 Sweaty and scraped and breathless as she was, Evren nonetheless felt no shame from her disheveled condition despite standing in front of a stranger. She was too full of adrenaline to care, and Shararat’s encouraging words only further boosted her mood.
The young mare flashed a bright smile and stood a little straighter. “I suppose I did, didn’t I?” she remarked, throwing a passing glance over her shoulder at the picturesque view beyond the cliff. When her attention returned to her companion, she took a moment to catch her breath and it was then she became aware of Shararat’s eyes roaming over her. Evren returned her look with interest until the brief silence was broken.
She let her eyes wander as the slim black mare spoke, admiring the flat expanse of land that rolled away invitingly toward the Peak. “I can see why,” she replied, and when the reins of conversation were handed to her, her eyes snapped back to Shararat. “I’m Evren,” she replied with a smile, before nodding toward the mountain looming in the distance. Just the sight of it was enough to send her heart racing even faster than it already was, but she bit back some of her enthusiasm, knowing the older mare might think her childish for expressing it.
“I was curious about that big hill - I’ve never seen one so huge. Do you know what’s on top of it? Does anyone live there?”
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