this is the road to ruin

[Mandalocks]

The not-yet-three filly stares in confusion at the lively trees' leaves - reds, yellows, golds, near-whites in color despite the harsh winter's cold and plainly alive - as she pauses, silently giving Kreios thanks with her eyes for the pause in the snow. She saw Blazed, who had fallen behind, and swiveled around to meet her mother. "We're resting for a bit. This is our home now. We're safe. We have a home." She says to the mare, perking her ears forward and standing next to the tired mare. Why has she been so quick to tire? Is she sick? These thoughts pounce into Mandalock's and she looks over Blazed, noting she had started to go sway-backed and her movements were labored. She seemed ageless most of the time, but this was sudden. Unexpected. She didn't understand what was happening to her dam, didn't know she was older than Mandalocks had assumed..

And never would have guessed that a sickness might be ringing her death toll while it ravages her from the innards out..