the comfort and familiarity she found at the peak seemed too good to be true. with kunžak at her side she noticed the gaping wounds in her soul and heart knitting together to form smaller less painful ones. it pleased her to see him there, enjoying the place as she did… strategically, it was ideal in many ways and she knew, with his background, he found comfort in that and could rest easier when he chose to. he was ever vigilant, of her safety and well being. after being alone for so long she had to admit sometimes his watchfulness was almost intrusive but ironically, if she had never left the motherland, this would have been her life anyway. she was always destined to be guarded, protected, shielded… but how differently these circumstances were.

having been alone for so long, it seemed strange to consider the possibility of there being others in close proximity. she barely noticed when kunžak glanced up into the distance, her dark eyes flickering his direction before resuming her search for the next patch of grass that looked tempting. it wasn’t until his voice reached her sharp ears that she realized he had seen something. her dark eyes search the valley below, a sense of urgency flooding her when she hears the cries as well. her own heart pounds and she immediately nods. he is right. they must.

she sets off at a powerful trot, toward the edge of the meadow where the trail down to the valley continued from the steep slopes above. it is no short trip down, but much shorter than it would have been if they had been grazing higher up. she knows he is at her side, and she is suddenly fearful, knowing he would protect her with his life if the situation ever arose. she would do the same. but she must address the fear, put words to it so as they reach the narrow trailhead down the mountainside she briskly turns to him, a moments hesitation, we go together but i must descend first. you must take care kunžak. she has a myriad of worries then…. facing true danger is the least of them really… they are both capable warriors and both of them dwarf most on the island. together they would be a powerful match for any foe… but the trail down the slope is treacherous and while she has traversed it many many times it is still a danger to them both, especially kunžak who is slightly less familiar with it. she is also nervous of encountering any who may challenge his presence at the peak. sooner or later she knew they would have to address that if the population were to return. which it seemed may happen sooner than she anticipated. regardless she buries those fears, desperately hoping the shrill cries below them were in jest or play and not true plight, and with ground shaking steps she clatters down the trail before him.