Conquistador's heart leapt into his throat, forming a barrier between his lungs and the air that sought to enter them.

The silence had been unexpectedly shattered by a voice that was familiar, and yet unfamiliar - a deeper timbre than the voice that lived in his memories of Elliot. But the palomino knew the golden coat and dark cascade of hair, though they were no longer worn by the boy he remembered. Then the young man approached him, touching noses in exuberant greeting, and Conquistador did not need the exchange of scents to know Elliot. He was there in the gentle strength that steadied Conquistador, and in the comfort of their brief contact. Elliot may not have been one of his closest companions, but Conquistador was glad to see him, happy to have any kind of anchor in the ever-shifting sea of his life.

"Elliot? It is you! I've been gone for so long, I didn't even recognize you...I keep expecting to see a boy standing in your place, but I guess we've both grown up." There was a tangible sadness to these last words Conquistador spoke - though he had never exactly been carefree in his youth, he would have given everything to regain the innocence and candor of a child. To have everything be that simple again, and to have the strength of others protecting him. "What happened here, Elliot? Where did everyone go? I... I went to visit my brother, and-" a sharp pain lanced through Conquistador's barrel, and he broke off briefly, agony twisting his expression. Ever since Rade had kicked him, it hurt to fill his lungs - at least one of his ribs was fractured, and though it was mending, the process was slow and painful.

"This was your home too, Elliot," the palomino said gently in response to the question Elliot had asked while he struggled to recompose himself. "I would never kick you out, but - Elliot, we need to get them back. Our family. Without them...this doesn't even feel like home anymore. It was bad enough when Sahin left, but this - I can't think of anything but Xina, and Dia. They were both taken by the Lagoon, but my brother Rade says they were traded away, and he wouldn't tell me where they went. I need your help, Elliot. Help me find them. Help me bring them back where they belong, and then we can lead together, where we belong."

The pain in his ribs had receded, leaving only a dull ache in its place - an ache mirrored in the emptiness of his heart as he looked around him at the ruin of his childhood home. And then it occurred to him, and he turned back to Elliot slowly, his brown eyes widening with the truth he already knew - but could not accept. "Elliot, where is she? The filly, the little black bird. I left her here on the beach, I told her I'd be back - where is she?"