Keeping to the promise made silently to herself, Mariael, Queen of Tinuvel’s Bay, charged into the dark and chilly ocean of her island and swam with powerful kicks toward Crossing Isle. She enjoyed maintaining her territory and remaining among the Bay herd, but Mariael knew only a foolish leader would sit content and idle, never attempting to make their home grow. Tinuvel, most of all, was an island which relied on strength in numbers.
Saltwater dribbled from her cream body as she climbed ashore, wrinkling her lip in distaste at the warmer weather of Crossing. To most who were accustom to the temperature, the weather might seem rather chilly – summer bordering on the beginning of autumn – but to Mariael, who was a creature of the most northern island, everywhere else felt uncomfortably warm.
Never the sort to delay, Mariael started off, allowing the water to drip dry from her coat as she walked. There was no set path in mind, but she decided she would start at the Commons, see if there was anything of interest and if not, continue her journey inland. Briefly, Mariael glanced toward the direction of the Peak, thinking of the mare Zevulun had spoken of – Jetta – who must now have given birth to his child. Mariael felt the pull of family, wanting to see her new niece or nephew, but shook her head and carried on. It wouldn’t be right for her to see the child before Zevulun had a chance.
The Commons were waking up now by the time Mariael wound through the thick forest surrounding the opposite end which faced the ocean. Here and there she saw horses grazing, twitching their tails and speaking amongst one another. A few curious eyes were drawn her way, to which she only offered a small greeting nod and glanced away. She held herself with pride – head high and ice-blue eyes watchful. Not every horse could adjust to Tinuvel’s weather and Mariael hated wasting her time with someone who’d clearly not survive the elements (the time of a Queen was very precious).
Eventually her eyes drew back twice to a lone mare among the grass, grazing by her lonesome. She wasn’t a sort Mariael would naturally draw to, but there was something about her that kept pulling Mariael’s attention. Deciding to follow-through with the strange pull, Mariael started forward, walking as if she owned the ground she traveled over (having been a queen since she was two years old had made this confident stance her natural stride).
“Hello.” She said as she drew up nearer to the mare. “My name is Mariael, I’m the Queen of Tinuvel’s Bay.” Of course, if she was new as Mariael assumed she was, those words would hold little meaning and likely inspire questions. “Have you just arrived on the islands?”
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