Maziel leaned her body into Paradiso, the stallion who was an extension of her, the same beating of her heart. The recent riff between her and Mariael had been heartbreaking for Maziel to bear, but having Paradiso ever present always softened what the sting in her heart. She soaked in that bond now, when Oswin mentioned Tinuvel and it made Maziel think of everything holding them back from home. She missed it… it was the only thing they had of their father now. Maziel gently lipped at Paradiso’s coat, gently soaking in quiet affections.

Zevulun snorted at Paradiso’s nip, but curled his lips in a little smile and bobbed his head, understanding the warning. There was a presence this bay mare held – she introduced herself as Wasp – and a strange heaviness in the air that made him step away from his normal conversational interjections. This – the Peak business his aunt had been involved in – were things he was not. Zevulun had passion in protecting the Bay with Mariael and he understood, in a way, this was what the Vulcans were doing too. Only their protection, Oswin had explained, wasn’t tied to any one island.

All in all, he figured they had enough on their plate, and he could suffer through silence, glancing at the new mare who stood on the fray, his blue eyes a bit bright and curious. A beckoning nicker rumbled gently from his lips despite himself, wanting her to draw closer to them.

Macabre.

Oswin’s heart swelled, thinking of the mare she owed so very much to. Her Codebreaker had been resilient and a source of wisdom she’d always appreciated. Her eyes brightened, looking at Wasp now and picking out the vague similarities between her and her dam. She wanted to ask after Macabre, to see if she was somewhere near or if she was off on a mission and Oswin would need to wait to see her. As happy as she was to return to the Peak and handling business for it, she was more so happy to think of all the familiar faces she would see again. But, before she could ask after Macabre, Wasp spoke again and the words she said made Oswin turn her attention toward the Peak instead.

“Changed?” She asked, careful, but curious. She flicked her ears, giving a curious eye to the mare nearby – another sister, she assumed – who she invited closer with a soft nicker, and then back to Wasp. Oswin considered a frightful change having come to the Peak, lifting her chin as she felt an energy stir in her. It was invigorating to remember this was what her purpose was. Always had been. To think in her absence her sisters could have used her strength was a guilt that could eat her alive if she let it.

There was no going backwards. Only forwards. Oswin would do everything in her power that she could for the Peak.

“What’s happened?”

oswin
this is as brave as I know how to be.
I know it’s gonna hurt you, but please… be a little proud of me.