Synder bucked gleefully at her mother’s playful response, interpreting her touch as a ‘tag’ and racing after her. She hadn’t been able to run too much in the Lagoon; the terrain was uneven, with the low points filled with water and the high points tangled with brambles and everywhere in between slick with mud or jagged with rocks. It was nice to be on a flat piece of ground again; Synder resolved to visit the Lagoon beach more often when she got back.

Catching up to Claire, Synder watched the scenery change from beach to valley; the land rose and became rocky, and the dappled mare turned to watch the ocean in awe. It had fallen below them and continued to fall as they climbed the slope, the waves smoothing out and the horizon stretching flat and glistening into the distance. A sigh of admiration escaped Synder’s nostrils at the sight.

Turning back, nostrils still flared, Synder breathed in the scent of other horses that must have lived in this territory. It occurred to her for the first time that she had more family than she had actually met. With an excited snort, she bounded a few steps ahead of her mother and turned to bound back again. She wanted to meet the inhabitants of this beautiful territory; they must certainly all be friendly if they lived in a place like this.