As soon as she was old enough, if not sooner, her newest daughter was off seeking new adventures. She reminded Oswin of Klara and Maia when they had been young. They’d both been independent in their own ways, Maia more adventurous, and she’d known there was no forcing them to stay close. The more time Móirín spent off on her own, learning to be independent and coming closer to her first birthday, the more Oswin’s suspicion grew that one day her daughter wouldn’t come back home. One day the call of the Mainlands would likely take her away. So, until then, the days Móirín was home, Oswin made certain to spend time with her, spar with her, and teach her how to survive so she’d have the best chance out there.

The girl wasn't a stranger to a dangerous life, after all. The very day Oswin had been coming to introduce her to the herd there’d been an intruder that had descended upon them, trying to drive them away. Tyr, of course, had been the vigilant protector she knew he would be and he’d defended them both, keeping them safe. Maybe it was feeling untouchable for how powerful her father was that drove Móirín to such independence.

Despite her young daughter’s wanderlust nature, both her sons seemed happily homebound. Oswald was enjoying life in the Ridge, as was Calder. The boys had grown close as Calder grew older, scaling the jungle cliffs and discovering new places in their home even Oswin had yet to see. It was a good life, a happy one.

Yet as always there stirred a passion within Oswin. Her years were climbing ever higher (she’d lost count, but knew she was at least past twenty) and yet, it didn’t seem to slow her down. The gold-and-white mare did not rest dormant, but patrolled the Ridge borders, and began to consider moving beyond them. The Lagoon intruder who had come to try and pluck her from the Ridge made her wonder at the politics of the other islands. Was this one of the many times there was a lull, while everyone seemed to focus their attention inward? Or was she too far removed from the current happenings, unaware of some trouble brewing that she should think more carefully about?

Alone for the day as Móirín had gone her own way and the boys were off doing their thing, Oswin began to pick her way through the dense jungle, seeking Tyr. Something inside her always pulled to him; no matter how many years they had spent together, just the soft brush of his heady, masculine scent sent shivers down her spine. She yearned for him when she was near him, and as she caught sight of his great, shifting figure through the trees, vines, and ferns she called out toward him.

Oswin did not stop until she’d brushed into the clearing and up along his side, murmuring appreciatively under her breath at how good it felt to press herself up against him. With tender affection she had shown no one but the tall beast king of the Ridge, Oswin kissed his hairy cheek and breathed a warm breath softly there. “I was all alone and I was missing you,” she explained, her voice a little hushed even though it was just the two of them there, as though she was whispering a secret to him she didn’t even want the jungle to overhear.

oswin
this is as brave as I know how to be.
I know it’s gonna hurt you, but please… be a little proud of me.