Oswin had yet to be a mother, considering her youthful age, but when she was a yearling her dam had birthed Calder, Oswin’s younger brother. While Calder had sometimes been a hindrance, apprehensive about life as he was, he had taught Oswin patience which had blossomed later in life to a deep-rooted need to care for those who couldn’t care for themselves. The wild nature she’d possessed as a child became a fire burning white-hot inside her, ready to seep into her veins with passion and courage should a fight arise. As hot-headed and foolish as Oswin could be (never would she cower from an approaching fight, even if the odds were stacked against her), it came from a place of caring and so, looking at the colt-stallion whose voice trembled, she felt that need to protect fill her body whole. She straightened slightly, drawing a breath, and fought the urge to gently hush him and tuck her close to her body. She was a stranger to him, Oswin reminded herself, and no matter how greatly she cared for someone’s wellbeing she couldn’t just jump over certain steps to gather them up and offer physical comforts.

“Hello Crane, I’m Oswin.” She said it gently enough, as if trying to reassure him he was in fair company and wouldn’t be driven away or met with any harm. “It’s alright, you know. Trespassing is half the fun of exploration.” Oswin teased gently with a lift to the edges of her smile.

“You’re welcome to stay the night.” She paused. “If you need any help trying to find a place on the islands, I grew up here and know my way around.” Her blue eyes lingered on his face, wondering momentarily why he’d been calling out for his father before deciding it was just as likely he’d been having a bad dream. Again she felt that pull to protect him and had to stop herself from stepping closer to him.

oswin
this is as brave as I know how to be.
I know it’s gonna hurt you, but please… be a little proud of me.