Rose’s stallions escorted her over the savannah at a steady pace, chatting with her all the while, eager to teach their mare as much of zebra culture as they could. By the time they left the Mwezi Wafuasi, she had opted to ditch her barding, finding it more hot and sweaty than it was really worth.

It was after four days of travel that Rose spotted the collection of a few dozen yurts that made up the Kuchomwa as she scouted for her earthbound zebra stallions. This village vaguely reminded her of the tribe they had recently visited, only in miniature, with the tents arranged in series of circles with a bonfire at the center. Numerous equine figures milled about, presumably working at some important tasks. Once again, the mare instinctually waggled her wings, ancient pegasi instinct taking hold, before turning around and swooping in low over her stallions.

The mare transitioned flawlessly from flight into a brisk trot up alongside Zuberi. “We can’t be more than an hour out now.”

Zuberi nickered at her presence and leaned in to nibble her withers, “Do you think this Burnished Bronze and her friends will be here?” He wondered thoughtfully.

Rose leaned into her stallion’s side, very much enjoying his company. “Why would they have remained?” She wondered, looking up to Zuberi skeptically, “It doesn’t make much sense to me.”

Zephania simply shrugged as he moved back to her other side, “Why are they not already back?” He asked her pointedly.

“Whatever the answer, it’s nice to visit with a larger tribe again.” Uzoma spoke up while trotting closer to the two; the other stallions all nodded and voiced their agreement.

“I just hope they are well, wherever they are.” Rose murmured thoughtfully.

“I am sure we will find them well...” Zephania encouraged her with a loving nuzzle, that was soon mirrored by Zuberi.

Their mare crooned softly in appreciation, trying to rub against both of them at the same time, before pulling them close with her wings. Grouping up around her with Zephania and Zuberi at their head, Uzoma and Xolani trailed behind. The five picked up their pace, eager to reach the tribe so that they could be done with travel for a while.

When they had made it close enough that they could clearly make out individual zebras moving around the camp, a few of the distant figures stopped and gestured in the little group’s direction. Shortly after, a set of what appeared to be four stallions with masks and spears began trotting out to meet them. Rose looked to her stallions with a slight bit of hesitation.

“Um, should we be concerned? The last tribe only sent two stallions~” She asked quietly, this was not quite how the last tribe had greeted them.

“No.” Zuberi shook his head and nuzzled her cheek reassuringly. “The savannah can be a dangerous place, they’re just making sure we’re well intentioned. Let Zephania do the talking and all will be well.”

The mare frowned at being relegated to the proverbial ‘back-seat’, but was forced to admit she didn’t know the language well enough to take the lead at this point. That was the moment she swore to redouble her efforts in learning their language.

The two groups met about fifty yards away from the edge of the camp, a small crowd forming outside one of the nearby yurts, but most of the zebras they could see paid them no mind. The four that had come out to meet them seemed unremarkable when compared to her stallions, with their masks tilted up to rest atop their heads and their spears held tight, but pointed away. Zephania stepped up and exchanged a few words with the leader of the four. It was clear that they weren’t speaking Equestrian and if she was listening correctly, it almost seemed like they weren’t even speaking the same dialect. While they talked, the other three examined Rose’s group almost suspiciously and their leader eventually tilted his head to look behind Zephania at the mare with an even expression. After a moment, the lead stallion nodded slowly and turned about, waving for the five of them to follow him and his companions back to the village.

Zephania sighed softly with a relieved smile and turned to give Rose a kiss. “We will be welcomed, though it seems to be a reluctant welcome. These warriors will show us to a spot where we can set up our yurt, and tonight the Chieftain and Medicine Mare will speak with us. They say other ponies came through, but are no longer here.”

She gave Zephania a quick peck and glanced at the retreating stallions. “I can guess why they don’t get many guests~” Rose whispered conspiratorially to her herd.

“You can, can you?” Zephania hummed thoughtfully, “Most tribes I know would give a somewhat more enthusiastic welcome...”

“Let us not question it for now.” Xolani declared with a shrug, “There will be a time for that. For now, Xolani is simply glad not to be driven away.” Rose turned to the stallion on her other side and gave him a sympathetic nuzzle under his chin. “Mmm, thank you, Rose.” He smiled and nuzzled her mane gratefully.

“Alright, there’ll be time for that once we’ve set up our shelter.” Zephania chuckled and gently tugged on Rose’s ear, “They’re waiting for us to follow.”

Rose giggled and bumped Zephania in response. “There’s no need to get jealous, Zephania~” She then gave him a peck on the cheek, before moving to lead her stallions toward the yurt town.

“How could I be jealous, when we have you all to ourselves~?” Zephania nickered and bumped shoulders with her.

Rose smiled softly then and leaned against him as she trotted along, regarding the zebra tribe curiously as they approached. Once the business with their ‘greeting’ had concluded, most of the small crowd watching them had dispersed. A few of the younger mares from the crowd remained where they were, their eyes following them with an odd curiosity and, in some cases, what seemed to be apprehension. The older mares and stallions on the other hoof, while obviously curious, continued to go about their tasks. It was here that they got a good glimpse of the marks on their rumps. While the Mwezi Wafuasi had each bore some kind of circular or crescent symbol, each of these zebra bore ragged lines and teardrops that seemed indicative of a flame.

“Am I the only one who feels...ignored?” Rose whispered, “I would’ve thought this tribe would be more interested in a pony arriving in their midst than the last.”

“Remember, they had a small group of ponies visited them recently.” Zephania explained, “If it was Burnished Bronze’s band, they may have become used to the sight. However, that’s not what has me curious...” He admitted with a subtle frown. They passed a group of young mares who shot Rose a decidedly nervous look, before slowly scattering to take up their own tasks when a nearby stallion waved at them with a soft glare. “These mares are taking orders from their stallions.”

“I would think it would take more than-” Rose began to retort, only to become painfully aware of her stallion’s point, “I...don’t remember stallions ordering around their mares in the Mwezi Wafuasi.”

“That’s because they didn’t.” Zuberi murmured pointedly, taking notice as well, “Stallions and mares are supposed to be equals.”

“This isn’t right.” Rose frowned softly, disturbed on several levels.

Zephania hummed with a thoughtful look and stared around them for a moment, taking note of other mares moving about and doing chores at their stallions’ bidding.

After what seemed to be a long while, he shook his head and gave Rose a reassuring smile. “It’s probably just their tribal custom. Remember how strange our ways first seemed to you?”

“If you say so…” She murmured, not looking at all sold with the idea.

“Don’t worry about them for now, Rose.” Uzoma chimed in, leaning in to nuzzle her rump with a charming smile, “Just think about how glad Polar will be when we find her friends.”

A specter of a smile crossed her face, but it did not remain,“It’s like being back in Canterlot. Surrounded, yet alone~” She remarked uneasily, the frown from before only growing.

“Relax, Rose.” Xolani remarked from behind her, “Xolani is sure that it won’t last long. Once they are used to you, they will be much friendlier.”

The mare sighed; it was a quiet, dejected sound that loudly proclaimed her skepticism.

This earned her a kiss to the ear from Zuberi, “I’m sure we can stave off that loneliness once the yurt is up~”

His words earned her stallions the first genuine smile since entering the tribe, small as it was. Without a word, she leaned up against his side, rubbing thankfully into his neck.

A few minutes later, their guides stopped at an empty space a few rows into the camp. Exchanging a few more words with Zephania, they gave the little herd a small nod and trotted off into the camp. Zephania turned and motioned for his fellow stallions to spread out, and start setting up the yurt and supplies.

Giving Rose a soft nuzzle, he spoke quietly into her ears, “We’ve been given permission to explore the camp until tonight. We have to set up camp, but perhaps you should take this time to wander, see if you can get to know some of the locals.”

She sidled back against him, reluctant to leave his side. “I think I might just stay here~” She murmured, turning warily toward the yurt town and the zebras that made it abundantly clear that they didn’t want anything to do with them.

“Come now, Rose,” Zephania nudged her playfully with his muzzle, “they won’t get comfortable around you unless you try to be comfortable around them. We can’t be by your side every moment of the day and this is a good moment for you to explore and learn.”

“They don’t like us.” She murmured back, appearing defensive.

“I’ll tell you what. Our escorts gave me directions to the Medicine Mare’s shelter. Why don’t I take you to her and see if one of her assistants can show you around their camp?” Zephania offered with a tentative smile.

“I-” She started, looking like she wanted to protest.

“Remember, we need to make friends here.” He reminded her, “The better we do, the more information we’ll get out of them.” Zephania nibbled on her ear and tugged it gently to urge her to follow after him.

“Alright~” She chuckled, playfully-indignant.

Zephania chose to be quick on their trip to the Medicine Mare’s yurt, not wanting to tarry anywhere longer than necessary. Much as with the Mwezi Wafuasi they began to see more foals the deeper they went. When it came to the mares watching them, they seemed somehow both more content and more forlorn than the other mares being ordered around. As they trotted along, the older mares and stallions began to take more notice of them, or more specifically Rose. Where the mares continued to regard her either nervously or dismissively, many of the stallions seemed to be appraising her. While the mare had long wished for more attention, particularly from stallions, the way that they regarded her only made her uneasy. Yet, she remained strong, more for her stallions than anything else. Had Zephania not been at her side, she would’ve fled back to their yurt long ago.

When they finally reached the Medicine Mare’s yurt, it appeared much the same as Ekua’s, bearing many of the same symbols, though the moon had been replaced with a stylized sun. Rose glanced briefly to Zephania, before knocking on her yurt as she had seen him do, earning a soft smile from him.

“Enter~” A warm, motherly voice called out to them from inside in Equestrian.

The fact that she was greeted in her native tongue caused Rose to hesitate a moment, before folding her ears back and ducking inside, with Zephania right next to her.

Inside, the space seemed to be arranged much like Ekua’s, but with less of the shelves Ekua had managed to set up, with more jars and jugs instead. Moving about the yurt, moving the few of the jugs about was a mare that must have been somewhere in her forties. She stood a few inches taller than Rose, with deep green eyes and thick wavy stripes that perfectly accentuated every line and curve of her body. When she took notice that they had entered, she looked over her shoulder at the pair with half-lidded eyes and a small, tired smile that seemed to speak of many hard days at work.

“Hello, my name is Compass Rose, and this is my stallion, Zephania.” Rose offered promptly in greeting, putting on a confident smile that was without substance.

“Ah, it is good to meet you, Compass Rose, Zephania...” The older mare nodded, her smile growing a bit. She nodded respectfully to each of them in turn, her gaze lingering on Rose just a tad longer as she turned to face them. “I am Aberash, Medicine Mare of the Kuchomwa.”

Zephania was the first to reply, “It is an honor to meet you, Aberash.” He bowed his head respectfully, briefly placing a hoof over his chest, “We came here hoping that you would be willing to educate Rose and show her your tribe, while I and my fellow stallions make our camp.”

Rose felt the smallest inkling of irritation that Zephania had spoken for her, but chose not to voice it. “I’ve been trying to learn your language.” Rose explained.

“It would be my honor to teach a fellow mare the tongues of the Kuchomwa and our sister tribes.” Aberash hummed.

Turning, she slowly made her way around the fire pit toward Rose, the lights and shadows from the lamps dancing over her stripes in an almost alluring fashion, while a few stray wisps of smoke whirled about her neck and mane. Upon her rump rested a series of lines and a teardrop the evoked the image of a large bonfire.

“Thank you very much, Aberash.” Rose said, trying to prevent a blush from coloring her cheeks, or her eyes lingering upon the mare’s flanks.

“Yes, thank you very much.” Zephani nodded thankfully, “I will come back when we are done with our tasks. Until then,” He leaned in and kissed Rose’ ear, “...have fun.”

Rose hummed quietly in acknowledgement. “Don’t make me wait too long~” She offered her stallion a sweet, if suggestive smile.

“I won’t~” Zephania shook his head and gave her an encouraging smile, before turning and slowly making his way out of the yurt.

When he was gone, Aberash stepped ever closer and brought a hoof to gently hold Rose’s chin, “Now, my child,” She leaned in until her nose was almost touching Rose’s with a curious smile, “where would you like to start~?” Rose’s ears folded back in discomfort, her eyes flicking down to the unwanted hoof upon her chin. When she did, Aberash frowned sadly and lowered her hoof, “I did not mean to discomfort you.”

“Pegasi are prone to claustrophobia, even the smallest things can set it off.” Rose explained, shifting nervously upon her hooves.

Aberash nodded respectfully, “My apologies. I will try to be more sensitive~” She gave a slow, sultry laugh, accompanied by another tired, but hopeful smile. “How would you like to begin your lesson?”

Rose shrugged not sure how to start. “You look tired, would you rather rest? I could come back another day.”

“No, no. It has merely been a long time since I simply had a chance to sit down and talk with a visitor.” Aberash explained and began to circle the pegasus mare, brushing against her sides all the while, with the mare’s proximity, Rose couldn’t help but blush faintly, “This is a chance to relax for me~”

The pegasus followed the zebra as she walked around her, becoming obviously uneasy when she ended up directly behind her, though she said nothing about it.

“Everyone seems on edge.” Rose remarked, tracking the mare as she walked around her, not quite sure what to make of it.

Aberash paused briefly, before continuing to circle, “Life...has been hard out here.” She explained simply, “Our tribe has not fared as well as some...”

This caused Rose to turn toward the circling mare with a worried expression, “There are those who could help.” She offered, smiling to the older mare.

Aberash actually stopped at that, before looking away, “Thank you, but...we will endure.” She assured the younger mare.

Rose took a half-step forward, her features taking on a respectful trepidation. “I know what it’s like to live with a prideful tribe~” She assured the Medicine Mare, offering her another, smaller smile.

Aberash turned back to her with a softer, thankful smile, “Thank you for your concern, Compass Rose~” Rose nodded softly in response, realizing that she wasn’t about to make any headway - they did not want help. Aberash started moving again and her trail lead her back up Rose’s other side, “Now, I believe you wanted language lessons~”

“I would.” Rose affirmed with another, more eager nod, “I find the language rather beautiful.”

“I am glad you appreciate it.” Aberash stopped and slid her hoof gently up the younger mare’s shin, “There are many zebra tongues and our culture varies between every tribe that wanders the grass.” She regarded Rose thoughtfully, “Where to begin...?”

“Um, Aberash~?” Rose looked hesitantly from her, to her hoof and back.

“Do you truly not enjoy my touch, child?” Aberash asked with a small frown, sliding slowly away from the other mare’s body to stand before her.

Rose did not say no, but looked at her warily. “I’m not used to being flirted with, much less by a mare.”

“A beautiful young thing like you not used to flirting~?” Aberash asked innocently with a disbelieving look, “Especially from mares? Pony mares deny each other bodily pleasure?”

Rose blushed meekly then, still not used to such treatment, “I am not considered particularly desirable, amongst ponies.” She revealed with a small frown.

“Now that is hard to believe~” Aberash chuckled and offered her a motherly nuzzle, before following it with a not-so-motherly kiss to the cheek.

Though her stallions had gotten her used to the idea of being shared, Rose still found the concept of fooling about with those outside the herd a little strange. Not unwelcome, just strange. While not usually much of a mare’s mare, she had to admit that this mare was attractive. Before she could decide, her ears flipped back and her blush spread.

Aberash smiled knowingly at that and nuzzled under her chin, “I could always start with a different kind of lesson~” She offered with a tentative kiss to Rose’s throat.

At this, the pegasus playfully pushed her head away with a soft chuckle. “I don’t need a lesson in that.”

Aberash chuckled and bumped noses with her, “You say you don’t have much experience with mares~”

“I said I’m not used to being flirted with.” Rose corrected her.

Aberash giggled then and kissed her nose, “Then what would you like to learn~?”

“I understand that there are different dialects among the tribes...” Rose noted, trying not to concentrate on the mare’s closeness.

“Most differences in dialect are minor. A different pronunciation here, a shortened word there...” Aberash explained with a nod, before starting to circle her again, “Put them all together and they may make it seem like a different language. With a keen ear and a sharp mind, one zebra may speak with another tribe without ever having to learn the tongue. But to know the difference is to know the history, how the tongue and the tribe as a whole were shaped~” By this point, she was breathing softly into the pegasus mare’s ear.

Rose shivered slightly at the feeling of breath on her ear. “Um, Aberash, you’re a little close…” She remarked, hoping that she didn’t come off as rude.

“My apologies, Rose~” One of Aberash’s hooves came up to brush Rose’s shoulder as she stepped back.

“You are married to the chieftain?” Rose assumed, hoping to distract her.

Aberash hesitated, before nodding with a soft smile, “We even have a daughter.”

“Congratulations,” Rose smiled softly in understanding, all too familiar with the uncomfortable smile of one putting on a show, but chose to continue politely, “I’m sure if she takes after her mother, she is a very desirable mare.”

Aberash nodded proudly then, “She is only a little younger than you, I think, if I judge you properly. She has seen sixteen summers and already her father has had to break up fights between a pair of prospective mates.”

The pegasus’ smile became a wistful one at that revelation. “She is very popular~” She noted almost absently.

“She is.” Aberash smiled even more proudly, “I will take you to meet her when we are done here if you like.” She offered hopefully.

Rose nodded, deep in thought. “I’m not sure what we’d talk about.” She admitted, “I’m a few seasons older than her and I never was all that popular… Well, not until I ended up on the Savannah.”

“Then I suppose it is only here on the Savannah that we appreciate true beauty.” Aberash hummed and Rose loosed a disbelieving huff, before she could step closer to the pegasus. The older mare leaned in and took her by the chin once more, “Do you truly doubt my words?” She smiled knowingly, “You who now profess a herd of four strong stallions?”

“My own kin think me an undesirable combination of bland and strange...and I can’t help but notice the Savannah’s lack of ponies. That simply makes me something of a novelty.” The pegasus mare shrugged, her wings ruffling in discontent. “I know my stallions find me attractive, but there are times I wonder why they do so.”

“Your kin are foolish.” Aberash shook her head with an almost disgusted sigh, “I have met a few ponies in recent months, Compass Rose and I can tell you, you are no mere novelty.” She looked into the younger mare’s eyes with her own lidded with an almost motherly smile. “Your stallions are attracted to you, because they can see all of your wonderful qualities, as well as your beautiful form~”

Rose’s expression made her skepticism of her assessment clear, yet she did not protest her words. “Did you flirt with them too?”

“No.” Aberash started to shake her head, but stopped and thought for a moment, “Well, one, but he turned me down.” She shrugged sadly.

“It still surprises me that mated mares are allowed to...fool around with other stallions.” Rose admitted.

“We believe that love and pleasure are meant to be shared.” Aberash shrugged and took a seat beside her, “I was not in season and I had contraceptives on hoof if I was worried.” Aberash explained, “And if I bore his foal, then...” She shrugged and gave a smile, “It is not unheard of for mares to bear foals for stallions they are not mated to. In some cases, mares will do so purposefully, longing for a foal, but not for a mate. In such cases, they will normally place a carved fertility symbol above the entrance to their home, signifying that any and all stallions are welcome until her heat is over.”

“But for a mated mare to bear another stallion’s foal?” Rose regarded her skeptically.

Aberash blinked at her confusedly, “I would not do so on purpose.”

“What if you bore his foal?” Rose wondered.

Aberash appeared thoughtful for a moment, “Then I would raise it, apologize to my stallion and be more careful in the future.”

Rose nodded slowly, “A pony stallion might leave his mare for that.” She remarked thoughtfully.

“So would a zebra if it was intentional.” Aberash nodded, “But so long as it was an accident...” The older mare shrugged once more.

Rose regarded Aberash pointedly, “Even if it was an accident.” She insisted.

“So I gathered.”

After a moment of silence, Rose decided to change subjects. “So you met Grassy and Tin Cup?”

Aberash blinked in surprise and hesitated for a moment, before nodding, “Briefly. They did not stay long.”

“Oh, my friend Polar suggested we speak to them before we continued our journey.” Rose fibbed, carefully adding a little truth to her lie, “My stallions are showing me the Savannah~!”

Aberash’s smile started to return and she cocked her head, “Ah, so you are having something of an adventure~?”

Rose nodded eagerly, “I want to see as many tribes as I can.”

“That sounds rather exciting~” Aberash hummed softly, “When are you planning to settle down?”

“I’m not, yet.” Rose informed her, “I guess when we find the right place, or if I end up bearing foal.”

“You should consider finding someplace soon.” Aberash took on a motherly tone and wrapped a foreleg around one of Rose’s, “Come lay down and I will brew us some tea.”

“Thank you, I would love some tea right about now.” Rose smiled warmly, “I don’t think I want foals just yet. Maybe come spring…” Her wings ruffled unconsciously as she thought about which one she would prefer to be the father.

“Good filly~”

Aberash steadily walked her around to the other side of the fire pit where a thick woven blanket was laid across the floor. She settled the young mare down and gave her a kiss on the forehead, before turning to search for her ingredients. The pegasus snickered softly then.

“I’m not really a filly anymore, Aberash~” She reminded the mare patiently, as a filly would to her mother.

“I’m surprised, considering most mares your age wish to start a family~” Aberash replied playfully as she poured water from a jar into the pot, “Well, I suppose you should be sure your stallions use preventative brews next time if you are truly worried.” Setting aside the water jug, Aberash dug out a set of flint and steel.

“I was the first time…” Rose trailed off blushing, “Y-you know what it’s like with a zebra stallion~”

“Oh, do I~” Aberash commented with a motherly chuckle. A few clacks from the flint and sparks had lit within the fire pit, slowly growing brighter. “Now, I’ve only seen your Zephania, but one of my assistants came to me with a description of the rest. Do you know which you would like to sire your foals in which order?” Her grin returned to a sultry state then, “Or are you going to use another traditional zebra method~?”

“Traditional… What do you mean? Let them all take me…?” Rose quirked her head a little, confusedly.

Aberash nodded, her smile growing, “I assume you’ve experienced a zebra stallion’s, eh, volume by now, have you not?” Rose nodded, smiling faintly at the memory. “Then you might be interested to know why our stallions bear such a gift.” Aberash hummed and tossed a small pouch of herbs into the pot as the fire started to grow, “It is because, long ago, rivals would mount one another’s mares shortly after each other, each hoping to wash the other’s seed away with sheer volume. Now, a popular method in herds with multiple stallions and mares that can’t decide, is to let all of them take her and see whose seed is the most stubborn of the lot.” As she spoke, Aberash slowly moved over to lay against Rose’s back.

“Have you ever lay with a stallion? A pony stallion?” She quickly clarified.

“No.” Aberash shook her head and slowly slipped her arms around Rose’s waist, “As I said before, the one time I tried he turned me down.”

“I was surprised my first time, zebras seem to lack the girth of a pony.” The pegasus chuckled once, “Well, except for Zuberi, he’s about the same…”

“Really now?” Aberash scrunched up her face thoughtfully, “Now I really wish I hadn’t let him get away.” She chuckled and laid her cheek against Rose’s.

“How did you flirt with him?” She asked curiously, “Will you show me?”

“Oh, I flirted with him much the same way I did with you.” Aberash explained quietly. “Soft touches...” Her hooves drew up Rose’s belly and chest, “Soft, sensual words...” She breathed lightly into Rose’s ear, “But, he was pining after another member of his little trading caravan. Too bad for the poor boy, she seemed to have a thing for zebra stallions.”

The pegasus snickered quietly, trying to hide it behind a hoof. “Aberash, can I give you a piece of advice about pony stallions, without coming across as presumptuous?”

“Well, you are a pony and I am going to need a little help if I ever want to feel a pony cock, so...” Aberash chuckled and suddenly tickled at the younger mare’s belly with her hooves, “Go right ahead.”

“Will you lend me your neck?” She asked, somehow managing not to laugh, merely smiling goofily.

“As you wish.” Aberash leaned over her curiously, stretching out her neck for Rose.

“You weren’t being exciting enough for him.” Rose offered, moving to the small behind her ears and giving her a peck and a lick there, “A soft touch is fine once he’s in your bed, but if you want him to want you, you need to be spicy.” She nibbled on the tip of the zebra’s ear and then moved back to the small behind her ear and gave her a little teasing nip, “Pony stallions love being nipped on the neck, it’s how we show interest.” She then gave the older mare a little tug on the mane, “Or you can do that, if you really like him and don’t mind playing rough~”

Aberash shuddered and hummed quietly at each and every touch, her forehooves exploring Rose’s barrel, “Thank you, Compass Rose. You’re a wonderful teacher.” With a soft sigh, she slid her head back behind Rose and the next thing the younger mare knew, Aberash was tugging gently at the mane at the top of her head.

Rose growled quietly. “I’ve never been with a mare that wanted me…” She revealed, “The only time-” She froze mid sentence, cutting herself off.

Aberash stopped her tugging and nuzzled concernedly into her mane, “What happened, Compass Rose?” Her grip on the pegasus turned into a comforting squeeze, “You are safe here and I can always call for your stallions if you need comfort.”

The pegasus shook her head slowly. “I left my last herd.” She explained with a quiet voice, “The stallion was...unkind and his mares were selfish nags.” A small growl entered her voice in remembering her time with that herd, before looking back at Aberash, “You ever lay with a partner that didn’t really care?”

Aberash was silent for a long moment, glancing over to where the pot with the tea was starting to warm up. “Once...”

“Then you know what it’s like.” She spoke quietly, before pulling Aberash’s chin back to her with a gentle hoof, “You will be my first mare.” She offered her a seductive blink of her eyes, letting her decide if she still wanted to continue.

“Then let’s make sure it’s special...” Aberash gave her an almost motherly smile in return and leaned in to give her a firm, but gentle kiss, the zebra’s forehooves wandering down to the younger mare’s udders.

The pegasus whined quietly into their kiss and wrapped one of her own arms around the zebra’s neck, embracing the sensual exchange, but wishing that she could get more involved. Thus, she twisted on her side, bringing her belly to belly with the frisky zebra. Her arms moved to caress neck and back, while one of her rear hooves moved to fondle her udders and the other to her nethers, slowly stimulating her soft, motherly flesh. Aberash moaned deeply into the young mare’s mouth. She slid one arm up to ruffle Rose’s mane with a hoof and hold her tightly into the kiss, while her other hoof slid slowly down the length of her spine. Aberash’s hindlegs worked to intertwine with Rose’s and she used that to pull her closer until there was nothing between them.

Still eager to tease the older mare, Rose rubbed one of her thighs against her marehood. Meanwhile, she worked to stroke her back in return, only to give Aberash’s mane a playful pull with the other. Aberash groaned at the younger mare’s attentions. Suddenly, she let out a growl and rolled Rose onto her back, pressing her own leg into the pegasus’ nethers as the heat from the growing fire in the pit washed over them. The hoof that had been wandering Rose’s back now slowly wandered her barrel. Before she could get too used to it, Rose growled and returned the gesture, rolling the other way and getting the zebra on her back.

“Pegasi are aggressive lovers.” Rose said almost warningly and leaned in to start sensually chewing on Aberash’s neck.

The older mare shuddered and gave her a lecherous smile, “Good. I was worried I might hurt you.” Rolling one more time so that they moved closer to the fire again, Aberash placed both hooves on Rose’s shoulders to pin her as she sat back. Shifting her hips, she ground her nethers against her lover’s while arching her back with a low, purposeful moan.

The pegasus’ breathing hitched, but rather than the lidded, pleasured moan the zebra was expecting, Rose’s eyes went wide with panic. “Stop, let me up! Let me go!” She squealed, beginning to struggle against the mare’s hooves pinning her down, feeling the room closing in on her and the need to fly overtaking her.

Aberash almost immediately moved her hooves and rolled away from the fire, twisting so that Rose lay over her, with the zebra’s hind legs wrapped around her waist. “Compass Rose, calm down, you are safe here.” Aberash cooed in her motherly tone, lightly stroking the mare’s shoulders and sides for a few moments, before the pegasus seemed to start calming down. The older mare nuzzled Rose softly and kissed her cheek, “I am sorry. When you said you were aggressive,” She rubbed cheeks with the mottled pegasus apologetically. “I did not think you would mind a little rough play.”

Rose quickly started to regain her composure, if not her breath, before shaking her head. “It was the pinning…” She explained, a wary edge to her voice, “It felt like the room was swallowing me.”

“I am sorry, I should have realized,” Aberash chastised herself, before stroking a hoof along one of Rose’s wings, “...a creature of the air must fear being trapped above all else.”

A hollow, pale expression washed over the mare before she nodded slowly. “Yes.” She whispered in a weak voice.

“Then I will not make such a mistake again.” Aberash reassured her, slowly unwrapping her hind legs. “If you like, we can simply lay here and enjoy the tea when it is finished, waiting for your stallions. Or, if you will let me redeem myself...” She leaned in and tugged Rose’s mane suggestively, “I will show you all the pleasures one mare may know with another.”

The tug on her mane was all it took to remind Rose where they were, and she released a sigh of building expectation, before her eyes looked into the zebra’s with a curious expression. “Why me?” She asked simply enough, yet she looked intent on getting the answer, even while her wings were being stroked so sensually.

Aberash was silent for a moment and preceded her answer with a tender kiss, “Because you seem special to me, Compass Rose. As soon as I saw you, I knew you to be a mare deserving of far more than she has been given.” She pecked the pegasus’ nose.

The pegasus snorted. “My stallions said the same.” She remarked dispassionately, “I have been blessed with four stallions, what more could I possibly deserve!?” She sighed forlornly, her voice dipping lower, “A mare that couldn’t even keep one stallion…”

“He must have been a foolish stallion.” Aberash dismissed the very idea of him with a small wave of her hoof, “What you deserve is many good friends,” She licked Rose’s cheek, “...and enough happy memories to wash away all of the bad.”

“I don’t know if I’ve ever said this to a mare before,” Rose offered her a nervous nuzzle upon the nose, “...but I think you’re beautiful.”

Aberash grinned merrily and leaned into her nuzzle, “Thank you, Compass Rose. Old mares like me have to work hard to match you younger fillies.”

Rose leaned in to whisper into the older mare’s ear. “I think your more rounded build is far more winsome than mine… That’s the real reason why I entertain the idea of having foals.”

“You hope that your pregnancy will permanently round you out?” Aberash asked curiously, nibbling on her ear, “You shouldn’t have foals until you want them.” Aberash giggled in a low tone, “Don’t be jealous of my...perfect foal-bearing hips.” Her voice became a low purr, “Some of us appreciate a more slender figure.” She drew her hooves lightly down Rose’s sides to her hips.

The pegasus purred quietly. “I think I would like to have my stallion’s foals, almost as much as they would.” Her thigh once again rubbed against the zebra’s marehood, “Do you mind if I ask a personal question?”

“Mmmm, ask away...” Aberash groaned lustfully at the touch on her nethers.

“Why did you stop at one foal?” She asked gently, still somewhat worried that she might offend the older mare.

“I-” Aberash’s smile faded somewhat and she stared pointedly past Rose at the roof of her yurt, “A...Medicine Mare’s life is busy. I didn’t have the time to raise more than one.”

“Oh…” Rose murmured, her fears being proved just, she stopped rubbing at her groin and instead offered her the softest of kisses upon the lips, “I’m sorry for asking.”

“It is not your fault, Compass Rose.” Aberash smiled faintly and returned the kiss, “This is what new friends do. They share each other’s lives. They know what makes one sad,” She nuzzled under Rose’s chin, “and work to fix it.”

Rose nuzzled Aberash back and looked her in the eyes, with a hungry expression. “May I taste you?” She whispered to her in a lusty voice.

“I was beginning to think you wouldn’t ask.” Aberash mirrored her smile and gave Rose’s cheek another lick, “I am yours to sample.”

“I thought about just diving in, but I thought that anticipation would make it all the sweeter.” She grinned a little self-consciously then and gave her partner a peck on the cheek, “Also, you are quite distracting~”

Lowering herself down Aberash’s belly, she stopped briefly as she rubbed her snout along, to give her little kisses, before continuing. She paused ever so briefly to offer a passing lick to one of her black teats, before moving to cradle one of the mare’s legs in her arms and slowly, arduously dropping nips down the inside of her thigh. The whole while, she looked up into the zebra’s eyes with a knowing smile, Aberash shivering and squirming beneath Rose. Biting her lip to stifle a loud moan, Abarash arched her back to press her slit forward, she hooked her free hind leg lightly around Rose’s neck. Finally, the pegasus made it to her elder’s marehood and she slowly gave her a teasing kiss upon the lips.

“You know…” Rose spoke up from the zebra’s groin with a devious glint in her eye, “There’s nothing to keep anyone from trotting into the busy Medicine Mare’s yurt right now~” She reminded Aberash, only to draw her tongue up her slit in a torturously slow fashion.

Aberash’s breathing hitched and she loosed a small cry, thumping the blanket beneath them, “Let them.” She growled lustfully.

“Ooh~” Rose said in a high-pitch, “There’s a part of you that wants someone to come in? A stallion perhaps?” She teased, licking quickly at her slit this time, “Maybe you’d like it if Zephania forgot something and came back?” She licked Aberash once more, “Or maybe Zuberi and his big stallionhood~?”

Aberash whinnied and laid her head back, pressing her pussy into Rose’s muzzle needily, “You are a cruel, teasing filly.” She huffed, forcing out a breathless chuckle.

Rose stopped and regarded the zebra mare with an innocent expression. “We could go ask them, if you wanted…?”

“That would mean stopping.” Aberash hooked both of her legs around the pegasus’ neck, urging her on, “You’re too good for me to wait on some stallions.” She growled playfully.

“How about this evening?” Rose suggested, offering her winking clit a kiss.

“I think I might like that.” Aberash nodded with a shiver, “After I see my mate off to bed.”

“Then, I think maybe just a taste of tonight is in store.” Rose hummed, bringing her muzzle to the zebra’s dark genitals and lapped shallowly at her outer-lips, tasting her more thoroughly.

“Ooooh~” Aberash moaned loudly, “Your tongue must have been blessed by the ancestors.” The hooves crossed behind Rose’s neck slowly moved apart to rub at the younger mare’s sides.

Rose grinned, knowing that was just the warm-up. Without a hesitation, she pressed her broad, muscular tongue deep into Aberash’s marehood, before moving to suck on her winking clit. Aberash’s eyes went wide and she loosed a shrill whinny, as her vaginal walls worked to try and pull her young lover’s tongue even farther, as though it were a cock. The spotted mare pressed her muzzle as completely into her elder’s groin as she could manage, offering another inch of tongue that then sought out her g-spot, rubbing forward and back as she did.

Aberash choked out another cry and her hind legs shot back up to wrap around Rose’s neck, while the older mare’s forehooves came down to rub at her mane, “Compass Rose...” She gasped, fixing her eye on the young mare, “I’m...”

Rose looked back at her, her eyes telling her it was alright, to let it out; her tongue once again pressed into her g-spot and hummed quietly into her sex. Aberash squealed not so quietly in response, throwing her head back with a whinny of bliss as she reached her climax, washing Rose’s muzzle with her fluids. The pegasus pulled her tongue back and tenderly lead her elder down from her orgasm, while licking her clean. Aberash huffed slowly and quietly, regaining her breath. Once she had, she gave Rose no warning, before grabbing her by the shoulders and dragging her up and into a deep kiss. Rose hummed happily, though somewhat confusedly at how little effort it had taken to get the mare to climax. She was simply pleased that her partner had enjoyed the attention, none of her former herdmates ever gave her that much.

“Thank you, Compass Rose.” Aberash purred, wrapping her in a tender embrace, “You have no idea how much I needed that.”

“I thought you said you were mated?” Rose asked her queerly, quite certain that her stallions had not only said, but proven, how attentive zebra stallions were.

Aberash froze and blinked, taking a moment to realize what the two of them had said, “I am...” She reassured the younger mare with a slow and even tone.

This only served to confuse the mare more, before she dropped her voice into a conspiratorially low whisper. “Is your stallion tepid?”

“No, no, of course not!” Aberash assured her somewhat defensively, “But...having a tribal chief for a mate means having a busy mate.”

“All the more reason I’m surprised he’s not attending to your needs, I would think with his job, he would need release as much, if not more than you! Stallions being what they are…” Rose mused.

“Compass Rose, are we here to discuss my stallion’s drive...?” She nuzzled the young mare and brought a leg up suggestively between Rose’s legs, “Or to make each other feel good?”

Rose purred, but still managed to stay on task - something she realized she likely wouldn’t have been able to do, if she hadn’t been fucked so thoroughly as of late. “I came to learn of your tribe.” She reminded Aberash.

“And I am still able and willing to answer your questions.” Aberash smiled and ran her hooves through Rose’s mane.

“Are you and your mate not important members of your tribe?” The pegasus reminded, pressing herself gently against her belly and neck, enjoying the feeling of her coat.

“Yes, we are.” Aberash nodded as she snuggled cozily into the young mare’s body, “Our sex lives, however, are not important to our tribe as a whole.”

“But they are to you.” Rose pointed out, before smiling softly, “Or if I am being too nosy, I can stop.”

“I will answer any question but those.” Aberash gave a wry smile and booped her nose against Rose’s, “You are a very silly, inquisitive, little filly.”

“I am very far from home.” Rose reminded rather simply, with an almost detached lack of emotion one way or another that should’ve followed such a statement.

“Do you not miss your home, Compass Rose?” Aberash asked with a hint of worry, noting the lack of emotion, “What about your family? Surely you miss them.”

“A little…” A frown briefly pulled at her muzzle, “But I was living away from them for a few years now, so I am not terribly homesick. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve had a home for a very long time now.”

“You could always make a home.” Aberash suggested with a smile, “Here on the Savannah, with your stallions. Settled down, have their foals...” She gave a playful nicker, “Perhaps even birth enough to start a tribe. By the ancestors, four stallions, I worry for your poor hips!” Aberash teased her gently.

“They are gentle enough.” The pegasus assured her partner, before smiling fondly, “I have thought about it, when I lay half-asleep, how nice it would be to have a proper home somewhere atop a foothill, or a low mountain for both our sakes. Maybe near the sea? We could start an orchard and sell apples for our living…” Her eyes lit up and she regarded Aberash pointedly, “Please tell me you’ve had at least one apple in your life?”

Aberash nodded and licked her lips, “Once. The last group of pony traders we encountered had a crate. It was a goodwill gift to encourage a trade agreement. You see, they had a talented young mare that could work wonders with bronze, which several tribes have ready access to.”

Rose nodded and smiled conspiratorially. “My poor stallions had never had apples until I came along.” She tittered, “They loved each bite of the applesauce we made.”

“Applesauce?” Aberash asked with an almost childish curiosity, “We did not make anything with our apples. My mate simply gave some to as many in our warriors as he could.”

“That’s a shame.” Rose noted, “You make applesauce by peeling and cooking the apples in a pot, and then crushing them down. A little sugar or honey, and a little spices and it’s to die for!”

“Mmmm, maybe someday we will get our hooves on more apples.” Aberash wondered hopefully, “It was a nice change from our usual meals.”

“Did I misunderstand, or did you imply that you have another pony mare in your tribe?” The pegasus inquired curiously.

Aberash fell quiet for a moment, her grip becoming almost imperceptibly tighter around Rose, “Did I say that...?”

“No~” Rose let the word hang confusedly, “You just said something about the last stallion you went after liked a mare that liked zebras,” She shrugged, “I guessed.” Rose blinked even more confusedly at Aberash, “What’s wrong? Is she hurt?”

“Oh...” Aberash nuzzled under Rose’s chin with a soft smile, “You don’t need to worry about her. Her company left days ago. Let us speak of other things.”

“Were they continuing on to the next tribe? I’d really like to meet her!” Rose declared, a little disgusted with herself at how easy she found it to lie to the Medicine Mare.

“That...seemed to be their destination, yes.” Aberash nodded slowly, “Once their business was done, they did not say much.”

“You’ll have to tell Zephania which tribe they were going to visit.” Rose smiled, quickly continuing, “Have you ever visited the Mwezi Wafuasi?” She asked, trying to deflect any mounting suspicions.

Aberash shook her head once more and seemed to relax a little, “I cannot say that I have, though the name is familiar.”

“We just spent a week with them, camped by the coast. Their medicine mare started teaching me the language.” She reiterated the last part.

“Good, so we at least have a good base to teach you more~” Aberash hummed with a pleased little smile. “Now...I do believe our tea is ready.” She nodded to the steam drifting up from the pot over the fire, “I will get us a drink.” Standing, Aberash slowly trotted over to a box from which she pulled a small bowl. Dipping it into the pot, she lay next to Rose and blew on the drink some to cool it, before offering it to her with both hooves. “Here, this will help take your mind off of things.”

“Thank you.” She offered sincerely, “I’m not familiar with this blend…”

“It is a special brew.” Aberash smiled softly, “My own mother would make some for me whenever I was scared or worried. We would share a bowl and she would reassure me that the monsters were not real and all would be well. I do the same for my daughter now and again...”

Rose chuckled quietly, trying not to read into the mare’s words too much. “The few times I actually caught a glimpse of our Princess, she was sipping at a teacup.”

“Then even royalty knows the value of a good brew.” Aberash nuzzled into Rose’s cheek.

The pegasus smiled a little despite herself. “Do you think we could practice the language a little now?”

“I would be proud to.” Aberash nodded and kissed her cheek this time, “Let’s start with something simple...”