Though he’d never said it aloud, Zevulun had made a promise he would visit Atlantis to see Calypso again once his life permitted travel away from the Bay. Aside from wanting to see Atlantis (it was the one island he’d yet to see), he wanted to see Calypso. The sweet, beautiful young mare stayed in his mind and in his heart, her memory never growing stale.
So, when things were settled at home and it would be of no consequence to travel away for a day, Zevulun told Mariael where he aimed to travel and for what purpose. Of course, Mariael being Queen, Zevulun was instructed to speak with the leader of Paradise should it no longer be Ailil and learn what sort of stallion led in his stead. A political mission, then. Zevulun shook his head and made for the black-pebble beach with a wry grin. He doubted Mariael would ever stop thinking of Tinuvel first.
Though the swim was arduous, there was something enticingly refreshing about stretching his limbs in such a way. He had the heart of an adventurer, after all, and though no territory could replace Tinuvel, he wanted to see them all. Atlantis did not disappoint – it was everything Calypso had said it was and the love she had for her birth island was understandable.
Zevulun climbed onto the warm, soft, white sand beach and glanced back at the turquoise waters, unable to keep himself from grinning at how this island seemed to be Tinuvel’s polar opposite. Everywhere he looked it seemed color burst boldly before his eyes, a dizzying array of hues that seemed never-ending. Tinuvel was more subtle with its dark, nearly black-blue waters, pebble beaches and soft, deep, earthy tones.
And the weather! The heat felt more than just heat. It stuck to his skin in a way that he’d never felt, as if the air was weighed down by some means. Though uncomfortable for a stallion used to frigid air, he was still excited by it. New things never failed to intrigue him. Though Atlantis itself was enough to warrant a visit, Zevulun hadn’t forgotten why he was here and so he started out, walking toward the jungle bursting with trees like he’d never seen and vines hung from their branches, seeking out Calypso or the lead of this territory, whichever he’d cross paths with first…
Of course he still had to stop from time to time when he came across a dazzling display of Atlantis’ beauty. It was then – as Zevulun was standing by a wide pool of fresh water, marveling at the chain of waterfalls which poured into it – he heard a sound too big to be anything but another horse. Zevulun’s ears twitched and he glanced into the jungle around him. “Hello?” He called out, “Calypso?”
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