Ears forward, the leopard spotted colt listened to Amaranthe as she spoke. It was odd to him, as Nephilim had never before worried whether or not he was worthy. He’d only focused on existing and, for the first year and a half of his life, skirted around conversations or crossing paths with a stranger. Now, here he stood, in a wide expanse of land where countless stallions before him had reigned king, trying to do the same.

Could he make it here? Maybe, maybe not; only time would tell.

Three seasons. Just like that and Nephilim had offered shelter and earned a new member of his slowly growing family. His gold eyes watched her quietly for a moment and then he nodded a short, sharp nod. “Come on, let’s get off the shoreline. It’s better further inland, the trees will block the cold.” It wasn’t what he wanted to say – an expression of gratitude or something along those lines – but it was what he was capable of saying. Nephilim wasn’t exactly great in the touchy-feely department. Maybe there was more to learn than just how to defend a home, maybe through leading, Nephilim would also learn who he was, win or fail.

He moved to begin walking up the shore to where the trees of Tinuvel awaited them. His gold eyes cast a side-glance her way just briefly before looking forward once more. “Did you know about Tinuvel, before you came here? Or is this the first island you swam to?”