The blanketed male had been quite surprised to find the smaller mare alone, given that her condition made her so vulnerable. He had also wondered how she’d ended up on the islands with barely a scratch upon her, given that it appeared she traveled alone. When they arrived on Atlantis, he was glad to see that she was pleased with it. He wasn’t entirely sure how much she could see, of course, but the warmth spoke for itself. Though she was stout and well equipped for winter weather, he knew firsthand what a relief it was to not have to worry about food.

Gnome stood beneath the wide leaves that gave them shelter and gazed at her face, so pleasant and open. It comforted him to have company again, and she truly seemed good-natured. Her description of her home was not quite satisfying, as many places could be considered the edge of the world, but he did not push the issue. What she said afterward was surprising, however, and he knew he would need to explore further. “When you say given to the gods…do you mean you were sacrificed?”

This idea was completely foreign to him, who had been brought up with no religion or true belief system other than a strong moral code. A pang of sympathy went through him, and a different pang went through him when she said the gods gave her to him. For some reason this idea was uncomfortable, though he took some solace in the fact that she did not seem to be disturbed by the turn of events. In any case, he could be glad that the sacrifice had failed and she was standing before him, living and breathing. “I am not familiar with any gods you speak of, but if it is their doing that we found each other then I am thankful,” he said politely. “Though I do want you to know that I won’t hold you anywhere against your will. If you ever become unhappy with me, all you have to do is let me know. You are free to come and go as you please.” He had only known this mare for a matter of hours, but he had an inkling that she would not do much traveling alone. All the better, for he somehow found himself already worried for her wellbeing despite them being relative strangers.

Gnome