He stands by himself as he usually has lately. He could feel Osceola pulling away from him so instead of trying to pull her closer he gives her space. Their daughter was finding friends in the many foals here, plus she was growing older, so she didn’t have as much time to play with dad. It was sad knowing his last child might leave their roost soon. She could still decide to stay in the Ridge forever, but he doubted it. If her spirit was anything like her mother, she would hate staying in one place too long. Kamala on the other hand seems to never leave her mother’s side. They had lost so much time together he couldn’t believe it. It was hard to come to the realization that Audie had stayed in the Cove hoping for his return. He had thought she left weeks after Kamala’s birth, but it turns out she had just been lost. Or something like that. Perhaps it has been him who has been lost all this time.
The ghost of the Ridge was deep in thought when a figure comes towards him. Said figure could not hide herself, or sneak up on him, for the child with her was pretty loud in her walking. Pale ears perk as Requiem turns to face the pale daughter that speaks. Auburn eyes widen at the sight of her. It was as if he was staring a ghost in the face. Tauri was his own reflection, a female version of himself. Their pale coats wandering through the Ridge like something supernatural that never truly belonged. Immediately he sees the urgency in her eyes so his gaze goes to the filly at her side. The girl was an older child and obviously the foal Tauri was pregnant with the last time they spoke. When he revealed to her who he was and where her lineage lied. His head hung at the thought. He should have told her much sooner. Requiem had never known any personal details about Tauri’s life. Everything could have been different.
”Tauri what are you…” doing here, he was about to ask as she interrupts with her own speech. Shock jolts through him as if he was struck by lightning. His mouth falls open as he tries to piece it all together. Why would his half brother Torsten be after Tauri’s daughter? He couldn’t bring his mind to think Torsten might be the father. That this young girl was an inbred child from their past. No, that couldn’t be it! He did remember seeing Tauri and Torsten being close when they were young, but never intimate. Had he repressed what he had seen? Tauri beckons her child closer and beings showing her affection. Tauri then tells the girl she would visit, that she would be safe here with her grandsire. Requiem tries to swallow the large lump in his throat. Tauri’s eyes quickly turn back to him and his head jolts up out of reaction. Would she threaten him?
His pale head nods once. ”I will take care of her Tuari. Nothing can harm her here so don’t worry.” He watches his grown daughter with sad eyes. ”But what about you? You should stay too and be safe with your daughter. I will protect you both.” He didn’t understand why she couldn’t stay in hiding with her child. Tauri and her daughter could stay in the Ridge under the protection of Faolain and Riviani and everyone else in the Ridge who would never let harm come to them.
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