Like a summer storm she comes upon the islands with determination and resolve in each forward thrust of her steps. Paper thin nostrils flare as the woman of shadows and light presses forward. Unlike most she had seen come upon the islands, she does not linger for long on the first. Pale, silver blue eyes observe with mild interest as mare after mare is caught up in the swooning promises of testosterone driven males that flocked to them with lustful eyes, driven by the need to procreate and ensure the furtheration of their lines. Inwardly the demons of her mind snarl and bristle at the thought. Instinctively her proud head had risen in defiance as she had once more delved into the surf. She would not find her beginning on that island.

Nor the next, or the one beyond. She let herself linger in the shallows of the ocean around each island, sizing up the location and scenting the billowing zephyrs for signs of its inhabitations. Occasionally, she caught a glimpse of a few, warming their bodies in the cool morning sun or heard their bantering voices as they continued deep in conversation, oblivious to the watching eyes in the surf. Again and again she found herself turning away and once more charging her powerful legs with the authority to propel her through the rolling surf until finally she comes to the last of the islands... or at least, it was the last one that she could see on the horizon. Were there more that lay beyond? Perhaps... but she highly doubted that there was one that she might reach before her beating heart gave out.

She takes her time to reach the shore this time, her energy drained from the swim from island to island. The thick salt water clings to her painted coat, weighing down the long curling threads of her obsidian mane and tail. Unsteady legs wobble beneath her like a newborn as she pushes herself to reach the sunbleached sands beyond the reach of the ocean's waves.

It is here she stops, folding her weary legs beneath her and settling comfortably onto the malleable white sands to rest. She does not sleep, for this is not the time and her position far to exposed. Instead she watches with keen hawk eyes observing and searching for what lies beyond the rolling dunes.

For the most part all is still, save for the occasional guttural cry of a soaring gull or the slap of water as a pelican dives beneath the distant surf for a fish. Twin sonars flicker back and forth as the wind rustle the sawgrass.

For a time she remains unmoved, her tiny muzzle lifted to the breeze, the drying locks of her obsidian mane lifted by the invisible fingers of the zephyr winds. The hot afternoon sun warms her hide and dries the saltwater and sands that clung to her coat. She stands now, her energy recharged by the rest and once more the determined, hunger dances in her pale eyes. She gives herself a resounding shake, ridding her coat of the last hints of sand and surf before moving forward at a fearless, clipped pace. The Arabian bloodlines shine bright in her now as the petite woman dances down the narrow path between dunes and through the marshlands beyond. This island was like many she had seen before, sandy beaches and dunes give way to small shallow marshlands and maritime forests. To the east, the sounds of splashing fish and the twittering of birds alerts her to the presence of water and she angles her body in that direction.

Her paces slows to a halt now as she comes upon a small river no doubt feeding back into the ocean waters. She steps forward cautiously now as hungrily she plunges her small ashen muzzle into the clear waters and drinks deeply of the cool liquid. It had been some time since last she tasted anything beyond the salty tang of ocean waters and despite herself she drinks until she can almost feel her belly swell. Inwardly she grimaced, no doubt later she would regret her decision but the waters had been so rejuvenating.

She raises her crown now, the last droplets of water trickling from her whiskered lips as she scans the lands beyond the river's distant border. Paperthin nostrils flare as she inhales the gentle winds and sifts through the scents it had to offer her here. Twin harks flicker as she catches the faint sounds of equines just beyond her line of sight. Her thick plumage flickers nonchalantly against the dappled rose coloring of her flanks as little mare snorts. So, she didn't have the entire island to herself... but for now, it seems as though she was the only one to dwell within the forests. With a snort she turns and disappears into the shadows of the forest, turning her back upon the open prairie and those that called that herdland their home. In time, she knew she would need to venture forward and meet the leader of this herd. To measure his character and the strength of his herd should the need arise that she herself would need to defend against them.

But for now, she is content to make herself known in the forests. Slowly she winds down the narrow paths, letting her painted sides rub against water oak and pine tree alike, making sure that her scent and hers alone covers the faint signs of whatever leader has long disappeared.

She stops now when she finds herself in a small clearing. She lets her gaze travel over the still brilliant green shoots of grass that grows thick and deep. It is only here that she allows herself to relax. To trust in the comforting silence of solitude and settle into the recesses of her mind as she plucked the first mouthful of grass and began to mull over her next move.