Instead of the crisp scent of snow, and the sharp tinge of rock, and the bitter smell of pine; the earthen scent filled Bacardi’s nose as they slipped into the Forest’s folds. The leaves that had already fallen, littered the ground, covering many of the trails that zig-zagged through the trees. But the stallion walked with confidence. The paths long since burned to memory, that he could walk them even with his eyes closed. First, he would take her to the stream, where she could slack her thirst if she had it, and wash away any salt she might still have upon her tongue. Then, he would take her to the pond that he had shown Sidra. Bacardi wondered if Lakota would be as impressed with the still water as the younger mare had been?


“I held the Savanna for a time, when I was extremely young. Then I went on to live in the Bay as the second when I realized I wasn’t old enough, or experienced enough to be a lead stallion yet.” Bacardi started, glancing over to Lakota as he answered her question. “When I moved on from the Bay, I came back to Luthien and claimed the Thicket because it was available. But there was….questions, that I wanted answers too. So I went to the mainland looking for them.” Bacardi sighed, looking ahead along the path again just as they reached the small stream. He paused there, letting her get a drink if she wanted one before moving on. “Soraya has been with me since the Savanna. Twinge, since the Bay. Both went to the main lands with me, but I think they were as ready to return to the Isles as I was.”


As they went along the path, the ground sudden swept upwards. Bacardi didn’t slow, climbing up the embankment until he stood atop the pond dam. He looked across the completely still water as it reflected the sky; showing the few dots of stars beginning to light up as darkness chased away the evening pastel colors of the setting sun. Here, at least, there was a full view of the sky where the trees could not block it. “Persephone gave my mother safe haven to birth me here in the Forest. When I returned and learned of her leaving, I felt like I had a new purpose. To carry on what she had been doing.” Bacardi knew it was probably more of an answer than Lakota had wanted or expected, but the painted stallion didn’t mind telling her. Hoping that by sharing as he had, that it might give her room to feel comfortable to share with him as well.

mutt. bay tobiano. fourteen three hands. of the forest.

"...speech"