With the gentle pressure of his body against hers, Arah finally managed to wriggle her foot free from the hole in the earth. The mare gasped in pain as they lurched upwards and Roland stumbled to the side, finding his footing and casting her a worried glance. She moved away from him and he leant back to give her space, but remained at her side lest she required some support. The wound in his neck ached dully from the exertion, but he paid it no mind as his eyes fell to her wounded limb. The flesh had been cut around her fetlock and blood darkened her white fur, but despite its gruesome appearance it didn’t appear to be too serious.

Roland stared at the scarlet smear across her ankle and fought down a feeling of guilt, for in a roundabout way it was his fault that she had gotten hurt. It had never been his intention to get her caught up in helping him, but to his relief the grin she sent his way seemed to show she held nothing against him. “Think nothing of it,” he replied with a dismissive shrug of his shoulder. He was certain she would have done the same for him had he been in that position. The white mare reached towards him and Roland pressed back into her, a soft smile growing on his face as Arah brushed against side and retreated.

Already in the short amount of time they’d spent together she had grown on him. Perhaps all the Basin’s members weren’t as cold hearted and distant as he had been led to think, which was a relief. As they were both Phantoms, perhaps they would be able to work together in the future, and she could ease his way into the new life he was beginning. He caught her wink and chuckled, pleased to see that she was able to find humour in their situation despite the pain she must have been feeling. He often looked upon the darker side of things, but it was difficult to be cynical when in such optimistic company.

Roland cast a glance up at the sun as Arah mentioned returning to the Basin, noting that it had almost reached its apex among the sparse clouds. He was enjoying the heat in the meadow, the warm breeze full of the scent of wild flowers and grass, but they could not remain here forever. It would be a long walk- even longer now that Arah was wounded as well. Her question elicited a nod from him, blue eyes dropping down to meet her gaze, “I think it would be wise to return now so we might arrive while there is still daylight.” He stepped towards her and cocked his head, gesturing in the vague direction of their home with a friendly smile. “Care to join me?”

walk walk walk
"talk talk talk"