When Bacardi pulled himself up onto the shore of Tinuvel, he was not alone. By his side, the short buckskin mare joined him. The sea water clings to her as it does to him; their thick coats like a sponge. But even as he looks to her, his golden eyes studying her form to see if she had fared well on their journey, his mind is not in the moment. Instead, it soars across the rugged landscape, searching for those he had left behind for his trip to the Crossing. Soraya and their son, Tavaris. Brynja and the second child they would have. Twinge, Svenja, Kesja…… Valka. Though there were others beneath his care and protection, it was those names that tugged at his heart so violently that he nearly forgot everything else that weighed so heavily on his mind.


“I hope you like it here.” he said, offering a smile to the mare before he began to lead her further inland. Though Bacardi wanted to rush to find his family, he trudged along at a solid walk instead. Not wanting to leave behind his new charge. “The herd should be very welcoming.” the painted stallion added, hoping to make her feel welcome. But with the chilled wind tugging at their salt soaked bodies, it didn’t feel all too welcoming; even to him.


When Bacardi’s eyes finally fell onto the gathered herd and his flared nostrils drank in their familiar scents, a heavy breath of relief escaped him. For every worry that added a grey hair, or extra wrinkle to his face it all seemed for not. Everyone looked well, just as he had left them. “I must find the other lead, Valka. You may stay here, or introduce yourself. Whatever you like.” Bacardi explained to Vera before taking his leave.


Finally, the stallion was able to shed the slow trudge for a long strided trot. The sound of his hooves echoed off the bare rock naked of snow. Skirting the herd, letting out a warm nicker to them, he began the climb to the watchful place he usually found the sea bound mare. Bacardi did wonder as he made the ascent, if all would be well when he arrived at her side. As the shore, he was to be steady. The solidity to her come and go like the tide.. Yet it was anything but strong that he felt on the inside after his visit to the Commons. Despite the seriousness of it all, it was second to what was on the forefront of his mind.


Their child.

five years. mutt. bay tobiano. fourteen three hands. of the bay.

"...speech"