The monsoon storms had cleared into blue skies and a beautiful peace over the forests of Paradise. As sad as Ailill had been to see the rain pour itself into a mist and finally clear, the stallion was happy for a chance to step through his rainforest home and then step into the calmed waters to make his way to Crossing. He was finally confident enough to stand and to walk beyond his boarders and return to the lands of his birth and see what had become of the common lands. Pale hooves pulled his body from the frothy waves. The water made his creamy coat a darker gold, shining in the sun. He took a deep breath of the light spring air. Swished his white tail against his body and dashed off the nearest trail. Memories flooded his thoughts. For the first year of his life he had chased his sister through the trails of Crossing. Together they looked for fairies in the trees and danced in the water at the falls. She had told him stories of racing stars and looking for creatures in the darks of caves. As he ran and remembered he hoped both her and his mother had found happiness in wherever they had gone. Secretly he hoped their wandering ways continued to take them on adventures he would not share with them. He was content and happy to find and create more where he was. Laughter fell from his lips like the water over the rocks of the falls. Purposefully he splashed in the shallows of the river, enjoying the reflection of the setting sun on the flying droplets. Grinning, he looked up and saw a chestnut lady by the shores through his crystalline blue eyes. He was clearly unabashed by his shameless play and his grin only grew as he approached the lady. Greetings! He bowed his head respectfully to the mare. Having grown up on the Peak, Ailill had been taught to respect mares or have his face pounded in. The lesson had been continued when he had first claimed Paradise. Lady, I am Ailill of Paradise. May I ask your name? His sister would have been proud! His manners had much improved. |