The first time Arael set foot on the Inlet, she felt as though she were entering some sort of fairytale dimension. Mountains in the distance stretched their snow laden peaks to the sky while a thick, beautiful sea of heather covered the ground and sent swirling clouds of perfume billowing about her limbs. The herd that Ironclad had gathered was not large in comparison to others, perhaps, but against the wide-open space, their number felt dauntingly large to the pony mare. Etheria had been quick to reinforce her choice, bathing the day in golden light that sparkled of the backs of her herdmates, and Arael had felt comforted.

She did not yet know the purpose for which Etheria had caused Deimos to abandon her, but she could see now why her goddess had led her to Xiomara, despite the black coat that the warrior Queen wore. Xiomara's purpose was not to be her leader, but to keep her safe for Etheria's chosen. How else could she describe the pull she felt toward the pale stallion whose coat had begun to silver like her own?

It wasn't as though they had shared much meaningful interaction. Apart from the way he had fought to make her his own, and then had extended the invitation in person, they'd shared little time together. She'd studiously avoided him through the Fall season, being far too afraid of bringing another Velahrn into the world to behave as a proper Etherian mare. And she had paid for it too. Watching Ironclad's frown grow ever more deeply etched into his face was punishment enough, and she knew already that she would seek him out first come the next season to appease both her leader and her goddess.

She stood quietly toward the center of the Inlet, her gaze thoughtful as it roved over the ocean ahead. It occurred to her that she should miss her firstborn, even if she was an ungracious and stubborn little brat. And she did, a little. At night, when Velahrn thought that her mother was sleeping, she often curled up beside her to share warmth and companionship. She did miss that. And the way that Velahrn was unafraid of anything, even the things that should most certainly scare her.

But the arguments? She didn't miss those.

Casting her gaze upward, Arael closed her eyes against the warmth of Etheria's sunlight and thanked her for yet another beautiful day. Now that the winter had finally ended, the little grey mare felt as though some parts of her were beginning to thaw. Buoyed by the warmth of the day and her decision for the future, she felt bold enough now to even seek out a herd mate and lifted her head to timidly call out for company. It was time enough to make this her home in a way she had never felt comfortable doing so in the Shore.