‘The Cove is not safe right now’ Those words had caused Ashitaka’s heart to sink into his stomach. Tamar had been frightened. She had already escaped from the clutches of one captor and he had almost willingly escorted her into the grasp of another. He had been racked with guilt for days after that. He didn’t know very much about Warwick. He did know that the leader of the Cove used to be a subordinate of the Inlet. It could very well be the position he now proudly held. He could gather that Nicodemus and his predecessor had not parted on amicable terms.

A long time had passed since that little smokey grullo mare had literally run into him. She had accepted Nicodemus’ offer and decided to stay in the Inlet where she was surviving on the edges of the herd. Keeping herself to herself. Ashitaka had wondered if she ever got lonely. He would see her every now and then when he did his rounds of the territory. He always respected her space and one day he was hoping to see that she had been reunited with her mother.

The bay roan stallion had just completed a patrol loop. It was late afternoon and the setting sun was casting long shadows from the pine trees. It was autumn now, though it was hard to tell here in the coniferous forest where the trees held onto their green needles. From between the trunks Ashitaka watched Tamar. His heart sank to see that she was still alone. Gently he scraped his hoof against the earth as he thought about what to say. Obviously she wanted to be left alone, if she felt otherwise she would be more sociable with the rest of the herd. Either way her wellbeing was partly his responsibility and the dutiful stallion simply couldn't ignore or neglect her. He had better go and say something before he looked like some sort of creepy stalker gawking at her from behind the trees.

"Tamar?" He called out to her as he emerged from the cover of the tree trunks, "It’s been awhile," he stated to demonstrate his intentions for a quick catch up, "How have you been? Have you heard anything from your mother?"Male. V. Bay Roan. Hokkaido Horse. 13.3HH. Beta of the Inlet.