Ailill chuckled a little nervously at Shararat’s explanation of her language. It humbled him to know she thought of him in such a way. In Paradise he had barely been more than a colt when he stepped up to lead and met Shararat. He had known then he would defend her in any way he could. Now, looking at her, he knew he still would. Her words brought a different sense of feeling to his heart. The possibility that one day he may be the sire of a child. An ear flicked at the thought and as he looked at the woman before him, he regretted that he could not have been better to her so he could have earned the title she had given him.
Her question surprised him and he chuckled in earnest. Your mother? Keep a stallion? She barely allowed me to stay and it was my territory. Thinking back he was pretty sure Iftikhar kicked him one time, possibly for taking Shararat on an adventure. But he could not recall for sure. He had been kicked too many times. His face sombered at the look on Shararat’s. No, I do not know of any other stallion. You two came to Paradise and stayed for rougher seasons before we all left the islands. I am sorry.
Ailill’s creamy ears flicked to Ak Burun when she addressed him and he gave her a bit of a look. If she had ever met Shararat’s mother it would easy to guess no one could ‘know’ the mare. Well, welcome to the Isles. I am sure Shararat will be a wonderful guide to you. His smile did not even flicker at the mare’s probably purposeful cutting remark. Perhaps she wanted to keep me closer to her heart? he replied nonchalauntly, truly not offended that he would not have come up in conversation.
Once more his attention was brought back to his friend. Many places, most like Paradise, where the rocks stare back out at you. I live in the Ridge, now, should you ever want to visit me. He knew she would not come to stay. If she was anything like she had been as a filly she was born to roam and be free. If she had taken anything from her mother or Ak Burun beside her, she would seek adventures with those much like her. It pained him to believe her spirit could one day be consumed by one like Iftikhar again. He looked back at Ak Burun, hoping he could trust her with the life and safety of his soul-daughter.