"Mami, can we go to the tiptop again, please?"

Danica was six months going on six years. She was bright, active, and the perfect blend of her mother and father, with a leggy frame that suggested she would grow to equal them in height. And the more she grew into her legs, the more insatiable for life, adventure, and learning she became.

Kunžak watched as a weary Božena relented and led their daughter up the mountain for the second time in as many days. As it always did, his heart twisted as mother and daughter fell into perfect step together, their strides synchronized as though they shared one mind.

Being a father, he'd found, was not unlike being a Strážce: both required endless stamina and patience and an eagle eye on one's surroundings. These days he found his time spent watching for threats to his small family as much as he did watching for threats to the Peak women: the latter perhaps even more than he ever had before, given that Božena's attention was often on their growing daughter. And the Peak was quiet these days; there were fewer eyes to help keep watch.

A short time later, a call roused him from the monotony of his watch atop a low hill he frequented for the purpose. Kunžak looked down into the wide valley below and spied a pair of horses on a lower hill, one tawny brown with white markings, and one pale as sea foam that was stark against the ruddy-brown autumn foliage. Kunžak descended to meet them, knowing Božena would likely not have heard the call from atop the Peak, especially not over Danica's chatter.

When he realized one of the visitors was male, he paused in his step for only a moment. More often than not - at least since Božena had held the Lagoon men hostage and helped to usurp Cullen - stallions were no threat to the Peak women. But he and Božena had not had time to keep up with the politics across the border in the bachelor herd. It never hurt to be careful.

His face was a stoic, Roman-nosed mask, but his dark eyes shone with cautious interest as he approached. "Hello," he rumbled, his voice thick with the accent of his people, and paused as he struggled to recall the words and grammar that Božena had taught him. "I am Kunžak. Can I help you?"