Falls

Zevulun’s blue eyes softened on the mare before him as she spoke, explaining her gratefulness and hinting at troubles hounding her heels. The pale stallion knew too well how fickle life could be; even the paradise he’d built within the Prairie was not immune to its occasional issues. They had been large life lessons mainly, but any time activity stirred among the islands the pale stallion knew he was trying fate the longer the Prairie remained safe. Eventually there would always be someone who operated the way nature intended their kind to operate, and they’d have eyes for someone Zevulun had sworn to protect, and there would be a fall-out of consequences whether he managed to win or lose.

Without the good memories he found among the day-to-day life in the Prairie, those hardships and troubles would feel meaningless. In this he felt he could sympathize with Daire.

“If trouble finds you while you are under my protection, I will do all I can to keep you safe from it.” There was a resoluteness in his tone. It was clear he meant every word he spoke. “The Prairie can be your sanctuary,” he said softly, “yours and Lir’s, and whoever this babe will be come spring.” He smiled, nodding briefly at the swell to her side. Already he felt more confident, assuming the self-appointed role of guardian and protector for Daire and her children. “That is exactly what I intended it to be for when I took it over.” A sanctuary.

“Are you fit to travel now? I can lead us there now if you are.” It would be better the sooner they could get home, of course, but Zevulun also did not want to push her or Lir too quickly too soon.