Akadi looked into the crashing waves, just beyond the shore. Her small body trembled, overwhelmed by the emotions that had gripped her. Now she stood, looking at the waves in fear. The season past when she had swam hard with Siobhan at her side she trusted the mare to keep her safe. Now when she looked she knew the chances of her being able to make it alone were slim. Something told her other souls had been lost to the depths of the sea, as if they were voices of her past. Ears flicked back, trying to listen to them, and also knowing she needed to step forward. Siobhan would have stopped at nothing to bring her home, nor would Ailill. In the little time Akadi had known who they were she felt sure they would have tried to come for her if she had been taken. Stealing herself, the little filly took a breath and leapt forward.

Her drastic move was interrupted by a voice that cut through the air. Akadi tripped, nose dipping into the waves. She stumbled but was able to otherwise keep her footing. Glancing back, she breathed heavy in surprised nervousness. She had never met the mare of the Ridge, but Ailill had told said Foalian was good, and decent, and could be trusted. She took a hesitant step forward, reaching out to her, but not leaving the water that swirled around her ankles.

She opened her mouth and then stopped. Beyond the water she did not know what the world was made of. There was the island she had been lost on, and there was the Ridge. Her face fell before it wrinkled with determination again. I am going to find my mother. Her voice stopped and she blinked at herself. I am going to find Siobhan. she said, correcting her mistake. Obviously the red mare was not Akadi’s mother. It was no secret to the filly that she was an orphan at this point, abandoned or unknown by her blood. She heaved a heavy sigh. She needs help and… she helped me. Obviously doing the same was the only course of action. Dark eyes looked at the darker mare and Akadi tried to swallow more of her nervousness. Do you know where she was taken? Or how to get her back?