Indira's expression remains unwaveringly harsh. After all that she's endured, Indira is done taking crap from stallions. She won't be stolen, traded, bullied, raped, or pushed around anymore. She isn't anyone's "pet". She's here in the Desert because she chose to be. She's here with her father until she figures out where life should take her next, and she doubts life will take her to the Lagoon. Only if she wants to be prisoner to a band of stallions who have little respect for her gender will she look up Jaxon.

Indira heaves a sigh of relief as Koray sees the intruder out.

She turns to study her wavering reflection in the disturbed waters of the oasis. Overall, she doesn't look bad. The salt water washed the dried blood from her coat and accelerated the healing process from any wounds remaining. There is a hairless patch near her wither where she was bit, and some fading scars along her belly and shoulders. Her missing half a right ear is the one scar that will never quite fade, a permanent reminder of her brave accomplishment.

Just as she begins to wonder where her parents are, she hears Orhan's hurried approach. She turns quickly to accept his embrace. She holds him close for a moment, breathing in the comfort of his smell. While Indira feels more substantial to Orhan, Orhans feels so small to her. She's taller than her father now. She still pictured him as this wise mountain of horseflesh, both intimidating and comforting in his strength. But seeing him now, she is reminded of his mortality and how much has changed in her absence.

"It's really me dad. I'm fine.", she laughs, and they break away from their embrace. The mention of the stranger compels her to cast a glance towards the horizon. It remains empty. Jaxon is definitely gone. "Just a troublemaker from the Lagoon. Koray took care of him.", she answers as her focus returns to Orhan's face. "I'm so sorry. I've missed you so much. How have you been? Where's mom?"