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The pair stands shoulder to shoulder at edge of the bubbling and hissing surf; ocean salt clings to their unkempt manes and feathered legs. Gavriel's hazel eyes remain glued to his sister as he waits for her, he notices the shudder of her shoulders and the sobs that wrack her body.

It had been the only way... the only way for them to make their escape. To flee the confines of the cruel overlord who had kept them all captive for months. Mother had convinced them both to leave in the darkest hour. Make to the south, follow the ocean until the water's open into a wide mouth... there you will enter her waters and swim. Swim until your hooves touch familiar sands. And so they did. They had been exhausted by the time they entered the ocean's waters - yet they swam until their legs were numb and refuse to take another stroke. It was only by the grace of the gods, they arrived on the Islands when the night sky was at its deepest black. Exhausted they both collapsed on the familiar sands and fell into a fitful slumber.

Vesna turns from the ocean's waters and reluctantly follows her brother into the dark shadows. Her honey brown eyes search the darkness; fear bubbles into her chest with every step they take away from the ocean's edge.

Where would they go? When would mother return? She swallows back the lump that threatens to choke the life from her... Would she ever see mother again? She feels the prick of tears in her eyes as the thought looms over her. Gavriel swivels his large head and his brow furrows as his eyes meet his sister's teary gaze. "It is all going to be okay, Vesna. Mother will come to find us..." his words leave his lips, deep down he knows that it was a half truth. He did not know for certain if she would ever come to find them or if they would ever see her again.

The spotted siblings travel in silence beneath the watchful eye of a crescent moon. Through the dark forests, along the babbling brooks until the ground beneath them begins to steepen. Their weary muscles protest the mountain's steep incline and winding mountain trails. The air around them grows thinner as the elevation increases; they climb into a world that scrapes the very clouds.

A thin sheen of sweat glistens on their spotted coats as the twins pause as one at the edge of the world. The darkness fades from the twilight sky and gives birth to a brilliant morning sun - the world washes itself in warm oranges and pale pinks - and their breath is held on their lips as it presents itself to them.

"Vesna, we are here." he whispers into the narrow space between them. He knew that she would be safe here... his mother spoke of the women who live on the mountains peak. Vesna swivels her dark head to meet her brothers gaze. She knew that soon he would depart and travel North to meet with there father - if he still held the Monarchy - deep down she hates this plan but reason spoke to her.

The hollow clop of hooves across bare stone draws the siblings attention. In one movement, the pair pivots to meet whomever approaches. "Who is there?"
his words echo into the still morning fog, "I seek refuge for my sister."

Together they wait, for their fate to be revealed unto them.