Larka never went far from the shores when Nikola left to the crossing. Call it clingy, if you will, but she never trusted the sea. She could remember the rather jarring journey to the ridge; so she acted as a lifeguard until her stallion came home. But, hunger had struck and the little mare had drifted to the hills not very far away to graze. Then, she heard the screaming.

Her head shot up in the direction of the ocean, ears pricked to hear all of the commotion. Panic stricken her body as she watched the other mares head off toward the sounds. What if Nikola was being washed away? She galloped down onto the beach, and she could see the group of mares, and Nikola, water drenched. She had seen the two before, although the little bird had never spoken to Vesti. But the golden mare was new, and then her eyes fell on the foal. Something in her heart twisted, though she did not speak.

She wondered who the water claimed, but deep in her heart she knew by the look on the mare’s face. She had watched that same look consume her mother’s face when her twin was born still. So Larka quickly looked away, not knowing this mare’s temperament she didn’t want to soothe her. And perhaps her assumptions were wrong. Maybe another mare had gotten lost. Her eyes shifted from the golden new mare to Nikola.

Her heart sank. He looked so defeated. Larka could hear the others speaking, but she did not speak. The urge to rush to Nikola’s side overwhelmed her and quickly she did. Though, she made no move toward him, but stood strong beside. She spoke nothing, but perhaps he could tell she was there.

She didn’t want to look Pierce in the eyes, given their uncomfortable meeting before; so the mare’s eyes drifted down toward the sand. Although, she wanted nothing more than to hide behind Nikola. She waited for some news. Something.

LARKA