Freedom and the harsh pull of the salty water greeted Skylar as she slipped away from the herd, the moon high in the sky to guide her way. Each step grew stronger and more confident as her head raised to be high as she pushed her way out into the murky depths until her hooves could no longer touch bottom. Eyes fixed ahead she pinned her ears back and blew out her breaths in snorts, expelling any stray water that tried to make it down her airway. She had made this trip many times from Luthien in her younger days and memory flooded back to her and propelled her limbs forward upon the journey that was long since overdue.


When Skylar reached the beach of the Crossing the soft colors of dawn was chasing away the inky darkness of night. The mare breathed hard from the excursion and did not waste her time in finding a quiet place to rest among some brush. Hidden away that was where she slept until midday when the sun was at its fullest and roused the mare due to heat and thirst. Skylar’s belly also growled with complaint since she was once again pregnant and in need of feeding more than just her own mouth. Rising she shook away the salt and sand and forged her way ahead until she was among the Falls once more and that is where she spent the next several days grazing hungrily upon the lust grasses.


~ ~ ~


A few days later Skylar woke to the faint light of the sun, her body rested and full of new life. Head turned towards the towering Peak the painted woman started upon the journey she had been thinking about for many seasons. Her hoof’s seemed to lead her without hesitation, placing in the same footholds that she had traveled before. It was only as she was making her way halfway up the climb that a faint but familiar scent drifted towards her. Mouse!


Excitement surged through Skylar, giving her new energy so that her pace quickened yet never broke a walk. The farther she went along the stronger the scent got and even as she mounted the high landscape she did not see her friend. Golden eyes bright with happiness despite her disappointment of not seeing the grullo mare the painted woman gave out a cry that echoed across the mountain hoping that Mouse would give a returning call so that Skylar may find her.