Windchaser’s breath caught in her throat as he spoke of having to kill one of the horses. She could just have more easily imagined him cutting off his own arm. She tried to remain impassive and strong, but she couldn’t this was Alle, her Alle, that she had spent so long loving. She stepped towards him, leaving Cabello, but not even slightly surprised as the horse moved with her. Their bond was that strong.

“I missed you too, like someone had cut off a limb…I so wanted to stay with you, but I was just an extra mouth to feed.” Suddenly she felt like Windchaser was fading and Ellie reasserting her hold, but still her new identity fought with the old and won, even as she crouched in front of him, reaching out to touch it as he spoke about the sound the horse made, her resolve crumbling.

She remembered that sound from her travels, and had lived off roots and grass rather than look on Cabello as a meal, but she had been alone. She suddenly, desperately wanted to know if Maria had ever spoken with him, realised and not allowed him to go through that with only a bitter mute for company. However, in an attempt to treat him like any other trauma victim she tried not to interrupt his flow and just to let him talk.