Under the dismal cloak the redwoods cast upon them in the Taiga, Kromium had grown restless.  His body ached to reflect the light of day again.  To feel it warm his metallic core, and so he wanders.  Wanders back across the flowing river that had nearly taken his youngest siblings life(well not really the youngest).  The cool waters bite in the heat of a summer day, but ultimately cooler than at its peak.  Fall was nearing and soon another winter would strike Taiga.  That was the one thing he had loved of Ischia and Tephra.  The cold fingers of mother nature couldn't quite grasp these island homes. 

Climbing up the bank and back onto land, he set a steady pace through the forest with a new destination in mind.  An open meadow he remembers crossing would offer him that glimpse of sun he so desperately sought.  Most days he would have asked his sisters to accompany him but not today.  He had needed time to reflect.  Time to think on what he, they, should do next without interruptions.  Emerald tinted limbs lifted and set in a rhythmic beat along a beaten trail that winded its way through and out the woodlands.  His eyes could make the faint glow of impending daylight at the end of the shadowed tunnel.

Nearing the forest's edge a faint scent on the breeze paused his movement abruptly.  It was as distinct as night and day, the sulfur of volcanic air wafted on the light breeze, twisting his ears to attention.  With a flare of his nostrils he begins moving again, towards the scent and into the open meadow.  The sun rays glistened along his iron body once again but he does not feel its warmth.  His mind is all but occupied on the familiar scent of his once home and finding its source.

His head lowers into the wind, picking his way through the fields of green.  Finding the scented trail leading towards an unfamiliar face.  He stops a few yards off to examine the one who wore the smell of Tephra.  He does not remember her and by looking at her one would remember meeting someone this unique.  His lips part to call out a friendly greeting.  He knew better than to sneak up on strangers and he was much too polite to not say hello...

"Wonderful day is it not, miss?"  He is quick to follow his message with a smile as he takes another step forward.  Ears erect and eyes bright, a mouse would seem more threatening than he.  Emerald tassels flick casually at his flanks as he looks to the mare.  Finding her wings envious and bright plumage eye catching, but he does not think more into it than beauty.  Settling into a stillness, he awaits her reply.

As the gentle winds whip through his mane, he is overjoyed she returns a soft smile and gentle words.  He often was unaware of what reaction others would give him.  He was not normal after all but perhaps this equine knew what it was like to be unique...

His head dips as is customary for his greetings and allows the mare to finish all she has to say.  He is surprised that she knows of Taiga, when clearly she smells of Tephra.  He supposes that she has traveled far more than him and leaves it at that, "I have recently taken refuge there with my sisters." Emerald eyes do not stray from her as they converse, "It is a pleasure to meet you Lucrezia.  My name is Kromium, but you can call me Krom."  A smiles tugs at his emerald tinted lips before he asks what he is so curious of, "And you smell of Tephra... I once called there home too.  How does the island fair these days?"   His curiosity never overpowers his politeness.  He had many questions of Tephra and all that had transpired.  His father had yet to return for them and so he wonders if the worst had happened.  This mare though looks unfamiliar and so it is quite possible she knows nothing of his families ties to the volcanic islands...  

It had been nearly a year since their father had told them they must leave Tephra.  That he would return for them when he had secured the land as theirs, his.  There isn't a day that goes by, that he does not wonder what has happened.  Why he has not returned for them. His father had said to not look for him if he did not come back and who was he to go against his father's wishes.  Though Krom fears the worst, he knows he must be strong for his sisters.  Which is what brings him here today.

Emerald tassels brush gently at his hocks, as his ears tip towards the mare.  When she seems perplexed at her own answer, his crown tilts slightly in concern.  Trying the best he can to not pry for what she could possibly mean.  How does one 'think' their home is well with such uncertainty?  He settles for a nod of acknowledgement and musters smile.  It was really none of his business anyhow.

Not yet.

Her next question catches him slightly off guard, but he does not falter.  If Krom was anything, it was honest.  So he replies without breaking eye contact, "My father has gone to challenge for Tephra... Or had.  We are unsure.  It has been nearly a year since we seen him last."  His admittance may be shocking to someone who had not previously known of the situation, but that doesn't stop the words from spilling from his lips.  He continues though, "That, as I know, was the last thing to happen there.  Before that, others were disappearing.  Members of Tephra, stolen from the beaches.  My sister included.  Though she came home alive... My mother was not so lucky." Even his voice does not quiver at the mentioning of his mother's untimely death.  He has accepted the things he cannot change, and that is why he must secure a home for what remains of his family...

She listens intently to all he says, her expression never swaying too harshly to one side or the other of the emotion spectrum.  He can tell though, that it is a lot of information and so when he finishes, he allows her to speak.  He is surprised her first reaction is sympathy of having no knowledge if his father is alive or dead.  Her eyes slip to their surrounding momentarily before returning to him.  With a bob of his head in thanks, he musters a weak smile.

He has seen much in his life as well, young as it may be.  Mutiny, takeovers, theft, murder.  If anything the trauma has made him stronger.  The heart within his metal chest beats steadily when she speaks of the darkness consuming the lands, specifically hers and he hears the weight in her voice.  Fear looks to be rising within her and he attempts to console the winged mare.  Reaching forwards his muzzle to her, his emerald eyes soft and empathetic.  He knew the pain that burdened her and it wasn't something he wished upon anyone.

What will you do?

The question was unexpected, and honestly, he hadn't found an answer.  Yet.  Often it caused him sleepless nights while watching his younger siblings rest under the starlit skies.  They had been waiting their fathers return but that hope seemed distant now.  He had to do something.  Something now.  With a sudden prick of his ears, he looks to her, "I can protect Tephra... I will keep it safe... Just as father wanted." He smiles more genuinely now, "I can keep you safe Lucrezia.  Everyone who wishes to call Tephra home, safe."   Emerald tinted face uplifts to draw in a deep breath, tasting sulfur on the slight breeze, his profile swivels to view the silhouette of the towering volcano some distance away.  He knew what he had to do...