The afternoon winds down as Rhadra grazes her way rather aimlessly away from the beach and further into the rolling field, replenishing her spent reserves as her body cools and her coat dries, until only the thick white hair feathering her legs is damp. The sun warms her back and periodically she snorts the smell of salt from her nose and, finally, her appetite is sated. Rhadra lifts her head, small ears turning to catch an elusive sound as she examines the generous meadows sprawling before her.
There are other horses here as well as the scent of deer and smaller critters. No foul odor of carrion rides the wind and though she feels it is safe to presume from the clean air that predators are not an immediate concern she draws a deep breath from the wind again to confirm that there are not, in fact, any bears trundling around nearby. Horrible beasties; she’s seen the damage a swipe from one of those paws can do, and the aftermath of the strong jaws, and knows enough to run at the first indication such a shaggy monster is near.
Just the thought of one is enough to patch Rhadra’s coat with sweat, and she steers her mind elsewhere deliberately before instinct can work her into a panic. Her ears twitch again as she focuses on that distant sound. It isn’t like the dulled roar of the distant ocean, but something cleaner and gentler. Rhadra picks up her hooves and heads toward it at a graceful trot, neck arched.
Atop a small rise she sees the late afternoon sunlight glinting off running water at the base of a slightly steeper hill just ahead, and she descends with lively steps before checking her stride next to the creek which babbles so invitingly. The earth here is packed down and, judging from the broad surface of the rocks scattered in the water, this seems like it could be a popular fording spot. Further down the bank the vegetation is lush and a stand of healthy trees casts widespread shade, which Rhadra is quick to take advantage of to get her black back out of the eye of the sun.
This seems as good a place as any to keep herself for the night. She likes that she can see a good distance in all directions, even back up the hill, and that she’s not in an isolated section of, say, a forest. Rhadra settles herself in and props one hind hoof up on its tip as her eyelids sag just a bit. With running water and a possible fording spot to attract others she might even be able to make an acquaintance before bed— one thing she had not considered when striking out on this humble adventure of hers was the absence of company! |