I am a son of TInuvel. This place calls to me.

When Samhain spoke those words, Mariael’s chin nodded in acknowledgement. The gaze which she regarded Samhain with was filled with respect, for she was a daughter of Tinuvel and knew there was no island quite like it without ever needing to travel to them. Luthien sounded filled with everything a herd might need to flourish, but it also sounded easy. Mariael could not think to respect a place such as that, whereas Tinuvel was as giving as it was cruel and it took a strong horse to live among the snow drifts and glaciers. A child of Tinuvel who knew what blood sang in their veins was automatically one which Mariael held in the highest regards. Additionally, the young queen of the Bay felt anyone of Tinuvel should not be forced to remain so far away from home for long. Those months upon months on the mainlands had been agonizing.

Maziel reached for Samhain as he spoke, gently tapping the velvet of his muzzle with hers, whiskers twitching at the sensation. A soft, comforting warm breath pooled over his lips as she exhaled and then inhaled, her ears forward and her expression gentle. It was good of his father to worry over Samhain and his sister and to not leave them here alone. She felt a soft twitch of guilt, wondering if she hadn’t been swept away by the ocean and they’d remained in the Bay, Pagan may have left Samhain and Ostara here.

Guilt would get her nowhere and she knew to leave it in the past.

Mariael watched as Samhain looked toward the borders of the Inlet and his expression thereafter. Like a hungry dog that’d caught scent of a bloody steak, she jumped on the opportunity to capitalize. Her cream tail flicked idly at her hind in almost a snap, the irritation of the one who was in the Inlet boiling under her skin. “The Inlet is now led by an outsider. Her name is Jasiri.” She paused and, were she alone, Mariael might have stretched the truth to further irritate Samhain toward the stranger in the Inlet. One look toward Maziel and she knew she couldn’t lie. “I challenged her so I might be queen of Tinuvel, feeling the island would be best united under one who was born of this place. She won.” Her expression soured and rage burned anew within her breast. Her tail snapped again and she stomped a front hoof in irritation. “I hope she doesn’t last through winter, that the island expels this outsider. Should she remain when the snow thaws…” Mariael trailed off and Maziel looked with concern toward her sister.

“Your father and my father had worked together, knowing the importance of unity in Tinuvel. This mare refuses to be as cooperative. Be wary of adventuring into your old home, Samhain, she’s so prideful I’m certain she’d drive you out.” Mariael paused and leveled her gaze with his. “But you’re welcome here any time you’d like for as long as you’d like. The Bay shall always be home to those born of this island.”