When the perlino mare entered their little clearing, Melisma instantly recognized her. Though they had never spent much time together, Melisma had grown to know her scent and appearance as if she were her own sister. Letting out a soft nicker in greeting to her herd mate, she noticed that Phoebe quickly found herself frozen at her mother’s side. Her two toned eyes staring widely at the stranger. Brought into a world full of mistrust, she was unsure if she should be afraid of this stranger or not.
“I know you, Chimeras.” Melisma reassured, though could not tell if the mare thought her forgetful or herself to be unrememberable. Either way, the desert scent she brought with her made her heart give a hurtful twist as longing welled up within her chest. Melisma wanted to go home. To be with the desert herd again, even if it wasn’t as their lead mare. She missed the comfort of knowing what was to happen and seeing faces that did not look at her as if she were some plaything. Melisma missed her family.
“Her name is Phoebe.” she replied before reaching back to her red daughter, giving her a nudge towards Chimeras to show that it would be okay. Phoebe stumbled forward from the nudge, but then inched her way closer to the stranger. Extending her nose and ears cupped forward, she stood braced as if to dart at any second if the mare was suddenly hostile. Melisma couldn’t help but sigh. Phoebe should not be so fearful of her own herdmate.
“The stallions of the lagoon did not hurt me, but the birth was not an easy one.” Melisma admitted, feeling as if she could to this mare. They were supposed to trust one another after all, and it was have most likely been Chimeras and others at her side should the complication have happened in the Desert. “As much as it pains me to stay away from home, I must remain here until my body has healed and Phoebe is strong enough to make the swim. I am afraid that she will be ready before I am.”
|
