Velvet ears swiveled to train on the approaching shapes the moment she heard the greeting cut through the air. Immedietly she began to dance in place in her happiness at seeing another mare of the Peak. She had truly been gone too long. The mountains were quiet, voiced only with the sound of the winds through the rocks. With very little patience the young mare waited for the other to make it up to her chosen cliff.

Inka! She greeted joyfully, her nose eagerly extended in haste to welcome the woman to her perch. Nonchalantly she trotted away from the edge, bringing them all away from the possibly far free-fall. It is wonderful to see you! My mother sends her hello! Her attention shifted at once to the colt at Inka’s side. Taika nodded her head respectfully to the foal. And greetings to you, young sir! I am a little late, but welcome to the world! May it welcome you with open arms! If anyone knew the importance of respecting youth and showing them the power within themselves, it was Taika.

Speaking of youth, the young mare’s chest puffed slightly and she held her head high. The facade of dignity was ruined completely by the sly look that forever twinkled in her eyes and the wild grin on her face. As old and ‘grown’ as she would ever become it was apparent that there was a youth in her that would never die. Yes! A lot has changed! She looked around the empty mountains with her warm chocolate eyes that mirrored her mother’s. Adelheid was nowhere to be seen. Nor was Geirdriful, Ysabel, or any of the mares Taika had grown up seeing. The only lingering scents were Inka, Impa, and Inka’s young colt. She looked back at Inka, curiosity more than concern on her face. What has changed here? Do you know what happened to my brother? Or Adelheid? Or the other islands? She yearned to find those she knew again. See the deserts and dunes of the wastelands, the tall grass of the Prairie. She thirsted for knowledge of her old home and the reconnection with those of her past, such as Inka and the stallions she had met on Salem.