The little weanling filly bleats in sleepy complaint as Fell guides her into the waves. She is too young to swim, so when her little hooves are swept off the sand by the swell of a wave, she scrambles in alarm to climb atop Fell’s back. The stallion lets her, and after some struggle, the dark child settles with her front legs and barrel slung over her father’s withers. As he kicks off the sand and begins to swim in earnest, the filly grabs his mane in her teeth, slides around a bit, and then settles once more.

He can feel her heartbeat against his shoulders, and hear the rapid little breaths through the lock of coarse hair in her mouth. His own heart quickens at the thought of a wave pulling her away, at the idea that she might be lost to the sea if he is not careful, but he shoves the fear away.

He has to do this.

The morning was dark when they left, but pale light glitters on the calm sea by the time the silhouette of Salem becomes visible. The child is nearly asleep at this point, falling limp from exhaustion, and Fell picks up the pace to get her to land before she can let go.

When his hooves press into the soft sand the waves recede, the dark filly slips down his shoulder and begins to flounder in the shallows. Fell plucks her out of the water by the scruff of her neck and carries her onto dry sand. The chill of Salem nighttime still lingers, and he can feel his daughter shivering slightly beneath his teeth, but he knows the sun will be out in full force soon. He sets her down on the soft beach sets to work cleaning the seawater off her with his tongue.

Nyimara will find them soon, he knows.

FELL

stallion. 16hh. black. marwari x. Rougaru x visurix.