More and more mares had started to return to the Peak. It filled Adelheid with a sense of stoic peace. At least now their voices rang out through the mountain faces and the Vulcans once again had something to stand for. It seemed, however, that some of their numbers had suffered. The faces and leaders that had once stepped up in the mountains had either vanished, or died. Now, the Peak ran leaderless.

She looked out over the ledge of a cliff she had come to call her own. It was unlikely no others came to this particular one, the view of the island was stunning, but not as great as the higher sanctuaries, ones that would always ‘belong’ to those she believed here higher than her. Better than her. Here, at least, she could see the lowlands of the territory still gripped in the deep pine green of the coniferous forests. The wind played with her thick mane and tail up here, but her coat had grown enough to protect her from most of the cold. No one had asked, but she insisted she had grown...fluffy. Though pleasant, nothing penetrated her thoughts this day as she looked down. There had been a war, that she knew, but she did not know the details. It concerned her that still this land was recovering from the fallout and there were young lives here that would possibly need protection. There were older lives that had come asking for help. It had been a relief to her when Coda had come looking for safety and another mare had come to assist Adelheid in her defense. If anything, at least the Vulcans still had their warriors.

When at last the minimally splashed mare felt a shiver on her spine, she figured it was time to descend. She stepped carefully, knowing all too well what would happen if you fell from the edge. As she trekked through the snows, enjoying her solitude though she recognized she was a ‘herd’ creature, she picked up the call in the distance and smirked. At least someone respected common courtesy of saying hello before barging into another’s home. Adelheid called back, her voice high in the wind, to let the other know she had been heard and Adelheid was on her way.

Her dark form moved easily through the shallow and deep snow drifts, carved by varying winds from the forests and mountains. She had run these paths for so long the differences barely slowed her down. Winter thick black fur covered most of her body save her nose and hooves, and covered the scars here and there that marred her skin. Dark sapphire blue eyes studied the stranger curiously, impressed by her roughened appearance. Greetings, stranger. Welcome to the Peak. she said politely, holding her head proudly high, but not outright aggressively. Home of Vulcans and sanctuary to ‘homeless’ mares. It was clear from her tone of voice she had passionate feelings about both of these titles and what the rest of the island had come to see the Peak as. What brings you to our door? Her voice dry and sarcastic, at least her ears were trained on the new comer and her stance was poised and relaxed. Adelheid was still working on being ‘friendly’.