It was unsurprising that the tension between the trio grew only thicker as time passed. As the Lagoon boss revealed a name to Oswin that she didn’t know - Nymeria - but Roisin did, Oswin’s blue eyes flicked to her Vulcan sister. Personal spite could drive one to devote themselves to the greater good, Oswin knew that better than any. The entire reason she’d dedicated her life to the Peak was because of what had happened to her dam before she was born and the ripple effect it had thereafter.

She glanced away from Roisin and back to the Lagoon boss. Every crumb of detail was filed away, building her understanding of the island politics she’d stepped into. Nymeria, Cullen, this pair were some sort of issue. They’d brought pain to Roisin’s family.

As the young mare spoke with irritation, Oswin felt that shared anger grow hot in her belly. Her white tail cracked at her hind and her legs shifted, just to stomp one hoof down and expel the energy she felt building up inside her. She was still after that.

Roisin wasted no time in claiming the Peak would take the mare, and Oswin didn’t second guess the decision. She was of the same mind as her Vulcan sister, and when she shared her gaze she nodded firmly in agreement and looked back at Rade. “Yes, the Peak will take her.” She echoed Roisin’s words, but she wondered…

“But what of the next mare who’s unwillingly forced here? And the next? Maybe it’s my bias,” her flat tone indicated it wasn’t, as did her pointed stare, “But I can’t see the Lagoon ending their traditions in taking the freedom of mares away to do whatever they want of them. She won’t be the last prisoner of your men, and you can’t look me in the eyes and say so without lying to me.” Oswin’s voice betrayed a thread of anger in it. The very evil she wanted to snuff from the islands was standing here in front of her, claiming it had no intention of continuing to do so. Even if Rade had grand ideas of the Lagoon no longer being such a force of darkness on the islands, could he convince the other stallions here of the same? Or would they overthrow him and replace him with a new evil who’d continue to support their rebellion?

Time for another direct question. Oswin needed answers. As many as the boss was willing to give before he finally told her and Roisin to get lost and go back to their Peak.

“Do you actually think you could lead the Lagoon into a period where they no longer steal unwilling horses from their homes, or drive them from the Commons and refuse to let them leave here?” She waited only a breath, but before he could answer, added, “I’d have to imagine you won’t be able to keep turning your prisoners over to the Peak without your brothers eventually overthrowing you.”

oswin
this is as brave as I know how to be.
I know it’s gonna hurt you, but please… be a little proud of me.