Avangeline couldn’t believe what had become of the Dunes within such a short period of time. One moment she was settling in to what she was sure would be her happily ever after and the next moment, chaos visited her doorstep. First had come the news of two rogue stallions who attempted to inflict harm on Valve and a strange mare she’d been visiting with, then one of those same stallions stole away Evaline. Avangeline tried to search for the mare Valve had been speaking with as she continued to walk the borders of the Dunes she’d promised to patrol, but she’d never once crossed her path.
To think Evaline had been stolen. Avangeline knew Evaline was a strong mare with more life experience than she could ever hope to have, but she was fond of her and worried for her. Though it was likely Evaline would wish Avangeline could forget the day she cried on the beach, Avangeline couldn’t put it out of her mind. Whatever pain Evaline was processing had likely been increased by a tenfold through the drama which unfolded among the Dunes. There were many times Avangeline paused at the shoreline (where she patrolled most frequently) and considered going back to Crossing and to the Lagoon just to see how Evaline was doing.
Having lived on Crossing for so many years, Avangeline knew everywhere the Lagoon butted up to the rest of the island. With the number of the bachelors so few, there were places she felt confident she could sneak into their territory and likely find Evaline without them ever knowing. Even if they were closely guarding her, Avangeline would feel better just seeing her and making certain she was alright. Surely a mare with Evaline’s tenacity would be just fine against a group of fools like the Lagoon bachelors.
Plus, Gabbar would be cross with her if she left the Dunes without telling him and if she were to travel to the Lagoon she definitely couldn’t tell him. He’d be against the idea for very good reason.
Avangeline sighed and turned away from the waves which rolled in and out in an endless tide, making her way back up the sands with the intention of returning to the larger of the two oases.
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