Falls

There’s only a subtle flick of one ear at the voice ringing out to show that she had heard, and moments later, when she picked up on movement nearby as the stallion approached the bank, did she turn her head slightly to rake her gaze over him. Shenzi recognised him instantly, despite it being many years since they’d last crossed paths.

A soft huff of amusement was issued in response to his words. “Perhaps,” Shenzi agreed, and as if by confirming the possibility she had invited the cold in, she gave another shiver. “If I do, it won’t linger long.” If her sturdy little body could be good for one thing, it was surviving that which would have long claimed the lives of others.

“Did you come for the water, Rehoboam?” Shenzi found herself asking, voice soft and husky, bowing her own head to wet her lips. “It is so much sweeter than the water of Salem, but it doesn’t satisfy in quite the same way.” After a moment, she took a step forward, and another, bringing herself more level with Rehoboam.

“You took my son from me,” she accused, snarling with sudden anger, Azizi’s name burning on the tip of her tongue. But the tension in her body was gone a second later, as if the water flowing around her had washed it off and carried it downstream. “And I kept yours from you.” The admission was bitter, and she turned away, thinking of the last time she had seen the white patched boy.

“His name is Tendaji. I’m - I’ve been looking for them,” Shenzi averted her gaze as she whispered, feeling that yawning chasm of grief, and loss, and regret, pulling at her again. It left her unable to let go, or cease in her searching of the sons she had lost, even to the detriment of her life now, straining the relationships she hadn't yet ruined.