There was no time left to make a decision. Little Torvi has forced his hand by running off so he had to follow her. It was his plan to leave anyway given the circumstances. The others wouldn’t understand…he knew that wouldn’t, but he still couldn’t leave without word. He couldn’t leave her without some kind of goodbye. He knew how it felt to feel the wrath of death and to feel the worry of a missing loved members. He also knew it hurt when they left on their own, but it was better to know what happened to them. Requiem thinks maybe it was time he left the islands in search of those who left him. Perhaps he would find his daughter Prairie or maybe he would chase after Tavas. It has been a long time since she has gone, but his fire still burned. It was weak, but it still burned.
He often wondered what became of Nampeyo and their children. It has been his belief that they had died by the wolves, but no body was ever discovered. They could still be out there somewhere. There was a point where he had great feelings for Audie. Requiem had given his heart to her quickly, quicker than anyone else, and their daughter had come into the world just as quick. Hope for them had reappeared when he found them in the falls, but she soon vanished again. The last time had been a terrible misunderstanding, but what about this time? Had their time apart caused a rift too great?
Then came Osceola. She was feisty, flirty, and dangerous. She was a mare that always pushed him to his limits and drove him crazy. For some reason he couldn’t let her go. He follows her where ever she runs, but as much as she tried to change him, she just simply could not. She deserved so much better. It was this thinking that brings Requiem to Faolain today. He stares out from the bank where the Queen seems relaxed in the shallow water. It was hard to disturb her knowing how much trouble her herd had gone through lately. He might be able to provide some help, but he couldn’t know how successful he would be. It was a dire situation for them all, but each had different struggles they were dealing with.
”Faolain.” He says quietly, but sternly. Nerves rose up in his gut, but he must do this. Requiem steps into the sea until the water was just washing over his hooves. ”I’m so sorry for disturbing you. You look so in peace.” Auburn eyes soften. This beautiful mare has proven herself much stronger than him on many occasions even with her losses. ”I have been tasked by my daughter to keep a close eye on my granddaughter until she comes back for her. I must keep her safe, but I find my mind getting very distracted staying here.” Where was he going with this? Requiem struggles to find the way to his point, eyes staring at the dark was in front of him. He sees his reflect in the moonlight. What a pitiful stallion he was.
”I ended up here only because Osceola ran here to try to spark some kind of reaction out of me. I am afraid that should have been my sign.” He sighs. ”Osceola is a beautiful, strong, mare much like yourself. She deserves someone who can give her more attention and who can truly protect her. I have failed at protecting her more than once.” He had failed when they lost their rights to owning the Bay. He had failed her when she wanted to leave Solomon’s abnormally large herd, but this time his failure was much worse. ”She was assaulted by an unknown stallion. I see the way her belly grows and I see the look on her face. I am sure the baby she carries was not planned and I failed to be there for her. I cannot watch any longer and I must focus on keeping my granddaughter from harm.” Some how he finds the courage to look the Ridge Queen head on.
”Osceola and Matoaka deserve to be here under your protection. Allow them to stay and keep them safe for me.” He swallows, hard. Requiem and Osceola had a beautiful child together that loved nature. The Ridge was the perfect place for her so saying goodbye to her earlier today had been hard. She might not have exactly understood considering he didn’t exactly say the words ‘bye’, but she would soon understand. Matoaka wasn’t the little filly he chased around the jungle anymore. Tears began to slowly stream down his cheeks. ”Please tell them I’m sorry. Tell her I’m sorry.” The stallion descends deeper into the sea and begins the swim away from the Ridge.
He could not completely leave the islands behind until he finished the mission laid out to him by his eldest child. Tauri deserved this and so much more for her upbringing. Her mother deserved just as much, but there was no way he was going to go searching for her. He would keep Torvi safe with the words of Tauri burned deep into his greying heart. "Your track record at protecting me has never been good…"
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