He couldn’t help but chuckle lightly at her playful comments regarding his duties in the Bay. While it had been Avalon’s beauty – dark, smoky hues disrupted by bright, beautiful white – that first drew him to playfully drive her from the Commons, it was her quick wit and playful nature that was keeping him entranced by her. If he wasn’t able to convince her a trip to Tinuvel would be beneficial, Zevulun could at least hope he could find where she intended to go, so he could visit her as frequently as was possible. She was the sort of individual he wasn’t interested in meeting once and parting ways.
“I’m not sure about that,” he said with his smile cheeky, “my sister’s probably able to kick my butt if it came to it.” He said fondly, thinking of Mariael. Unlike other mares he had seen once he started his travels, Mariael bore scars on her body much like stallions her age might – signs she’d been involved in a fight or two, whereas Zevulun had only been involved in mock fights as she taught him what he’d need to know.
His smile slipped away briefly as Avalon spoke of the dangers of the Bay. He wouldn’t lie and sugarcoat his home, but if she did wish to come and at least see the Bay, he’d hope she’d feel protected enough under his care. “It’s a harder place to live than other islands, or so I’ve heard, but I’ve never lived anywhere else.” Zevulun appeared thoughtful as he spoke honestly. “As long as everyone sticks together as a family, it isn’t so hard to survive and the dangers are hardly present.” That much was true, he thought. Mariael’s point to making a guard was to make sure there were an ample number of horses willing to put themselves between any danger and the herd, ready to defend its safety. Of course, he didn’t speak specifically of the predators, though they were only trouble to a lone horse.
Zevulun looked quietly at her, noticing the way her eyes darkened and she looked at him. He was certain he wasn’t wrong in assuming she enjoyed his company – for all their playful talk she hadn’t once tried to balk or even snapped at him. His heart beat hard in his chest. “Come away with me,” he said, hope tinting the words and making his eyes bright. “Even just to see it for yourself. If you really hate it, I won’t blame you for leaving. It’s a beautiful place; it should be the home of beautiful things.” Cheesy, but he smiled bright enough to show however silly the line was, he’d meant it wholeheartedly.
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