He looked at her, his eyebrows raised (I know that's possible my horse has IMMENSLY funny expressions like that) "And my name, as I told you, is Sea Lion." He said slowly, his pelt twitching every once in a while. This mare was... different. All the other just gave up and ran

Saint turned and stepped into the stream, bending her neck down and carefully splashed some of the water onto her body. "Well, nice to meet you, Lion" She said.

he dipped his head, walking toward where there was more grass and eating a little. He was thinking hard... about whether he should tell her to go away or let her stay

She let out a small snort and twisted her head around to nip at an itch on her shoulder. She turned her head back around and playfully threw water with her nose towards Lion.

Lion twitched, looking over a tree her, frowning. He swished his tail, swatting the water off, then decided to get her back and thrashed his neck through the water, sending a monstrous tidal wave over her. "In any case, don't mess with me." He said, a small smile twitching at the edges of his mouth

Saint laughed and shook herself, sending a shower of water every where. She stepped out of the stream and walked over to the grass, bending her head down and beginning to eat.

Lion finished eating, walking over to stand in the shade of a tree and watch the mare. He sniffed, catching the very faint scent of... cougar! He reacted before he thought. The cougar leapt at the mare, claws outstretched but Lion was there just as fast, getting in the way. The cougar hit his body, hissing and tearing long gashes down his flanks. It was a big male, and jumped with enough force that when Lion leapt in front of Saint, he got knocked sideways. He got up quickly, wincing and bellowing a warning at the cougar. The cougar snarled, circling him then went in for another shot, angered by the stallions block. The cougar jumped onto Lion's back, tearing long gashes down his back and flanks, then biting his shoulder. Lion bucked, and when that didn't work he decided to end the fight. He did his famous move, rolling over on top of the cougar. The cougar shrieked in pain, falling off. He reared up, bringing his hooves down with a bellow. That, my dear reader, was the end of the cougar. Lion then stood, panting, starting to feel the effects of his wounds. He had claw marks all alongside his shoulders, flanks, and back, he had bite marks on his shoulders, and his neck was quivering.

Saint let out a neigh of panic. Yes, she's dealt with predators before, but she usually notices them before they are practically on top of her. But she didn't have time to react as Lion jumped in and faced off the cougar. Fear coursed through her veins as she watched in horror as the cougar ripped open the stallion's flesh. She quickly rushed over once she noticed the cougar was no longer a threat, eyes wide as she anyalzed the damage the cat did. It sure did a number on him.

Lion glanced at her. "Great nose you have." He coughed, trying to keep his vision from swimming. Usually he never would have gotten that injured, but this cat was bigger than most, and he didn't know it was there till too late. He coughed again, some blood coming out. "Darn it... my nice brown pelt ruined by blood." He said hoarsely, limping over to the water

His pelt trembling, his ears pinned, he slowly collapsed into the water and washed himself off, trying to get the blood off, but it had not clotted yet. It just kept coming... he sighed and heaved himself to his feet, grunting with the pain and effort. He didn't have the energy to move anymore so he stood in the river