Many have made this journey before – plunging into the wild, restless sea and heading for unknown adventures and altercations on the distant islands that wavered like illusions upon the blue horizon. Lorel had even known of one who’d returned from the chain. Aptly named the Lost Islands, the young stallion, who was a seeker of knowledge and a guide in all ways, was eager to dispel the myth and experience the isles for himself. One of his many brothers, this one tied to him by blood and not just heart, travelled with them, on the hunt for two they had lost, and another, far more elusive individual, who they sought to find.

The larger, heavier beast that plowed through the ocean beside him would have scoffed at the idea that Fate and Destiny had drawn them towards the northernmost islands. As Lorel pulled himself ashore out of the cold surf, he was not all that surprised to find that Ragnarr was already wading back out to sea. At an unspoken question, he just tossed his head in the direction of the larger island that lay to the south, and the majestic mountain that rose towards the sky. Even from this distance, it was breathtaking to the young male. In the eyes of the older one, however, it was like a beacon, drawing him. A challenge he could not resist. And if he were to ascend to its mighty Peak? Not even Lorel in all his wisdom and intuition could tell of the things that Ragnarr might see from such a height, nor how the seeing of such things might change him.

Lorel did not linger to watch his brother’s silhouette shrink as the waves carried him away. They had come together this far, but now each of them had their own paths to follow. Lorel’s led him a short ways inland – he’d spied a small range of mountains here, and perhaps would discover something of interest during his time here. The cool wind played with his thick, pale red mane, and filled the petite stallion with a rare pang of longing. The place of his birth had been a lot like this, and though it had never been Home, it would always be important to him, for it had been where his story had begun.

It was not long into his unhurried journey that Lorel came upon another. A mare, grazing alone. The young Icelandic stallion stopped as soon as he saw her, and observed a moment, scanning the area for others. A soft whinny was issued, to alert her (and any others nearby) of his presence, if they hadn’t already noticed him. He lingered where he was a few moments, before approaching slowly, ears alert, eyes bright beneath his thick forelock. There was no apprehension or aggression in him - Lorel always made a joke of it when his brothers teased that he was too soft. I’m only small, you know. All the wisdom in me has left no room for anger, or hate, or greed. And it was true enough. Lorel was wise beyond his years, and had always been willing to share the way he saw things with his brothers, no matter that the differences between them were so vast. Rather than setting him at odds with them, however, it had somehow drawn them closer, and Lorel would always be grateful for the protection of his brothers, and love them with his whole heart.

He still took care in his approach however, for he was a stranger to this land and to its people, and they were not to know that he would never desire to harm another. Never mind the fact that, while he was solidly built, he stood shorter than the mare, and carried not a scratch upon him. He was no fighter. Lorel kept a respectful distance between himself and the mare, and would leave it up to her to approach if she so desired. “Greetings, fair one,” he spoke, his voice lilting in the way of his brothers, that marked them as being foreigners to this land in more ways than one. His grasp of the common language, however, was impeccable, and could not be faulted in the same way as Ragnarr’s could.

“Forgive me if I’ve alarmed you, I wish no harm upon you or any other. I am Lorel. I have only just landed upon these shores and seek passage to the other side of the island.” The small male took a moment to survey the landscape again, a small, genuine smile tugging at his whiskered lips. “It is such a beautiful place. Is it your home? Forgive my boldness, but I would very much like to see some of it, if you would be willing to guide me.” A pause, and one frosted ear turned back in a moment of uncertainty. “If you deem such a thing unwise, I will be on my way,” he was quick to reassure. “I do not mean to trespass, and am no threat. I just seek safe passage, and would be glad of company a while.”