Falls

Driven by anticipation, the yearling followed closely behind his mother. Her spotted hindquarters served as his unwavering guide, her dark red tail occasionally brushing his neck. He could hardly contain his excitement; he would finally swim across the channel to the place Thalia had so relentlessly bragged about seeing. Day after day, his older sister had sought him out, eager to recount her adventures on the other side, boasting endlessly about the expansive meadow she called the commons and the bubbling waterfalls.

Shivering slightly, he hauled himself out of the waves and onto the firm sand, a wide grin spreading across his muzzle. His mother slowed as they reached the edge of the grass, her gaze sweeping over him. "We made it," she said, her voice laced with a smile. She'd been confident in his ability to cross the channel, but a mother's worry about his readiness had lingered. "Are you tired, son? she asked, a momentary furrow appearing between her eyes.

"Nope!" he exclaimed, a flick of his tail dismissing her concern. "I'm not a baby anymore," he protested, rolling his eyes dramatically.

"I see that," the Cove queen replied, nodding toward the forest. "This way, then." She set off at a brisk trot down the worn path leading from the ocean's edge. Killian, thrilled, pounded after her, his hooves matching the excited staccato of his heart. Cool shadows enveloped them beneath the broad branches, slowly giving way to the bright reds and oranges of autumn.

A flash of color caught his icy blue gaze, and he slid to a halt. His nostrils flared, drawing in unfamiliar scents as his dark-tipped ears twitched within his thin, onyx mane. Curiosity tugged him from the path toward a fragile voice echoing from a nearby clearing.

"Mama, over here! Come meet my new friend!" the girl called as he stepped through the last of the dense foliage. "Im not your mama!" he said with a giggle, "I'm Killian!"

But then his attention was captured by a rather strange green creature plopped on a log behind her. "What is that?!" he asked with an excited squeal. He had never seen such a thing before; such creatures didn't exist in the Cove. The creatures of his home were boring compared to this! Then he noticed more, and they all hopped and made funny ribbit noises.

Excitedly, he jogged towards one and lowered his whiskered muzzle. His eyes widened as it hopped away, then plunged into a stinking mud puddle, disappearing with a plop.