As obvious as Rhaella’s suggestion in the falls had been, it hadn’t been as easy for Kalare to follow through. She still fears the unknown, the possibility of entering a place that could be filled with unwelcome faces. The close-knit family ties she’d had on the continent had kept her safe the entire time she’d been there, but once Aeros had started her on her dashbiga, she hadn’t had that security blanket anymore. She still trusts Aeros absolutely even if she doesn’t trust herself, although if she hadn’t met Rhaella and gained that one soul who also believed in her gods, it’s possible that Aeros, Aruna, and even Malachite could have fallen to the wayside. And if there were ever a way to bring shame to her family, it would be to have a lapse in her faith. So she had finally taken a deep breath, mentally scolded herself for being such a coward, and heeded Rhaella’s advice and taken the plunge into the icy channel that led to the other islands. It had immediately dawned on her that taking this sojourn during winter hadn’t been the best idea, but she had figured that if Rhaella has been able to live on Tinuvel, she should be able to make the swim over to Atlantis. Because Kalare has never been off the Crossing, she doesn’t know the orientation of each island, though she knows their names and the general climates, as well as the names of each territory on each island. She doesn’t know which territory to start with once she pulls herself out of the frigid water and stands on the shores of Atlantis – Rhaella had never specified one place for her to visit. She decides to simply run straight until she finds someone, and hope that they’ll be friendly enough to put her at ease. She shakes herself thoroughly, not fond of the feeling of the salt and sand clinging to her pelt. Her sooty mane remains plastered to her golden neck, and her tail feels much too heavy as it snaps against her spotted flank. She’s not entirely sure that she should continue if she’s already this agitated, but she knows that Rhaella was right – her dashbiga isn’t over, and that’s why she’s felt so empty since she arrived on the islands all those seasons ago. Luckily for her (even more luckily for her anxiety), she spots someone quite soon. She smiles, knowing that this is the sign from Aeros that she’s been looking for. It’s obvious now: He had just been waiting for her to take that step; he’d been waiting to show her the way just as he had before. Her courage mounting, she canters easily across the terrain, barely taking it in as she moves toward the lone figure in the distance. Her nostrils flaring, she catches the stallion’s scent. She slows, cautious but not fearful, her bright blue eyes curious in her white face. She halts near the oasis, and Kalare can smell the fresh, tempting water. Her head lowers respectfully but her eyes never leave the stallion’s face. She’s still not entirely comfortable in this type of situation. ”Aeros guide you,” she says, the greeting rolling familiarly off her tongue, ”I am Kalare.” four - sooty spotted palomino overo - walkaloosa - 14.3hh |