Darkness swallows the lake and without the fullness of the moon, it is a wonder anyone can navigate anywhere. It seems as though even the stars do not want to come out and show their light. Thankfully, Kibou has his little orb of light that trails behind him everywhere he goes so he can always see. His mother tells him it was his father’s orb, that it flickered out when he passed and flickered to life the moment Kibou took his first breath. It had been a faithful little orb, always with him and always a comfort.
Saki sits straddled over her bonded’s withers, her hands fisting what little mane the foal has. She goes with him everywhere, always touching him, always making sure he stays out of trouble…mostly.
Kibou had watched his mother head towards the forest, probably on one of her patrols. It had been rumored that he was a scared little foal, too childlike to participate in any sort of grown up fun. And yet, Kibou wanted to feel a part of the court, he wanted to pull his weight and he wanted more than anything, friends. And so, he tried to put on his brave face as he headed into the woods with everyone else. Unfortunately, they were so far ahead of him that he was left alone and afraid.
As if the sound of the wind howling around him did not make his fur stand up straight, it was the sound of hoof beats behind him and wailing that caught his attention. He paused, looking around him for the source, watching as his little orb lit the way. He saw no one. But then the wailing continued, this time crying out for help.
There was something rooted very deep in Kibou that he did not quite understand. That need to help, that drive to rescue and render aid. It was a part of his father that was implanted in his soul. "Where are you? I’ll help you!" He does not know about ghosts or spirits, about the dangers the woods might hide. All he knows is that he has this pressing urge to help the one who is asking for it.
