Falls

The Prairie? Valentine… left? The rest of his herd too? Did that mean… Nephilim’s thoughts were in a whirlwind and he blinked, bringing Shamwari back into focus. He knew the surprise had been written clear as day across his face. Nephilim was normally somewhat capable of leaving some of his emotions behind a veiled curtain (or at least throwing anger up as a defense mechanism) but when it was something as large as the news Shamwari had just delivered, Nephilim stood no chance.

“I’m… sorry did you say the stallion and his herd left? All of them?” He watched Shamwari in faint disbelief. “I… I knew someone in that herd.” His stomach turned and he felt ill. He should be thrilled to know she was gone from the islands but with his dam, nothing was simple.

Nephilim shook his head as if to shake away the thoughts that were beginning to crawl their way up into his psyche. “Never mind it’s… it’s not important.” His words lacked conviction, more as if he were telling himself that than Shamwari. If he could convince himself it wasn’t important to wonder what had become of the cream mare and why he couldn’t be thrilled she was gone (hopefully for good), then life would move on. Nephilim cleared his throat and tried for a smile (it fell short). “Anyways, congrats on getting the Prairie. I always thought you had it in you to be a leader.” He smiled again, but this time it stuck.

“I’m back in the Bay, yeah. It’s home for me now, but I am letting my daughter rule it in my stead.” Nephilim might have shrugged if he were capable. “It’s kind of a long story but I think I’m better off stepping back as leader and supporting my daughter. If you ever get tired of endless seas of grass, you’re welcome on Tinuvel.”

Goodness, these boys were growing up. Who’d have thought when they met as yearlings, Nephilim lost from his mind with grief and stuck in a torturous identity crisis, they’d one day be standing in the Falls discussing the territories they led and children?!

Nephilim’s rollercoaster ride of emotions wasn’t completely over. Shamwari mentioned a name that tore the smile from his mouth and returned the look of surprise and a touch of guilt. Sister. Vita Nova was Shamwari’s sister. Nephilim might have laughed at the absurdity in how the world worked, but the guilt was just a little too strong for that. He sighed and avoided Shamwari’s gaze. “I just passed Vita Nova in the Meadows not too long ago.” Nephilim glanced back up at the stallion he’d called friend, one of the very few he’d consider as such. “She’s… the mare I was talking about.”