Pilar stood next to Kasabian as he rose from the mud slowly, waiting for him to be ready before the two of them followed Sylvia to the nearby cave. She was thankful the mare had found them, as the relentless rain was beginning to give Pilar a chill. She couldn’t imagine how Kasabian must feel, being that he hadn’t moved too much.

As they walked, she thought of what Dia had told her—about how she believed a stallion called Midas still ruled the Ridge. Perhaps Midas was the beloved that Sylvia spoke of. It made sense, given that she seemed to know this land better than either of them.

“You mean Midas?” Pilar asked inquisitively, looking to Sylvia. “Is he going to come back?”

She wondered what it must be like to love someone and then have them leave. Sylvia was pregnant too, and that could have only made it harder. Pilar couldn’t fathom such an intense feeling like love, having never experienced it herself. Perhaps it was like the feeling of absolute freedom—if that was the case, Pilar could see how it would be appealing. Absolute freedom was the best feeling she could imagine, and she certainly would strive to achieve it one day. If only she could sprout wings and fly with the birds! Pilar smiled a little at the thought. That would make it too easy.

When they reached the cave, Pilar ducked her head in and pressed herself against the side, making room for Kasabian and Sylvia next to her. The cave was small, but she didn’t mind the close quarters. The storm looked as if it was nearly done, so she suspected they wouldn’t be here long. Leaning over to Kasabian, she speaks barely above a whisper, taking this opportunity to ask him another question that had been on her mind.

“What will happen when this other stallion comes back? Will he live here with us?”

Pilar didn’t think Kasabian was the type to drive out strangers with bared teeth unless he thought there was danger, but she still wasn’t sure. She knew there was some kind of protocol to these situations, and was curious to hear how Kasabian might handle it.



pilar

photo © Sally Mann