Nervous energy flowed freely through the buckskin mare's body collecting in her muscles so that they twitched and vibrated endlessly. No amount of pacing back and forth through the forest could dispel the niggling feeling nor the knotting in her gut. It isn't right. Sure, Lyden made the decision without consulting her but that certainly didn't stop her feeling like a failure. She is the lead mare. The herd, her family, were supposed to be her responsibility yet she'd let her family members be traded away right under her nose seemingly without a second thought. She wonders again, what it is about the perlino that had Lyden so blinded that he would give up members of his family for her. Her mind drifts back to the moment on the beach when he had questioned his decision to make her queen because she dared to insult the troublesome mare Would he callously toss her aside too if she did not accept the mare with open arms?

Finding herself on the shores of the forest she wonders what Fantazer and Zhenya must have thought as they left. Somehow, she does not think Zhenya would have been too bothered but Fantazer seemed so at home in the forest. The bay would be cold and lacked the same cover though was undoubtedly still a nice place to make a home. It couldn't measure up to the forest but it was adequate. That was her opinion anyway.

Without realising she finds herself standing knee deep in sea water. Joukahainen squeals behind her, surprised by the feeling of the cool waves on his long legs. He seems unsure but not afraid. She eyes him carefully - calculating. He is not old enough to be left without her so leaving him with the herd is not an option. At just over a month old he certainly looked strong enough to survive the arduous swim between the islands. Skylar had made it from the crossing with her twins when they were younger and took them back in quick succession. They had been fine. Quicksilver had made it with her filly too so it would not be too difficult a task for Joukahainen, she hoped.

With her decision made, she ploughs into the sea. The pale boy joins her, taking hold of her mane so as not to lose her and they begin their journey towards the bay. For a moment she wonders if she should go back and alert Lyden of her intentions but she knows he would only try to stop her. No, it would be a quick trip and he would barely know she had been gone. If he notices at all, after all he had his precious Caesisus to occupy his time, why would he care where Jörmungandr was? The bitterness of the thought catches her off caught and she chokes in a mouthful of salt water. Though unintentional, it does not mask the bitter taste. Joukahainen makes noises at her side, worried all of a sudden that there is something wrong but she calms him with a determined snort.

Soon, the grasping hands of the bay reach out to greet them. Hopefully it would not take long to locate the mares who had left not so long before her. Sophia, the mare she does not know; Zhenya, the independent mare who would probably find entertainment in a new adventure; and Fantazer, the social mare who reminds her somewhat of her brother.

Pulling herself and Joukahainen onto the shore, she catches wind of the spotted boy's scent and for a brief moment forgets why she has come. Her spirits lift and for those brief few moments only happiness touches her heart. Magnus had made it to the islands and even found himself a home, or so she assumes - why else would his scent be so heavy in the area? She wonders how long he has been here and how much of a herd he's made for himself. Perhaps she would see for herself once she located the mares. Remembering them now, the cloud of guilt, sorrow and irritation descends once more. They couldn't be far away, she will find them as quickly as possible.

She sets off, head low and jaw set in determination. Joukahainen trails behind her, tired yet not exhausted. His good eye takes in his new surroundings. The bay is much different to his forest home but he sort of likes the look of it - even if it did appear a little dull in comparison. He did not appreciate the cold but he did not complain. Even if he did, he suspects his mother would not listen. She seems consumed by whatever adult affairs were occurring. He does not pretend to understand.

Not far into the bay, Jörmungandr's blue eyes catch sight of the familiar, painted form of Fantazer and another mare. The scent is vaguely familiar so she assumes this is Sophia. Her eyes travel over the individual stripes that cover the woman's body and she is immediately reminded of her own family. Olaf had told her about her grandmother and great uncle, both striped viking warriors. How strange to see another striped equine where Ragnarök must have stood in the past - the bay was his once after all. There is no sign of the tobiano, Zhenya, but she assumes she will not be far away - her scent is in the bay at the very least.

She nickers softly to warn them of her presence. "Fantazer" she greets the mare as she strides up to a halt. Her gaze turns to striped paint "and I presume you are Sophia? We did not have a chance to meet. I am Jörmungandr." Her attention shifts back to the grulla, who no doubt probably wondered why she is here. "I want to apologise for the circumstances you find yourself in. I was not informed of the decision nor would I have agreed to allow it if I had been". Ultimately, Lyden could have and would have overruled her but at least she would have tried.

She wonders how her grandmother might have dealt with Kisei if he had done the same. At the end of the day though, stallions dealt with the politics outside the herd and mares dealt with them internally - she is unlikely to change that. If only she could grasp why Caesisus was so important it might make things easier. If Soljor turned up to greet his new mares before Jörmungandr left perhaps he could enlighten her about the mare's worth. She sighs, defeated in this instance but the anger and hurt still simmers. "I am sorry you have been ripped from your home and family. It does not sit well with me, I can assure you." There is little to be done about it now.