Like a flower waiting to bloom.
It’s not this particular pond that is her special place, but it is definitely one of those she favours. Here Ivar had taught her how to swim and as a foal she had spent hours playing on top of the water with Kharon. Her favorite is a smaller one. It’s shallow, at the deepest part it would only reach to half way up her flank, at one side it had an overhanging rock with water falling down from it. It had been their – her and Kharon’s – secret place, now it was her secret placer. Her special place. And Kylin wanted to keep it like that.
It was why she had chosen to go to this pond, aware that the strangers on the beach might follow her. Her guess had been right, but Circinae’s intentions had only been good. And Kylin couldn’t refuse the mare finding a home to raise her family. After all, her own parents had done the very same thing.
And this it comes as a surprise that Circinae tells her she doesn’t plan on staying long. As a frown appears between her eyes she tilts her slightly dished head. For a moment she studies the older mare, but in the end, there is only one things she can say. ”Why?” she asks softly. When the keeper continues it only confuses Kylin more. How could Kylin know what happens after Circinae leaves?
Circinae didn’t need her, but according to her, Ischia did. The words confuse her even more, but before she can formulate a reply, or a question, Circinae the mare is no longer standing there. Instead she finds herself facing a wolf. Her initial response to that is to back away, stumble across the water’s surface until there’s more distance between them. But the wolf doesn’t come at her, and instead leaps away.
Kylin can only stare at the place where the wolf had disappeared into Ischia’s jungle. It’s not the shift or the confession that stays on her mind. All he can think about are Circinae’s last words. ”Ischia needs you.”
But how?