Faolain was roused from her dozing state by the soft sound of hooves approaching. Through the shadows of the jungle beyond the beach, a pale shape emerged, and for a brief moment Faolain thought it was Iscariot. Her small dark ears cupped forward, and she lifted her dark head to nicker a greeting. But she saw at the last moment that it was not Iscariot, and she held back the warm sound she had been about to make.

Requiem approached her across the sand, and she watched him curiously as his hooves drew near the gentle waves. She greeted him with friendliness, for though she had been surprised to see anyone other than her old friend, she still liked Requiem. They had not interacted much beyond their initial rather awkward meeting, but Faolain respected him for crossing the sea to ensure his family was safe. She had never enquired as to the reasons for Osceola’s leaving the Cove, but the small herd seemed happy here, and that was all that mattered.

Of course, Faolain did not see much of them these days. The winter had been an unusually taxing season for her, and she had not realized that Osceola had likely also intentionally hidden herself away. As Requiem spoke, the blue roan mare’s absence began to make more sense. Hot anger rose like bile in Faolain’s throat as she was told of Osceola’s assault, but she swallowed it down at Requiem’s words. Anger was of no use to her right now - or to any of this small family that resided in the Ridge. Still, she struggled not to reveal her discomfort at the events. The pain in Requiem’s face was razor sharp, and she did not want to stress him further.

Instead, she nodded her chiseled head. ”They will be safe with me,” she said. ”It is not your fault.”

Her eyes followed him as he pushed further into the sea. She could not truly understand why Requiem felt the need to leave, but she knew that if there had been a time to convince him to stay, it was long past. As he passed her, she pressed her nose reassuringly into his shoulder. ”Good luck,” she said. ”You are always welcome to return.”

Then she watched him disappear into the waves, her heart aching for the little herd and all the hardships they faced.