Lost. That is how Arkadi has felt since leaving the Peak. He knew it was not his home, despite being born there, as it was Hrist’s. But the Lagoon was not for him either. The one time he had visited left a lifelong impression that he didn’t care to repeat. But no matter how long he wandered around the Meadow and Falls, he couldn’t find it in himself to approach anyone. Would he look like a beggar if he asked a stranger that didn’t even know his name for a home? Nor could he bring himself to venture into the Commons, too afraid one of the lagoon men would find him and drag him back to the swamp.


More scared than determined, but tired of not getting anywhere, Arkadi made his very first swim from the Crossing Isle one late Spring day. From what mother had told him, Tinuvel was the closest to the Peak among the islands. Perhaps he could find some semblance of a home there? Hopefully whatever stallion claimed the territory he arrived on wouldn’t slaughter him on the very beach he dragged himself up on.


When his hooves finally touch earth, he felt a sense of relief and staggered up from the water onto the rocky land. Arkadi had never swam before, so crossing from one island to the other had taken a lot more from him than he thought. How did foals manage it?!


Shaking water from himself, he stayed standing there as his golden eyes took in the land and he found himself gawking. It was beautiful!


ARKADI