Apple and cherry trees began to finally turn into shades of light pinks and greens slowly becoming more profound as spring drug onwards. The forest Lyden doubted would ever get really humid and jump into high levels of heat because of how the entire area was covered in trees. Most were pine that surrounded the long border however as you went deeper into the heart of the listhophere it’s trees thinned out with heavy pine and a few maple ones surrounded the open valley parts mostly near the lakes and a few creeks that led into them. The fruit trees scattered themselves around the same general area however they rested near the couple of lakes in the forest, constantly needing to be fed from them. Now with all the different types of trees Lyden’s favorite, or favorites were the old prudent weeping willows that gave away the most visited open valley of the forest that washed together with the border of the prairie. He also preferred the maple trees because they proved shade and soft terrain beneath his weight as opposed to the pines where they offered cool dirt and critters that constantly stalked himself and his herd looking for a weakling.

Sighing with thoughts swarming his mind Lyden moved along the dirt trail that was just near the shoreline. A few openings lead down into the pale sand but all along the shore was a pine of pines and in between their limbs you could see the sea as far as your eyes could see with the roll of waves racing towards the forest. The last couple of weeks had been extremely hectic and with everything that had happened with Skylar being stolen and instead of staying awhile so he could actually see his girls grow up she took off as though she was waiting for the black mare to do it. A part of him wondered if Skylar asked her to steal her away which if that happened he didn’t understand because Lyden told her that when she came back she’d have to come with a decision if she wished to stay and help him lead. Little did he know her mind was already made up which is why Lyden is certain she left so quickly not bothering to allow the girls to get to know their siblings and that pissed him off more then anything

As he walked with his head resting low aligned with his broad shoulders our pale man thought of the recent trade. He was certain that by trading Fantazer was most definitely the worst of ideas because he enjoyed her company and she had barely returned from exploring. The kind mare often drifted through his mind and so did Zhenya, however she flat out admitted she may leave someday and not return and Lyden wouldn’t have it. Once you became a part of the herd in the forest you became family, and you don’t just leave family because you feel like it. As for Sophia, she is a distant relative and wanted to be sent off somewhere so that worked out. However – if anyone ever thought Lyden didn’t regret giving away Fantazer they’d be sorely mistaken.

Gandy’s and Jouk’s scent wafted through the air which made Lyden’s pale eyes search for them wondering why his queen was on the move again although with another scent followed by a foal came right after it immediately answered his question. His nostrils flared wondering if he should even approach. All he wanted to do was to be left alone and to travel the dirt path in peace maybe even head back up the forest by shoreline but as he continued forward he realized that the scent was of Quicksilver. The dark princess he’d found being exposed and vulnerable in the meadows who he had wanted to protect from the moment he saw her. What he didn’t realize at the time was when they got intimate the grullo instead of coming home with him took off and never was she to be seen again – not until now and with an obvious child of theirs in tow.

Shaking his head with excitement followed by agitation with wondering why she never came before now Lyden forced his pace into a trot and took a trail to the left that led him directly to the four of them. His pinners were forward allowing him to hear gandy ask if Quicksilver was she followed by questions on if she wasn’t who she was and why she was there. Sometimes Lyden felt as though the buckskin mare was far too much like a stallion which could be good and bad.

Slowing his pace Lyden nickered to all of them coming in between the two mothers. His nose met with his sons rump in greeting before lifting to touch gandy before turning directly towards Quicksilver searching her physic. She seemed to be healthy and well and beside her stood a gorgeous creemy filly who looked identical to himself. It was like staring into a mirror which startled him slightly but he didn’t show it. ”quicksilver I didn’t think you’d ever come here” watching her for a moment he stepped forward and bumped her nose with his own before running it down her neck and to her shoulder just as their filly snorted near him.

Pulling away Lyden smiled as bright round eyes looked up at him with curiosity written all over them. Lowering his head so he was eye level Lyden huffed in greeting ”hey there princess, I’m your daddy” extending his lips he ruffled her short stubby mane taking in her scent before he stepped closer to her and Quicksilver and lifted his head ”she’s perfect! I’m so glad you’re finally here and with our precious daughter, have you named her?” he paused looking over at gandy and jouk ”Quicksilver meet Jormungandr, Gandy for short and our son Joukahainen, I call him Jouk for short” looking at his son who was growing rapidly Lyden smile ”son come meet one of your sisters” he eyed the boy for a moment before he lifted his head to look at his queen and smile trying to get her to not be so protective and assertive with Quicksilver. ”quicksilver and I met a while ago, she’s part of the herd my dear and as far as I know she’s here to stay’ now he glanced at Quicksilver ”please tell me you are, I’ve been worried sick all this time, where have you been?” his thick English accent was soft and gentle, Lyden wasn’t angry with her just concerned and now relieved