Since being escorted to the Lagoon, Hiyori and Izumi had been left alone. Perhaps it was the effort Hiyori was making to avoid every soul that passed by, or perhaps not. But the mother did her best to stay unnoticed, and for the first time in her life, Izumi did not try to stray. She kept to Hiyori’s pale side, her eyes wide and watchful of their surroundings. Fear had not left them since the Commons and it broke the mother’s heart. As much as it had scared the mother, her daughter’s wild ways, she had never wished to see it broken.


Come out little mouse.


His voice penetrated the fog where eyes could not see, and for once Hiyori is grateful for her pale coat. It helped her blend in, where typically she felt as if she glowed against the dark backdrop of the Lagoon. Reaching around, she nuzzled at Izumi. “Stay here.” She whispered and at first, Izumi shook her head. “You must.” Hiyori insisted, encouraging her daughter to find bravery. At last, Izumi nodded, and Hiyori stepped away. Knowing that Khyber could hear the slosh around her legs, while Izumi stayed perfectly still and silent.


Hiyori lead the stallion away from her daughter, and although he followed her as if she was prey, she did not wholly feel as if she was. When she deemed it so, she stopped, finally letting the stallion’s stride catch up to her. It had been a slow chase, but she was able to turn, facing him when he emerged from the fog. “What fun would it have been, if I had?” She said, challenging his earlier beckoning.