The ocean swelled and undulated like a living thing trying to vomit him up. Orhan did not fight the waves, knowing to do so would be pointless; instead he let them carry him where they wished, fighting only to keep his head afloat. For a time it was almost fun, spinning and dancing in the water while the moonlight bounced off the surface so that it looked like he was swimming in a sea of black glass. Then he began to grow dizzy and tired, and was grateful when when he was finally spewed back onto the coast like a ragged, unwanted doll.
Orhan breathed hard as he stood there in the sand, soaked and shaking. He looked back toward the ocean and marvelled that he had not drowned. It was almost the rainy season, and there was a storm brewing in the distance; it had been a mistake to think he could handle a midnight swim in these oceanic swells.
When the world had stopped spinning, the stallion looked inland and considered heading back to the oasis to watch over the herd while they slumbered. Yet his swim had done little to clear his head, despite his near-death experience; his mind was still heavy with the events of the past few months: in particular, his conflict with his mother and his recent conversation with Vesti. There was much to think about. Perhaps it would help him to be alone a while longer.
Thus, as the stars spun overhead in their slow, stately dance, Orhan reclined there on the beach and enjoyed the cool, salty breeze from the water. He watched the sea churn violently while a dark wall of clouds loomed closer and closer.
And he wondered.
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