---

Dragon saw the first points of the Ridge, and he struggled to stay with Alora. They continued along, and soon Alora walked onto the beach, Dragon close behind her. Concern spread over his face as she spoke and stumbled to the nearest tree. Walking to her, he gazed at her body for a moment, not knowing if he should lay down next to her, or guard her. But in a moment, her brown and white coat was replaced by a golden one. As he stood guard, Chua appeared, questioning him. Doess that rock hold sspecial ssignificance? You're sstanding sso protectively over it..." But before he could answer, the mare rose, and began to speak. Trying to slip away, though, he was soon hit by his first question.
”And you are?”
“Dragon. And you?” More questions by Chua, and the answer of the mares name. Kaura?
"You can sstay if you would like, Dragon," He said, answering with more words for the mare’s unspoken answer.
“No, thank you.” He said, and slipped away up the path, hoping to spend the warm afternoon up on a ledge, where he felt most at home.

But, with maybe some regret, Dragon slipped away from the Ledge, and came back to the Ridge. Gods, I miss the Ledge so much, with Chua leading and knowing what to do. I’m still just a colt, a damned colt! He stamped the ground and hung his head, and simply stood by Alora, keeping back the tears. Alora was going to die, unless some miracle happened. He didn’t even know what had happened to her, but he knew this was the end. And yet she was laying there so peacefully, as though nothing was wrong.

Silently, he let the tears fall for her, finally giving up on any hope left.

---