I’ll keep the door open
in case you come home
The mare on the beach feels frail as she gathers her legs beneath her to stand. Fell grounds himself in the sand and braces against her, allowing her to put her weight on him for as long as it takes to steady herself. Her skin is cool against him, and he can feel shivers rattle through her.
I can’t go with you, she says, lifting doe-like eyes to look at him. He stares down at her, unsurprised by her reluctance. He assumes she means that, physically, she is not ready to leave the Crossing, but this matters little to him. She is small; he can carry her.
He can’t relay this message to her in reassurance, however. He blinks to acknowledge her words, and stands still for a moment longer, but after some time he gives her a gentle push toward the waves. It is better to get back to the Bay quickly; the Crossing is never a safe place for a lone mare, and Fell is not in the mood to be chasing off any other band stallions in defense of this one. He will carry her across his back on the swim if he needs to, but if they wait much longer, he fears the storm will worsen, and the journey will be far less pleasant.
The black stallion waits to make sure she doesn’t crumple back to the ground after his little push, then presses back against her to guide her toward the waves.
FELL
stallion. 16hh. black. marwari x. Rougaru x visurix.
