Diamant

He arrived in the night, a living shadow in the darkness. This early in autumn, the trees were still thick with leaves which rustled ominously in the breeze, but enough had fallen already and begun to rot from the rains that his hooves sucked with each step, giving his presence away for all to hear. Luckily, however, no one materialized out of the dark to greet him, and Diamant was left to his own devices for the night. In the unfamiliar territory, every noise made him jump, and it was some time before he was able to fall asleep. Even then he was at the mercy of troubled dreams, reliving his conversation with Inka over and over.

He awoke in the morning with a dry mouth and pounding head, feeling as though he had not slept at all. His amber eyes were ringed with red as he surveyed his surroundings and tested the air. The scent of saltwater was strong, which told him he was near the coast, but even stronger was the scent of stallions. Diamant had lived in the Peak for so long that he had never been exposed to so much testosterone before, and it was overwhelming. He wrinkled his nose. God, they stink. Have they never bathed before?

It was some time before he gathered the courage to travel further in, into the heart of the Lagoon. He strolled slowly among the grass and rocks, ears flicking at every sound and eyes watching his surroundings keenly. Though he was tall and strong for his age, Diamant had never felt like a child more than he did now. The Lagoon had a well-known reputation, and there was no telling how he might be received, especially once they smelled the Peak mares on him. But he knew he could not go back now. He could not go back to the lies he had left behind.