Falls

He respected the motherhood of the opposite sex. Mares bore the weight of entire lives and their success in the future. That Brightwine and Blackfrost would grow up without one was already a hardship… but the thought that without the motherly inclination of this mare might have guaranteed the loss of one of his two children could have made him crumple at her feet in thanks.

He smiles down at Brightwine as she nuzzles herself into the mare’s side. It is good, he thinks, for now at least. He offers words to this woman who’d saved his sanity and his child, but he expects little in return. It is enough she exists, afteralll. She surprises him, though, and replies. "I know about being cursed." He nods, refusing to pry beyond that very vulnerable admission. He is accustomed to the fact that he was often the sensitive and emotional one between himself and the mares in his life-- it was also impressive as she was almost a total stranger.

His next words, though, spring her almost entirely to life. The mortification on her face makes him startle, barely able to hold himself still as to not distress his daughter between them. "Daughters?" His face is apologetic immediately and he shakes his head insistently. "ANother daughter safe amongst our other family in the Inlet. Her mother perished for weakness that sunk into her bones during pregnancy. She was not here when the flood began." It makes his heart clench that this strange mare would feel so vehemently for his children - although he supposes he should not be surprised after she risked her life to help them keep theirs just moments ago.