The system was old, older than Bane, older even than her dam. Though complex now, it had been more than that at its inception. Revolutionary… nearly enough to cause a revolution on its own. Maybe it was strange. No other herd on the Islands was run this way, at least as far as Bane knew. No government ran like theirs. Still, it was something that made them special, and made them unique. It served them well.

Fishbone’s question is blunt, and Bane finds herself appreciative of that. “It does, at least in my experience.” The words were light, conversational. She hadn’t experienced the same power struggles that Anath had seen in her day, and that was likely for the best. Struggles for power within the Peak in those days had been limited to dominance, and the personalities had run far hotter.

As they make their way up the mountainside, Fishbone’s wobbliness didn’t go unnoticed. Bane wouldn’t make a point of it, but she allowed her pace to slow some. It was hard to know just how quickly to go up the Peak itself, especially when she’d become so accustomed to it. The Codebreaker didn’t want to be rude, after all.

“Here, this is the spot.” They’d reached the rocky outcropping. It was stable, and the winter breeze had cleared the cloud cover fairly well. It had been reasonably dry for this time of year, with only a few flurries to dust her island in snow. “This island is called the Crossing, it’s the largest. Around us are four smaller islands, each with its own climate. There are four herds on each, though none run like ours.” Bane gestured with her muzzle to the Tinuvel and Luthien respectively. “That one there, to the north, is frozen nearly all year. To the east, it’s heavily forested, and sees more of the season’s changes.”

Leaving in a hurry… Bane wasn’t a stranger to that feeling. She affords the mare a long moment to take in the world around them before speaking next. “You’re welcome to stay here, if you’d like.” The words are just as plain, and hold no pity… or other strong emotion, really. Around them, the winter breeze carried a biting chill, but Bane didn’t find it wholly unpleasant. She was simply at rest on the ledge, looking out over the world.

Anath x Thane