Aerek opened his eyes and tried to remember how he had gotten here. He stood in the shade of a cherry tree on the banks of a slow-moving stream. In the distance, he could hear the rumble of - what was it called? He could not remember that either. Falling water, his brain suggested, but that was not quite right. It did not matter, in any case. The stallion was far more concerned with whatever warm, summery woodland he had found himself in, and with the flies that buzzed incessantly at his face and flanks. He lashed his blonde tail back and forth in irritation, to scatter them away but also to relieve the frustration he felt.
"Malachite," he spat, green eyes turning to the ground and glaring at each blade of grass as though they were to blame for his predicament. Then, as if the earth-god had heard him, a fragment of memory returned. Aerek saw himself standing on another beach, far away, staring off into the grey-green horizon with a mixture of resignation and determination. Home, he knew somehow. But why was he not at home now? Why had he left? It must have been a good reason, he was sure of that at least.
His legs itched to move, and so he moved. Aerek strolled to the edge of the water to take a drink, and became aware of the ache in his body. He hurt all over, as though he had endured great exercise. That made sense, if he had indeed swum all the way here, wherever here was. Looking down into his reflection, the stallion saw a dark face splashed with white, lined with an exhaustion that belied his age. His fair forelock was stringy and still slightly damp, hanging heavily against his face. It had not been long, then, since he had arrived.
He lowered his head and took a well-earned drink.
AEREK
7; flaxen liver chestnut sabino; 15.1hh |