The vanner listened to the mare, attention trained on her through his thick mane. As she spoke his eyes traveled over her, placing her where her words took them. He could not imagine her trapped and living under the rules of another trying to control her. Every mare, over equine, who came into his home was under his protection it was true. But they all had the freedom to do as they wished, go where they pleased, and have their lives on and off his lands. He could not imagine restricting someone to the point where they would want to run from that part of their lives. He had been raised a wanderer, the freedom to move nearly forced upon him. Now that he was in one place it was hard to think of being required to do one or the other. White ears flicked in concern under his mane. “I hope you always know you have your freedom here. Come and go as you please. Visit your old home if you choose.” His long tail swished, and his head was held high. In the distance he knew the other islands continued on their own lives, both aware and unaware of his presence and stance on the Inlet. “Should you visit and any stallion tried to keep you from coming back, I will fight for your right to leave. I am sure Braylen would as well.” The nobility he had seen in his second was obvious, though there had been some subtle behaviors that concerned him. At his core though, he trusted the paint to help him keep the herd safe. He trusted the other stallion with his life, and the lives of those around him. A bashful smile let the stallion’s face. He could not help but feel warm at her comment. It may not have been intended as a compliment, but the man took considerable pride in his connection to his home. Since the moment his hooves touched the rocky shores he had felt the Inlet bind to him, and he grow to it. Over the years he had learned the traits of the land, learned to love and grow with it. Change as the seasons did. He felt as though he belonged to it. To have another notice the connection from the outside warmed his heart in the cold autumn breeze. “Thank you, Abigail. I hope the Inlet comes to suit you as much as motherhood seems to.” He smiled at her, remembering the bright colts she bore. “You seem to glow with the light of your family.”