Gnome’s delight is palpable, and Kendry’s grin grows even bigger. “Yes, please! I feel soggier than seaweed right now.” He follows the multi-colored stallion to the dense grove, marveling that despite being on a totally foreign territory it feels a little bit like coming home as they take shelter under the palms, Kendry taking care to shake out his hairier self further away from Gnome before settling companionably near the older stallion.
The rain still pounds the ground around them and drips now again through the canopy, but it’s quite cozy to be out of the direct torrent. “It’s been years,” he replies over the drumming rain. “Last I heard she was living at the Ridge, but I’ve just come from there— no Marlena.” He shrugs; it is not a devastating revelation— he’s no idea how old his dam is, but knows he’s been alive for close to a decade. A lot can happen in that time. But, it would be nice to know she’s alive and happy somewhere, rather than to be wondering about it for the rest of his life, a reality that Kendry realizes with some discomfort he may have to adjust to.
“I’ve been gone a long time, though, and never really was one to leave the Crossing if I didn’t have a good reason.” He flicks rainwater off his ear. “I’d have no way to know if and when she moved to a different herd, or beyond these lands entirely. You know?” He exhales sharply through his nose in what might have been a laugh and glances sidelong at Gnome. He can’t remember when or why he and Marlena ventured to the Crossing when they did— Kendry had always assumed it was because he’d grown out of yearlinghood and his dam was ready to part ways. Kendry certainly had been eager to explore the company of other males. “But what about you?” he asks, gesturing to the rainy lands outside their little grove. “This place is quite different from home.” |