He and Cullen’s little scrap in the Common had ended as abruptly as it began, resulting in Panzer’s status as a Lagoon “trinket,” as Cullen had called it, remaining unchanged. The large bay roan huffed, standing off by himself, unconcerned over something as trivial as rank. Disdain for the distraction bubbled in his midsection and he wrinkled his nose and stamped his wide hoof, returning the inner workings of his hateful mind back to his main priority—finding and destroying his great abuser of a mother. He didn’t want or need anyone’s help for this, but he knew staying in the Lagoon would likely not be where he would find her. Unless he was extraordinarily lucky—and he was quite possibly the least lucky creature alive.

He considered for a moment where he should begin, remembering that the land of his birth had been cold. There was only one island that fit such a description—Tinuvel. With spring budding all around and taunting him with its newness, he expected there would be several more foals being born soon, if not already. He flicked his ears back, annoyed that all of these children would face better odds than he for not just survival, but the high potential to thrive under what he imagined were herds full of happy horses, gallivanting around. He snapped his knotted, black tail between his thick hocks, tossing his head angrily at their presumed pleasure. It was unfair that they all should be so fortunate and he so damned from the very beginning.

Perhaps he could even the score.

Starting toward the shoreline at a strong and purposeful walk, he took aim for Tinuvel, preparing for the confrontation he’d surely have there. No matter where he ended up, surely those who saw fit to protect their children and their borders would take unkindly to a large and imposing stranger with nothing but malcontent in the black void inside his chest where his heart should have been. They could drive him out, but that would not stop him from returning again and again. Panzer was nothing if not a relentless force. He knew no other way to get what he deserved. And so he would have it, even if he bled endlessly.


PANZER