L
oft lavenders and pale pinks gently brush the heavens overhead. A gentle breeze ruffles the dark salt laden tresses that cling to his shoulders. His sides heave up and down with each breath as moment by moment the strength begins to return to his body.
By the gods mercy, he had washed up on shore and had not been drowned beneath angry waves. The world around him is quiet - except for the persistent hiss of the waves. There are no birds chirping in the trees nor the gull of a seabird. It was quiet as if the whole world held its breath, waiting for him to once more find his feet and trek on. He drew another breath across his whiskered lips.
It is peaceful - the quiet after the storm.
The soft shuffling of hooves cause his ears to flick in the general direction. A scent is drawn on the breeze that is all too familiar.
Mother. How long had it been since he had seen her? He drew in a sharp breath as the old feelings flooded into his body. Anger. Hatred. Loathing. Instantly his lips curl into a sneer and his ears pin into his salt laden mane. What lies would fall from her silver tongue?
Sigurdr…?” his name falls from her lips. A question. Disbelief that he had found himself on her shore. He pushes himself from his side, onto his hindquarters and then onto his legs. His head snakes around and meets her gaze with a glare.
"Mother," he snaps with an irritated snort and a crack of his tail. How the gods punish him... and how quickly his relief of being swept here ended.
You have returned? the question lingered in the tense air between them. How he wanted to answer her with sarcasm dripping from every syllable. Yet, he holds his tongue and focuses his narrowed gaze at her. He could not just lay aside all that happened. He swallowed back the venom.
"Yes," is all he answers
"I have returned. I see that you are well and have continued your life..." on your own. Without us.
He shits his weight uncomfortably from one hoof to the other. Under her gaze he felt like a child in trouble once again.
"It seems the gods have a funny sense of humor," he grumbles under his breath. Of all the places in the Isles, the sea's current had pushed him to this particular place. He stomps his hoof into the hardened sand beneath him.
