Common

As I moved closer, the figure materialized before me, shedding the cloak of mystery to reveal a mare older than myself, draped in a dramatic pattern of red and white. She was unknown to me, but I found no threat in her curious expression. If anything, her quiet confidence helped to soothe some of the unease I felt in this strange area of the isles.

I smiled reflexively at being called a youngling, although I wasn't sure the description was as apt as it used to be. Somehow, five springs had already come and gone since I'd taken my first breaths on Tinuvel and I was no longer quite sure that young was a description that fit. Still, it reminded me of my mother, and for that, I was already grateful. The rest of the enigmatic mare's statement was cryptic, and I paused to eye her curiously, wondering if - instead of meeting a kindly stranger - I had instead encountered a witch of some sort.

"To return home," I replied quickly to her prompt, my voice translucent in it's honesty. "My family lives there," I clarified, although doubt struck me the moment the words left my mouth. I'd lost track of how many years had passed since I had left in search of my sire and brother, and while I knew that a lot could have happened, I had always assumed my mother would return to the Ridge. It was, and had always been, our home. "Or... they did anyway," I concluded softly, my blue-green gaze darting away from her suddenly.

The thought of not seeing my mother again made my chest ache with longing and the guilt of my absence rose up once more. I'd left to find Ailill, never once considering how much it may hurt my mother's heart for so many of us to be gone at once. The thought of her hurting the same way I'd hurt when Nyimara took her away was excruciating, and I drew in a stabilizing breath, fit a tremulous smile on my lips once more, and brought my gaze back to the mysterious stranger.

"I haven't seen them in some time. Do..." I swallowed the frog in my throat, wishing I didn't sound as nervous as I felt. "Do you know if Siobhan still live there? Or Ailill?" Had Naenia returned? Akadi? Aislinn? Baby Zvaid? Did any of my family remain?