Should she have fought that stallion to stay in the Thicket? The more she looks at her lover, the more the thought creeps back. No, no this was where she was meant to be…was she being too selfish? A small smile tugs her lips upward as she watches her daughter and Arneis interact. Out of all of them, he has been the best father to Devi. Orphiel has been amazing in the beginning, but as certain things came to light he quickly disappointed Parvati by leaving. Arneis has been the only constant thing in Devi’s life beside herself and she can only pray that never changes.
The beaming smile on Devi’s face urges Parvati to press even closer to her lover. The sadness of being the only three to inhabit the Inlet could be forgotten for this moment in time. They were happy together. She can feel the tremble of both Arneis and Devi so there was no need for her own question to Arneis, but she asks anyway. A sigh slips through her lips as he answers. It was her fault they were hear now so she had to take some responsibility and work to keep them warm. Arneis asks Devi if she was cold and he filly nods her head fiercely. Their child was not used to the cold and has never been anywhere with this much snow before. You would think the Tinuvel blood in her veins would help, but it didn’t seem to be working. ”Why is it so cold here? I mean it is much colder than the Thicket got! Why is that? Can we go somewhere warmer?” Little Devi asks her father through chattering teeth.
Parvati sighs again, this time more loudly. "We can’t leave this place just yet or someone from the previous herd might try to take it back.” How could she effectively explain the workings of a herd to her young child? “We are much further north than we used to be, Devi. It snows more here and the winter is a lot harder to stand, but just wait until spring. Just wait until the snow melts and you will see how pretty it gets here.” She smiles lightly and nudges her child’s shoulder. Devi rolls her eyes with a snort. She had no time for waiting to see something pretty. She wanted comfort now! Thankfully, Arneis changes the subject, but not with the best question possible. Parvati sighs for the third time. "I’m sure father will do his best with us closer now, but his herd is so big it would be hard for him to be here and there. From what I’ve heard, the Inlet is a sought after place so I can’t guarantee someone won’t come looking to take it, but I will do my best to keep them away.” She hates to admit it, but she was still inexperienced herself. Parvati was a young leader that many will see as an easy win.
It doesn’t matter that she was proven some of them wrong on the battlefield so far. More will come. Just like that a call echoes throughout the Inlet. Parvati’s head tosses up as she turns towards the beach, towards the direction of the caller. This did not sound like a happy call…the voice was threatening. “Keep Devi safe.” He must hate watching his pregnant mate walk away to do battle with some unknown stallion. Not knowing if she will return or what kind of condition she will return in.
Little did she know this battle would be for the only member of her herd she had left.
