Murtagh had been staring intently at the shrine but still jumped when it started to rumble - a delighted hoot escaping him as the earth reached up to surround the compass and he danced merrily around Lakota before returning to his spot beside her and waiting with held breath. His lavender eyes widened with absolute amazement as the earth turned the compass into something else - an amulet. And it was beautiful. Just as he was looking up to his mammina to see if it was for him, the now-familiar voice of the earth god stopped all other thoughts.

The yearling’s smile did not fade, and neither did the wide-eyed expression, as the god appeared. He doubted he would ever get used to that very cool trick.  “I did! It was so great to see everyone so happy after I was able to help them!” He had even forgotten about his quest during a couple of his missions - so intent was he on helping out those that the compass had brought him to. It wasn’t until after he had said goodbye on those times that he remembered why the compass was bringing him to these delightful mares anyway! He liked the feeling of having been able to help them and looked forward to continuing to do so - even without the help of the compass. “It must be so great to get to help us find our companions and stuff!" Murtagh had been able to help a few people during this quest (and would inspire to help more) but he could only imagine how many the Earth god could help!

And then oh! The God shifted his wings and Murtagh could see a dark, speckled shape carefully cradled in the feathers.

He had never seen an egg like that before but he recognized the shape - his tail flicking excitedly as the implication settled on him. “OH! THANK YOU THANK YOU!” He danced in the spot a little bit - carefully stilling himself as the wing outstretched and moved the egg closer to him. Carefully, Murtagh took the precious thing from the Earth God and positioned it carefully by his hooves. His muzzle hovered carefully around it, frightened to touch the large egg in case he damaged it, but unable to focus on anything else. “È bellissimo.” The Italian tongue of his mother coming out in a hushed reverence for this incredible thing before him - lavender eyes shining with tears of happiness. As his dark muzzle finally came in contact with the smooth, dark surface, the egg trembled a little bit - rocking in place before an audible craaacccckk made Murtagh sit down out of shock.

He thought that he was ready for this, but he was so very wrong. In response to his touch the egg was now cracking all over. No, hatching!! Quick glances were cast both towards his mom and the Earth God, filled with both fear and excitement. This was what was supposed to happen, right?

The egg started to fall apart and soon a fuzzy, adorable little face was poking out - crowned with a piece of spectacled shell. Murtagh scrambled back to his hooves and as she rolled and rocked her way free from the rest of the fragments, happily still wearing the egg hat and grumbling with bear sounds he had never heard before. He reached down to her, the little creature of brown and cream that so beautifully matched the egg she had been born from, and helped remove the pieces of shell still clinging to her. “Ti ho trovato, sorellina.” His whispered as he buried his face into her fuzzy neck, breathing deep the rich, clean scent of the fur there.

‘I have found you, little sister’