He had been chasing the scent for days. Into his silent calm world the danger had slid, brushing at his senses yet stubbornly aluding him, mocking him. Normally he would have simply moved away, followed the trail that his hooves chose and walked on through the night and into the next day. But that was no longer an option. On the slopes below he knew the herd lingered, at ease and restful after the dark quiet hours. He was aware yet apart, as ever. Though the dark stallion had accepted a place there he kept his distance, lost in the mindless pacing about the vast terrains borders. Yet the danger did not come from outside, but within.

Every place had its dangers. Until that scent had whispered through the tree's his days had been virtually empty. Perhaps the island deemed the unworthy steed had gone too long without being tested. With the fall of the past night the scent had faded away upon the spring breeze. Beneath the moonlight the land had been almost picturesque. Silvery light bathing the trees and slopes, silhouettes drifting in the distance. The tension that had held him for days finally felt able to ease away.

With the dawn however a jolt awoke the dozing statue immobile amidst the shadows. Nostrils flared as he was tugged from the numbness of his drifting mind, head jerking upwards with a flick of his ears. It was gone as swiftly as it came however. Into the pale light he stared, features empty of the irritation that prodded against the blissful familiar quiet he'd come to find lately. Had it been his imagination? Hardly likely given how little of one he held. He saw what was before his eyes. Smelt what was upon the air. Heard what was carried to his ears. He lived each day, accepting what came before him as his due.

But something disturbed the numbness he already sought to slip back to. Ears twitched amongst his thick tangled mane, capturing the distant tones. Others to avoid part of his mind whispered. Under your protection another reminded him, stirring that heavy weight of unfamiliar responsibility. A grunt left his chambers as limbs stirred into motion, moving through the shadows without much disturbance but a little more speed than norm. Finally a figure. Strangely, a familiar one. It was not difficult to recall the memory from his empty stores. The desolate creature that had stood broken and fading, as though a wisp of wind might snatch her away. He had left her with only a few words. And truthfully a flash of surprise surged from the depths to find she still remained, and she had venured away from her shrine. "You left your post."