The wonder of her daughter kept the sadness at bay, but she had not forgotten her vow to Ysabel. It hurt her heart to know that the golden mare had chosen to depart from the Ridge, but she could understand it to some degree. Siobhan has not lived in the Ridge long enough to understand all of the drama that existed between Nyimara and Ysabel, but only a blind mare could have missed the tension that resulted from Nyimara's win.

Regardless of who held the title, it was obvious who the herd had chosen as their leader.

Siobhan did not doubt Nyimara's prowess on the battlefield. The mare was a lithe as it was possible to be, but she lacked the ability to connect with the herd she was so determined to lead. The silver mare wanted the title and the glory, but it did not appear she wanted the responsibility of the day to day life. Leaders who refused to connect with the individuals ranked below them were doomed to be out of touch with their needs and wants. Perhaps Nyimara had no time for mediating herd squabbles such as children's misbehavior or who had taken a drink at the water hole first, but it was the small interactions that built trust in your herd.

If they did not trust you for the small things, how would they ever trust you for the big things?

These thoughts mull over in her mind as she looks for Elvira, though her gaze never strays far from the boisterous figure of her new daughter. Only a few days have passed since the small filly's birth and Siobhan has still not fully recovered physically, but she has never felt more emotionally fulfilled. Her daughter is perfect and she cannot bring herself to regret having her, even if prolonged movement still left her dizzy and lightheaded.

Roisin babbles happily to the wildlife they encounter along the way, bouncing along the jungle path and darting here and there in front of her mother. It's actually the filly that notices Elvira first, and immediately races back to her mother, eyes wide with excitement.

"Momma, she's tall!" Ro shouts excitedly, to Siobhan's amusement. Compared to herself and Bjorn, Elvira was indeed quite tall. "Can we say hi?"

With a chuckle, Sio nods in assent and together the pair approach Elvira. It is clear that the mare is due soon, her form heavy with her child. "It is good to see you again Elvira, how are you?"

Courteously the red mare extends her muzzle toward her herdmate, and Ro does the same, shoving her tiny pale muzzle against her dam's in offering to the darkly shaded draft. As she withdraws she gestures toward the filly at her side, who practically vibrated with excitement. "Meet my daughter, Roisin."

Hardly has Siobhan finished her introduction before Ro speaks up again. "Hi! Can you touch the sky?!"