Aerek found himself on a vast pebbled beach.
Only for a moment did he struggle to remember how he had got there, as he shook his waterlogged coat and travelled inland. For this he was grateful. He had not looked forward to a repeat of his arrival on the crossing all those weeks ago, when he had been foggy-headed and forgetful for hours afterward. Now he could attend to his purpose in coming here without delay or hesitation.
The chestnut stallion slowed as he reached a string of pine trees, and sheltered within them for a time while his coat dried. Meanwhile, he nibbled on a few tufts of tasteless grass and observed the alien landscape that stretched out before him. Though flowers crowded in tight clusters on the ground, there was little else to suggest that summer's hand had truly graced this place, for it was bleak and cold: much colder this time of year than the crossing was, and much too cold for his personal taste. He would be sure to make his stay here brief.
Eventually he departed his shelter and emerged onto the open tundra. Here the wind whistled and cut to the bone, making his green-gold eyes water as he peered in every direction for any sign of equine life. As far as he could see, it appeared to be empty here. That was not promising - he could search for days before he came across anyone, if anyone at all lived on this lonely northern island.
Thus he stopped, and decided to find out the quick way if anyone lived here. The stallion lifted his white-splashed face and let loose a neigh that would hopefully not be lost entirely to the wind.
AEREK
8; flaxen liver chestnut sabino; 15.1hh |