[private] the ghosts that we knew

[Tarian]

Tarian doesn't venture far from Loess - not during these troubling times - but the altercation with Ashhal had reminded him of something.

There were those outside Loess who might be in need of help (how chivalrous of you, Tarian thought dryly, how very much like Grandfather). So when his patrols around Loess were done, the pegasus took the dark sky. The first few ventures, Tarian didn't go far. The Darkness had lingered for more than a season and death was almost everywhere. Forage had been hard to come by in the autumn and now with winter upon Beqanna, there was even less.

They managed in Loess, but barely.

Life everywhere was scraping by.

And if death didn't come by starvation, there were those damn monsters to worry about.

He knows that they have very little to offer in Loess but he still comes to the Forest often (every few days? nights? how do they measure time anymore?). Most of the time, the Common Landers have a place to go. There had been a weak yearling that was venturing to the Pampas, a place that the colt had heard was abundant in grazing grounds. Surely some must remain, the boy had said with all the shining innocence of youth. A pregnant mare had looked at Tarian with suspicious eyes and so he did the most he could, he spoke the directions to the Southlands and then left her in peace.

When his latest patrol is done and Tarian knows that Lady Oceane is well, he spreads his wings and heads towards the Common Lands.

Tarian lands where the Forest borders Loess. The landing itself it quiet though his attempting at finding enough space to land had not been. His wing strokes had been loud as he circled above, finally locating a clearing in the deep woods that would allow him to touch the ground. He grunts when he does and then lifts his head, glancing through the dark in an attempt to see. Monsters. Another horse. Anything.

The pegasus knows better than to call out. It's the quickest way to draw the creatures in and so the Champion turns towards the River, their still-flowing source of life. But Tarian doesn't hear it bubbling. He doesn't hear it rushing over the stones. He is still too far away.

The stallion finally slows and flicks his ears behind him, to the sides of him, trying to catch the sound (a hoofstep? a breaking twig? the rustle of dead leaves?) that he heard a moment before.

@[Altissima] let me know if you need me to change anything <3