The wind blew through her sun bleached mane, carrying with it a familiar scent of a memory. Immediately the filly changed her course. Her pace picked up to a gallop, despite her restless night. He had been in her life only briefly, but the soldier had still found a way to be present in her life for the year she had lived it. Through the things Taytim had told her, and the stories Taika herself had made up, Rodrigo was one of her closest friends, even though they had not laid eyes on each other for season.

Hooves thundered on the stone ground, heard long before she could be seen. Rodrigo! She cried out, her excited over carrying over even her noisy approach. Her body closed in on him fast, but she was able to divert and spin on her haunches just in time to bring herself in front of him with a snort. Her head tossed in the air, her forehooves following her up just a little, the filly clearly unable to control her enthusiasm. It is good to see you! Another snort came from her nose and she trotted circles around him, poking at him, trying to pick up his stories and whereabouts from scent alone. She tried to nudge him to chase her but froze. A rueful grin spread slowly over her face.

Ha! I see you know what happens when a stallion crosses into the Peak. Now her head was held high, face filled with the light of good humor. Have no fear! I will not claim you as property. She reached out to his nose with her own, breathing deep who she considered her first friend. My mother told me you were meant to be free, and that you had a mission and a task.