So it’s true?

Ah, there it was.

Black Heart Machine smiled at Dock as she affirmed that the intrigue surrounding the Peak apparently still existed somewhere on the islands. Perhaps there was hope that the rest of the world still remembered the Vulcans. If the dark mare had anything to say about it, she would make sure they would. She couldn’t imagine that their struggles could be forgotten, and yet the possibility was very real. If the Akhal-Teke did not seek to teach the younger sisters the ways of the movement, their values would be lost. As much as Machine wanted to believe she would live forever, she knew she would not. And she vowed not to face her own mortality until the day she was sure all her efforts had not been in vain.

As Dock continued, Machine nodded her head knowingly, trying to empathize with the young cremello girl.

“We were all new once,” she offered. “I know the Forest, and the stallion that resides there.”

Indeed, she had heard plenty about Lyden from Skylar. He didn’t seem to be the sort of stallion who valued mares as anything beyond pretty tokens that could be collected and traded. Her opinion of him was not particularly high. Maybe that was why Dock had come here, after hearing of the whispers about this place, it seemed perfectly natural for her to be curious. And the fact that she was curious made Machine feel as though she might want to hear more.

“You know, there is a lot more to living here than the company of other mares,” she offered, giving her an opportunity to inquire further.

BLACK HEART MACHINE