The sudden appearance of Lilika had left him filled with a joy he had not felt in ages. A new spring had been in his step since her arrival, despite all that still remained unsaid between them. They had been spending the last day or so getting reacquainted, and he had introduced her to Veles. At the moment, the trio was lingering in the warmth on the beach. Lilika felt suffocated if she spent too long in the jungle, as did Gnome, and it was more difficult for Veles to easily navigate the trees. As a result, they were all more comfortable on the open shore, even if it left them rather exposed. Rougaru’s reputation and Gnome’s preference to lie low protected them from most threats, so the dun and white stallion did not fear for their safety.

A soft wind blew this morning, carrying the salty tang of the sea to their nostrils. It changed direction for just a moment, and Gnome picked up the faintest trace of the scent of blood. Alarmed, he looked around for the source. When he saw nothing in his current field of vision, he murmured to his companions to stay calm but stay put. Then, he set off down the beach, ears pricked with concern.

Rounding a bend in the shoreline, he stopped abruptly at the sight of an indistinct mound in the sand. He glanced around, eyes still wide, but noted no immediate threat. He resumed his approach, realizing with horror as he neared that the mound was in fact the lifeless body of someone he knew – Eos – and draped over her neck was the delicate figure of a weanling. With a pang, he studied the scene. There were pink stains at Eos’s nostrils. This then, was the source of the scent. He turned his attention to the other, living form. The red child had lacy white splashed across her face, and a snowy blanket draped over her soft hips. She was his, too.

He gently nickered to the youth, hoping that he hadn’t startled her. The pain she was going through must be unbearable; he could only partially relate, fortunately for him. The best he could do now was offer some form of comfort, as difficult as it would be. He kept his distance for the time being, not wanting to further distress the filly, and said, “I am so very sorry for your loss. Is there anything I can do to help?” Though he only known Eos for a short time, she had left an impression on him the sight of her lying lifeless on the shore upset him. Tears prickled at the corners of his eyes as he spoke again. “I’m so sorry, but I don’t think it’s safe to stay here with her. There are other animals that may come, and it would be best if we weren’t here when that happens.”

Gnome