Zjeena didn't explain the entire situation to her twins. She was careful not to tarnish Liland's name for them. Whatever her disagreement with Liland, she refused to drag them into their conflict. They would not be a weapon in whatever war they're having. They should remain neutral. Perhaps if they earn and keep their father's favor, they might know freedom, as Zjeena once thought she had.

The twins are young, but they are not stupid. Even without Zjeena's testimony, they have pieced the puzzle together, and do not like the picture it creates. Can anyone blame them? They grew up in Paradise, kin only to Zjeena. The only side of Liland they have seen is this one. The one that berates their mother with harsh and angry words. The one that is cold and stand-offish to the rest of the herd. They've seen what he's done to Bran, and now he's done the same to them. He sent their mother away without them. They may not need her milk, but she remains the only adult they trust. Now she is gone across the sea, and they are here, dealing with the grief of her loss, with only each other the lean on.

Nattergal stands sentry on the shore, looking out across the bay, where he knows his mother departed. He imagines her last moments on this island. Did she think of him? Is she sad, over in Paradise? He longs to comfort her, but her commands to stay here, keep him rooted in place. He longs to disobey, but after all that's happened, he couldn't bear to cause her more pain.

"Come on, Nattergal." Havelle, pleads. "Let's go get something to eat." The colt silently shakes his head.

Havelle waits, the silence stretching out between them, but Nattergal's resolve remains firm.

Her stomach growls.

Defeated, the filly heaves a sigh, so like her mother's, and turns away from her brother. Delicate hooves carry her up the hill and towards the meadow, where the rest of the herd browses what's left under the snow. She joins them, nibbling at the muddied remains of summer all alone. It's unusual to see her without her brother. The two are normally inseparable, but recent events have left them out of sorts.