The dun and white stallion had been dozing peacefully with Veles by his side when a rustle startled him awake. He caught a streak of white as a stranger passed by. The feminine scent that lingered was mingled with a male besides Rougaru’s. Thus, Gnome figured he should probably investigate. Glancing down to the little mare, he lipped lightly at her creamy mane and reassured her that he would not go far.

He emerged from their canopied shelter and onto the narrow trail that wound through to the center of the territory. Though the figure had gone away from the shore, something compelled him to glance down the short slope to the beach. There stood a white splashed figure. It appeared that she was staring straight at him, though he knew she couldn’t have been, for the next moment her gaze darted back to the sea.

Forgetting for a moment about the initial disturbance, he set off toward the sandy shore and whinnied to the newcomer on his way. He exited the jungle with a smile, the tropical plants grazing his sleek sides as he did so. As he approached, he reached his nose out to exchange breaths with the mare. ”Hello! What brings you to Paradise today?” He suddenly recalled the fleeting figure that had interrupted his nap. Perhaps they had come together? He wondered why this stranger remained on the beach if so. ”Are you here alone or did you come with the flighty one?” He ended his question with a quick wink to indicate his teasing.

Gnome