Ailill’s eyes were closed as he listened to the fall and the run of the water. He was only mildy aware of another horse approaching, and even less concerned. This was a place of peace. Those who broke that unwritten rule, well… no one had broken it yet. So, the stallion stood calmly and organized his thoughts while the mare drank from the crystalline water at their feet. There was something about this place that could heal many things. The deeper he sank into his mind the more he started to recreate the roads he wanted to walk. The sound of water falling from lips stirred him from his revery. His eyes opened to see who his companion was. Just as she was, he was not thrilled to see who shared this space with him. At first he started, concerned he was going to be charged again, but he kept his ground. Ears twisted uncertainty and eyes narrowed once more. The falls were a place of peace… a place of many things. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, his tail flicking once. The silence between them was held and he made no move towards or away from her, but he did look over her body. His gaze lingered on every bruise and swollen wound on her body. His own body throbbed with the memory of the marks Vodnik had left on his own flesh. It did not take a wise man to know what had happened to the fiery woman who stood before him. Concern bloomed on the stallion’s face. He took a slow, hesitant step towards her. Warm water will help with the wounds. He said quietly, his tail swishing against his body again. I can show you where the warmer pools are. His voice was soft, heard just over the music of the falls. Only she would be able to hear him in the event anyone else was around. Though it was plain on her body, he would do her a service and avoid announcing to the world that this woman was wounded. |