A/N: Gender and sex do not work as the same thing for centaurs. Stallion and mare are their sex, and mean nothing to their overall roles in a clan aside from mating. They choose how to present themselves once they reach a certain age, telling others how to refer to them. They may take potions to better present themselves properly, but most are comfortable with their bodies and do not do this.
Wreathes of summer flowers decorated nearly every entryway in the village of Thundering Hoof clan. Centaurs of the clan were all preparing for the mating run. Eligible mares donned ceremonial bracelets around their legs and wrists and some tied their tails into a tight bob. Some went further to tie their manes so the more aggressive stallions couldn't grab them as easily.
Kyron had painted his chest already with yellow and red paint given to experienced mares who had foaled previously. His nipples were painted yellow, with streaks expanding out like rays of light. It was meant to summon milk to his chest for feeding his foal.
He used a red-orange paint mixture to draw lines and interlocking circles the way Galessa had showed him. The symbols would ensure he would birth a strong warrior to protect the clan.
Others would paint for speed or magical prowess in their wombs, so that they could provide hunters or healers. Every centaur did as they were instructed by the priestess, as she saw what the clan needed most.
The red roan centaur was already in heat, but this afternoon would mark the peak of it. He already believed himself ready to take a stallion's seed, but he knew to wait until the run. It had taken so much effort not to flare his sex the last few days. His body ached for a cock in it.
Kyron stood as soon as he had finished painting his body. He washed his hands in a wooden basin, staining the water orange with his body paints. The final touch was his horns. He streaked red along each tine with a cloth until he was satisfied they were painted properly. Finally, he was ready for the run.
Other mares were exiting their huts as well, all freshly painted with various pigments. Green meant a mare was new to the run. Extra care was taken with them, but they were also frequently sought after in the beginning. Blue meant this was their last year. They were either getting too old or preferred to hunt or protect rather than foal again.
Kyron followed the crowd toward the edge of town, eventually meeting a fellow mare he was quite close with. Asir had used red to paint twisting, barbed lines around nyr arms- painting for a strong-willed foal capable of using magic.
"Are you excited," ne asked as they came together in line.
"Of course I'm excited! I've been waiting two years to be bred again. It didn't help that Casodiem was teasing me all last moon with his-- well, you know," Kyron blushed.
"I know quite well," Asir said with a sly grin. "I caught you two more than once."
Kyron swatted at his friend, but the mare pranced a few feet out of reach with a laugh.
"Don't be shy. All the others are jealous he latched onto you like that. They all want him to breed them, what with how big he is. You'll be talk of the clan for the next few moons, I'm sure of it."
"I'm sure I'm gonna stab you in the backside if you don't keep quiet," Kyron chuckled.
Casodiem was a big blue roan stallion with long, sharp horns and an even longer cock. Ever since Kyron's last foal went into training, they had been flirting back and forth. All last moon, Casodiem had been mock-mounting him whenever they were alone.
As the mares lined up between a pair of short fences, he caught the eye of his stallion. Casodiem's dark skin and fur were painted with a striking gold. Lines on his chest marked him as an aggressive stallion. It was a warning to mares and stallions alike. He knew no other mares had to worry about the stallion.
Casodiem made it clear he had eyes solely for Kyron.
They shared a look between each other before their attentions were commanded by the priestess.
Galessa was a small brown stallion with streaks of grey throughout her fur-- a sign of her many years serving the clan. Her stones had been removed after becoming a priestess. She rattled her staff to get the ears of the last few centaurs talking amongst themselves.
She cried out to the clan, "Thundering Hoof!"
Each centaur stomped one foot and responded in turn. They all moved their legs restlessly, eager for the run to begin.
"Today, mares run to challenge the strongest and fastest of stallions to breed them. Today, stallions run for the right to breed. Though you may come to blows, I ask that you do not kill each other. Lives are only meant to be gained here, not lost or replaced."
Kyron spared a glance at his gold-painted stallion. He knew Casodiem would draw blood over a mare he wanted. Thankfully deaths during runs were incredibly rare, and most knew when to give up.
"Mares can deny any stallion they don't wish to breed with, but those participating in the run must be mounted by midnight. Am I understood?"
A chorus of "Yes, priestess" came from the crowd of mares. New mares were now antsy in the line. They shuffled their hooves, knocking into each other.
"May the sun guide you, may the fields stretch far ahead of you, and may you all find mates on the run," Galessa announced. As soon as she was out of the way, the line broke.
