Tarek has been living a life he never even dreamed was possible. His heart is full of love for little Yngvar, and Hannah. Most other stallions would be restless by now, searching for more mares, starting a collection and taking mares like conquests, but Tarek's heart is full of a romantic love so intense there isn't room for another, at least not right now. He is head over heels for the paint mare, and has never seen a treasure so great as their son. Yngvar may not be Tarek's by blood, but this is a truth he will never acknowledge. Tarek has chosen to be the boy's father and this is all that matters.

Finding himself in the forest is another stroke of luck Tarek never thought possible. Persephone is an excellent leader, putting those she protects above herself. Tarek hasn't known her long, but he's developed a deep respect for her. He is eternally grateful for her hospitality, and is glad to be back with his aunt Evren. He is surrounded by so many loving faces, in a place abundant with food and shelter. Tarek has never known bad luck, but neither have things ever felt so right. He worries that such happiness might not last and he does all he can to prevent that. This includes patrolling the territory for anything amiss.

This is what he's doing when he happens upon a group a strangers on the beach. There are three of them, two mares and a filly. Tarek does not linger in the shadows. He steps out into the open. His hooves crunch on the remnants to tree bark and leaves strewn across the sand. He makes to secret of his approach. His steps are slow but deliberate. His neck is outstretched. His nostrils flare and ears swivel, alert and wary. They don't appear threatening, but he won't jump to conclusions just yet.

"Hello," he calls out to them. "I'm Tarek." He comes to a halt at a respectable distance, and introduces himself. He takes in the strangers before him. One mare appears worried, checking the filly with all the tenderness of a mother. She reminds him of himself when he first arrived with Hannah. His gut tells him these three are no threat, but he'll leave that for Evren to decide. The least he can do is keep an eye on them until she arrives.

"May I help you?" Tarek asks, his face showing a genuine concern. His ears come forward, fixed on the trio, and his eyes become a window to the kindness in his soul.

A breeze rolls off the water, rustling the leaves in the trees behind him and filling his nostrils with the scent of saltwater and mare in heat. One ear flickers with the realization. His body wants to respond, but his brain is at the wheel, and the movement of one ear is all the response he allows himself to have. They took quite the risk traveling like this, but who is he to judge when he was in perhaps an even more dire position with Hannah only weeks before?