when the angels break their wings they crash and stumble
just like we struggle

“Exploring!” Said Hickere, voice even and without hesitation. “The forest is so different from home.” A smile rested on her mouth. Later Dickere would complain about the blatant lie as they both knew Dock wasn’t the sort to explore on a whim but if Dickere wanted to keep this a secret for Dock’s sake, Hickere would abide by it. Eventually though they needed to find their sister or alert someone of her absence. Little did they know it would be that evening that Dock finally returned.

Dickere flicked her ears toward the three – two males and the lead mare – and for a moment thought of her father’s lead mare. She had not been the mother to any of the three sisters that were now on the islands, but she had been a fearsome beast to behold. Stories were passed of her through the lips of foals as though she was something akin to a dragon with teeth sharper than normal and hooves that could break bone in one hit. None of this was true; she was merely a mare looking out for their safety. Keeping obnoxious foals in line and making certain the herd always had enough to eat and drink. Tough and with quite a burden to bear it had been no surprise she had to be something tough. Looking over the bald-faced mare Dickere could not help but wonder if she was much of the same. If so, Dickere feared for Dock.

“It’s lovely to finally meet you,” said Dickere, nodding with a smile. The smile was somewhat wavering, reflecting her slight nervousness in meeting the lead mare of the herd. “The islands are certainly different than home was, but we’re happy we were able to at least remain together.” Appreciatively she regarded Hickere with a smile.

It was curiously that Hickere looked to the older stallion – the one the lead mare had said was her brother. “If it’s not too forward of me, what island do you live on?” She could see the dappling of sea salt on his coat that indicated he had swam here.