When Rose approached the village center, the scene was much the same as on their first night, though Abidemi now only had one mare and the fire wasn’t quite so large. When he saw the mare approaching, he grinned and waved her over. Rose schooled her expression and moved to approach him with a friendly smile, something she had picked up in her time in Canterlot.

“Good evening, Abidemi.”

“Come, come, sit with me~!” He urged her with a deep chuckle, “I simply must have the company of such an exotic creature.” He slowly cast his gaze about the clearing, his expression never changing, “Though...I can’t help but wonder where your stallions are right now. Did I somehow offend them that they choose not to attend my fire?”

Rose was standing in front of him by this point and she quickly thought of what she would want her stallions to do to her, during her next heat, causing her to blush. “Um, you see, it’s that-” She bit her lip and leaned in a little closer, conspiratorially, “Aberash came to the yurt...looking for the attention of a stallion, so I left them to their fun.”

Abidemi slowly nodded in understanding. “I know how my Medicine Mare can be. I must apologize,” He grinned in an almost friendly manner, “...for her stealing all of your stallions’ attention.” Reaching out his free hoof, he slowly stroked her chin, “Perhaps I can make it up to you for her?”

It took all of the mare’s will not to bite his hoof as he caressed her chin. Instead, she took his hoof in hers and glanced to the mare at his side.

“As much as I appreciate the offer, what would your filly think of me moving in and taking your affection from her?” She shook her head, “I couldn’t do that to such a young-mare~”

Even as she spoke, the mare wrapped in Abidemi’s arm gave her an almost fearful look, one of her hooves shaking ever so slightly, trying to warn the pegasus off with a look.

“Oh, I’m sure she won’t mind.” Abidemi purred, his voice dripping with a lustful tone, “Perhaps you’d even like her to join us?” He suggested, pulling her hoof down to give it a kiss - oh, how she was going to look forward to kicking his teeth in!

“That is tempting…” Rose purred quietly, bringing her other forehoof up to her chin as though considering it, though it was really to keep her from knocking his teeth out now, “Perhaps I might take you up on that offer later this evening.”

“Oh, but why wait?” Abidemi hummed with a knowing smile, “Seeing Aberash take your stallions like that must have left you so frustrated.” He started to slowly pull her ever closer, “Why don’t you let me demonstrate what I can give you?” With a slow breath, the stallion started to bring his lips closer to her face.

Rose gently brought a hoof to his lips to stop him, a reproachful, yet suggestive look in her eyes. “Patience, Abidemi.” She spoke softly to him, “I would like to get to know you first. What exploits do you claim as chieftain of the Kuchomwa?”

“Why, I am the strongest, most virile warrior you will find in our tribe~” He growled lustfully, “I am known to be quite generous as well. Allow me to show you more of my tribe’s hospitality.” He grinned with a devious glint in his eye, “I will show you a meal that will leave you filled to bursting...and rest always comes easier to the tired.”

Rose tittered amusedly at what he thought was subtlety. “And what of battle? How many curse the name Abidemi as the one who defeated them?”

“Numerous stallions now lay as food for the scavengers thanks to my spear~” He declared proudly, “I and my warriors have even bested lions.”

“You remind me of a stallion I once kept company with.” Rose frowned, pulling her hoof back from him, “Only I don’t think he ever lifted a spear himself…”

Abidemi’s grin faded, but that glint in his eye remained, “Really now? And just-” He was cut off by a sharp clank and a cry of pain from one of the stallions by the fire, “What the...?”

The chieftain stood and looked past her to where the disturbance had come from. The pegasus’ wings flared, her stance dropping as she was surprised by the suddenness of the interruption, her entire frame swiveling to see if that was the signal - she sincerely hoped it was.

“What in Tartarus was that?” She cursed, feigning surprise.

When she turned, she was rewarded with the sight of a very confused looking stallion rubbing the back of his head with one hoof and holding up a broken pottery shard with the other. Without so much as waiting, she whipped both of Xolani’s packages into the fire and hopped into the air, pounding all her downward thrust directly at the fire. In those next moments, chaos reigned as one of the pouches exploded into a shower of sparks, while the other loosed a billowing cloud of smoke. Each flap of her wings spread the cloud farther and farther until it enveloped every mare and stallion there, causing them to scatter in confusion, while Abidemi could be heard shouting angrily in zebrican for his stallions to grab her. The mare continued to gain altitude and she turned in the direction of their previous camp, her head on a swivel, hoping to see any of her herdmates making their escape.

Toward one edge of the camp, she could clearly make out Xolani’s form, dragging a young mare behind him into the grasslands. Halfway around the camp’s perimeter, Uzoma and a weary, stumbling earth pony mare supported a suspiciously still Aberash between them while they made their own escape. Zuberi and Zephania were nowhere to be seen. Rose bit her lower lip and kept her gaze on the horizon, hoping that everything had gone according to plan and her other two stallions were merely far enough ahead of them that she could not see them. With a sigh, she angled her wings and made to swoop in alongside the trio moving away from the camp.

Uzoma looked up to her with a clear expression of hope and relief, “Rose! Thank my angry ancestors!” He shrugged and pulled Aberash away from the earth pony mare, taking all of her weight himself, “Aberash is hurt. A pair of stallions entered the yurt while we were freeing Bronze and the foolish mare tried to fight.” He lowered her to the ground before her, revealing a deep gash on her forehead. “Can you get her to Xolani? I know he’ll be able to help her!”

“I made that spear...” The new voice came from the other mare.

She was a young, bronze coated mare, with a deep red mane and dark green eyes, and adorning her flank was the image of a hammer striking a short bronze blade. A scowl covered her face, hiding anything else she may have been thinking or feeling at the time.

The pegasus frowned deeply, her expression clearly torn between carrying Aberash and leaving the trio. After a few seconds she ground her teeth and looked at Uzoma decidedly.

“Get her on your back and keep running straight.” Rose commanded him, “With her on my back I could never hope to catch Xolani. This way, I should be able to. Just keep running.”

“What about her?” Uzoma nodded pointedly to the bronze mare, who was currently looking away while her rump slumped to the ground, with her tail tucked tightly about her, “She’s in no condition to keep up with either of us at any speed.”

Rose approached the mare, gently taking her cheeks in her hooves and pulling her gaze around to her sharp silver eyes. “I know you’re tired and hurting, but those stallions are going to come after you. Your only chance is to run as fast as you can, for as long as you can.” She impressed upon the earth pony, “I promise to carry you once I catch back up, so don’t worry about exhausting yourself. Can you do that?”

The mare’s scowl softened a bit and she nodded slowly. “Yeah. Yeah, I can do that.” Her voice was rough and tomboyish, matching the athletic figure she seemed to strike, even slumped and weary as she was. “Burnished Bronze...” She declared, offering Rose a shaky hoof.

“Compass Rose.” She snorted at the hilarity of the mare’s introduction at such a time, taking her hoof in both of her own, “I mean it, run until you collapse. I swear, I will find you three quickly.” She then pulled the mare to her hooves, “Now, run!” Nodding shakily, Burnished Bronze stood and brushed past her, breaking into a faltering run. Uzoma, who had dragged Aberash onto his back while they spoke, stopped and turned to Rose, offering her a determined nod. “If she starts to flag, bite her. Don’t let her stop until she falls on her face, hear me, stallion?”

He nodded once more silently, turning about and dashing to quickly catch up with the running mare. Rose took a deep breath and once again hopped into the air, angling herself toward the direction she had last seen Xolani running. It took only a few moments to judge the trio’s relative speed and then she then started flying uncharastically fast, putting everything into catching up with her other stallion as fast as she could manage. It only took her a few minutes to make it back to Xolani and Aberash’s daughter. Truly, there were none that could compete with those of the wing in the air.

“Xolani!” Rose called out to her stallion, practically crash landing into him, though she did slow herself to a more modest pace just before plopping onto his back.

To his credit, Xolani did not fall, though he did stumble a bit, “Compass Rose!?” He cried sharply, craning his head to look back at her as he felt her heart beat like a hummingbird’s wings. “What is wrong? Did something happen to the others?”

She nodded weakly and pointed a hoof in the direction that should put them on an intercept course, “Go.” She commanded him weakly, trying to catch her breath. Without a word, Xolani took Abeni by the shoulder and pulled her onto the new course. Finally catching her breath a little, Rose managed to speak. “Aberash was wounded.”

Abeni let out a sharp gasp and looked back at Rose with fearful eyes, “Mother!?” Turning forward again, she dashed ahead of Xolani, only for him to cry after her and pick up his pace to keep with her.

“Keep running.” Rose instructed Xolani.

Extending her wings she used his speed to take to the air with minimal effort, though she scarcely climbed more than a few feet. Dashing madly in the direction Uzoma had taken the other mares, it wasn’t long before Rose spotted the trio somewhere off to their right. At the moment, it was clear that Burnished Bronze was starting to waver, only for Uzoma to slow just enough to lean in and bite at her shoulder, earning a whinny and another burst of speed. The pegasus whinnied as she swooped in front of Xolani, pointing them directly toward where she saw the three, as she sped off ahead to meet up with them.

With another short burst of speed, she alighted in front of the trio, flapping her wings hard to lower her tired self to her hooves a little shakily. Uzoma skidded to a stop before her, holding out a hoof to stop Burnished Bronze. Almost as soon as the mare in question had, she crumpled to the ground, gasping for breath. The dark stallion slowly lowered Aberash’s limp form to the ground, and when Abeni and Xolani made it to them, the young mare cried out in fright, dragging the shaman to her side. Aberash’s face had been nearly covered in blood by this point and Abeni seemed to go pale at the sight.

“Rose, Xolani needs something to bind this.” The stallion snapped, while pulling a number of pouches and jars off of his belts, “Zuberi and Zephania have most of Xolani’s supplies, but Xolani should be able to help her.”

“You don’t carry bandages?” Rose asked in disbelief.

“They’re in Xolani’s supplies!” He snapped defensively, before quickly opening several of his pouches, and mixing their contents into an improvised poultice, while Abeni set about cleaning the wound.

“I don’t know what you expect me to do, Xolani. I’m not exactly carrying a med-kit here…” Rose replied in kind, “Doesn’t even carry a roll of bandages…” She grumbled softly.

“Xolani is a shaman, not a Medicine Stallion!” He huffed and promptly dumped the pouches and jars from one of his belts, using that to start binding her wound once he’d applied the poultice. “Rose, takeover binding this. Xolani will see if he can make something to wake her.”

Rose nodded, taking the woven belt in her teeth and using her wings to manipulate it. “It’s not as bad as it looks, Abeni.” The pegasus assured her as she worked, “Facial wounds just bleed a lot.”

Abeni nodded shakily in understanding, as she worked to help Xolani with his medicines. “I-I know. M-mother taught me much of the healing arts.”

“Uzoma, what happened back there? When did she go unconscious?” Rose asked matter-of-factly.

“As I said, she tried to help me fight a pair of stallions.” Uzoma replied quickly, “Foolish mare rushed forward and received a grazing blow from one of their spears. She remained standing until the other hit her with his hoof and she crumpled. I dealt with them, sent the signal and we ran.”

Rose turned to Xolani, “Spears don’t usually cause a concussion, but this isn’t a usual case...we’re going to have to assume she has one, until we can get her in front of a fire and look at her pupils.”

Xolani nodded in agreement, before finishing up his mixture. Abeni took over putting the finishing touches on the makeshift bandages now covering Aberash’s skull, while Xolani waved a small jar under her nose. Within the next few moments, Aberash’s eyes shot wide and she woke with a gasp.

“Easy, Aberash, you’re safe.” Rose spoke soothingly to the older mare.

Aberash smiled thankfully at that, but did not immediately speak.

“Xolani and Abeni can handle things from here.” Rose’s stallion offered gently, “You should see to Burnished Bronze.”

Rose nodded in response. “Take a minute to check her over, but I don’t want to linger.”

“Agreed, we should get back to the others as soon as we can.” Uzoma spoke up, while scanning the grasslands around them.

Turning about, Rose trotted over the earth pony mare. “You made a good pace.” She assured her, nuzzling her gently, “How’re you holding up?”

“I’m-I’m alive.” The young mare gasped out, trying to sit back up, “Ca-can’t break me.” She huffed through gritted teeth, her hindlegs wobbling as she rose, trying to force them back under her.

Rose lay her wing across the mare’s back, applying a gentle pressure. “Easy now, there’s no need to rush. You’ve got a few minutes to rest yet.” She cooed.

“I-” Burnished Bronze shuddered under her wing and fell back to her belly, “I’m so tired.” She choked out, her scowl finally breaking as she curled up, before she managed to hide her face in her hooves, her expression slipped from anger into pain and no small measure of shame. The pegasus pressed herself tightly against her fellow pony and held her close as she hurt, rubbing her cheek with her own, in the most comforting manner she could manage. Burnished Bronze shuddered against her and took a deep, gasping breath, “I just wanted a quick romp,” She whimpered quietly, “...not-”

“You’re safe now, Burnished Bronze, I’ll protect you.” Rose whispered soothingly, nuzzling her softly behind the ears.

“Thank you. Thank you.” Burnished Bronze rolled to face Rose and buried her face in the pegasus’ neck; with one last quaking breath, she finally broke down, weeping quietly into the pegasus’ mane.

“Let it all out, let it all out.” Rose hummed, hugging the sobbing mare, hiding her face behind a wing.

While Rose was comforting the hurting mare, cradling her protectively, she took little notice of the others. It wasn’t for lack of caring, but rather she decided that the mare in her embrace needed her more than the others.

“We can’t stay here any longer.” Uzoma spoke up, reminding them of their current danger, “If their trackers are any good, they may have already found our trail, we need to leave.”

Rose nuzzled Burnished Bronze gently once more. “We need to get moving again, would you like me to carry you for a little while?”

Burnished Bronze nodded weakly, “Please...” Sniffling softly and wiping her eyes against Rose’s neck, she started to stand, her legs trembling less than they had before.

The pegasus took ahold of her mane and guided her onto her back, so that she could carry her. Her actions were mirrored by Xolani, who quickly checked Aberash over one more time, before dragging her onto his back, much to her surprise. With their two passengers secure, Uzoma waved for them to follow him and set out through the grass. Contrary to the pegasus’ lithe appearance compared even to the zebras, she was actually much stronger than she appeared and was able to keep up with Xolani without much difficulty. As she followed him, she moved in close to his side and gave him a little nuzzle, with a small smile, happy that the situation was over with.

“Xolani is glad you are alright.” He smiled back and kissed her forehead. “You were very brave back in the camp.”

Rose shook her head. “No, I was angry.”

“We all were,” Xolani hummed, nuzzling her cheek, “but do not underestimate the value of your bravery. It takes strength to act as you did.”

“I’m just glad I could help, otherwise I might’ve felt useless.” Rose smiled wanly.

“You are anything but useless, Rose.” Uzoma called back over his shoulder. “I think I know at least one mare that thinks so.” He smiled and nodded to the mare on her back.

When Rose looked back, she found that Burnished Bronze had fallen asleep on her back, a peaceful look on her face as she nuzzled into Rose with a quiet murmur. Rose, still not quite used to being the center of so much praise, simply sighed and smiled faintly, then looked over to Aberash.

“I’m sorry for the way I treated you before.” The pegasus spoke to her solemnly, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m still pissed that you lied to me, but...you did good.”

Aberash shook her head softly, “I only did what I should have done at the start.” She stare pointedly at the ground, avoiding Rose’s gaze.

“Aberash.” Rose demanded the mare’s attention, and she looked back up slowly to the pegasus, “I said, you did right by me.” She insisted.

Aberash grew a soft smile at her words and bowed her head respectfully, “Thank you, Compass Rose.”

“I don’t know what you’ve planned, if anything, but if you wanted,” Rose twitched her nose in thought, “...I would be happy to talk to my stallions about letting you join the herd.” She offered, blushing suddenly, before adding quickly, “Only if you wanted to of course!”

Aberash’s smile grew warmer and she reached out a hoof from Xolani’s back to take Rose by the chin and give her a kiss. The pegasus returned her kiss without hesitation, though she kept it soft and chaste for the time being. Her way of saying, thank you and I accept you. Xolani and Uzoma looked to one another with knowing smiles, remaining silent and letting the two have their moment. There was no way they were going to interrupt or tell them no. Abeni, meanwhile, blushed as she watched her mother kiss a mare only a few years older than she was. Looking pointedly away from them, she continued on her way, speeding up to trot by Uzoma.

Aberash savored Rose’s lips for a moment, before pulling back and turning to nuzzle the sleeping Burnished Bronze. “We’ll make this up to her...somehow.”

Eventually, Aberash declared herself as feeling well enough to walk, insisting on Xolani letting her down from his back. If Abidemi’s warriors were tracking them, then they were far enough behind that Rose and her companions hadn’t spotted them.

The morning sun was breaking over the horizon by the time they made it to the clearing where their old camp had been set. Much to their relief, Zuberi and Zephania were waiting there for them beneath the tree their yurt had once sat under, with five full woven saddlebags sitting between them at the base of the tree. Rose waved to her stallions with a bright smile of relief on her face, but did not call out to them, lest she wake the sleeping mare on her back. A part of her was glad that their yurt had to be left behind, because the scent of the mare’s heat was still strong, even though it was now past. Days of being used and being withheld from a proper bath made the smell...potent. If she were forced to stay in the same room as all of the pegasus’ stallions before she had a chance to bathe, they might have been driven mad with lust. As it was, she was already planning to camp downwind of her stallions, for their sake.

Her stallions smiled broadly in relief and rushed to meet them at the edge of the clearing. Taking note of the sleeping mare, they were careful not to make too much noise while exchanging greetings with the rest of the party. They each gave Rose a tender kiss and bumped hooves with their fellow stallions, before introducing themselves to Abeni. It wasn’t long though, before the sleeping mare’s scent hit them and they stopped in their tracks, looking first to one another and then to Rose nervously.

She glanced quickly at the mare on her back, before looking back to her stallions. “I’m going to lay with her, I trust you not to unless she propositions you.”

The pegasus seemed rather relaxed, all things considered. After all, she believed her stallions to be good natured and calmly returned their gazes, looking for reassurance. The all nodded with steadfast expressions, as though their response should have been obvious.

“Zuberi and I will set up a fire.” Zephania informed her with a nuzzle, “We’ll bring you some blankets once you’ve settled in.” Turning to Xolani and Aberash, he nodded to the tree, “Looks like Aberash could use a little more attention. Your supplies are in your bag.”

Xolani nodded thankfully, leading Aberash and Abeni over to the tree where they laid down so that he could work.

“Uzuma…?” Rose called the stallion’s name with a small voice, knowing what she was about to ask him was borderline cruel, “Do you think you could lay on my other side...please?” She looked to him with a hopeful expression.

The young stallion stopped and shifted nervously on his hooves, before slowly nodding and stepping over to stand next to her. “May I ask why you want me there right now?” He asked with a small chuckle.

“Abidemi was a little...grabby, and I could use the presence of one of my stallions to help me rest a little.” She explained, giving him an understanding bloop of her nose, “I’m sorry, I know it can’t be easy…”

Uzoma scowled at the idea of Abidemi touching his mare and quickly leaned in to give her a nuzzle. “Say no more, Rose, I understand.” His nuzzle turned into a kiss, “For you, it’s worth it. Just forget about that stallion for now.”

“With you at my side, that shouldn’t be a problem~” She trilled at his kiss and offered him one of her own, “I love you, Uzoma.”

“I love you too, Rose.” Uzoma gently tugged on one of her ears, “Let’s go lay down downwind of the others.”

Rose purred and readily followed her stallion, eager to get some rest after being up for so long without sleep. She had never been a ‘party mare’ and thus had pulled very few all nighters in her life, so when she did, it hit her hard. After leading her to a good spot near the edge of the clearing that was still offered shade by the large tree above them, Uzoma helped her to remove Burnished Bronze from her back.

“I’m worried about her.” Rose mused aloud, “I’m worried that she might never forgive stallions for what these bastards did to her...or worse yet, she might never forgive zebra stallions.”

“There will be time to worry about that when she awakes.” Uzoma reminded her with a soft kiss to her ear, ”For now, lay down and make sure she’s comfortable.”

Rose momentarily moved in and wrapped her arms around him, moving her mouth to his ear. “I don’t care what your tribe thought, you’re a good stallion. I’m proud to be your mare.” She rubbed her cheek against his lovingly.

Uzoma wrapped his own arm around her with a squeeze, holding her tight. “Thank you, Rose. That means alot to me.” He hummed and gave her a small smile, before urging her to lay down by gently pressing a hoof against her back.

She gave him a parting peck and lay herself down next to Burnished Bronze with a smile, tapping to the spot next to her and giving him an expectant look. Uzoma quickly moved to obey, snuggling in against her side and laying his head over her neck. On her opposite side, Burnished Bronze stirred briefly in her sleep, pressing tighter into Rose’s side with a sleepy whimper. The winged mare then draped a wing over each of her sleeping partners and held them close, purring contentedly. She was asleep before her head even touched the ground.