It dawns on the cream stallion that he might be throwing too much her way at one time. Their first meeting had gone so slowly, ultra-slow, but that was also the reason they knew so little about each other. Requiem didn't wish to waste any more time after what has happened in less than a month's time. Fall was only a few weeks in and his life has already changed so much. He won Evie from her captor, but then lost the Bay. He was going to be a father and he did all this before he knew he would have no proper home to raise them in. He had the Inlet, but he would prefer raising his young away from Warsaw's reach. Besides, here he would have to see the champagne filly that Nova bore last Spring.
His win against a seasoned stallion had given him the confidence that led him to mate with his mare Nampeyo and then with the traveling mare Jetta. He could see the light at the end of the tunnel and all he would need is Tavas back, but that light was now beginning to grow farther back. It was like the path he was following suddenly became longer. His unmarked hide now bore marks from his battle with Liland and his previous battle with Ruger. The sensitive, awkward, Requiem was growing up. He watches Evie as she shows him a smile and doesn't ask any more questions about the happenings on Tinuvel.
Evie didn't need to worry herself with the island's politics and the drama surrounding Warsaw. Requiem would keep her away from all of it for as long as he could. She says she will look for Nampeyo and this lifts a smile on his pale lips. It would be the best-case scenario for his small herd to all be friends. He honestly wouldn't know what to do if his mares couldn't get along. He knew if they fought than one of them would most likely leave because they wouldn't be happy. He didn't want to lose any of them, Nampeyo, Evie, or Tavas even (once he gets her back). They all meant something to him.
I want to stay.. her words echo through his thoughts. His smile was bright and large. It was the most joy he has felt since his father told him he was useless. "I want to be a good stallion for you and Nampeyo. And Tavas when I can get her back." He didn't mean to mention Tavas, but her name slips out before he can stop himself. Now she might ask more questions and find out about the first mare he ever had under his protection and how he had failed her. |
