The morning sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, Veles could feel the soft brush of it against her side that now glow in the light’s embrace. A gentle smile caressed her velvet lips, her head lowering to trace over her son’s hip that was sprawled in front of her. Though the little colt could be a handful, Veles truly felt blessed in his presence. He swished his tail at her touch, raising his head to look at her with a groggy expression. He knew it was lost upon the mare, her eyes failing even more now than when he had been born. The one that had always been partially clear was beginning to dim, and match the one that was fully blind.


“Good morning, love.” Veles murmured to her child, though at the age of one, she doubted he wanted such pleasantries from her anymore. He tolerated it though, only giving a snort before she could hear the scuffle of hooves in the sand as he rose.


“Morning, Ma.” Corzan replied, turning to bump her nose with his before pulling away. Raising his head, he glanced around at their surroundings, taking in the view as the sun grew brighter and warmer as it lifted into the sky. They were near the beach, just tucked inside the vegetation of the jungle, but he could still hear the crash of waves upon the sandy shore. They called to him with every season he grew stronger, but he dared not leave his mother’s side, not for fear of himself but of what she might face if he wasn’t here to see for her.


“Are you ready?” Veles asked, receiving a ‘yes’ from Corzan before he led her further inland. The silver pony mare walked with her nose brushing her son’s fluffy tail, letting him guide her down the path they took every morning to go get a drink. As they reached the water’s edge and he stopped, Veles moved around him and stopped once her hooves touched the cool liquid at the edge of the pool. Lowering her head, her lips touched the crystal liquid as she drank her fill while her son remained on watch, taking his fill only when she was done. Only when they had both quenched their morning thirst did they follow the trail back to the beach.


Once they were out in the open, Veles stopped just outside of the shadows of the palms. The warmth of the fully risen morning sun feeling good upon her back after the chilly night. Though it was not nearly as cold as the other islands, compared to the summer humidity here, it was as cool as it would get. She could hear Corzan move away, his hooves picking up a faster gait as he moved out onto the wide stretch of beach. Once he had made sure it was clear, the young stallion took off at a full tilt. His nostrils drinking the air as the wind combed through his mane and tail. He did this every day, and Veles did not begrudge her son the only time he truly got to expel his energy. She only wished she could run with him.