As much as Nova did her best to stay away from Warsaw's prying gaze and separate herself from the rest of his herd, she knew that there was no way of escaping the Inlet, at least not while she was so heavy with foal. Over and over she told herself that she did not care for the foal that grew within her, that she hoped it would die and she would once more be free of Warsaw but even she knew that this child would not solve that problem. It was only her temporary solution to keep him away from her... at least for the time being.

AS the first wave of labor began to crash around her, a whole new sense of vulnerability hit her. Although she had exchanged a few polite pleasantries with the pangere mare, still she did not trust any of the herd, especially Warsaw's lead. A contemptuous snort escaped her lips as the obsidian mare lifted her head proudly. No, she did not trust that mare nor would she ever. None who could align themselves with that stallion could be trusted. The father of this child included.

Without a backward glance, Nova turns for the deep undergrowth of pine and spruce and juniper that she knew would provide her enough privacy to birth the child alone.

It does not take more than a few hours for her to push the child free of her womb. She prayed that the foal would not be a male and relief flooded through her when finally she brought herself to gaze upon the pretty little pale girl that nestled against her flank, skin still damp and shivering against the cold winds. A heavy sigh escaped her lungs as Nova stood and gave her slim form a quick shake. Silver blue eyes gaze affectionately at the young girl, her frigid heart warmed at the sight of those pale eyes so innocent and trusting, rising to meet her own. "Tuari" she whispers, her ashen muzzle pressing softly against the small girl's creamy neck. Tenderly she licks the girl's coat until the once damp fur is replaced with dry pale fuzz. A soft murmur rumbles from deep within her throat, a unspoken song that she had shared seasons ago with Leviathan too... a song between mother and child.

For a time the two remain hidden deep in the shadows, but as the sun began to make its way to the horizon, marking the end of yet another day in the Inlet, Nova led her daughter cautiously back towards the open meadow, skirting the outside of where the herd usually gathered. She did not trust the thick woods at night for worry of wolves... but neither did she trust the herd with her precious new gift.