Pain. It was not the first time Bacardi had experienced it, nor did he think it would be the last. With every beat of his heart, the stallion was certain that it was on the verge of shattering completely. Already cracked from those he had lost before; he didn’t think it would handle anymore. Yet not far from where he stood was the still pale body of his longest friend, his beloved Soraya. Bacardi hadn’t seen any signs of struggle. It was as if she had simply laid down and gone to sleep, never to wake again. It was the sort of death anyone could hope for, and for such a sweet soul, Bacardi was glad that she had been so fortunate not to experience any sort of pain.


Taking in a deep breath to try and steady himself; Bacardi could hear the waver in it. The tremble that filled his body matching the sound. It was the best he could do before stepping closer to Soraya and lowering his head to her beautiful face. Despite the smell of death that surrounded her, he could still pick out her sweet scent that lingered. “Goodbye for now.” he murmured, his dark lips brushing over her cheek. “But not forever.” Bacardi promised before pulling away. Tears slide free from his golden lupine eyes, darkening his brown face until they dripped onto her cheek. Swallowing hard, Bacardi had to force himself to turn away at last, knowing it was time for the Forest to claim her.


Bacardi didn’t pay attention to where he was going. Letting his legs pick the trail while his mind wandered elsewhere. In every direction he looked, he could remember Soraya being there. Casting him a smile as she stood peeking at him from behind a tree. The glow of the sun on her back as she drank her fill from the cool pond at midday. Her body laid curled at his hooves, vulnerable and sleeping as their child grew within her belly. The thought of Honey caused his breath to hitch, and the stallion stopped, not even caring to look around to see where he was. Should he try to find his daughter? To tell her what had happened to her mother?


Shaking his head, Bacardi decided against that. Honey had grown up and moved on. She didn’t need to be looking back, or heartbroken by what nature always intended. Drawing another shuddering breath, the stallion made his way to the shoreline. Stopping just at the edge of the waves to peer out across the waves. His mind wrapped up in memory, lost to the living world around him as he mourned his longest friend and companion.

mutt. bay tobiano. fourteen three hands. of the forest.

"...speech"