Twinge had always been curious about Bacardi’s life, especially his younger years. He had seen so many different wonders in the world where she had been confined to what could be found in the Desert. Cain and Harlequin both had been so nervous and dead set on keeping her safe in their home that she had not even tried to wander beyond the shallow waters that surrounded Salem. He had often mentioned his mother, and spoke of her being a Peak mare. The more he explained, the more she wondered why her own mother had not been one. Harlequin and Cain’s relationship had always puzzled her, though they both loved her equally, neither treated the other like lovers, if anything then they were more comrades at arms, both seeking to protect the Desert herd in whatever way possible but neither willing to bend the knee to the other. Maybe that was part of the reason she followed Bacardi so resolutely? ’No’ she tells herself, shaking her head to rid the thought from her mind. Bacardi was not like her sire and she was nothing like her mother. Besides, the painted stallion beside her was far better to look at. Sexy even. Those fierce yellow eyes, the well toned muscle, the finely crafted curve of his throat, even without the fall season she found herself devouring his body with her eyes and lusting for his touch. Not that she would ever tell him.

For a time, she followed him in silence, comforted by the warmth of his flank as it brushed her shoulder. Just like with the Bay of Tinuvel, Bacardi is in his element. The muscular stallion easily navigates the winding, twisting trails through the trees and around finds safe passage for them both through even the thicket of bramble patches. When they come upon the semi-clear glade from which a shallow creek bubbled through a worn trail, Twinge wastes no time with courtesy, they were far too familiar with one another for that. Brushing past him she navigates the swaying pendulum of her belly down the short embankment and snorts softly as her hooves touch the sandy bottom of the shallow creek. The water is cool, much cooler than she first expected but that is a welcome surprise. Greedily she bends her muzzle to the water’s surface and guzzles mouthful after mouthful. She had not realized until now just how thirsty she was. ’We can rest here awhile.’ the sound of his voice is met by a backward twitch of her red ears as she continues to drink her fill. ’I’m a little tired from the swim.’ now that was a lie. A mischievous smile tugs at the corners of her lips as she lifts her head from the water’s surface to glance back at him from beneath the thick veil of her dark lashes. ”Oh really?” she teases, flicking the wet ends of her red and white tail towards him. ”You wouldn’t be trying to make me rest now would you? I can keep going if you can.” she murmurs, tilting her chin up proudly.

Truthfully, she was exhausted. There had been moments during their swim, though she would never tell him, that she feared she might be swept away by a passing wave or dragged under by a sweeping current. Her legs ached, begging for rest but she was never one to appear weak or needy. She was not that type. For a moment her gaze lingers on the slight ridge that she had only moments ago rushed down to reach the refreshing waters of the creek. It was not very big, truthfully she could probably make it over it in a single high step, yet she is afraid to admit she might not be able to quite muster the strength alone. With a flinching sigh she glances up at his handsome face now, an awkward, almost shy smile on her ashen lips. ”Help me up?” she mumbles, her dark eyes glittering with warning should even a glimmer of a knowing smile appear on his lips…