Uhtred finds himself tongue-tied and his stomach once more in knots from anxiety and excitement. This was what he has wanted for so long and yet now that he stands here on the very cusp of learning about his sire and actually meeting him for the very first time, he is not so sure this was the brightest idea he had. At the same time, he did not want to come with mother. From the bits of information he has gleaned from her, she was not exactly a welcome sight here nor did she have any intentions of coming willingly to the lagoon. Plus, he doubted that the residents here would think much of him if he had to hold his mother’s hand. He wanted to stand on his own four feet and this was a big step in that direction. At least, that is what he keeps telling himself.

The colt’s inquisitive question draws him back from his thoughts. ’Who?’ ”Huh? Oh..” he stammers, ducking his proud head apologetically, ”His name is… Tyr.” he continues, pausing a moment to let the name settle between them. Tyr. A name that he has repeated to himself again and again over the years. Nyimara told him that the splotched stallion held some sort of authority here in the Lagoon but he had never cared to remember that part. He only knew that Tyr was his father and he desperately wanted to meet him.

Thor repeats his name and Uhtred nods his head approvingly. At the very least he could say he had a friend in the Lagoon now. That thought made him smile and the unease that turned his belly began to slowly subside. Thor goes on to explain how his father was the new general and his grandfather was something called a boss; this news definitely peaked his interest. ”A boss? Is that like the leader of the herd?” he asks, cocking his own large head towards the boy now before glancing back towards the loosely gathered stallions grazing along the hillside. Thor continues their conversation now. Whatever agitation Uhtred’s initial unease had caused in the dark boy seems to have disappeared as he too seems to perk up with renewed curiosity of his own. He asks if Uhtred is from one of the other islands and again he nods his head, causing the silvered tendrils of his mane to shiver. ”Yup. I am from Salem… well, I was born there anyway. My mama is a leader. She leads the Dunes herd now but I was born in the Desert.” he continues, pausing a moment to shift the weight of his body to cock one hind hoof at a comfortable angle against the grass. ”How about you? Were you born here? What’s it like? Is it..I mean… I know stallions live here but… do… well… do you have a mom?” It was an odd question, even to his own ears and understanding but well, he would never forgive himself if he didn’t ask...