As he moved seamlessly into the role of protector for Daffodil as she grew older, Kestrel did the same for his newest baby sister. Things with Dayflower were different, and he was perceptive enough to pick up on it rather quickly. Kestrel was no stranger to looking after a horse with some sort of behavioral issues, given he’d been watching over his mother since he was old enough to understand how different she was, but he worried even worse when it came to Dayflower. She was so sweet and small, all the horrors he’d worried of monstrous beasts come to prey haunted his worst nightmares. What if he wasn’t there to protect her when she needed him most?
Overprotective enough for himself and his mother (who was far more interested in playing and having a good time), Kestrel looked after his family in the Dunes, and wondered how he could convince his mother to return to Atlantis. His grandfather (who he’d never really met and only just knew of) had owned the Ridge for some time and was said to be a strong stallion. He did not doubt the Dunes leader’s capabilities to help protect them if they needed it, but wouldn’t it be better if they were back on Atlantis and closer to family?
“Frey is going to come play with us!” Talya proclaimed as Kestrel gently probed, returned from his quick trip to check in on Daffodil and see if the Ridge was still a suitable home for the trio. Kestrel’s heart sank. He didn’t know how to tell his mother that he hadn’t caught his father’s scent in some time and was fairly certain he might never again.
Kestrel! The cry from his little sister had his head shooting up and ears swiveling, hard snort expelling from his velvet nostrils before he turned and started trotting in the direction he’d heard her cry. He hadn’t come to find her right away when returning, but knowing Dayflower, even a second from her might’ve confused the girl into thinking too much time had passed.
As the young stallion rounded the dune he took note of the little golden filly curled up among the sand and sighed with relief, seeing she appeared unbothered. “Dayflower,” he called her name out to her as he approached, “I’m back, I’m here,” he assured her further as he came to stop in front of her, reaching out to affectionately nudge at her cheek. He wondered briefly if he could convince her to get excited about going back to Atlantis, to meet Daffodil and see all the fun things that Atlantis could offer them, maybe they could both convince their mother it’d be fun to go too. Was it wrong to use his little sister like that?
“Mom is playing over by the oasis,” he said, “Should we go play with her?”
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