As has become standard for him, the boy does not remain long at home before he is off across the bridge and out into the world beyond again.  Once more, as with his previous adventures, he embarks on this trek alone.  There are those who might be saddened by this but the child is a stubborn loner and he doesn't seem the least phased by it.  While there are those he cares for, those he admires and those who he may even consider friends some day he hasn't really bonded strongly with anyone.  Besides traveling with another would only mean matching his pace to theirs and he likes to go fast or slow as he pleases.

Today he is moving slowly, even dreamily, across the expanse between ocean front and ocean front.  He has been outside the confines of his homeland for some days now and is only just coming upon the great western sea.  Patrick has traveled west in the past but not quite this far.  So, as he comes over a low rise with tall grass brushing his knees and looks down upon the sparkling blue water he gives a sigh of amazement and pleasure.

"Oh... pretty..."

The colt likes pretty, shiny things and waves glittering in the sunlight are no doubt near the top of his list.  This part of the ocean has even more of a shine than any other, though.  Thanks to the scattering of glass on the beach and the great arch in front of the reef, it is quite magical.  Patrick's blue eyes grow wider with each sweep of his gaze over the landscape ahead of him.

This is a grand place indeed, so fine and sparkly.  I want to keep a few of those glittering shards, they would look amazing in my collection.  Maybe I could bring some back for Ko too.  I wonder what she might be able to paint on them...

Of course, there is also the arch. It is a glittering gate looming in splendor above the waves.  I want to follow that path through the beckoning doorway and see where it leads, but just this once I am somewhat unsure about venturing inside alone.  On the other hand, I don't want to go all the way back to the Throat to get Pop or Ko either.  I am not far from the Edge here though am I? Maybe I could find Yael, Lyanna or Maude.

Turning my gaze northwest I suddenly find that I am not alone on this beach as I'd first thought. There, among the glass shards, is a girl.  She is tallish, well taller than me, and slender.  At this point, taller than me tends to mean older than me but I've never been shy around older girls before, why start now?  She doesn't appear to be wailing, or in fact making any sound at all and this is encouraging.  I am still not sure what I would have done with Maude and her tears if Yael hadn't been there.  Anyway, this current older girl wears a simple, rusty-red coat, boldly marked about the face and lacking any other adornment.  I find this simplicity both oddly refreshing and lovely.  In the world of Helovia, and especially Dragon's Throat, it is rarer than one might think.

For a short time, the younger lad stands, appearing transfixed by sight of the girl down near the waves.  Eventually, he shakes himself free of the trance and heads towards her.  His legs, still rather disproportionately long, carry his frame over the sand with an easy and deceptive speed.  Coming near he pulls up in time to leave a safe distance between them.  With a warm shine in his eyes and a friendly glow to his whole face he turns in an attempt to meet her gaze.

"Hi!  Together?"

His head tips towards the glass arch in explanation and then he waits in patient and hopeful silence for her answer...