The seasons kept changing and Oswin settled more and more firmly into her life returned to the Peak, feeling more like herself each day she awoke. Regret tried to grab her, thinking she should have been here all along, but she couldn’t let herself fall down that path. At the time, in the aftermath of what’d happened when she took Nephilim’s children to see him, Oswin only wanted to do what was best for them. When Mariael had said she wouldn’t return to the islands, Oswin felt responsible for what had happened and decided to stay with them. But, rather than improve, things just kept getting worse. The last time she’d tried to bring them home, tempers had ran high and they’d once again had to leave.

No more. The only way Oswin would leave the Peak this time was by her death. This was the only thing that should have ever mattered to her.

The golden splashed white mare grazed on the summer grasses in the foothills that stretched out around the Peak. She still hadn’t traveled to the Cove to see if Maia had made it there, and considered doing so. There was always business to take care of, she still needed to have a look around the other islands too. Well.. who couldn’t say business couldn’t mix with pleasure? She hadn’t stopped by Tinuvel yet to assess the status of the leaders on that island. Perhaps when she went to the Cove to see if her daughter was there, she could also ask after the island business and see if there were any territory leaders to keep an eye on.

She chewed the rest of what she’d bitten, then nodded to herself. Yes, today would be a good day for that.

However, as Oswin started to walk through the terrain to leave the Peak, she caught sight of an old mare she didn’t recognize standing at its base. She paused in her step and nickered curiously toward the mare, then turned to move toward her. Tinuvel could wait another day. The mare’s body was littered with scars, much like Oswin’s own, only she had quite a large amount more than Oswin did. She was clearly a fighter, and though there were signs of age on her body, there was strength, too.

“Hello,” Oswin said as she drew close enough, stretching her neck so they could share a breath before she tucked it back. “I’m Oswin, a Peak mare. Forgive me for assuming but…” her eyes narrowed with curious study, “You don’t seem like you’re a stranger to this place.”

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.