Common

Her reaction is slow, almost ponderous as she pauses and turns her head to regard him. Even then it takes a moment for her to gather a response for Kendry, and when she speaks there is no hurry in her voice. He flicks an ear back in concern but holds his tongue and meets her scrutiny with steady eyes. Sympathy flits through his blue gaze when she laughs, for the sound is so small it doesn’t seem to hold much humor. “Well now, that’s all right,” Kendry says, trying to be encouraging. “‘Barely’ is more than ‘not at all,’ and everywhere is unfamiliar until you’ve spent enough time in it.” His tail swishes at his hocks as he turns his head to survey the area.

They have paused together near the middle of the field of packed snow that is the Commons. To their right and down a noticeable but gentle slope is the dense thicket of trees that range along the border of the Lagoon. To their distant left, trees grow more loosely and sprawl in small clusters into and across the Meadow, beyond and above which sit the Falls and, furthest north, the Peak.

Having just come from the Meadow, Kendry knows it to be thick with deep snow, though not on the edge nearest a tall oak tree. He nods at the gnarled trunk in the distance and glances at the mare. “Walk with me to that tree? You seem tired. Might do you some good to lean on the trunk while you get your bearings.” He offers her a wide, easy grin as he adds, “Though you’re welcome to lean on me, too, if that’s easier for you.” He’s teasing, but only a little as he tries to coax another laugh from her.