue with lazy twitches of her wings.

“Not what I asked~” Zuberi gave her neck a soft, playful nip, “Yes or no~?”

Twisting her head about, Rose gave his lips a soft kiss. “Do as you wish~” She gave him her leave, trusting her stallion not to do anything untoward.

At her insistence, her other stallions resumed preening and nibbling, while Zuberi suddenly bit down on her neck and pulled his hips to line his hardening cock up with her labia. Instinctively, her tail flicked aside as she felt his hot crown up against her groin. Immediately, she sobered up and remembered they were in company...yet she had given him her blessing. In a heartbeat she debated telling him to stop, but decided against it. Instead, Rose merely bit her lip softly and schooled her expression back to as it had been - relaxed - though she was anything but. She was all sorts of anxious, excited and fearful, all at once.

However, rather than press forward, she then felt Zuberi pull his crown back again and he released her neck, “You can’t fool us...” He whispered with a loving kiss to her ear. “I am not going to do something my mare doesn’t want.”

“I wasn’t aware I was trying to.” Rose returned equally softly, cooing then, “I am yours, always~”

“Be truthful with us, Rose.” Zephania suddenly commanded her, gently turning her to face him with his hoof, “Do you want Zuberi to stop?”

“Yes...and no.” Rose admitted with a blush returning, “I left it to you for a reason~”

“Are you comfortable doing this?” Zuberi asked her plainly, before nuzzling into her mane.

“I can be, for you~” Rose replied, her ears part-way folded back, feeling guilty for even saying that much.

At that, Zuberi simply relaxed atop her once more, allowing his rod to rest against her rump as he waited for his erection to go away, “We would be poor stallions indeed if we pushed you into something uncomfortable.”

His mare looked simultaneously relieved and disappointed. “I would though, if you wanted~” She assured him sweetly.

“We know you would~” He nickered, resuming his nibbles and preening, prompting the others to do so as well.

Rose too nickered, joyfully, at the resuming of their affections, earning kisses all around. Meanwhile, across from them, while Chidike and his wives had remained silent at the exchange, they all smiled approvingly at the display of concern for her comfort.

“It is good to see younger stallions taking such good care of such a beautiful mare.” The older stallion declared, “It makes my heart glad.”

At the older stallion’s declaration that she was beautiful, Rose appeared momentarily shocked, a flush upon her cheeks, before trying to hide her face in her stallion’s shoulder. “I think you’re all touched~” She murmured dismissively.

“Would you like to know a secret, dear~?” Sethunya called to her, “All the best stallions are~!” This declaration sent her fellow wives into a fit of giggles as Chidike turned his attention on her, giving her neck a playful bite.

“If falling for a beautiful mare makes Xolani and his fellows touched, then Xolani does not wish to be sane~” Her shaman proclaimed with a loving nip to her neck.

Rose whinnied softly, giddily at his proclamation, quickly twisting to nuzzle his neck affectionately in return. Her stallions found their mare smiling carefree as she did her best to share her happiness with all of them. If anything, seeing her become so relaxed made her stallions even happier. With a giddy nicker, Uzoma, who had been laying under her, raised a hoof to pull his mare into a soft kiss.

“Oh, just look how adorable they are together!” Amarichi practically squealed like a filly at the sight, while snuggling with Olayinka.

Though Rose was unaccustomed to being so publicly affectionate, Uzoma’s kiss was not something she was about to break. In fact, at the mare-stallion’s words, she let herself go; kissing her stallion with a slow, deliberate passion, allowing them to watch. A part of her revelling in the idea that she was making her stallions look good.

A few days later, after their usual day of work at her store, Polar had asked if she could speak with their herd for a very important matter. Zephania had, of course, been quick to invite her to their yurt to see Rose as well. So it was that she and the stallions approached the entrance to their little abode, where Rose was relaxing with Zuberi. They returned to their slender pegasus mare mounted atop his back, her forehooves pressing deep into the muscles of his broad shoulders, her wings flapping every now and again in frustration over a particularly tight knot therein. Meanwhile, the big stallion groaned appreciatively at her rather skilled hooves, practically melting beneath her.

Zephania smiled knowingly as his little group approached and called out to his mare, “Good evening, Rose! We return with a guest.”

His mare growled and ground her hoof into the particularly stubborn knot, before sighing as it finally abated. Giving Zuberi’s neck a quick kiss, she then looked back to them with a smile and a curious expression.

“Hello again, Compass Rose.” Polar nodded respectfully to her, before smiling toward the prone stallion, “You as well, Zuberi. I hope you are well~?”

Zuberi offered her a warm smile and a lazy wave of his hoof in greeting, “I am doing wonderful, Polar. I hope my fellows managed to get some work done for you without me~” He declared with a teasing grin at the other stallions, prompting Uzoma to stick his tongue out at him.

“You are all quite helpful.” Polar nodded thankfully to the stallions she was following.

As for Rose, she made herself comfortable lounging over Zuberi’s back from the side, offering his neck a quick rub of her cheek as she waved over her other lovers. Each of her stallions nodded thankfully to Polar, before trotting over to Rose, Zephania actually giving Polar’s cheek a friendly peck as he trotted off.

“So, you had something to discuss with us?” He asked her as he went to Rose’s side.

“Yes.” Polar nodded, “It’s about a few of my friends, they’re long overdue…”

“Overdue?” As Zephania and the others settled in around Rose and Zuberi, he casually waved Polar over to his side, “Come, sit with us while we speak.”

Polar trotted over, hesitating a moment, before making to sit before them. “They left nearly a month ago, to trade with one of the nearby tribes.” She explained.

“When were they supposed to return?” Zephania asked her gently.

“It’s only the next tribe over, they shouldn’t have been gone more than a couple weeks.” Polar revealed with a small, worried frown, “I’m worried. It was just the three of them that went to trade, Burnished Bronze, Grassy and Tin Cup.”

Rose looked to her stallions with an equally concerned expression. “You don’t think those lions might’ve went after them first...do you?”

Zephania frowned thoughtfully, “I can’t be sure, but...if they stayed on a fairly direct path between the tribes and there were three of them to keep watch, I doubt lions would have taken them before they reached their destination.”

“I hope lions didn’t get ahold of them…” Polar frowned deeply at the thought of her friends being eaten.

In an instant, Zephania had stepped forward to offer her a comforting hug, “I am certain your friends are well, Polar.” He cooed gently. “I take it you wish us to search for them?”

“I just can’t shake the feeling-” Polar cut herself off, unable to think about the possibility that something bad had happened any longer, leaning thankfully into his embrace, “If you wouldn’t mind…?”

“I don’t mind.” Rose quickly offered.

“We would all be happy to look for your friends, Polar.” Zuberi nodded firmly.

“We’ll have them back safe in no time!” Uzoma chirped confidently.

“Thank you!” Pear exclaimed in relief, squeezing Zephania yet tighter.

Zephania chuckled softly and offered her mane a nuzzle, “Now, with that settled, would you like to relax her with us for a while? You can tell us a bit more about your friends while we do.”

“We’ll get dinner started~” Rose declared, urging Xolani to join her by softly tugging on the stallion’s ear, “I bought us a frying pan, come, I’ll teach you~”

Polar looked hesitant at the stallion’s affections, before noticing that the other mare seemed to go about her duties without hesitation herself. With a small smile, the unicorn mare nodded thankfully to the stallion, accepting his invitation. As Xolani followed Rose into the yurt to prepare dinner, Zephania gently pulled Polar forward to lay down between himself and Zuberi.

“Now, why don’t we start with what your friends look like?” He prompted her gently as the big stallion wrapped her in one of his famous hugs.

Polar looked at best uncertain about being in Zuberi’s embrace, knowing that these three were Rose’s stallions and the reputation zebra stallions had for being promiscuous. “Well...Bronze is a big mare. A red earth pony, with a rusty coat like Rose’s mottling, and a bright red mane and tail, with green eyes.”

As she spoke, Zephania and Zuberi loosened their hold on her in case she wished to leave, while Uzoma chose to relax on his side a short distance away.

“And what of Grassy and Tin Cup?” Zuberi hummed, offering her forehead what was meant to be a chaste, reassuring kiss.

With a deep, steadying breath, Polar chewed thoughtfully, but did not leave Zuberi and Zephania’s side. “Tin Cup is a humble pegasus stallion, an off-white stained a light blue. About the only notable thing about him is how long he keeps his mane. More than a few mares in town are jealous of that…” She paused a moment in thought, “Grassy is one of the Apples here in town, but he doesn’t work the orchards,” She shook her head, the faintest twinkle of fondness in the corner of her eye, “He wants to be a trader. He’s better at it anyways… A good haggler.”

Zephania smiled knowingly then, “I take it we are interested in Grassy?”

Polar flushed slightly, looking at Zephania with a little surprise, before smiling softly. “Thought about it~” She admitted sheepishly.

“Then you’ll have to be sure to give him a kiss when we bring him back to you!” Zuberi chuckled good-naturedly.

“I might just.” She nodded with a thoughtful smile at that.