“This is who we are. This is what we've got. No, it's not our paradise…
But it's all we want.”
Time had passed, and the four of them had roamed unhindered, until they together knew by heart every mile of their home. Kuruk kept watch along the borders. Shiriki explored beyond them, gone for days at a time. Tolinka had learned not to worry for his safety – he was a free spirit, and she would never seek to break him by pinning him down. Nahuel rarely left her side, and she grew used to having him near her, a constant companion and all she had left of her once-beloved sister. She would allow him to choose which side he wanted to stand on. It pained her still, thinking about the way Sinopa had treated her son, how she had insisted on standing on his blind side. It warmed her heart that more often than not, he chose to expose this side of himself to her regardless.
And it was these moments the wolf mare came to cherish most, because what had been weakness in her sister’s eyes was something amazing. For while it may be that her son could only hear with one ear, his properly functioning ear was far keener than both of hers together. So it was that when Capricorn approached, he found them this way – both looking in his direction, for Nahuel had heard him coming and had watched for him, Tolinka following suit.
The black stallion was cautious, lifting his head and standing his ground. He sniffed at the air, but could not catch the male’s scent, not until the wind changed, upon which he committed the scent to memory. Something unspoken passed between him and his mother, and after a moment, the half-blind male seemed to relax. He allowed his attention to wander, but didn’t move far from his spot at all, not retreating even though he was one who preferred his space. Neither of them felt on edge, though Nahuel would be ready to leap to Tolinka’s aide, and wouldn’t hesitate to call out for Kuruk if things went downhill.
As it was, Tolinka approached the stranger herself, closing the distance between them slowly, eyes focused on him, intentionally silent, not even acknowledging his words at first. She just circled around him, studying and drawing conclusions, though she had little on which to base any opinions as of yet. After several moments, she snorted, and thrust her muzzle towards the thick, tangled growth of the jungle beyond Nahuel. “This land teems with life,” she said, her voice low and rough, little more than its usual gruff growl. “I can think of nowhere else among these islands that is as home to as many creatures. Beasts of all kinds prowl between these trees.” She titled her head, a hint of humour in her eyes. “But I take your meaning, stranger.” Head dipped, finally accepting his words. “It has indeed been a while since a beast of our likeness has roamed here.”
Silence fell between them, but surprisingly, the patchwork mare was quick to break it. She had watched his approach, and wondered… “You are familiar with this land?” And though she’d questioned, something in her deep, dark eyes already seemed to anticipate his answer. Behind her, Nahuel seemed to straighten and stare in amazement as Tolinka closed the distance between herself and this red-brown stallion, offering her muzzle as she sought to share breath with him. Never before had Nahuel witnessed her initiate such intimate and sociable contact with one she’d only just met, let alone those who were already acquaintances. It was he who scrutinised the male now, searching for what had caught his mother’s interest, but whatever spark she had seen eluded her son, and out of frustration, it was he who asked of the stallion: “Who are you?”
“And it's all that we're fighting for.”
T O L I N K A
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