Sore, stiff, limping and sporting fresh wounds, Oswin returned to the Peak wearing a grin. This was what she came to do. This was why she wanted to be a Peak mare in the first place. This was also why some more diplomatic horses might have argued Oswin wasn’t meant to be a Peak leader. When someone struck her she struck them back twice as hard and even now, coming off a win, her mind was buzzing with thoughts and ideas for the Peak’s future. Already she was shifting tasks in her mind, thinking of how she might manage to double-up her patrol duty of the Commons, or how she’d manage to talk to more horses of the islands to always be in the know about what was going on at all times. Her heartbeat was racing; fueled by excitement.

Ernesto would arrive at the Peak soon, and Oswin was interested in seeing the dark, ashy gold stallion again. Not because of anything personal (or so she’d tell herself), but because the change in the Lagoon had happened just recently, after her recent extended-stay term there. Ernesto had nearly changed her mind regarding the mindset of the Lagoon bachelors, but with Argento needing to leave alongside Jetta, a new wind had swept into the Lagoon and Oswin needed to know just what she was up against.

Before she could see Ernesto, Oswin’s gaze moved toward Macabre and a small shimmer of guilt pulled away her smile momentarily. She hadn’t been there to stand up for Macabre in the first place and that wasn’t fair. Oswin should have been right there the moment Cullen tried to pull anyone away from the Peak. She’d failed her sister and she felt guilt.

Oswin approached, smiling gently, blue eyes taking a moment to assess the older mare and make certain she hadn’t sustained any permanently damaging wounds. Oswin, having grown just a bit within these last few years, took a small breath as she stopped and started talking quickly; almost afraid if she didn’t get it out now, she wouldn’t have the courage later.

“Macabre… I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when Cullen first issued his challenge. I should have been there. You shouldn't have had to answer the fight.”

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.