Talien felt certain she finally understood the common phrase 'drowned rat' for surely this is what she must appear. The swim from Tinuvel to Atlantis had been a bit of a struggle, the weight of her unborn foal dragging at the reserve of strength she had stored. It was pure determination that had kept her from falling into the deep abyss completely spent. Dex kept near to her, the occasional brush of his skin against her's reassurance and with Amber and Bel just ahead of her Talien knew she could not let defeat stop her. Though neither needed her milk any longer, still both yearlings relied on her for guidance and she was not ready to leave them. Not ready to leave Dex.

The shores of paradise meet her hooves as the last of her energy expires. Sides heave beneath the struggle of the swim as she falters under the weight of her body. Her knees buckle beneath her weight as spent she falls to the rolling waves, mouth agape as she sucks in deep breathes from the air. No longer does she feel the biting cold, instead a thin layer of sweat forms beneath the layer of seawater that coats her skin. Around her the others make their way ashore, some, like herself are swollen with foal and the swim exhausting but they do not linger in the shallows.

Ears stand at attention atop her drenched skull as a familiar cream colored form stands silently on the beach, her own sides heavily swollen even for a pregnant mare. 'I feel her pain.' Talien thought to herself as slowly she finds her feet beneath her and gives her damp form a shake before trotting down the shoreline to come to a halt beside Bel and Amber. Occasionally her gaze drifts back to the shores, anticipation electric upon her skin. Dex. He had been with her on the journey here but now he lingers behind. A single lobe tilts towards him, sleek neck arching as thick salt water plume flicks towards him invitingly.
She is about to speak when Zjeena begins, starting off by apologizing for making them take such a strenuous journey in the dead of winter. A snorting scoff echoes from her lips as narrowed gaze settles on the cream mare. She was about to add her own sarcastic comment when once more Zjeena begins to speak.

Despite herself Talien feels drawn into Zjeena's story. Nostril's flare as the mare spoke of her wisdom and Liland's blatant disregard. Ears fall backwards in displeasure. She had seen this on more than one occasion but merely imagined it a common trait among stallions; Dex the exception of course. Still, even from the recollection, Talien could see the wisdom in Zjeena's words. She herself had thought on more than one occasion the wisdom in which joining Paradise and the Bay together as allies. Of course Liland would never see such an agreement through, and she felt certain neither would Rougaru but still... it seemed wise indeed. Learning now that the idea had been on the table at one time and that Liland had merely refused with the flick of his tail and toss of his head. It was infuriated. Despite herself ears lace tightly against her skull as she recounts how the stallion called her traitor and stripped her of her power. On more than one occasion she wondered how long it would be before he stripped her of the Beta position. Of course she did not mind, she could merely continue to act as she always had, guardian of her friends and the foals she had come to hold so dear.

Now as Zjeena begins to speak again, answered the questions as why Talien had recently scented Zjeena once more in the bay this past fall. Of course she had not lingered to learn the reason why, but still she had been meaning to ask Ylva or Liland about it. Not long after she ran into Dex and all thoughts of that faintly familiar scent was lost to her.

Pain etched itself upon her delicate features as Zjeena spoke, her voice thick with emotion. Talien raises her gaze to meet the sandy colored mare, tears leaving damp trails in their wake. Apart of her felt pity for Zjeena. Knowing full well what it felt like to be used, to be forced to carry a foal she had not wanted. Reluctant gaze drifts to where Amber Rose stood, her own gaze fixated upon the mare commanding attention. Despite herself even now she can see certain features of Liland in the young filly, from her dark eyes to the noticeable dark line that is shared among the foals Liland sires. There is another part of her, an anger that flares in her veins as she raises her head and clenches her teeth. Liland had promised.... and he broke that promise. He swore he would never force another mare to carry his foal as he had forced her. He promised he would not act with such rashness as he had when first she came to his island and yet here was the Paradise Queen, growing round with a foal or two by the swell of her belly, that she had not wanted.

As Zjeena's story comes to a close, and her real reason for bringing them here comes to light, Talien reels. First the young colt Belikov speaks and his accusing words are met with a flash of her pearly white teeth. It is first the painted mare with her strange accent who speaks. Her strange words draw Talien in and she smiles warmly to her bobbing her head in acceptance. She did not blame the mare, she herself found the swim to be quite the struggle so late in the season and well, the lush jungle of Paradise flooded her senses with fresh mouthwatering scents just begging to be tasted. Next to speak is the spotted mare that always seemed to linger near to Grier. A single ear tilts towards the timid mare as she too speaks her wish to stay advising Belikov to give their answer to Liland.

Next it is Belshazar who speaks up, his tone accusing as he takes a step towards Belikov. Instinctively she takes a step towards the colt that had become her son, her muzzle brushing against his tense shoulder to calm the anger that seethes from his skin. "Bel..." she breathes, her voice gentle as she blinks affectionately at him. This was no time to fight amongst siblings whether they were in agreement or not. He speaks now, addressing Zjeena directly with the same wisdom as she had learned was true to his nature. A small smile curves her lips upward as she nods her head in agreement.

Now it was her turn.

A heavy sigh escapes her lips as she flashes a guilty glance towards Dex before stepping forward. "Liland is brash. Like Zjeena he forced me to carry his child without consent. I.... Amber... Was not my intention but I would never have changed the outcome. She is my daughter and I will not be parted from her." quickly she glances to Dex, her gaze filled with sorrow as her words quiet to a whisper. "I didn't want to tell you... I was afraid you might be angry." she murmurs before glancing back to Zjeena, renewed anger in her pale gaze. "He promised me that he would never force another mare to carry his child after my threat to him but from what you have spoken he takes no consideration still to the words of others." she says pausing, leaning against the warmth of Bel's muscular form for reassurance. "I am sorry what you go through still Zjeena. No one deserves such a fate. I will stay with my herd mates if it is here that they choose to remain. I will stay with my children and my mate." she breathes glancing to Dex for reassurance that he too would stay here with her.