Falls

Scorpio's departure from this world affected me in ways I've never felt before. I was filled with anxiety and depression and forced myself into solitaire at the Peak. I felt bad for leaving my son alone with a nurse mare, but it was for the best. I couldn't let him see me like this. I was in the northern part and it felt good being alone. The weather was cold, my coat was fluffy, and some weird white stuff was on the ground. It was odd, this never happened at Punt. I was cautious of it and sniffed it. I put a little bit of it in my mouth and it instantly turned into water. What was this stuff? Moon water? I never could figure it out. If Kachina was here, I could see her playing in this white stuff. Thinking about her, what was she doing now? I hadn't said goodbye since I and Iah left that death island. Is she angry at me? She probably thinks that I'm dead by now. Is she a herd by now? I feel sorry for the stallion dealing with her peeving behavior. Only The Gods know when we will be reunited.

I was often wasting my days by thinking of the previous horses that I had a relationship with. Tiye, Itet, Meresankh, and Bast. The four mares that were grievously taken away from me before me and Kachina came to the islands. I admit that Kachina was right, I'm cursed. Like our baba was. Every time I was in a close relationship with a mare, death took her away. I felt useless and hopeless, my life was a complete mess. Then my mind wandered onto the locals I met here. Did that mare..Nyimara, did she send out someone to look for me? I'm pretty sure she knew what had happened. I was wondering about King Zevulun also. What was that moon-colored doing these days? Was he happy? I knew absolutely nothing of his life. I never recalled one of the Peaks checking on me. Did they forget I was here? Or did they not care? I realized communication was an issue here and I had to speak with someone about what's going on in the islands. I was going to do it, but I kept having a weird feeling and delaying my plan.

The days started to get warmer and the white stuff was gone. I was surprised when Iah showed up! He had gotten a little bigger and he was eager to find me. "Baba! Why are you hiding from everyone else? I almost forgot what you look like"! He told me. I told him how his mother's death made me depressed and I couldn't talk to anyone. We spent some time and I told him that his mother's soul is in Aaru. I think he took the news well since he didn't cry. He looked at me for a moment and yelled, "Baba! I want a walida"! I groaned and hung my head low, I did not want to get close to another mare.

I admit the scenery was beautiful here. The grass became greener and plants that I'm not familiar with grew. I was a bit underweight during my mourning and I decided to take the opportunity to eat a bunch of grass. I did not let Iah leave my sight. Just seeing him made me happy. He was playing with bugs or other creatures while I ate. He didn't seem happy that he was alone with me. Maybe it is time to get back out there. Fear filled me. So many things could go wrong if I go back out there. But Iah... he needs a herd to be in. The last herd I lived in was a little small. There used to be a lot of members, but they got killed or ended up disappearing and about six of us remained along with a few other herds. Now that I think about it, my herd probably no longer exists. Me and Kachina could be long dead by now, so glad we left sooner.

One morning, I watched Iah playing on the shoreline and a feeling overcame me that I could not fight. "Iah, come. We are leaving this place." I called out. Iah got excited and galloped by me to eat some food. A little later, he ate his full and pranced towards me. He asked "Baba, are we going home? A new home? Or walida home"? I cringed, that felt like I got kicked in the head. I am not setting foot on that island, ever. "We are going to find a new home. I will not go back there. Let's go." I told him. We both started galloping on the beach as we made our way south. A few days passed as we traveled our way through the Peak. We rested and stopped a few times, and then I got a feeling that somebody was watching from a distance. Concerned for my son's safety, I rushed our journey. "asra, Iah! We have to keep going"! I called out. He didn't say anything, just kept galloping by my side. I didn't hear strange as I recalled, just the thundering sounds of our hooves.

I could tell we left the Peak territory and we entered into something new. I heard the sound of waterfalls and I came to an abrupt stop. Iah stopped too and he had a curious look on his face. "We are going to get some ma'a. If somebody decides to join us, be nice." I told him. I could feel my heart starting to pound as I said this. It felt awkward being out again, especially with strangers. I was put into protective mode as we walked towards the falls. It felt refreshing as the cool water entered my mouth. We both drank for a while until Iah said something. "Baba! I think we have a friend"! He yelled. I quickly lifted my head and observed the area. My eyes frantically searched until I saw a horse near us, and I was filled with suspicion.