Oswin stood quietly on Crossing Isle’s shoreline, looking out toward the far-away island of Atlantis. Awkwardly she shifted her weight, irritation making her turn her ears back and flick her white tail with a sharp crack behind her. She was still quite early on in her pregnancy, but already her sides were swelling larger than they had during her previous pregnancies. Oswin had always hated being pregnant, but she had a feeling she was going to especially loathe this pregnancy.

Her dedication was meant to be toward the Peak. She had lost years to family drama and wanted to have nothing else to focus on but her sister’s and the message she was seeking to spread. Yet, in a moment of absolute weakness, she’d allowed this to happen.

The approach of the Peak General was met with a small nod, but little else. Oswin did not smile or reach to greet Róisín, nor did she particularly care to speak. They had nothing to discuss, the mission for the day was already laid before them and they knew what their duties entailed. When it was apparent Róisín was ready, the gold-and-white mare moved into the water, splashing it against the underside of her slightly swollen belly and shivering as she did. She pushed herself further into the water until the sand underneath fell away and she felt weightless, buoyant as she thrust her legs and swam with her neck stretched up, head just above the surface.

Her limbs ached as she stepped up onto the shoreline, and though Atlantis was in summer as well, it didn’t nearly feel as chilly as it did on Crossing Isle. The heavy, humid air felt thick to breathe the further inland they moved, but they’d need to walk the expanse of Atlantis to reach Paradise at a decent time.

As Róisín had grown up on Atlantis, Oswin deferred to her to pick the best path to get them to where they needed to go. Oswin had only visited Atlantis a few times in her life, but never spent so much as a season on the tropical island.

The closer they drew to Paradise the more she felt adrenaline leaking into her veins, body readying itself for a fight even when she logically knew there wasn’t going to be one (hopefully). This was meant to be a diplomatic visit, to understand Rougaru’s side of things and see if his chasing off the previous Ridge lead brought an end to his conquest. Additionally, they needed to know if he was still holding horses against their will. There was quite obviously a chance this could go poorly, though Oswin hoped it wouldn’t.

She stopped when they reached the Paradise border, where the thick smell of the herd residing there could be scented. Oswin’s pink nostrils flared and her ears flicked as she tested it, then, with the air she’d pulled in, lifted her chin and bellowed loudly out into the jungle. Surely it would call someone of importance forward.

Oswin’s blue eyes went to the General at her side and then forward again. All they had to do now was wait.

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.