Veles had been a good child; raised to be a proper and obedient mare, to make a great gift to another stallion’s harem. Her color a token from the gods, to please the stallion’s eyes as well as give him handsome sons. Not taught any other way, she was proud to be of such importance that she could be presented as a gift and bring honor to her father’s herd. But as she drew nearer to such a time, the gods turned their favor and slowly began to take away her eyesight. At first, she did not speak of her ailment, knowing what it would cost her. But soon enough it became apart, and she was not only cast from the herd, but was meant to be sent back to the gods.

Taken to the edge of the earth, where it dropped steeply into the churning sea, Veles stood at the edge and looked to her fate with what remained of her good eye. She could not see the crashing waves below, but her ears could hear their hunger. “I will see you again, my lovely child.” Her mother said, nuzzling her cheek as salty tears rolled down her face. Unable to stop what must be done, the mare left her daughter’s side to again join the herd and watch her child leave this world for the next.

“Goodbye, all of you.” Veles said, turning her head towards the crowd and offering them a warm smile. Just as she had seen her fate as an honor to be a gift, this was also an honor. To return to the gods without the perils of life. After only a few moments, Veles turned towards the edge once again, muscles coiling in her thick legs before she leapt as far out as her body could send her. At first, Veles felt as if she were flying. The wind whipped around her, lifting her mane and tail and a smile curled her lips in pure bliss. But that bliss was only short lived, before she was plunged down into the hungry sea.

The cold shock against her body took her breath away, before instinct began to kick in. Veles struggled, her kicking legs bringing her back to the top. As she came free of the water’s grasp, she gasped for air. Had the gods not truly wanted her? Seeing this as a sign, Veles began to swim, although she was not sure which direction she should swim. It was hard as the waves lapped over her head from time to time, and the current tugged her this way and that. But the silver mare did not fight it, letting the water take her as it willed.

When her legs finally did strike land, she pulled herself up onto the beach before collapsing. Veles was not sure how long she had been swimming, but her legs could no longer stand. The salty water rushed in thick rivulets from her mane and tail, trailing back to the rolling waves still caressing her back legs. The mare could not help but close her eyes, exhaustion sweeping her into a heavy sleep for many long hours. When she did finally wake, reality quickly sat in. The gods had not taken her, as this was not their land and her vision had not been restored.

Shaky legs quickly pull the silver mare to stand, her nostrils flaring as she drinks in the foreign scents. It was all so strange yet…. Beautiful, despite not being able to see it. With ears forward, the mare curiously ventures away from the sea and into the grass lands. A few times she bumped into trees, but she did not mind. It was all too different, and new, to become angry. But finally, she found herself in a place of abundance, and not a tree in sight. Their shadows did not hang over her, and the blur of green and brown suggested the dying autumn field of grasses. It was perfect, at least in her mind.

“Hello?” Veles had called out, her ears forward as a curious but friendly expression remained upon her face. No one answered, at least until one finally did. And how lucky could Veles have been, to find an equally friendly and caring soul? She had not dared turn him down when he offered her a home, though she had been hesitant to enter the waters again. Would the gods allow her to stay, or would they decide to finally take her home once she entered their waters once again?

To Veles’ surprise, the gods did not take her. Instead, they allowed the young mare to remain with the stallion. And to further their graces upon her, they gave her the satisfying warmth upon her back and the soft sands beneath her hooves. This place was just as marvelous as the last and she couldn’t help the smile that played at her lips as she followed the stallion further inland, and to the shade to cast away the heat from their backs.

The little mare’s ears pushed forward as the stallion speaks, his voice so much different from those of her homeland. Thankfully, as an asset to her future stallion, she had been taught the tongue of many and so she understood him. Thankfully, it was also proving to be an asset to her. “I come from the edge of the world.” She replied, her words spoken with a heavy accent, but still understandable. “I was given to the gods two days ago, but it seems they had rather give me to you instead.” Veles said in a manner that showed she was not displeased with the outcome, and even offered a gentle smile upon her ashen lips.