Dia passed him at a full gallop, though Şahin saw her head turn and was rewarded when she stopped and came trotting back to him with his name on her lips. He had not forgotten her accent, though it did take him a moment to re-adjust to hearing it again. “Dia!” he said again, and reached out to nose her cheek warmly. Imagine! An old friend on his beach! It was entirely unexpected and the stallion fairly glowed from his pleasure in the serendipitous moment.

Small hooves on the sand distracted his ears and his eyes, and the stallion looked over as Mera joined them. “Mera,” he greeted her, reaching over to blow on her forelock with affection. He was glad to see the young mare, and his dark eyes took in her wet legs and sand-stippled belly in a quick glance. At least the tide was coming in this time instead of threatening to pull her out. He sighed, a wide smile on his lips. This was good.

Introductions were in order, however. He raised his head and grinned at the slender mare across from him. “Dia, this is Esmeralda. She lives here with her mother, Xina, who’s out and about somewhere. Mera, this is Dia. I met her awhile back when I lived in the Lagoon.” He looked around before winking at Dia. “It’s a bit more pleasant in Paradise, don’t you think?” he asked with a laugh.