Dejection and failure begin to sit heavily upon the weight of his heart as the golden aura around his return to the desert fades. Had father gone too? In search of them? Although Nyimara promised her son that Asmodeus knew they were leaving and their trek would be a short-lived venture; it is not the first time the colt wonders if she has lied. However he had indeed been hopeful that he would see his father’s chimera form cresting the horizon. When this stallion appeared instead…. Well…. The growing frustration is real.
But as the moment begins to pass and the cream boy tilts his gaze back up towards the stranger, a new sound resonates over the hills of sand and rock. A sound that even in the year that separates them, Cahyr will never forget…. Asmodeus.
And just as his heart feels as if it has completely turned to stone, the muscular figure of his father crests the ridge at a ground-eating gait. ”Abba!” the word yelled from his excited lips as he too shuffled a few steps past the stranger to meet his father’s approach. Excitement dances in the blue-green of his eyes as Cahyr trots excitedly before his father, reaching forward to brush his smoky muzzle against Asmodeus’ shoulder, content only when his lanky frame is pressed firmly into the muscular warmth of his father's broad chest. Asmodeus shoots the stranger a glance, his gaze narrowed in command. ’This is my son.’ the sentiment enough to cause the emotional boy to lift hs own head proudly, banishing away the soft whispers that had only moments ago harassed his thoughts.
The strange stallion does not question Asmodeus or even dare to reply. Without even a glance in Cahyr’s direction, the stallion turns with ears drawn aside in submission and disappears at a quick gait over the ridge, leaving the duo alone to reunite. Just as Cahyr had hoped his return would play out. Pride and delight war for control over the boy’s facial features as he turns his bright glance back up to meet his father’s warm gaze. ’....where have you been?’ the question edges between relief and curiosity, causing Cahyr’s suspicions that his mother had indeed failed to let Asmodeus know of their trip to prove true. Regardless, he was home. Father was home. They were reunited and nothing, not even a stranger or pack of coyotes on the prowl would separate them again. He was certain of that.
The expectant look on Asmodeus’ face as he glances behind the boy at the empty desert returns Cahyr to the present. ’Where is your mother’ the question far less gentle than it had been only moments before. Proudly, the cream colt exhales a breath, his small chest puffing up proudly as he flicks his growing alabaster tail with an audible snap. He lifts his small muzzle, pride taking control of the smile on his lips as the boy meets his father’s gaze fearlessly. ”Mama is on the main island still. She didn’t think I could keep going so she said we would stop and rest…” he continues, drawing in another quick breath. ”I told her I could but she didn’t listen to me. When she left to go….. Where ever…” he adds, his gaze flashing momentarily in confusion. Where HAD mother gone when she left him? She hadn’t exactly spared him a backward glance aside from the warning to stay put. He shakes his small head his small ears perked forward. ”Anyway, when she left I followed my nose! I could smell the desert even over the stench of the ocean. Aren’t you proud of me? I made it all by myself!” he boasts, his gaze searching Asmodeus’ face for the same pride and acceptance.

CAHYR

firebringer son of the Desert sands