Larka had kept mostly to herself since that meeting with Shamwari. Deep within her breast, a myriad of emotions struggled each for control of the pale mare's heart and mind all at one time. A part of her hurt, hurt for the pain that she saw behind Shamwari's eyes, for the anger that lingered upon his tone and the cold indifference that he met her with. She had been thrilled when she saw him, overjoyed at the thought that he still called these islands home and sad that she had not completely remembered the way back to the prairie. It was true that she had hoped Shamwari might find her on the main island but when day after day came and left without even a scent of his skin, she had given up that hope. Sabela was kind enough and despite being mute, Larka really enjoyed the pale mare's company. None the less even the pale mare could not help Larka now.
Perhaps it was the struggle of the emotions, perhaps it was simply the child's time, regardless of why, it is during the highnoon when the first pains of child birth first hit. Larka had almost forgotten what those sensations felt like but instantly she remembers and grimaces. There was no turning back now. Finding a small patch of shade beneath a thickly branched joshua tree, Larka lets nature take its course and after a few hours rises to stay over a small smokey colored foal. Silver blue eyes soften as she gazes down at the boy and nudges his shoulder affectionately, pink tongue licking him clean off the damp afterbirth that still clung to his skin.
not all that wander are lost;