The charms of Hyaline had held him hostage far longer than he’d anticipated. Not to mention, the place was like a maze. Escaping it was damn near impossible. Still, he saw no shame in lingering a bit longer. Despite all the new bouncing babies popping up every other day, he had stumbled across a few women he thought he’d like to get to know a little bit better. In a few more months, when their little ones are nearly grown, and their exhaustion had nearly reached it’s peak, he would be there. A familiar face with a friendly smile.
 
Lingering a few extra days would only serve him in the future. He could put up with a few more days of lingering on the outside of society. That strange figure just close enough to tempt their interests. The breeze drifting off the snow-capped mountains, sent a sudden chill through him. This high up it was hard to escape the lingering cold of winter. The climate was unforgiving in it’s majesty. Despite his misgivings, he knew that he would miss the view.
 
Grassy hilltops, steepled trees and rocky alcoves, created an absolute masterpiece for his eyes. Birds who flew up high seemed larger, bolder, unafraid of the height in which they soared. It was refreshing to feel so high. In the far-off distance he could barely trace out the hint of a shoreline – his next destination. Nerine. He itched to make his way to those sandy shores. It’d been too long since he’d visited the ocean.
 
Breathing into the unknown below, he relished in the silence of the mountain range.

It was hard to know how long he’d lingered there when the stray white mare entered his line of sight. Predictably she was oblivious to the gray figure waiting upon the hilltop. Black mane rolling in the breeze his brown eyes glued themselves to the snow of her coat. Oblivious to his stare, she ambled lazily into the clearing and gravitated towards the spring’s meager offering of grass. She was beautiful to look at, but he couldn’t help but wonder if she was one of Hyline’s ‘harbored’. For all the time that he’d spent there so far, he had yet to fully grasp the herd’s complex inner workings.
 
Leaping onto the bank below he strode confidently towards the whitewashed mare. As he neared he plastered a carefree grin upon his maw. ”Excuse me, miss,” he greeted cooly. ”I’m afraid I’ve gotten myself rather lost. Would you be so kind as to point me in the direction of Nerine?”
 
The lie fell easily from his lips and he knew that she would believe him. Besides, he had every intention of making his way to Nerine – just maybe not as quickly as he was letting on.

The mare was clearly oblivious to any potential danger as she eagerly approached him. Freely she drank in his appearance and he did his best to provide for her the best he had to offer. She was beautiful, a crisp white in a field of green. The spring flowers only added to her beauty, even if she wasn’t super bright. Ultimately, he cared little for her quality of intelligence. The more trusting she was the easier it would be when he returned next breeding season – to pass along his genes. Although, in this case, hopefully the child would take after him.
 
Inwardly he fought the desire to roll his eyes at her assumption that he was oblivious to where he was. He’d been in Hyaline for several days, scouting out the area and its mares. Though most were too caught up with birthing to pay him any mind. Still, he figured it was in his best interest to play along with her assumption.
 
I thought so, he said with an easy-going smile. Playfully, he glanced around at the mountains surrounding them. I’ve heard about these ranges, I guess I should have known.
 
He frowned now, allowing feigned concern to play across his features as he mumbled in a tone so soft he knew she would barely be able to decipher his words, However will I explain to Hestia my tardiness?
 
Of course, the bitch queen was not expecting him, and Arithmetic had been dancing around his budding curiosity for months. Some day he figured he would finally make his way to Nerine, but so long as he had ample entertainment elsewhere he felt no need to rush.
 
Do forgive me, love. I’ve been terribly rude, he apologized as he snapped himself out of his imaginary stupor. My name is Arithmetic, and I am pleased to have found myself so fortunate to have stumbled upon a beauty such as yourself. What do they call you, madam?

Arithmetic was not ignorant towards the alabaster mare’s constant glances towards the black lump asleep in the shade below. Her inattention was a common occurrence in new mothers, and though he found the constant flickering of her eyes distracting he kept his mind focused on the conversation at hand. As her eyes openly searched his gray and black frame, he caught sight of their poorly disguised criticism. He smirked slightly and shifted his weight, despite whatever thoughts she held against him he could see the spark of something slowly rising to the surface.
 
She was interested in what he could offer her come fall. Her thoughts tumbled around just behind her eyes and, though he had no interest in becoming a father, she very clearly would jump at the chance to bring forth another child. His child. It was important, in the world in which they lived, to pass on one’s blood to another. Fathering children ensured a survival that surpassed immortality. Lineage.
 
You are too kind, Ilma, he smiled. I suppose I have the beautiful mountain ranges to blame for my getting turned ‘round.
 
Truthfully, he was completely aware of his whereabouts. He’d spent the majority of his time in Hyaline treating with Solace and, though he’d enjoyed her company thoroughly, he’d begun to grow bored. That is, until he’d stumbled upon Ilma. She’d given him reason to linger – if not for a brief moment longer. A wanderer at heart, he’d grown restless. From his earliest memories, he never stayed in one place too long. The stallions he’d often ran with were ever changing and searching for new women to woe. He’d followed them and learned. Traveling was a hard habit to break. A lifetime in Beqanna had given him time to learn the land better than most, which made lying about being lost almost cause him pain. He’d spent time in every kingdom, every outlying territory and could not favor one over the other. So he continued on in his life as a nomad.
 
There were times that he wondered what life would be like as a contributing member of a kingdom. He could see himself as being an impressive warrior and fitting in quite nicely with the others and as Ilma posed her next question he found himself impressed by her timing.
 
I was born in Beqanna, he explained to her. I’ve never appointed myself a permanent home. I find more happiness enjoying the whole of the land rather than just one part of it. He smiled at her widely. Though, I’ve never been quite so tempted by a kingdom as Hyaline. His eyes sparkled at her as he took one step toward her.

She was searching for something, that much was obvious in the depth of her gaze. As she openly studied him he knew that she was his for the taking. He could play the part, make her believe that he was whatever it was that she was searching for, then, when the time came, he would plant his seed and be on his way. Even though she didn’t appear to harbor the brightest of minds, she was nothing but a vessel to him. A way to secure that his legacy would remain even after his death.
 
He stepped closer towards her, arching his neck as he met her gaze. Within the depths of her voice he could hear the love she held for Hyaline. The mountains were her home and she had no desire to leave them. Perhaps that too would work to his benefit.
 
Ever curious, Ilma inquired after his travels and the lands that he’d visited. In many ways, the different kingdoms were all alike. They all built kingdoms, created alliances, fought within themselves and fought with each other. The constant droll of uncertainty as king after king ascended the throne -. He could not imagine pledging his loyalty to a leader whose roll was as changing as the seasons. Out on his own, he was the ruler of his own fate. It preferred it that way.
 
But those were all thoughts he knew were better kept to himself. “There is nothing better than seeing the land from the ground,” he confirmed her thoughts politely and angled himself ever nearer to her. “Although I’ve never flown before, I can imagine that it could be difficult to appreciate the true beauty of Beqanna from above. However, there must also be beauty in flight as well.”
 
He gently touched her shoulder, right at the base of her beautiful wings. Smiling light heartedly he trotted a half-step, his nearly black mane bouncing playfully. “The journey may be longer, but I quite enjoy the peace of it all. To get to see places such as Hyaline – “ His voice dropped away as his gaze was captured by the expanse before them. Acting as if he’d forgotten she was there beside him, he shook himself and beamed at her.