"andhere mein vah ek raasta talaashatee hai"
in darkness she finds her way
‘Paas raho,’ her mother had told her. And Vihaan had understood. Darshan did not want her to wander too far, for these isles were foreign to them both, even if Vihaan herself had been born on one of the southern-most islands. Vihaan herself was alert and cautious, though her mother had already seemed at ease. Their journey had been long, and they both needed rest. Darshan herself didn’t seem inclined to stray too far from the south-eastern shore not far from the meadows of grass, but Vihaan was thirsty, and headed north in search of water.
After slaking her thirst at a fresh spring, with her mother’s warning echoing in her mind, Vihaan was startled by a muffled cry not too far ahead, and after a moment of hesitation, she plunged into the unknown towards it, driven by adrenaline, and the desire to help the troubled soul who needed someone.
Vihaan skidded to a halt when she came upon the trio. The two stallions were posturing, and the dunalino mare pinned her ears, immediately concerned for the mare. The smaller of the two males seemed to have come between the othes, and with little time to assess the situation, Vihaan squealed and lunged at the black and white brute who exuded dominance, taking a chance and snapping at his near flank while his attention was on the other male, hoping she’d be quick enough to avoid any returned aggression, before darting away and circling around.
“Neech jaanavar!” She spat the words at the black and white, aware that he probably had no idea what she was saying – none of them likely did. But the glare she levelled at the painted stallion made it clear enough. She thought very little of him indeed. The second stallion wasn’t spared her judgement either – for all Vihaan knew, this could be a territorial display. Perhaps they were fighting over the mare. She certainly wasn’t going to stand around and do nothing. Approaching the mare from the far side, staying as far away from both stallions as possible, she snorted sharply to try and draw the mare to her. “Come, follow. Quick, we go to safe place.”
Vihaan
the persistent
|