Merete could not decide whether Cullen’s decision to trade her from the Lagoon was a good thing or not. On the one hand, she disliked being bartered over like a piece of meat as a principle, but on the other, she was somewhat glad to be out of the Lagoon. She couldn’t imagine that Rougaru, as a friend of Cullen, would become a friend, but she would at least be away from the swath of bachelors on the Crossing for a time, and there would, presumably, be other mares in this new herd who might not be terrible company. So she climbed from the sea with an indifferent expression, shaking the droplets from her inky coat with a huff. Then she began her journey inward, towards the borders of the Paradise. She didn’t bother to call out, assuming that it wouldn’t take long for her new captor to greet her. Before she could wonder what he would be like, however, another call snatched her attention. “Mum!” Merete span around at Drika’s voice, and flicked her ears back momentarily in disapproval. She had run into her daughter on her way out of the Lagoon – she had no doubt been lingering at the borders, waiting for a chance to sneak a moment with her mother – where Merete had briefly explained the deal and where she was going, but she had firmly instructed her daughter to go back to the Peak, where it was safe. “What are you doing here?” Merete snapped, as Drika drew nearer. Her gold and white pelt was still dripping from the swim, but her expression seemed almost enthusiastic. “I told you to go home.” Home, what was that? Drika wondered vaguely, but her mind was preoccupied by her purpose and the childish excitement she had at having travelled to this new land. “I know, I know,” she replied, brushing off her mother’s concerns with a shake of her head. “But I have an idea.” |