Mornings have been frosty, the nights equally chilled, and all day today the air has had a sharp edge to it, intangible teeth driven by the wind. Autumn leaves bluster over the ground and swirl around Rhadra’s broad hooves as she jogs through the Meadow to keep her blood pumping and warm. There is an anxiety growing in her, one she cannot continue to deny for much longer. Winter is just around the corner and still she has failed to ensconce herself among any company. She turns her lovely head toward the mountain range rising in the distance. It seems the most obvious choice and yet, she balks.
The black vanner tosses her head and bucks midstride before ambling briefly at a run, then slows again to a trot and turns in a wide circle. She snorts, debating internally about her choices. It would be easy to return to the Peak and seek out Kestral, guided to the spotted stallion by his ever-soaring friend Keen. There she would find companionship, the warmth of another against her side, perhaps the physical comfort and satiation that this time of year makes her body clamor for— but that, ultimately, is what turns her away from the mountains and further into the Meadow, angling not inland but instead toward the beach.
Part of Rhadra accuses herself of running away. Would it be so bad to enjoy the company of a stallion again? Especially one such as Kestral, whose inner peace and contentment is not only palpable but contagious? But... Yes, her heart sighs, and she is reminded of that aching emptiness within her, of the three years she had to watch the sides of her fellow broodmares swell with the life growing so abundantly in their wombs while her own barrel rounded only slightly due to a thicker coat and what weight she could put on to tide her through the slim winter grazing.
It isn’t fair.
Rhadra tosses her head again, then slows as she catches sight of another horse grazing not too far away. These fields have seemed emptier than usual of late, although perhaps, Rhadra thinks as she trots toward the gold-washed mare, she’s just projecting her own feelings of solitude on the land around her. “Hello,” she calls as she draws near, then stops and offers her muzzle to the other to exchange breaths. The black vanner is grateful to have spotted the other mare before her introspection can drag her anywhere darker— company is typically very good at keeping such thoughts at bay!
“It gets a little colder every day, doesn’t it?” she says with a light laugh, feeling a little breathless while her heart continues to drum uncomfortably in her chest. “I’m Rhadra. Would you mind if I joined you for a bit?” |