Hooves lashed out at an invisible foes. Anger surged through her, the anger she had been holding back for seasons. Time and time again she had her mother taken away from her. First fate ripped the shining face from her life and then from her memory. Once she had finally found peace and love in the heart of Siobhan, the red mare had also been taken from her by the cruelty of others. Once quiet and timid, the continued offense had begun to wear on the soft soul. Now she rose with a different sense of determination.

As a filly, Ailill had told her stories of knights and warriors. Tales of protectors who would stop at nothing to defend those they loved. She had seen him fight valiantly and still fail, her family then falling victim to the cruelty that was Nyimara. As she watched these happen before her eyes and everyone tell her she was too young, she had made a decision. Once she was old enough, she would devote herself to the path Ailill painted pictures of. She would fight with everything she had to right the wrongs that had been done to her. If she could help it, no child would forget their mother’s face. Those who sought to tear families apart would face a wrath unheard of.

Breathing deep, the greying young woman plunged into the waves. She never told Ailill, or anyone where she was going or what she was doing. They would find out once it had already been done and possibly could not be undone. For the first time since she had stepped hoof on the island beside Siobhan, Akadi swallowed her fear of the water and swam back to the island of Crossing.

Along with the stories of knights and tales of fables, Ailill had whispered truths of the Vulcans who resided on the Peak. They had been his mother and sister. He had known them to be wonderful and was sure to impart their legend onto his daughters as they grew. Akadi had taken these bedtime stories to heart. Now, her sights set on the towering mountain, she knew exactly where she needed to be.

She pulled herself out of the salty water, shaking it from her pelt. She was not so angry she did not look back. Already she felt the curl of homesickness, a loneliness of not being near her family that loved her so deeply. Trying not to cry, she looked back at the Peak. It was for them she was going to do this. It was their love she was going to fight for.

Holding her head high, she marched herself to the mountains. Once she was sure she had approached the border, she called to the Peak mares. Nerves twisted in her stomach. This was it. This was her choice in her fate. Terrified and excited, she waited.