The last time I came for a visit I met Zurok and you were gone. Though it didn’t actually ache, Zevulun suddenly felt a tenseness in the scarred tissue that ran along his back limb. His weight shifted somewhat to accommodate the sensation, and he nodded as Parvati mentioned Zurok had found home in the Bay. “Yes,” he admitted, “I took back the Prairie without conflict last autumn.” Initially it had seemed as though there was going to be some sort of a fight, given the words he’d caught the black stallion speaking shortly after taking his home back. Since then, though Zurok had seemingly settled elsewhere. Even when he had visited the Prairie again, Castillon had told him the stallion had been respectful, and had vocalized that he intended to bring no harm to the herd.

Zevulun had a complicated tangle of emotions when he thought of the black stallion. “My sister, Mariael-” it was only then that it occurred to Zevulun he had never introduced or even told Parvati of the rest of her family, through him, who lived on the islands. He blinked and continued past the thought, “She leads the Arch, I recently went to visit with her; she told me Fell had brought new stallions into his herd and I came to realize one of them was Zurok.” He paused briefly before adding, “I’m glad he and his family were able to find a decent home.”

The sentiment was said warmly even despite his conflicting emotions on the matter. Zevulun had not wanted to see Zurok and his family homeless, but he had become somewhat possessively protective of the Prairie and the peace he was working so hard to foster here.

Parvati introduced the younger stallion and Zevulun’s smile warmed as his blue eyes sparked brightly. “Well then,” he said with a bit of a chuckle, “It’s very good to meet you, grandson.” He grinned at Nicodemus, admiring what a strong boy the stallion seemed to be. Though his heart would never stop lamenting for what his absence had done to Sabela and Ysabel, he was at least happy he could have a relationship with his grandchildren. Perhaps in some small way he hoped it made up for even a fraction of the wrongs he’d committed. “You will always be welcome here in the Prairie.” He added, even though it likely needn’t be said aloud. Zevulun wanted all his blood to know that no matter what, so long as the Prairie was his, this place would be a haven for them and their families too.

Parvati’s attention turned to Castillon. The name of her mother was unknown to him, despite the relation apparently being a half-sister; their father’s name though, Castillon had heard a time or two. “Oh,” Castillon said with a slight grin, “my mother’s name is Riesling.” He was glad he could keep his tone light, despite the tenseness that clenched his gut any time he thought of or spoke of his mother. “She lives in the Badlands with my uncle Rafe.” He missed her terribly; a part of him wanted her here to help him become a lead of his own herd, another part of him was so worried about disappointing her, he was letting himself think it was best she wasn’t.