Very, very quickly Oswin had gone from being over enthusiastic to being nearly overcome with exhaustion. Traversing the sandy dunes was far more treacherous a task than walking over firm foothills and paired with the unrelenting heat of the sun, Oswin was out of her element. Even the climb to the top of the Peak wasn’t as strenuous as this! But the little gold and white mare continued on, pushing further and further until she came atop one swell of sand and spotted a long, wide stretch of water surrounded by odd looking trees and other sorts of likely edible vegetation.

The sight of it renewed her adventurous spirit and in spite her exhaustion, she managed a smile as she turned to point toward the waters. This was likely where she’d be lucky to find some company and while Oswin loved to learn about new places she also loved to meet new horses. With her blue eyes scanning the edges of the long water source she nearly missed sight of the horse who was approaching her until she caught the movement from the corner of her gaze.

Oswin tucked her chin and frowned, glancing at the mare as she climbed the high side of the hot, sandy dune and called out to her. A quick grin was short to follow. “No! I’m exploring.” But it was clear by the damp, dark patches of sweat on her body and the way she licked her tongue a few times against her lips that Salem’s weather was getting to her. “Can I get a drink?” She said, pointing her nose toward the oasis and suddenly feeling as if she had a severe case of cotton mouth. Oswin hadn’t realized just how thirsty she’d become until she saw both the water and this mare.

This mare who looked oddly familiar…

Oswin’s eyes widened. “Hey! Wait a minute, haven’t I seen you before?” A memory, albeit a fuzzy one, was poking at her brain. “Aren’t you… my sister?” Oswin’s heart beat with excitement rather than overexertion. “Vita Nova, right?”