Falls

Daire and Lir. Zevulun took the pair in with their names in mind and found himself unable to keep from briefly grinning back at the colt. Despite whatever hardships the pair may have faced it was clear the boy’s innocence and curiosity was alive and bright as ever. Zevulun had always loved children ever since he sired his first foal when he was still basically a child himself, barely passed two. He had never known it was strange for a stallion to feel protective over and be fond of foals that were not of their blood; Zevulun truly adored all children whether he’d sired them or not. Already he wanted to see Lir off playing with his children among the rolling Prairie hills, wondering if he’d ever had playmates his age or if he and his mother had been traveling for far longer than that.

But it was Daire who took his attention and as Zevulun’s eyes slid back to meet hers, he took note of the bright strength in them. Despite his innate worry and despite her current condition, Daire had made it thus far with her young son safe and the baby she carried growing safe as well. It spoke volumes of her tenacity and Zevulun felt himself briefly humbled.

Can you help us?

“Yes,” he said without hesitation, tone absolute. He opened his mouth, intending to tell her of the Peak rather than serve some personal purpose, but in the end Zevulun was who he always was. He fell in love quickly and daydreamed just as fast. There was absolutely no way he was going to bring up the Peak, even though he likely owed it to her to mention that it was an option before…

“You and Lir and your unborn child would be welcome and safe in my home,” he said, and didn’t feel a touch of guilt for it or even consciously realize what he’d skipped over. “I keep my borders open for anyone who promises not to cause trouble. You wouldn’t have to stay if, when your children were old enough, you found there was somewhere else you wanted to be.” Zevulun was used to a strong streak of independence in the mares he often got hearts in his eyes for. By now the clause was standard for him to mention right away, too used to having to provide that point later in the conversation.

“I’m native to these islands,” he added, “I can help you learn about where you’ve come so you can decide if this is where you want to stay.” He would tell her of the Peak then. When she was safe in the Prairie and Lir was happily scampering about with Zevulun’s children; when they could grow closer and he could learn more about her, already so very intrigued from this first moment they’d met.