Desert

As a child, Runar's curiosity about the world and the many horses within it had been bright as a burning flame. He had rarely been allowed to indulge in it, however, and so he had learned to give strangers a wide berth - at least when he was within earshot of his mother, who had seemed to want to keep him locked up away from the rest of society. While this had not entirely smothered his flame of curiosity, he had been forced to conceal it, or allow it to burn in other, more discreet ways, and over time muscle memory had become personality. Runar had become - if not as untrusting of other horses as his mother - cautious and pessimistic about their intentions.

It's a little disconcerting, therefore, when the lone foal bounds up to him without fear, his tiny hooves leaving seashell-sized impressions in the sand. Evidently whoever this child's mother is, she has not taught him the same caution that Ylva had taught Runar.

One of his silver ears twisting backward, Runar retreats a step. For a moment his frown intensifies, but as he listens to the child's babbling, he notices something that lights a spark of interest within him. Both of the child's parents - including the herd stallion - are absent. Runar could not have come at a better time.

For a moment he casts his dark eyes inland, sweeping his gaze across the vast yellow wastelands and squinting as the light of the sun hits his face full-force. Already he can feel himself beginning to sweat; he is not used to these temperatures, so he will need to be quick: ideally he will be gone before the colt's parents return. But who to target? Cullen had simply suggested he "steal something"; the Lagoon Boss had not specified who or what. Runar cannot imagine he would be expected to bring back anyone other than a mare. After all, what would Cullen do with a tiny foal?

The foal in question commands Runar's attention again, bumping his little velvet nose against Runar's. Runar whisks his silver-streaked tail across his hindquarters, a little flare of anxiety stoking his impatience now that he's made his decision.

"I did," he says, deepening his voice so that he sounds all the more impressive to the colt. "I came all the way here for an important quest. Sinai, there's something you can do to help me. There are a lot of mares in your herd, right? I need you to pick the prettiest and bring her back to me. I have an important message for her. Do you think you can do that for me?"