As you near the mare you realise it isn't a horse at all but a hornless chestnut Mahnon mare! Your memory hastening to find a name you remember she is known as Sorrow and is often as melancoly as her name. She looks up from her grazing and, realising you have come to talk to her she walks to meet you, her expression welcoming.
Rah'ktich, Flame'fall, once known as Sorrow. "Caerion K'zarti she whickers. "Merry met."
You look confused and stammer. " But aren't you called Sorrow?!"
She laughs lightly. "Forgive! Much has happened since then. Though I miss my friend Zyfnaia, who has hence returned to the Tir I Sorrow no longer. Many strange things have happened and I have taken my old name again, as Zyf'naia said I should.
Ah how much lighter I feel for it! But come! You came from the forest way so you must have met our Clan Stallion: Zimi's'tai.

Ours is one of the two current clans in the Tir. The other is the clan of the Black Dove. They live over the ridge, in the rocky tors though they come down into the plains when the snows are bad and we share pastures." She bobs her head cheerfully. "At one time we were the only Pah'llocks known to still exist but now there are now quite a few other Clans out in the Web Worlds. Perhaps I should explain the symbolism behind the two Clan names of the Tir.

 Rah'ktich
Body: Brn*,pa
Mane: flx,flx
Markings: p,N
Forefeet: h,h
Hindfeet: D,h
Tail: d,H*
Horns: n,n
Mutation: n,n
Sire: Sapu
Dam: Kinjin
The Clan of the New Dawn, as it's name suggests, was named for, a new beginning and a fresh chance at life. It was the first clan reformed after the Bulette's attack.
The Black Dove of Cavida's clan is also symbolic, of peace rising from chaos, life rising from death. Many of the new Clans names are of little meaning so perhaps I should explain further.

Clan names vary: some indicate the nature of the Clan, others describe the general territory, like the Clan of the Long Acre to which Amya's dam belonged..."
She sees your puzzled expression and pauses to hear your question.

"Who's Amya?" You ask.
Her ears drop. "Ah... Amya...well... I'll be truthful though she may not be appreciate it... Amya is a foundling Pah'llock who returned to the Tir and decided to stay. For some reason Amya isn't very easy in the presence of other Pah'llocks... apart from Allani. She lives in the forest somewhere and we respect her desire to be alone..." She looks a little worried.
"You will respect her privacy too won't you?!" She asks, her voice tinged with the beginnings of distress.
You nod furiously.
"My thanks." She sighs, relieved. "In many ways I don't blame Amya for her solitude: Her mothers Clan, that of the Long Acre, was destroyed by humans and only she and her half sister, Dua'dai escaped. Dua'dai told me before she left that even as a foal Amya was like that... Duadai decided to live in the realm of Raveness while Amya preffered to stayed here."
She shakes her head. "But I wander from the topic with speculation. Clans are not only important as a form of safety in numbers against predators but also acts as a basis on which our social structure rests. Though there is a 'lead' stallion or mare, those who provide leadership for the rest of the group all within are considered equal. Unlike normal herd-beasts we have no real need for a 'pecking order'." She grins. "Mahnon Pah'llock's are one of the few unnatural beasts that roam in groups. Many such as dragons, unicorn and sphynx are solitary by nature. There is some degree of psychological necessity for company for my kind. Whether of the same species or otherwise."
She smiles and muses. "Perhaps Allanon created us as we are because guardians need to have something to ward and Mahnon Pah'llock were made to defend the creatures of the Tir..."
She shakes her head lightly. "No matter. You seem eager to continue on K'zarti and who am I to keep you... Look! There is Zyfnaia's Daughter: Salahstron, there! Up on the ridge." She tosses her head to indicate the small figure of a tan Mahnon standing up on a rocky ledge nearby. Salahstron rears up in reply-greeting and the Rah'ktich turns back to you.
"If you climb up the ridge and follow her she'll lead you to where the Clan of the Black Dove pastures. Or from here I can also see Rahl'tahrni." She nods towards a small copse of trees near the middle of the plain. Straining your eyes you think, for a moment, you see a golden body through the trees then it moves out of sight.
"If you visit Rahl'tahrni go gently. She is uneasy of strangers. It is something to do with her dam's death I think mayhap..." She trails off in thought, leaving you to continue on your way.