Strong colt feels rejuvenated and alive once again. The cold of Frostfall does nothing to dampen his spirits; he can see, and he can find his way home. With a nervous Manhattan in tow, he gallops unceasingly back to the Foothills. He longs to see the forests of his home, even if it means facing the demons of his family. Mandrake will surely punish him for his absence, even if not herself- he finds himself expecting the disciplinary sting of his brother's blows. They will teach him right from wrong, by their mother's definition anyway. Still, the young colt finds himself wondering if that is truly just.

Strange that in his time of blindness he has learned so much. He has found himself unable to see but more capable than ever to learn. Ophelia's kindness had been new and strange- he had wondered if it was love and then realized quickly it was simply a selfless affection and guidance. It had not been until he had felt her easy, gentle touch that he had understood what either thing was.

Arriving now at the edge of a herd meeting, seeing so many familiar faces that he used to think he cared about, he realizes how little they really mean to him. Even Archibald and Evers, his kin by blood and bond, who stand proudly before him and so many others, seem strangely disconnected from his life. And yet, as he listens to Paladin speak and finds himself grasping the concept of government laid out before him, he realizes he knows no one else. Ricochet, the stallion pitted against his brother, is no more than a name and an arrogant face. Archibald, while utterly controlled by their mother, is a beast he knew could be mild. He had seen his brother's eyes when they were gentle and caring, sees them now with a loyalty to the herd he does not recognize.

It is clear that much had changed- not just the Strong colt himself, but the world around him. He skulks in from the back of the crowd, clear blue eyes glittering, ears pushed back against his skull as the level of discomfort rises and the air around him seems to thicken with tension. Manhattan trembles at his side, doing her best to keep the visions and voices that once plagued her master and now haunt her dreams at bay. Knox watches in silence as other speak, marvels at how different their voices sound now than they ever did before. He feels invisible, and wonders for a moment if his brothers know he is here; if anyone has missed him for the long season that he has been gone. He extends his magic outwards and lets the numbing blindness seek out the massive form of his dark brother. Only when he senses the blindness has taken hold of Archibald does he speak; will his brother know him from his voice, remember him?

"I believe Archibald would suit this herd best as a leader," Strong Colt says firmly, letting his voice ring through the air. The silence that so often surrounds him is gone, and his voice is revealed at last. He sounds clear and confident, in charge of himself and understanding of his being. But all the while he cannot help his mind from wondering: Is there anything left here for him?

[[Knox's Vote: Archibald. Permission from Time to blind.]]