’Okay’ her response was still hesitant but it brought a wide smile to Ashitaka’s face, one he hoped didn’t make him look too over eager. Technically, Cursed Dreams was the first mare that he had ‘claimed’, but she was by no means his prisoner. If she decided that the Inlet was not the right place for her, or found faults with Nicodemus or the way he governed; Ashitaka would willingly let her choose a different home. At the end of the day her well being was more important than his ego.
He escorted her away from the commons and headed north towards the sea. He breathed a sigh of relief as they departed the neutral land. His covert mission had been a success, he managed to get in and out without being confronted by another would-be suitor. There are some benefits to being small in stature and seemingly unassuming. As they entered the ocean Ashitaka paused when the water was up to his knees and turned his attention back towards the south. The clouds were an ominous shade of dark grey behind them but above Tinuvel the skies were clear. There was a storm brewing on that horizon. Looking back at the waves he made an assessment on how rough the waves were. As much as he wanted to get his hooves on familiar ground he didn’t want to put his friend in danger.
"There’s a storm on the horizon,” he said calmly. The weather might have been obvious but he wanted to ensure that Cursed Dreams was diving into the ocean with all the facts.
"I think it’s a few hours away, so we should be able to make it,” at least he knew that he would be able to make the crossing in that time. He looked directly into her eyes and asked, hoping for an honest answer;
"Do you have enough energy to make the swim?” He knew that she was a proud creature and his intention was not to belittle her strength. She has already been through a lot today, both physically and emotionally. He did want to add drowning to the list of bad things that have happened today.
ASHITAKA
Male. V. Bay Roan. Hokkaido Horse. 13.3HH. Beta of the Inlet.