Falls

The fighting had ceased in the Forest. No more did bellows of rage and cries of pain ring out through the trees. It had been so disorienting for Vihaan, as used to the open plains of the Prairie and barren flats of the Desert. She had come seeking her father, but fear stopped her from heading deeper into the depths of the Forest. The fierce and brave-hearted dunalino burned from the shame. And the anguish. And the anger. It was all too much for her. What had been done to her sister, the [i]threats[/i] that faced her family both in the past and presently, [i]the time that had been taken from her[/i]. Overcome by the eerie silene in the aftermath of the war, with a mournful cry Vihaan stumbled out of the woods, and plunged into the sea.

It was so cold it made her numb, but still she burned within.

By the time she reached the shores of the Crossing, the mare was trembling, and her energy was spent. Some rational part of her questioned why she’d come here in the first place – she should be with Everglow and Darshan, waiting for Shamwari to return to them and protecting them in the meanwhile. (She should be with her son, teaching him the way her mother had taught her. This was her responsibility, it was…) But Vihaan was alone, wandering aimlessly through the frigid landscape, shivering violently. Whenever the wind dropped, there was the distant roar of the Falls. No matter how cold it was, the rushing waters had not frozen over. There was power in being a constantly moving force, a kind of strength Vihaan had once been sure of.

But nothing was ever certain, she knew that now. Not life, not love, not even her convictions.

She’d always attested to the fact that she’d do anything for her family. But Vihaan had been shaken to the core. Darshan had almost died. Shamwari might be hurt. Everglow was safe for now, but how long would that last? Primrose had been defiled by the very stallion Vihaan had grown to care for. She had known there was darkness in him, but discovering the whole truth about what had been done to Prim, to her sister… And Akello… Vihaan had left him behind. How could she – how could she protect any of them? She couldn’t bear to let them down, and yet she had, and no doubt would again.

It was too much, too much, and finally, now that she was alone, shoulder pressed to the rough bark of a tree as though leaning on it for support, the once fearless dunalino mare felt her anguish overwhelming her, and soon she was sobbing unabashedly, largely oblivious to anyone who lingered beyond the confines of her small circle of sorrow.

"…"

Vihaan