Alysanne

The decision to leave had been a hasty one, barely enough time to let anyone know what she intended before she had left. Her restless feelings had been relentless, plaguing her. She could not shake the idea that maybe, just maybe, she would be able to sleep again if she were to go back and spend time with her family. See Iona and talk to her about what she had learned with Miykael in those caves… confront the demons that haunted her now. She wouldn’t have been much use as a Moon Doctor in the state she had been in. If she couldn’t calm her mind and heal her own wounds how could she muster the energy to do it for others?

Well, that wasn’t entirely true. Alysanne would give her last breath to heal her friends and anyone else, for that matter.

All the same, it seemed right to leave.

That didn’t mean that there wasn’t guilt in her heart when she returned. She bore gifts, some to be laid aside for later when she visited the altars and others destined for the herb garden. There were a few worries bouncing around her mind. Here she was, a council member in this beloved herd of hers and she was constantly disappearing now and then to spend her time in a completely other land. A decision was on the horizon, one that doubtlessly should have been made a while ago, but for now she was back - ready to make amends and work for this herd. Perhaps she wasn’t meant to be a Moon Doctor, perhaps she had proved herself unreliable. She would have to talk to Kahlua and Kaj and Resplendence about that soon. All she could hope was that, if not in that position, they would still have room for her in this herd.

It really was home after all. Even with her son living somewhere else – growing rapidly! – this was what she considered home. These rocky hills and cliffs and tall trees with their shiny, dark needles. The curious animals that lived here and the amazing equids that did the same. Yes, this was home.

Hemlock, no longer a little puff of down but instead a little puff of sleek tan feathers, did his best to hoot encouragingly at her as they re-entered their home as it was dressed in autumn’s colours. The hoot was muffled as he carried a bright yellow flower in his mouth alongside a white, star-shaped one There were several of these two flowers nestled in crook where her wings folded against her back – the little owl in charge of watching over them during their journey – and he had picked out the most beautiful ones for future plans. The others that they had gathered, plump with seeds, would hopefully be able to get planted in the herb garden before the frost settled in so they could lie dormant safely and wait for Birdsong to bring them back to life.

There was a small hesitation by the winged mare as she reached the ruins of the glass wall – wondering briefly if she should wait to be greeted – before moving on. She had not been gone that long – a couple seasons – though it was certainly longer than she intended.

All she could really do was hope no one would be too cross with her, at least not to the point where they would not allow her to make amends. Her heart felt considerably lighter now that she was back and (hopefully!) would see some friendly and/or familiar faces in just a few moments.