The arrival of another stallion put my skin to prickling but I did not abandon my position at the massive mare's hip. There was no guarantee she was any better than the Lagoon, but the Forest was already prettier, better smelling, and generally multiple steps up from my previous prison. Plus, she was protecting me even though I was a complete stranger to her. The two exchanged banter, but it didn't feel like it mattered. The numbers were on my side this time.

I was going to be free. Confidence flared in my chest and some of the fear that had pressed me so tightly against the women ebbed. And I know it was childish, but as I peeked around the graying mare's shoulder, I stuck my tongue out at the brute, only for the merriment to die as suddenly as it rose. Because I knew the golden form bobbing closer. The spotted figure at his side was also familiar, although not to the same level. He, too, was a Lagoonie.

I could feel the manacles snapping back into place around my ankles and all the fear and elation that had spurred me into my flight melted away. My tail sank and the brightness in my eyes dimmed as I turned to face him, fury and morose understanding fighting to control my expression. When the golden beast sauntered to a stop rather than charging in to fight, I knew what would follow would not be good.

And it wasn't.

Guilt curdled in my stomach and I cast a morose glance back toward the mare, realizing, perhaps for the first time, that she was likely younger than myself by a year or so despite her gargantuan size. The figure I had so quickly pressed myself into had been warm, to be certain, but not the sort of wiry frame one might ascribe to a fighter. Further, Garmr's quick assessment of the mare seemed to be correct.

Compared to the atlas of scars across Garmr's body, she was untried. And I was putting her in danger.

But I was worth it, wasn't it? A lost princess, in need of rescue? A captive kept locked away for over a year, caged within a swamp? Surely I deserved to fly free from the caged I'd unwittingly found myself in. I wasn't even a captive of someone. Just a captive. Just a number. Jailed not because it amused them to have me there, no, because it amused them that I could not leave. My presence there mattered not, only that I could not control it myself. Fury and fear and apathy rolled across my face in succession before I finally blew out a breath, deflating as I realized that I had no choice.

The Lagoon would win today. Even if the young mare succeeded in fending them off by some miracle, they would only target her again to get me back. And even if I didn't stay after she won, even if I fled for mysterious Salem, they would still take offense at her assistance. Probably. At least from what I'd seen, anyway. One didn't have to mingle much with the other Lagoon denizens to hear news of the ongoing feud between the Lagoon and its ex-boss Nahawi.

Gritting my teeth to stem the tears that threaten to fall, I force my chin up as if the decision to return to the Lagoon was mine and mine alone and marched my way past the trio, leaving plenty of space between me and them. Still, I could not stop the flick of my gaze to Garmr as I passed, my lips pressing tightly together before parting with a reply. "When will you ever stop blaming others for your cruelty? The choice to be a monster is, as it always is, your choice alone."

I should apologize to the mare, I know, but now isn't really the time. And so I offer her only a glance and an apologetic shake of my head. She didn't deserve whatever retribution I'd brought on her shoulders, which meant that I'd have to be even more careful the next time I tried to leave. I had really thought that Tyr would provide enough of a distraction to give me a chance, but I was wrong. Again.

My pride was battered, but I kept my head high regardless, my eyes fixed stonily on the Lagoon. Perhaps I'd perish on the way there, tired as I was, and perhaps - for the first time - I was not appalled by the idea. Better a tragic tale than a forgotten captive, I supposed. At least then, someone might remember me.