Rethe was often on edge these days, given how much tension had followed her grandsire's disappearance. She had no one really to talk to about what it all meant, no one to teach her why it was such a big deal that the silvery-maned mare that papa knew had taken the Cove, no one to explain why King Solomon had left in the first place, or why him doing so had resulted in such a constant underlay of stress.

Ultimately, she didn't really care. King Solomon was just a name, not a real presence in her life. Not the same way her father and siblings were. What difference did it make to her if he was gone? None.

"No it's not, da," Rethe answered playfully, visibly relaxing as the familiar figure of her sire emerged from between the trees. She turned to face him and quickly closed the gap between them, an easy grin on her face. "It's you." She settled at his side, bumping his cheek affectionately with her dusky muzzle, her ears tipping forward inquisitively. "Any babies yet?"