Azalaïs did not see the black stallion arrive on their border. She only witnessed the tail end of his battle with her mother, watching as they moved together in an intricate dance of snapping teeth and thrashing hooves. But in the end, Marceline was bested by Fell. The princess was given no choice - she was bound to the beast now. She barely had time to say goodbye to her mother before she and Atlas were being herded away, the tides engulfing the trio as they made their way toward the Common isle. When they reached the Crossing Azalaïs wondered, for a heart-stopping moment, if he was taking her to the Lagoon. All the information she'd ever been given about the Lagoon was second-hand, but unpleasant enough that she'd vowed not to step hoof there willingly.

But they continued across the main isle, circumventing the Lagoon entirely. Further north he pushed her. As they crossed through the Commons she couldn't help but let her mind wander to seasons past, when she had chased Atreides down here only to find he'd been snatched up by someone else. It was somehow both the best and worst day of her life. At least she'd gotten Atlas out of the whole thing.

Her reverie was short-lived, because soon the forest wrapped itself around them. Past the Falls and the Peak until they met the sea again. Azalaïs paused on the beach, weary and hesitant. She could just make out the dark silhouette of Tinuvel on the horizon, and a feeling of despair filled her stomach. She was a desert-born girl... how the hell was she supposed to survive on the coldest island in the region?!

But again she was given no choice, and the three made the swim to Tinuvel. When they touched hoof on solid ground again, Azalaïs pulled herself eagerly from the water and shook the salt from her speckled coat. Turning to Fell, she fixed him with a fiery amber glare. For the first time since they left Salem, she spoke only to spit harsh words at him. "You must not be very smart if you think my mother is going to let you get away with this." A subtle sneer curled her upper lip. The threat of having to deal with Marceline's wrath may not work on him, but she at least had to try. Azalaïs knew her mother would do everything in her power to get her back home. She had to believe it. In the meantime she was determined to make life as difficult as possible for her new captor.

Without waiting for any sort of acknowledgement, Azalaïs turned and headed deeper into the territory, eager to let the forest engulf her and put as much distance as she could between her and Fell.

two • filly • mixed • blue roan leopard
hills princess • played by pippa • art by kiwi