Author's Notes:

Be advised: this chapter contains a scene with descriptions of minor gore.

Compass Rose awoke the next morning to the smell of warming applesauce and the sound of stallions moving about the yurt. She felt warmer than she had when she fell asleep.

The mare groaned, rubbing her eyes. “Just how early do you boys wake up?” She grumbled quietly.

“We rise with the sun.” Uzoma’s voice spoke up warmly, before placing a bowl and a wooden spoon before her nose.

“But that was just a moment ago…” She groaned as she stretched out her other limbs under the blankets, not yet taking note of just how covered she was.

“We like to beat the sun too, sometimes.” He chuckled and kissed her on the cheek.

“To think my roommate said I got up too early…” She snorted in humor, “What’s all that on my back…?” She turned around to regard the blankets with sleepy eyes.

“None of us wished you to be cold.” Zuberi spoke up from by the fire, “We gave you our blankets.”

The pegasus mare chuckled loudly then, after a moment she looked up to Zuberi with a broad smile, “You boys do realize that as a pegasus I’m used to sleeping in the cold, right?”

“Being used to it does not mean you have to endure it.” Zuberi replied softly, before a sad look entered his eyes and his face fell.

“Come here,” She commanded, a gentle smile on her face, “all of you.” Zuberi brightened a little and scooted over to her, soon joined by the others, and they sat around her in a semicircle. The mare wiggled out from under her blankets and wrapped the four in a group hug. “Thank you, each of you.” She murmured, holding them tightly.

They returned the favor, holding her tight and giving her a collective nuzzle as Zuberi spoke, “I am sorry I upset you so...”

“It’s not your fault, I just can’t imagine anyone killing a foal and mother just because the child was cross-species.” She admitted sadly.

“My tribe...” Zuberi took a deep breath, “It was not a good place.”

“I am sorry I brought up that memory.” She murmured, before kissing him on the cheek and pressing her head against his sympathetically.

“Do not be.” He squeezed her tight as the others released her, “I have made peace. They rest safely with the ancestors now...”

“Still…” She murmured uncomfortably, “I can’t imagine it.”

“You don’t have to. I pray you never know that kind of pain.” He nuzzled her neck gently.

“I am sorry you have to.” She said, giving him a firm squeeze.

“Like I said,” He leaned his head back to face her, but still held her, “I have made peace. It helps some that their killers will never do so again...”

Rose’s ears suddenly stood on end and her eyes widened in realization, suddenly holding Zuberi by the shoulders, “My guides!” She gasped.

Zuberi blinked at the sudden change of subject and glanced uncertainly to his fellow stallions, “Uh...”

“When the lions attacked everyone panicked!” She exclaimed in explanation.

“Why did you not mention your companions before?” Zephania cocked his head with a concerned frown.

“I- I don’t know.” Rose admitted with a frown, looking thoughtfully at Zuberi’s chest as she searched her thoughts, “...With everything that happened, I guess I was in shock~” She murmured softly.

Zephania looked thoughtful for a moment and shared a sad, knowing look with each of his fellows, before placing a hoof on her shoulder, “We will eat quickly, then go look for the others.”

The mare hesitated a moment, returning to her own hooves. “Quickly.” She agreed with a somber nod, pretending that she hadn’t seen their expressions.

“We really need to get you fed.” Uzoma smirked and prodded her flank with a hoof, to distract her, “You’re scrawny enough without us trying to starve you.”

The mare swatted at the stallion’s hoof with her wing, shooting him an indignant glance. “Scrawny?” Rose replied with an incredulous look, her brow raised, “I will have you know I am one of the best distance fliers in my class!” She turned her hip at him, showing off her cutie mark of the same name, “See that? I’ve got a sense of direction like a bird. Blindfold me and I could still find my way back to the very same spot after an hour of flying, easy!”

Uzoma, as well as Zephania who sat next to him, eyed her wiggling hip appreciatively, before Uzoma replied, “Do not be offended, Compass Rose.” He darted in and kissed her on the nose, “I like smaller mares~” He whispered conspiratorially with a teasing grin as she leaned back in surprise.

The smaller mare hoofed him sharply in the shoulder, narrowing her eyes at him. “Hooves where I can see ‘em stallion.” She warned him, and through him, the others not to get any funny ideas.

“I’m insulted.” He feigned a pout and held his hooves up innocently, “I would never force myself upon a mare.”

“The last time my flank was stared at like that, was by a pack of pony-eating lions.” Rose remarked a little skeptically, yet backed off, only to glance mindfully at the others.

The four stallions looked to her with expressions of honest hurt.

“We do not mean to make you uncomfortable.” Zephania reassured her.

“We were just teasing.” Uzoma gave her an apologetic frown.

“We do find you attractive, yes, but more importantly, we want you to be happy, healthy, and comfortable.” Zuberi spoke up finally.

Compass Rose sighed then, trying to fight back a smile at Zuberi’s caring words, while at the same time softly biting her lip. “I hope you will forgive me for being...uneasy in the midst of a bachelor herd of four-” She took a deep breath and hoped that she was not making the worst mistake of her life, “-of four flirty, handsome stallions.”

Zuberi beamed proudly at her compliment, while Uzoma cast his gaze to the floor, “My deepest apologies, Compass Rose. It was not my intent to make you uncomfortable.”

Off to either side, Zephania and Xolani shared a happier smile as they basked in the small amount of praise.

The mare softly raised his chin with one of her forehooves. “I have had too few gentlestallions in my life.” Rose admitted quietly, explaining her unease to them in not so many words, offering them the chance to be.

Uzoma smiled softly in return, “Then please count four more among them. Allow me a chance to prove myself. Give me any task you wish...”

“You want a test~?” Rose repeated curiously, a little surprised that he seemed intent to prove himself to her; she smiled playfully, loosening up just a little, “Don’t look at my flank for the entire day. That should be proof enough that you are sincere.”

“Very well.” Uzoma raised his head up, his eyes shut tight. “Xolani, would you grab me a cloth?”

Before he could, the pegasus snorted amusedly and lightly flicked Uzoma’s nose with her wingtip. “That’s cheating.”

“Your task was to not look at your flank. This is merely to prevent any mishaps.” Uzoma explained with an exaggerated expression of pride.

“As well intentioned as your flirting might be, I want you to resist the temptation.” She declared gently, then leaned over and kissed him softly on the cheek, “I don’t wish to simply be eye candy.”

Uzoma was silent for a moment, before cracking his eyes open and staring into her own pointedly, “I do honestly find you beautiful.” He replied softly, “Every part of you. I wish to know you better as well.”

“Are all of you stallions trying to get under my tail!?” She laughed with good humor, before leaning in and nuzzling his cheek in a friendly manner, then assured him... “Don’t worry, I won’t wiggle my rump again, that wouldn’t be fair.”

Uzoma chuckled and all four of them shared a look, before fixing their eyes back on her.

“We want to woo you.” Zephania admitted with a soft smile.

“But we will not force a mare to love us.” Uzoma spoke after him.

“We would like a chance to stay with you, even if we never join you in bed.” Zuberi reassured her.

“Xolani’s tribe holds nothing but respect for mares.” The medicine stallion bowed his head low.

Rose laughed softly and waved her hoof dismissively at them. “Well, you better sort it out amongst yourselves.” Rose tittered, before honestly admitting, “I don’t think four stallions have wanted me ever, let alone at once. You can’t expect me to chose between you.”

“Which is why we would not make you choose...” Zephania shook his head with a soft smile.

Compass Rose stopped dead, her mirth momentarily forgotten; all she could do was blink in surprise. “We? As in you four?” The mare asked unsteadily, needing to be sure, “You mean you four want to share me? One mare?”

They all four nodded in unison, causing her to stare back at them with a dumbfounded expression for a moment. Back in Equestria she had tried almost desperately to get the attention of even one stallion without success, and here, she had somehow got the attention of four, without trying. Thus, she did what any self-respecting mare would in said situation… She fainted.

It wasn’t long before she awoke once more to three sets of hooves gently shaking her and a familiar muscular presence supporting her from behind, while something sweet and apple-scented was held up to her nose.

“Compass Rose?” Uzoma’s voice spoke up, “Are you alright?”

“Celestia, are angels supposed to have stripes…?” She asked groggily.

“I think she’s hallucinating.” Zephania’s voice replied, “Xolani, get your medicines.”

“Hallucinating?” She blinked, looking around to see Zuberi hugging her from behind, “Can dead ponies hallucinate?”

Xolani chuckled, “You are not dead, beautiful Rose.”

“I’m not…?” She asked confusedly.

“Not quite.” Zuberi leaned down and nuzzled her, “You had us worried for a moment.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever had four stallions want me.” She reiterated with a sheepish blush on her cheeks.

“Then there is no justice in this world.” Zephania proclaimed firmly, “A mare as beautiful as you deserves far more attention.”

“We would like to make you happy, Compass Rose.” Uzoma spoke softly and started to gently stroke her belly where he had been shaking her in his attempts to wake her.

“I…” She trailed off as she regarded his hoof with a slowly growing sense of pleasure, “I’m too young to have foals.” She murmured.

“How old are you?” Zuberi asked curiously, just as he started to stroke her side in time with Uzoma’s belly rubs.

“Nineteen.” She admitted honestly, with a blush.

“Many zebra mares would already have a foal or two by now.” Xolani commented as he set the applesauce he’d been holding aside, “But you are not even in heat.” He started to stroke her mane affectionately.

“I’m not a zebra and though some mares my age may have foals, I’m not ready to settle down like that.” She admitted, “And ponies can have foals outside of heat...though it is rare.”

“Xolani can brew contraceptives if you wish.” He informed her, before moving to stroke her neck with his other hoof.

Compass Rose blushed brightly then. “You-you-you can brew contraceptives?” She stammered quietly in awe, “I’ve heard that there are ponies who can, but I’ve never actually met one before.”

“Xolani has all the herbs he needs.” He kissed the top of her head, “If you truly do not wish to be a mother...”

Compass Rose shook her head getting herself back on track. “There’s a good chance I might someday, but I barely know you.” She remarked, frowning softly.

This left her terribly split. Though a part of her was terribly frightened that she might lose them, she was not simply going to bear their foals like a baby-machine. At the same time, she had attracted not one, two, or even three stallions, but a quartet! -and she was not prepared to lose any of them. She honestly felt a little overwhelmed, and if they revealed to her that she was in fact dead, then it would be an afterlife worth dying for, she supposed…

Zephania smiled softly and spoke directly into her ear, “We can wait until you are ready.” He kissed her ear, “Until then,” She suddenly felt his hoof stroking her neck, “you should eat, before we go searching for your companions.”

Rose nodded, suddenly remembering and made to sit up. It was only a short moment later that Xolani was holding out a bowl of applesauce, prepared to feed her with a spoon. Absently looking around she noticed that none of them had food yet and so she gently prodding the stallions with her wings to go get some for themselves.

“Go get your own, I’m not going anywhere~” Compass Rose urged them considerately, before tasting it herself; the honey added an interesting taste, but it was still scrumptious. She then pressed the bowl gently toward Xolani with her wing, “You can share mine.” She offered him a kind smile.

Without disturbing her, Uzoma trotted over and brought each of them back a bowl, before settling into her side again. When he did, Xolani took a slow bite of Rose’s, before offering her another spoonful. All in all, Compass Rose was quite content being the center of their attention, though she seemed at a loss for how she had managed to end up in this situation. Still, she wasn’t complaining.

“Xolani thinks he likes this applesauce. Almost as much as his grass soup.” The shaman hummed thoughtfully

“Xolani, if you keep going on about grass soup again, I’m going to hurt you~” Zephania bumped him in the shoulder as he and Uzoma returned to snuggling Compass Rose, while Xolani alternated between feeding Compass Rose and himself from the same bowl. Compass Rose purred happily, nuzzling Uzoma and Zephania in turn, before leaning back to give Zuberi some attention. Zephania smiled softly and nuzzled her affectionately, before briefly returning to the applesauce, which they were all finding rather tasty. “It’s nice to have a mare around.” He pecked her on the cheek.

“Especially one as beautiful as you.” Uzoma kissed her other cheek, causing her to coo at the attention of the two of them simultaneously. “Now, last night...you were asking about our stories. Would you still like to know?”

“They’re not so...grim, are they?” Compass Rose asked hesitantly.

“Not nearly as much as Zuberi’s.” Uzoma shook his head slowly.

The pegasus nodded meekly. “Yes, please.”

“Very well.” Uzoma took a deep breath to ready himself, “Have you ever asked the question, or at least heard it asked, ‘Is a zebra white with black stripes, or black with white stripes?’” Compass Rose stopped mid-bite and blinked at the stallion incredulously. “Is that a yes, or a no...?”

“I always assumed you were black and white~” She admitted.

“Which is the answer that most tribes will give you and then tell you it doesn’t matter.” Uzoma replied with a nod.

“It matters?” She asked him with a curious - and admittedly cute - cock of her head.

“To my tribe, the question was everything.” Uzoma gave a sad sigh, “To them, if the answer was white with black stripes it meant that we were inherently good souls, stained with the blackness of sin that we must overcome. If the answer was black with white stripes, then we were ultimately dark and evil souls, struggling to hide ourselves beneath a blanket of goodness.” He stopped and gestured to his near black fur. “What do you think they thought of me?”

“So, they ran you out?” Compass Rose assumed sadly.

“After my mother died, yes.” Uzoma responded with a slow nod, “According to the tribe’s shamans, from birth I was marked by a demon...or I am a demon.” Uzoma snorted and while she couldn’t be sure, Compass Rose seemed to catch a dark shadow in the corner of his eye.

She quickly brushed that thought aside. “I don’t think you’re a demon.” She offered the stallion with a small smile.

“Thank you, Compass Rose...” He nuzzled into her neck with a chuckle, “It is good to find a mare that thinks so.” She nuzzled into the top of his head, giving his ear a soft nibble, before mussing with his mane.

“Do you have a story, Compass Rose?” Xolani asked as he held out another spoonful for her.

The mare shrugged, “I suppose everyone does…” She said, before taking the offered bite of applesauce.

“Would you be willing to share, now that Xolani and his friends have shared?” He took a bite for himself.

“There isn’t much to say...after my last relationship...went to Tartarus, I went back home to Cloudsdale. But every time I left the house, it was as if everyone was snickering at me behind my back and it was slowly-” She shook her head, “I couldn’t stay, so I found the furthest place I could fly to and left. I knew my parents wouldn’t understand, so I slipped away in the night, leaving a note behind telling them that I was leaving.”

Zephania and Uzoma watched her with sympathetic expressions, before setting their bowls aside and wrapping their arms around her snugly.

Xolani narrowed his eyes suspiciously, his voice remaining smooth and calm, “Tell Xolani about this stallion.”

Compass Rose shook her head defiantly. “Oh no, I know that look… He’s in the past. There’s no reason to talk about that...stallion.” She declared, almost appearing to have a hard time even calling him a ‘stallion’.

“Compass Rose...” Xolani reached out a hoof to gently hold her chin and look into her eyes, “Please tell Xolani. He wishes to know of your struggles. To better know you, Xolani wishes to know what you have faced.”

She looked hesitantly toward the other stallions, each of them bore a look a patient encouragement. They wanted to know as well, but it was clear that they would not force it. She let go a long sigh and lowered her head.

“I thought that the goddesses had finally blessed me, he was a noblestallion after all!” She stopped to shake her head sadly, “But that stallion was noble in name only. He was vain, and self-centered, and only cared about himself. Barely cared for his mares at all, except that they made him look good and pleased him. And the quality of mare that attracted…” She sighed once again, “They weren’t much better than he.”

Zephania and Uzoma gave her another comforting squeeze and Xolani continued his questioning with a gentle tone. “Did he ever hurt you, Compass Rose?”

“Pegasi are hard to hurt.” She said evasively.

Xolani took her head in his hooves and pressed his forehead to hers, “You are safe here with Xolani and his tribe, Compass Rose.” He reminded her comfortingly, “What did he do to you?”

A small smile briefly came and went from her face at his tender affections. “When I called his favorite mare...and I knew it was true, because he made sure we all knew it…when I called her a thief, he hit me.” She shook her head, “It didn’t injure me, the hurt was a different kind.”

Xolani took a deep breath and moved his hooves to join Zephania and Uzoma in embracing her, “You deserve so much better...”

“I’ve never had a stallion treat me like this before.” She admitted, sniffling a little, “let alone four of you.” She chuckled self-consciously.

Hearing her sniffles, Zuberi shifted himself to sit on his rump and embrace her from behind, “Please don’t cry.”

“Xolani wishes he had a brew to make such bad things go away~” Xolani rubbed his hoof through her mane.

“It’s hard not to, Zuberi, you four are better than I could’ve hoped for~” Compass Rose shook her head then and looked toward Xolani, “But if I forgot all the bad things, then how would I be able to appreciate the good things?” She asked him with a smile.

“You are a very brave mare, Compass Rose.” Zephania declared, kissing her ear.

A slight blush colored the mare’s cheeks. “Lucky perhaps~” She said modestly.

She was instantly treated to a swarm of nuzzles from the stallions, causing her to giggle excitedly, before Zephania spoke again, “Now, let’s get ready to go. The sooner we find your friends, the better.”

The mare sobered up and nodded, quickly finishing her breakfast.

When breakfast was over, the stallions went about packing everything within the yurt, under Zephania’s direction. With everything packed away, they quickly began tearing the whole structure down. With assurances that they had everything under control, Compass Rose briefly watched the stallions from the ground, before becoming somewhat bored and instead took to the air. They smiled after her for a moment, still fascinated with her ability and the natural grace of a pegasus, before returning to their work. It took almost no time at all to bring down the shelter and strap everything onto a sled that they hitched to Zuberi with some rope. Their task done, Zephania called up to Compass Rose for her to join them. Upon hearing her name, she flew down and landed nearby, trotting over to the stallion with a bounce in her step. Smiling, she gave him a quick nuzzle as she looked around to see the camp now packed up and largely bore by Zuberi, with smaller loads carried by the others.

Zephania wrapped an arm around her with a grin and planted a tender kiss on her lips. “Now, let’s be off, shall we?”

Compass Rose nodded softly, “I hope they’re alright.” She murmured.

“Hhhmmm...” Zephania hesitated, before nuzzling her tenderly, earning a bashful smile from her, “Only one way to find out.” With that, he turned to start leading their little band away.

Compass Rose shrugged weakly, her smile still on her face. “I suppose you’re right...”

With Zephania in the lead, their journey passed in silence as the stallions kept a watchful eye on the grasslands around them. It didn’t take them more than a few hours to return to the vicinity of the tree they had rescued Rose from. From there, Rose took a moment to get her bearings and point out the direction she had come from - given the fact that the last leg of her flight had been in the air, trying to outrun the lions on her tail. Weighed down as she had been, had necessitated her stop in the tree, otherwise they would’ve kept up with her.

It took them nearly as long to follow Rose’s trail as it had to find the tree they had found her in. The first sign that they had arrived at the ambush was the couple of vultures on the horizon. As soon as they spotted them, Zephania raised a hoof, to which Uzoma and Xolani stepped in front of Rose to hold her back as Zuberi and Zephania moved ahead.

“Hey~” Rose protested, looking to her stallions with surprise, before noticing the two leaving, “Where are you going?” She split her attention between the two groups of them. “Why are you stopping?”

“We’re just going to take a look ahead, Rose.” Zephania assured her, throwing a confident smile back at her.

“There is no need for you to distress yourself.” Xolani urged her with a gentle smile of his own.

Rose’s brow furrowed in confusion, “What are you talking about, Xolani?” She asked him, before taking notice of what they had, she then made to regard him frustratedly.

The wild maned stallion placed a placating hoof on her shoulder, “Zephania just wishes to ensure the path is clear.”

“Clear of what, Xolani~?” Rose asked him impatiently, hoping that he would actually give her an honest answer.

“Lions.” Xolani answered readily enough, “Or other scavengers.”

“If there are lions, we’d be safer together, than apart.” She reminded him, starting to suspect she knew the real reason they were keeping her back.

“Each of us bears a wealth of experience driving off lions.” Xolani assured her.

“You just relax. Zephania and Zuberi will be back soon.” Uzoma chimed in.

The mare sighed and looked thoughtfully to the ground, resigning herself to the belief that the stallions were lying to her, even if they thought it was for a good reason, it didn’t change the fact.

It didn’t take long for Zephania to return to them with a grim expression, “One of your companions was a zebra?” He asked her gently.

Rose nodded. “My guide-” Understanding washed over her, “H-he’s- he’s dead...isn’t he~?”

Zephania nodded with a sigh and looked to Xolani, “Would you join Zuberi in preparing funeral rites?”

Xolani nodded and made to head that way, “I shall prepare the way for his soul...”

Without speaking a word, Rose made to follow Xolani, the fact that she had led a stallion she barely knew to his death weighing on her.

She was gently stopped by Zephania’s hoof on her shoulder then, “Are you certain you wish to see?”

Rose looked up at him with a somber expression, “I’m the reason he’s dead, do I really have a choice?” She asked him quietly.

“Did you force him to come with you?”

“Are you not responsible for Uzoma, Zuberi and Xolani? Would you not feel the weight of their death upon your shoulders?” Rose asked him pointedly, in a conversational tone.

“I would mourn them and try to do better.” Zephania hummed, “But I do not force them to follow me and I would not force them into danger. Their fates are their own, just as your companion’s was. This was not your fault.”

“Pegasi-” She shook her head, “Ponies believe that if you convince someone to follow you, that you are responsible for them too.”

“Not an uncommon idea.” Zephania hummed and turned to lead her forward.

Much of the supplies that they had brought had simply been abandoned, dropped by fleeing porters. Unfortunately, her zebra guide had not been fast enough, or lucky enough. There honestly wasn’t much left of him, everything below the neck had been devoured, leaving little more than the ribs, hips and shoulders, with attached legs. Unfortunately for the mare, the stallion’s face had been untouched, leaving him easily recognizable. The mare quickly turned and began retching, clearly trying not to vomit at the sight. Zephania and Uzoma quickly moved to put their arms around her and comfort her as Xolani began to mutter what sounded like prayers over what was left of the stallion.

“We’ll have to leave him as is.” Zuberi sighed as he cast his gaze over the grass, “We can’t risk the lions or some other predators still being in the area.”

After a few moments to compose herself, being comforted by her stallions, Rose could finally speak. “No, we can’t just leave him like this.”

“Would you rather face the lions again?” Zuberi asked her calmly.

“They’re obviously done~” Rose pointed out, without looking at the carcass.

“Doesn’t mean they’re not watching the area.” Zuberi pointed out in return, “They were willing to chase you after they had him. Could still be hungry.”

“I can keep watch from above.” Rose assured him.

“Rose, he’s not the first to fall like this and won’t be the last.” Zephania spoke gently, “He would understand and I will not risk my companions for a burial in a pride’s territory.”

“Then follow pegasi rituals and burn the body. Then we can leave.” She urged him.

“A pyre would still take time.” Zephania shook his head and turned to go. “One harsh truth of the Savannah is that sometimes the only way to offer the dead peace...is to move on.”

Despite the sight that awaited her, Rose looked back at what was left of the zebra with her ears folded back. She felt horrible. He was dead, at least in part because of her and she couldn’t even give him a proper burial. Eventually, Xolani and Uzoma moved up to either side of her to offer her a comforting nuzzle, and tried to urge her onward, without success.

“Rose, we need to go...” Uzoma reminded her worriedly.

“I don’t even remember his name…” Rose muttered ashamed with herself.

“Then you will learn it when we return to his home.” Xolani assured her with a soft kiss to her cheek, “And you will remember it.”

“He moved to Mareton, was one of the few zebras living with them.” Rose explained, looking sadly to Xolani, “I don’t think he even had anyone to miss him…”

“That is what we shall have to find out.” Xolani hummed and gave her a soft smile, “And if there is no one to miss him...then we shall do the missing.”

“It doesn’t feel right...leaving him like this.” Rose mumbled, “Ponies don’t just-” She couldn’t bring herself to say abandon.

“His soul is gone, Rose.” Xolani assured her, “He has no more care for his old shell. It is time for us to move on, or risk sharing his fate.”

Rose had never had to make a decision like this before and the fact that she was now, tore her up inside, to the point where she looked up at the stallions with tears in her eyes. “I-if you had found me like this-?”

Xolani sighed and wrapped an arm around her in a tight hug, “Xolani would try to honor your remains, but only if it were safe to do so. Now it is not.”

“Pegasi do not leave their dead behind…” She explained to him, trying to calm herself in the face of such a stark difference.

“We are not pegasi.” Xolani reminded her with a sigh and moved forward to join Zuberi and Zephania.

A little surprised that Xolani would go on without her, Rose hesitated, still staring. Lifting a hoof as if to approach the pile of gore, she suddenly stomped frustratedly and looked away with ruffled wings, disgusted with herself. Wheeling about with clenched jaw, she took a deep breath.

“Help me grab what is salvageable and then we leave.” Rose declared through grit teeth, hating the fact that this was the way things were.

The assembled stallions stopped and looked back to her then, before sharing a look amongst themselves. After a quick nod from Zephania and Zuberi, the four moved to help her gather the scattered supplies.

“We’re heading to a pony settlement I’m familiar with, on the coast.” Zephania spoke conversationally, having fallen back beside Rose as they marched, “They are neighbors with a friendly tribe and I doubt they’ve moved again at this time of year.”

“The zebras~?” Rose assumed glancing over at him, only really half-interested, her thoughts still on the dead zebra stallion, “Why are we stopping there?”

“A number of reasons.” Zephania shrugged, “It’s a chance to catch our breath in safe territory, figure out what we need to continue our journey, and let you get to know a zebra tribe.”

“Alright~” Rose murmured unenthusiastically.

“Is there anything I can do to cheer you up, Rose?” Zephania smiled hopefully and nuzzled her neck, “It is not right for a mare such as you to go about depressed.”

The mare sighed at his nuzzling, the stress being forced from her body, instinctively relaxing at the stallion’s touch, and so she leaned into his muzzle. “I-I’ve never seen...that.” She exclaimed, the image of his hollowed out trunk figuratively burned into the back of her eyes.

“Would you like to talk about it?” Zephania pressed himself into her side, while Uzoma moved to sidle up against her other side.

“Talk about what!?” She snapped at him, before just as quickly folding her ears back guiltily, a little moisture collecting in the corners of her eyes, “...Sorry.”

Zephania seemed unfazed and kissed her cheek, while Uzoma brought a hoof up to wipe away her tears, “You have nothing to be sorry for.” The darker stallion assured her.

“You didn’t deserve that.” Rose stated, reprimanding herself, “I-I just...I wonder if I had done more…?”

“You couldn’t fight off an entire pride of lions, Rose.” Zephania shook his head and stopped to give her a hug, prompting the others to halt.

“You don’t think six ponies and a zebra could’ve held them off?” Rose asked him, as if her pride had just taken a small hit.

“If you’d stuck together, possibly.” Zephania shrugged, “But you didn’t. In that stallion’s final moments, all one more mare would have done was give the lions more meat.”

Rose shuddered at the thought of what that kind of terror must’ve been like, just before he was killed. He was a stallion first and a zebra second, the fact that she had let harm come to him tore her up inside. She wished to protest Zephania’s words, but she suspected they were right. She doubted she could’ve saved him. Instead, she began to cry softly, refusing to make a noise as she did.

“I should’ve kept them together, I should’ve never let them panic. I should’ve been a better leader!” She insisted through her sniffling.

“Did those ponies panic and bolt before or after you did?” Zephania asked her evenly.

“Before.” She admitted in a quiet voice.

“Then there was nothing you could have done for them at that point.”

“They should’ve never thought of bolting with me around~” She groused.

“Did they present themselves as brave warriors? As loyal and trustworthy caretakers?” Zephania wondered, “What reason would they have had not to panic?”

“I- They- I-” Rose stammered for her words for a moment, feeling obligated to shoulder the responsibility, “I should’ve done better.” She finally insisted in a somber tone, but she knew better, she was no leader of ponies. She was Compass Rose, a Wonderbolt washout that folded under pressure. “He deserved better.”

Zephania merely nodded and gave her a squeeze, “Yes, he deserved to be able to go home at the end of the journey, but you could not have ensured that for him. Weep for a short time, but do not dwell on it for too long. Your tears will not bring him back.”

“I failed...again.” Rose choked, butting her head up against his chest, honestly sounding as torn up about that as the fact that he was dead.

“This was not your failure.” Zuberi insisted as he moved back to them, “You alone could not have stopped those lions. If you had been with him, you both would be dead. Instead, you survived. That does not sound like failure to me.”

“It’s a mare’s job to keep stallions safe~” Rose sniffled, trying to clear her sinuses so that she could breathe properly.

This drew confused expressions from all four stallions, before Zuberi continued, “That’s...not quite how it works for zebras.”

“Well, it is for ponies.” Rose huffed, pulling back from Zephania, giving him a quick nuzzle of thanks, before wiping her eyes.

“Among our people, stallions are the warriors.” Zephania explained with a small smile as he returned her nuzzle, “In truth, he likely expected to be protecting you.”

“Wait.” Rose insisted abruptly, holding up a hoof, while blinking in confusion. “What kind of system is that?” Rose asked, completely astonished that any mare would let their stallion into harm’s way like he was describing.

“A sensible one.” Zuberi replied simply, “A stallion is supposed to be his herd’s defender and provider.”

“What!?” Rose gasped, taking an aggressive step toward him, “What kind of mare lets her stallion place himself in danger? Why if something happened to him...!” Rose was quickly starting to ramble, her incomprehension causing her apparent distress.

“Rose... Rose, calm down.” Zephani declared sternly, before stepping forward to wrap her in another hug. “This is how stallions have always run their tribes-”

“Whoa~!” Rose suddenly pushed him back with a flabbergasted expression. “Stallions run tribes?” She blinked, “What kind of backward mess have I gotten myself into!?” She asked no one in particular, rubbing desperately at her head, trying to understand.

Zuberi frowned a little indignantly at that, “Backward mess...?” All around her, his companions were sharing varying looks of indignation.

Rose looked up at Zuberi with a slightly disturbed expression. “Of course!” She exclaimed as if obvious, “If something happened to you, ignoring the trauma that would cause me for just a moment and the fact that I have four stallions now...most mares only have one in their herd. If you were my only stallion and I let you fight and you died then my whole herd would be without a stallion! None of us could bear anymore foals! I mean, can’t you see the lunacy of that system?” She asked him frantically, practically ranting at the sheer preposterousness of their system in her eyes.

Off to the side, Xolani quirked an eyebrow at her, “Are there really so few stallions in Equestria? Would other mares be too selfish to share?”

Rose’s near manic rant was at least momentarily sidetracked as she looked to Xolani with a patient, lecturing expression. “Cloudsdale was at the high-end at four to one. Some places I’ve heard of were at six to one and higher.” The pegasus nodded sagely, “You can always tell when an area has had a particularly lopsided generation by watching the mares emigrate.”

“Are your stallions particularly fragile?” Uzoma wondered.

“I mean...I don’t think so.” Rose mused, before shaking her head, “You’re missing the point. If each one of you were to come and challenge four herds in Equestria, there are at least four mares for each of you to fight on average. Even if a mare isn’t as strong as a stallion, there would be four of us to each one of you.”

“So rather than allow a stallion to do the job nature designed him for, Equestrian mares shield him like some fragile foal?” Zuberi gave her a skeptical look.

“You’re precious, damn it!” Rose shouted desperately, unable to comprehend why he could not understand, her wings flaring unconsciously as she stomped both forehooves in frustration, “Magic doesn’t give one iota how tough you are!”

Her stallions winced at the sudden rise in volume, before Zephania gave her a stern look and took her by the shoulders. “Rose, calm yourself. Now.”

“I-I’m sorry~” She stammered, promptly apologizing, her ears folding back and she was unable to make eye contact with him, flush with embarrassment at how easily she had lost control of her emotions. “I don’t- How can you not understand?”

This time, it was Zuberi who drew her into another comforting hug. “It’s alright, Rose. All is forgiven.” He hummed soothingly, “The Savanna is not like your Equestria. Here, stallions are not as scarce and we are stronger than our mares. It is our job to protect the herd and our tribe from rivals and predators. To deny us that is to deny who we are.”

“I do not know if that is something I will ever be able to fully understand, or even accept.” Rose admitted in a murmur.

“You will learn in time.” Xolani spoke soothingly and reached over to stroke her mane affectionately.

Rose leaned into his hoof with a wan smile, “I doubt it~” She chuckled drily. “There’s a tribe near one of the colonies?” Rose asked Zephania, grateful to the stallions for distracting her, “I wasn’t aware that any tribes lived near ponies. What’re they like?”

“They’re a rather friendly tribe.” Zephania explained as he and Zuberi brought their hooves up to stroke her neck and back. “I only visited once, but I’m sure they’ll be very hospitable.”

Compass Rose purred at their hooves and though she considered telling them to stop, she thought better of it and allowed them to do as they pleased. In all honesty, she didn’t realize how much she desired physical contact until she had it, so she leaned into Zuberi and gently bumped him with her shoulder to get moving. The sooner they had left this place, the better.

“I’m pretty excited to meet a zebra herd.” She admitted conversationally, “What are zebra mares like?”

“Very demanding.” Xolani spoke up as he and Zephania stood once more, urging her to trot with them, “Like angry lionesses in heat. Worse, they let stallions think they’re in charge.”

“Don’t listen to Xolani, he’s just being dramatic.” Zuberi snorted amusedly as he turned to start leading the way with their sled, “Zebra mares are kind and wise. There are only a few tribes where another mare showing up would not be taken well, regardless of her race.”

“So, which is it? Are stallions in charge, or do your mares just act like you’re in charge~?” She asked Zephania, after hearing two different versions from two different stallions, even as she nipped playfully at his neck - she wanted to trot with Zuberi for a little bit.

Zephania failed to stifle a chuckle at the question, “That would depend on the tribe~” He admitted with a shrug, “To my knowledge, Chief Chidike has a firm hold of his tribe’s leadership. However, for every chieftain, there is a Medicine Mare. Some are more crafty and manipulative than others.”

Compass Rose nodded slowly in comprehension. “So, is it often that zebra live near other tribes?” She asked curiously, rubbing her neck affectionately up against Zuberi’s.

“Not often unless they’re a trading tribe.” Zephania explained as he and Zuberi leaned in to pepper her cheeks with kisses.

The pegasus’ wings ruffled a little in excitement at being sandwiched between their affections and quickly made to nuzzle them fondly in return. After a moment, she glanced over her shoulder at Uzoma and Xolani with a playful smile.

“How about you, Uzoma? What were the mares of your tribe like?”

“Crafty and wise.” He declared with a slow nod, “They did not manipulate their stallions, but they held more say than in many tribes from what I understand.”

“It seems so strange coming from Equestria, where nearly every mayor and governor was a mare…” Rose remarked, laying her neck over Zephania’s, as if testing the waters.

Zephania only smiled and nuzzled back into her, “I suppose we’ll all be learning to live with something new and strange~” He declared with a playful smile.

When Zephania didn’t seem to mind, she pulled him tight into her shoulder, rubbing her cheek just a little possessively against his, earning a soft nicker. As the trio set the pace, with Xolani and Uzoma close behind, the small column headed west with the rising sun to their backs.

“Just stick with us and we’ll keep you safe!” Zuberi declared proudly.

The mare pulled the two stallions close with her wings and smiled, “I know you will.” She rubbed her cheek against Zephania once more, before offering Zuberi a fond kiss to the cheek.

“Safe and happy.” Zephania chuckled, offering her neck a nip.

“Safe and full.” Xolani remarked jovially from behind, still proud of their culinary exploits.

Rose snorted with a shrill nicker Zephania’s nip, “Hey~” She protested, throwing back her head and giving his back a thump with her wing.

“Did I make you uncomfortable again, Rose?” Zephania asked her gently, lowering his head when she thumped him, and cocked his head with a soft expression.

Rose snorted frustratedly at him, “Pony stallions court mares, before starting to chew on them~” She explained, flattered, but also uneasy at his forwardness.

“Ah, my apologies, Rose.” Zephania bowed his head respectfully, “Zebra mares are far more open to such advances.” He explained, “Perhaps you would allow me to court you properly one on one when next we stop?”

Rose blushed and blinked in surprise, taking a moment to figure out how to respond to that. “I, um…It’s usually the mare courting the stallion.” She admitted, more and more realizing just how out of her element she was, “I mean…I don’t mind~” She remarked, glancing over at the others, not sure just how this was supposed to work.

Zephania quirked an eyebrow as they all regarded her curiously, “Really? Well, then this will be a treat. It works quite the other way for zebra, so you just relax and allow me to do all the work as I attempt to win your affections.”

“This already feels awkward~” Rose chuckled at her predicament.

“It won’t for long.” Uzoma assured her. “You’ll get into the swing of things eventually.”

“I don’t know~” Rose remarked uncertainly, “Do you know the lengths some mares go to gain the attention of a stallion?” She asked him, before blushing once again at the thought of the extent she had tried a few times.

“I can’t imagine.” Zuberi shook his head. “A mare like you should have to beat stallions off with sticks.”

“Heh, I’d have beaten off a stallion for his attention~” Rose remarked with a chuckle, before her eyes went wide, realizing she was thinking aloud; her eyes bulged, ears folded back and her face went bright-red, more than it had ever before.

What followed was the assembled stallions falling quiet as they realized just how hard a time she’d had of finding a stallion.

Finally, Zephania bumped his flank to hers with a soft smile, earning a startled squeak from her, “Well, you don’t have to worry about that with us. Just relax and be yourself.”

“I think I’m going to take a quick flight…” Rose remarked unsteadily.

Zephania frowned and folded his ears back, “Is something wrong, Rose?”

“I-I just can’t believe I said that.” She admitted.

The stallions shared a silent look, before Uzoma spoke. “I didn’t hear anything, did you, Zephania?”

“Not a thing.” Zephania shook his head innocently, “Something appears to have startled our poor Rose.”

Rose couldn’t help but chuckle softly and she leaned into Zephania’s side with a small smile. “Thank you~” She murmured loud enough for them all to hear.

“Think nothing of it, Rose.” Zephania offered her a gentle nuzzle and an affectionate smile.